At first glance, Everleigh McDonell may seem like an adorable little girl, which in fact she is. However, beyond than that, she is a hard-working and talented young girl who from a very young age embarked on the adventure of television, a realm in which she has obtained important achievements, growing with every role into recognizable figure in the industry.

She’ll be portraying the child version of the main character, ‘Clare Abshire,’ in HBOMax’s newest series “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger.

We had a really warm and genuine chat with this beautiful California native about her plans in acting, her aspirations of becoming a producer and director, and how she enjoys life acting.

First of all, we would like to have a bit of context about you and your career as an actress. What is acting in your life?

Acting means greatness! I love acting. Acting is my passion. Acting to me is basically doing work to do something amazing, and you can reach so far in your career if you keep working hard. Let’s say you’re an actor, and you auditioned for something yesterday. If you didn’t book it, that’s ok, because there is always more that you can try out for. You might get another audition the next day, and you get told that you killed it and are pinned for it. Then you are told that you got the job. Eventually the show comes out and you get to be so excited about all your hard work that made something so great.

How has been your family's role in this process? Because your started acting at a very young age.

My mom has had to do a lot. Since I was little, she has had to take me to so many places for auditions and drive me in traffic. She helps me learn my lines, she tapes my auditions, she edits them, talks to my agents and managers, helps me travel, and so many other things; I’m so grateful!

You are playing the child version of “Clare Abshire” in “The Time Traveler’s Wife” series. What’s the story about and how has been your experience so far?

The story is about this girl named Clare, and when she’s six years old, she meets a time traveler who appears in the forest. They play together and have fun. When she grows up, she finds out she is married to him in the future and they grow a life together. They make a family together. My experience has been a lot of fun. Being Clare has been probably my favorite role ever. She is so adventurous and fiery, like her hair, and she’s very curious, like me. I’m pretty curious.

How did they choose you for that role? How was the process?

The process was pretty long. First, my mom filmed myself tape audition. We heard back a few weeks later that I was going to have a meeting with the casting director, David Rubin, and the director, David Nutter. David and David were super nice. We discussed the role of Clare, we read the scenes together, and to be honest, it was a lot of fun with them. They told me to do a couple things differently, like a little more curious and like, “wait, you’re a time traveler! Why are you here?!” Then I found out I booked it, and I was going to New York to film it! I was gone all summer. It was a long process, but it was an amazing process.

During filming, was there any particular (fun, crazy, hard) moment you would like to share during the filming with us?

One of the amazing parts has to be seeing Theo James and Rose Leslie, because I know that they are huge actors in crazy cool big movies. To work with them at 8 years old is probably the craziest thing that you could ever think of.

The scene where Theo disappears right in front of my face was so awesome. I was like, “Did I really just see a time traveler?? And, oh! He’s my friend now! He’s a time traveler!...I wonder where he is now?” They used a leaf blower and they put it in my face and my hair went ‘whoosh’ when Theo disappeared.

You also play Jane Boland on “Good Girls” (NBC & Netflix). So, how are Everleigh McDonell, Clare Abshire and Jane Boland alike and how are they different?

Everleigh, Clare and Jane are all alike because they’re all curious and a tad bit sassy. For instance, when Clare threw a shoe at Henry, that’s almost like something that Jane would have done. Remember when Jane wanted a rabbit, but then she wanted a snake to eat the rabbit?

We are different because Jane is the youngest, Clare is the middle child, and I’m an only child. Clare likes to be by herself in the woods and is very adventurous, while Jane just stays where she is put. She hangs out at her house, watching tv, or goes to her friends house. I like to be adventurous too, but I wouldn’t go to the woods alone. I stay in my neighborhood and play with my friends.

Comedy, action, drama, Suspense... So many to choose from, Which is your favorite genre to interpret?

Probably comedy, because I just love laughing. I love being funny, ever since I was little; I have always tried to be funny. I like to make people laugh and I love to laugh, myself! Before I could even speak, I would pretend the kitchen floor was dirt and I would try to dig it up and eat it with a spoon while making funny faces. I made everybody laugh and I liked it, so I smiled and started laughing too.

Do you have a particular admiration for any actor or actress in the industry? Who and why?

Ooh, my favorite actor, that’s a hard one. I love Jim Carey. He is so funny. One time, I was pretty close to meeting him because I had an audition on a lot where he was filming and someone who used to work on Good Girls was working on his show. But I didn’t get to meet Jim Carey because it turned out he was sick that day. I was like, “noooooo!” I was so sad. I think he’s so funny because of his face. He can move it like crazy and make one eyebrow go up, which I can do too. He can do all these things with his face. I’ve watched all the movies he is in and they’re so funny. I love the way he moves and talks. He is hilarious.

How is school fitting in these busy/working days?

Fun fact: my teacher lets me leave for work because about 20 years ago, her favorite book was The Time Traveler’s Wife. And now, 20 years later, Clare Abshire is in her classroom! It’s weird to think about. My teacher packs work for me, and I also have my own tutor when I’m on set.

Describe a perfect day for you. How would it be?

I would probably sleep in because I love sleeping. I would eat a late breakfast at like 9 or 10, either pancakes or waffles. Then I would get dressed, brush my hair, and go outside to play with my friends. We would ride our bikes, play Would You Rather, Truth or Dare, play soccer, catch and go swimming. Then I would go home to rest and have a cheeseburger, fries and ranch. Then I would play online with my friends in California. We would play Roblox and craft together. Then I would go back outside and play until really late because the sun doesn’t go down here until almost 10! For dinner I would have steak and spinach. My friends would come over for a sleepover and we would watch a movie while eating popcorn and playing games. I would try to pull off an all-nighter but I would probably go to bed by 1.

Is there any role you would like to play in your acting career? Which one and why?

I read this book called Land of Stories, and if that was made into a tv show or movie, I would love to be in it. I would like to play Alex or maybe Queen Red Riding Hood. To be trapped in a fairy tale book and travel to different lands would be amazing. I’ve never been in a movie and I would love to do one with action and adventure.

Where you would like to be within 10 years

In ten years…that means I would be 19 or 20! Oh my goodness. I would probably want to be in New York for part of the year, acting and singing. I really want to direct, and maybe produce and write, but definitely acting. I might be directing by then. I might have shorter hair by then, but I’m not sure about it. I would probably wear green or yellow a lot, because those are my two favorite colors. I would only wear a bit of makeup because too much makeup would make my face feel weird and it wouldn’t feel natural. I would be writing songs, and my first or second album would be coming out. It will be something like Ariana Grande or Sabrina Carpenter because their music is amazing.

Photographer: Luke Fontana

HMU: Tanya Marques

Green dress: Paade Mode

Denim Jacket: Lola and the Boys

Green top: Wolf and Rita

Everleigh Mcdonell in the “The Time Traveler’s Wife”: “Being Clare has been probably my favorite role ever”

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