THEM: Sophie Guest as the Prominent Supernatural Entity in Amazon Series

THEM, Amazon Prime's latest horror anthology series, centers around the Emory Family living in the heart of 1950's Los Angeles starring the likes of Deborah Ayorinde and Shahadi Wright Joseph. From a historical viewpoint, the Emory Family is subjected to exorbitant racism from a culmination of actual human beings and supernatural entities. Playing one of the most prominent supernatural entities is fifteen-year-old Sophie Guest. Guest plays "Doris", a seemingly innocent high school teenager, who makes nice with "Ruby Emory". Per contra, the bonafide blue-eyed, blue-eyed student possesses an underlying persona of pure evil.

Photographer credit: Becky Thurner Braddock

THEM is set in the 20th-century, during the Second Great Migration where more than 5 million African Americans traveled from the South to the North. It's plagued with corruption and depicts racial themes; perhaps some that still reside in America today"THEM is an incredibly timely series," Guest states, "It reflects the agony, frustration, anger, sadness, and desperation the Black community has felt from the 1950s to now. I know when I watched the show, I felt these emotions. Having empathy and understanding is a key to growth and change. Hopefully, THEM can be a catalyst for change."

"Doris" evolves throughout the series as her true colors begin to emerge. She's appealing yet deceptive. Guest confesses about her role: "My role as "Doris" in THEM is by far the hardest role I had to play because I had to play someone who is the opposite of me. It's hard when you have a manipulative dialogue full of backhanded compliments. So, although it was a difficult role, it taught me how to separate the character I'm playing from who I actually am. I don't think "Doris" and I are similar at all. She is very manipulative, so I can't say that I'm like her at all."

Guest's expertise is distinctive to other ordinary teenagers. The budding actress is well beyond her years and has a long grocery list of film credits. She grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she was encompassed by opportunities and fully got her feet wet in the world of acting. It was one day where the actresses' mother got a phone call from her older sister's modeling agent asking if the younger Guest would be interested in auditioning for a little girl in Jack Reacher starring Christopher McQuarrie; someone who Guest pays homage to this day. Needless to say, she booked the role and never turned back around.

Photographer credit: Becky Thurner Braddock

"Mr. McQuarrie is such a kind and genuine person," Guest notes, "I credit so much of where I am today to him because even though he played a small part in my career by casting me in the film, he opened up this world to me which sparked my excitement for acting."

The actress continued, "That being said, for that to be my first ever role was so unexpected and at six years old I didn't know or grasp what a big deal he was. He took the time to meet with my mom and me and explained the scenes I would be in. Since they involved gunshots, he wanted to be sure we were comfortable with what was going to be happening. Mr. McQuarrie then showed me the storyboards for the movie and went frame by frame until he got to a picture of a young girl that looked like me and an older guy. He asked me if I knew who they were and I said, "I think that girl is me, and I don't know who that guy is." Of course, that "guy" was Tom Cruise! Mr. McQuarrie said that Tom would find it so refreshing to hear that. So I wouldn't say that I was intimidated, because at the time I was so oblivious to both of their fame. To this day, I keep in touch with Mr. McQuarrie to remind him how thankful I am for his part in my career.

From that point on, Guest has booked roles in Draft Day, The Fault In Our Stars, Two And A Half Men, Those Who Kill, Love the Coopers, and more.

Dear Zoe, Guest's newest coming-of-age project, "Tess," played by Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink, is navigating through life after suffering the devastating loss of her little sister. Directed by Gren Wells and based on the novel by Philip Beard, Guest plays "Caitlin" who is one of Tess's friends. Guest declares, "For Dear Zoe, I auditioned here in Pittsburgh, and I actually auditioned for both "Caitlin" and "Ashley", but was cast as "Caitlin." This was fun because I was given the script for "Caitlin" and casting was like, 'Okay! try this one too!' So, it was like trying on shoes and Caitlin ended up being the one that fits."

On working with Sadie Sink, "She was so sweet and it's so cool to be able to work with someone that you idolize on the screen. Since we were filming in an elementary school most of the time, we were kept in a classroom while waiting to be called to set, and Sadie and I went around the room looking at the names on the desks and creating stories about the kids based on their names, which was super funny."

Photographer credit: Becky Thurner Braddock

When not working, the young actress can be found hanging out with her friends and family, running and playing soccer, playing guitar, listening to music, baking and cooking, and playing with her puppy.

Guest also holds the American Diabetes Association and Meals On Wheels close to her heart. She lost her uncle to diabetes and feels passionate about the cause, and couples with her mother to volunteer for Meals On Wheels. She says, "I feel especially passionate about this because the state these folks are left in is particularly sad, considering my mom and I are about the only human connection they get. So, anyway that we can brighten up their day is a really meaningful thing."

A few lasting fun questions:

If you could create a TV show about absolutely anything, what would it be and who would be in it?

"That's tough. Either something like Teen Wolf, or a comedy like That 70's Show. As for who would be in it, I'm not sure yet!"

What are your favorite TV shows right now?

"I have been rewatching New Girl, but definitely need some new recommendations, so let me know of any shows that are a must-watch, besides THEM!

Who are your favorite musical artists?

"Mac Miller will always be my favorite, but I have really been loving Kali Uchis's music lately."

Do you see yourself ever directing your own film or writing one?

"Yes, I would love to do that! It's actually one of my goals to do so! I really want to go to UCLA and attend their film school so I can learn how to properly write a script. I have been recently gifted my grandma's old typewriter, so I have the tools needed to start now!"

Meet the Author

Brianna Vacca is a Philadelphia-based writer. She has an unhealthy addiction to true crime documentaries, celebrity gossip, and writes overly dramatic sad songs.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.