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When Madelyn Cline graced our screens in 2020 on the teen-hit Outer Banks, it was clear that she was a face everyone would remember. She’s recently taken a momentous step in her career, starring in the second installment of Knives Out.
In the Netflix series, Cline’s character Sarah Cameron is a lively and spirited queen-bee caught between two worlds. In the Rian Johnson-led whodunnit, she plays Whiskey, the remarkably cunning girlfriend of Dave Batista’s character.
We caught up with Cline before she continued her press tour for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. She fills us in on what being apart of this franchise has meant for her, and she reflects on her acting journey. Below, read some excerpts from our interview, and tune in to the Who What Wear podcast to hear it in full.
Were there any specific other pieces of advice or lessons you learned even from your castmates on Glass Onion?
From Daniel, I learned, what a true leading man looks like. He is a gentleman to the core. And he’s also he is one of the funniest, most uninhibited people I think I’ve ever met. And he, along with Rian knows have this great energy. That feeling of safety and freedom starts from the top. They really knew how to curate, and facilitate an environment where everybody felt safe and free to play. And that’s something that on any set, I’m ever on it, I would want to emulate that kind of energy. It’s important, and I don’t think it matters where you are in a call sheet.
From Ed Edward, he is such a perfectionist, yet I learned that no mistake you’ve ever made is ever worth it. If you’re not happy with what you’ve put down, you can start over. That’s a very practical thing for an actor. Sometimes I think we feel like have to keep going. Don’t do it. Just start over and only put on camera what you’re happy with.
With Kathryn, Kate, and Janelle, I learned freedom. Those three are so free and inhibited. They have no fear. They’re fearless in their work and I admire that so much.
From Leslie, I learned stillness. I learned how powerful stillness is. He’s also very calculated and intentional about everything he does. It was so beautiful to watch.
Both Outer Banks and Glass Onion involve being on an island. If you had to bring three beauty products with you to an island, what would they be?
Oh, sunscreen—definitely. And for being stranded on island purposes, I’d do a two-in-one shampoo, which I know is bad. But that leaves room for another product which would be mascara.”
You’ve worked with many designers with your stylist Mimi Cuttrell. What is a dream fashion collab for you?
It would be such a dream to one day be a Versace girl. That would be [incredibly] cool. I would shit my pants. I wore them for the Glass Onion premiere, and they always come through with the most amazing dresses. I’d love to collaborate with them.
On Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, you would with what’s considered a dream cast. If you had to create a second dream cast, who would that include?
Oh my God, Jennifer Coolidge has to be in it. I would have to bring Kathryn Hahn back. And let’s go with Billy Eichner. That would be a fun cast, and we would make a comedy thriller.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.