IN CONVERSATION WITH SADIE STANLEY

interview by JANA LETONJA

Sadie Stanley will next be seen starring in ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, releasing on 30th May. Sadie has previously starred in the second season of Freeform’s anthology series ‘Cruel Summer’, in ABC’s hit sitcom ‘The Goldbergs’, and in Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series ‘Dead to Me’.

You’re starring in ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ as the only female lead in a franchise with such an iconic legacy. What was it like stepping into that space alongside Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, and Joshua Jackson?

It was surreal. I grew up watching these movies with my own family and this franchise means so much to so many people. Stepping into it, especially as the only female lead, felt like both a huge honor and responsibility. Jackie, Ralph, and Joshua were incredibly generous, along with the rest of the cast. I learned so much just from watching them work, and they made me feel like I truly belonged. There’s something powerful about carving out space in a story that’s always been so male-driven and showing girls they can be part of the legacy too.

How did you prepare physically and mentally for a role in a martial arts-driven film like ‘Karate Kid: Legends’? Did you undergo any special training?

No fight training for me this time. Mia doesn’t throw punches, but she definitely lands some emotional ones. I focused more on grounding myself emotionally, especially since my character plays a key role in motivating others and holding space during some of the film’s more human moments. It was about presence and nuance, not combat.

What can you tease about your character’s role in the storyline, especially how she fits into the legacy of the ‘Karate Kid’ universe?

She’s the heart of the film in many ways. She challenges Li to think about why he’s fighting, not just how. She’s a grounding force and a mirror for the people around her, while also having her own challenges and things she’s working on. I think she expands the legacy by bringing in a new deeper, emotional presence to a world that’s usually so dominated by physical action. 

The film strikes a nostalgic chord with longtime fans. How did you balance honoring the past while bringing something fresh to the table?

I think the heart of ‘Karate Kid’ has always been about connection, mentorship, identity, inner strength. This film taps into those themes and doesn’t try to fix something that isn’t broken. The team outdid themselves in terms of the stunts and fight choreography. I think we did a great job of making this movie one that feels fresh and new, but somehow still nostalgic and familiar in a way the longtime fans will definitely appreciate. 

Many people recognize you from roles in ‘Cruel Summer’, ‘The Goldbergs’, and ‘Dead to Me’. How has your approach to acting evolved from comedy to drama to action?

Each genre has stretched me in a different way. Comedy taught me timing and listening. Drama taught me vulnerability and presence. And action helped me tap into physical storytelling and pushing myself. I’ve learned how to trust my instincts more with each role, to get out of my head. That growth has been the best part of the journey so far and I definitely want the projects I choose to feel different from each other. I want to explore every genre. 

In ‘Cruel Summer’, your role explored some emotionally intense territory. Did that experience influence the way you approach more grounded or vulnerable moments in action films like this?

Absolutely. That role really taught me how to sit with discomfort and how to let a moment breathe. Filming the show was also demanding in a way that forced me to trust myself and my ideas at every moment, which has changed things for me both in life and my career. In ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, there are scenes where there’s a lot of chaos and action going on that are amazing, but those more grounded, emotional moments are the ones that make you root for the characters. People want to see themselves in the characters on screen, so my approach is the same, to bring authenticity and truth to everything I do. 

Having had such a steady rise in both TV and film, how is each project a learning curve for you?

I walk into every set ready to be a student. No matter the size of the role or the scale of the project, there’s always something to absorb, whether it’s how a director handles a scene, or how another actor stays grounded in chaos. I think the moment I stop learning is the moment I stop growing, and I’m nowhere near done yet.

This role could be a game-changer for you. What kinds of roles are you looking to take on next?

I’m drawn to characters with contradictions, women who are messy, vulnerable, brave, quiet, loud, soft, dangerous. Right now, I’m kind of in a place where I want to be slightly picky. I don’t want to play just the love interest, or just somebody’s daughter. I want to play characters that are very different from me. I like a challenge. 

Outside of acting, what are your current biggest passions?

Pottery has become a massively important part of keeping grounded. I need a place to create without pressure of producing a result and it’s really therapeutic. I’m also always reading. Consuming art in any form keeps me inspired. I play a little piano, I hang with my friends, cuddle my cats, the usual stuff.

Besides ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, what is coming up next for you?

I just wrapped a very exciting film that checked off a lot of bucket list items for me. It was very physically demanding, but I love when there’s some sort of physical aspect to a role. I had the best time. And then after I’m done promoting ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, I’ll be off to work on an indie that feels like the exact right thing I need right now. It’s a huge departure from everything else I’ve done and I’m playing a character that truly couldn’t be more different from who I am in real life. She terrifies me, but I take that as a sign that I have to do it. I can’t name what either of those projects are, but I’m really happy with the direction I’m headed and I just really love my job.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography LEIGH KEILY
styling JESSICA PASTER
hair MATTHEW COLLINS
makeup JEN TIOSECO
styling assistance HALEY SANFORD