IN CONVERSATION WITH ABIGAIL COWEN

interview by JANA LETONJA

Abigail Cowen will be starring in the upcoming film ‘The Ritual’, releasing theatrically on 6th June. Currently, we can also watch her in the thriller ‘Electra’, which premiered this May. Abigail first gained recognition for her breakout role as in Netflix phenomenon ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’. Her other credits include Netflix young adult series ‘Fate: The Winx Saga’, D.J. Caruso’s adaptation of Francine Rivers’ novel ‘Redeeming Love’, and her feature film debut in ‘I Still Believe’.

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‘The Ritual’ dives into the chilling true story of the Emma Schmidt exorcism. What was it like stepping into such a dark, real-life character?

It was incredibly intense, but also deeply rewarding. Emma Schmidt’s story is heartbreaking and complex. The line between spiritual possession and psychological trauma is very thin in her case, and I wanted to honor that ambiguity. I had to research not only the exorcism itself but the larger conversation around mental health at the time. It pushed me emotionally and physically, especially learning lines in five different languages and embodying multiple identities within Emma. As dark as the material was, it became a profound acting experience.

You’re starring opposite legends like Al Pacino and Dan Stevens. What did you learn from working alongside such established talent?

Working with Al and Dan was nothing short of a masterclass. Al, especially, brought such care and generosity to the set. Despite all his years in the industry, he constantly checked in with me, made sure I felt safe, and treated me like an equal creative partner. That humility and respect really stood out to me, which meant so much given his legendary status in our industry. Dan was equally collaborative and always ready to dive deep into the emotional layers of a scene. From both, I learned the importance of creating a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to take creative risks.

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How do you mentally and emotionally prepare for intense roles like Emma Schmidt?

I start with research and trying to understand the real person or the psychology behind a character. For Emma, that meant studying the historical context, spiritual beliefs, and mental health conversations of her time. Then, I work to build the emotional arc and physicality. It takes a lot of preparation and countless hours of work. I also prioritize mental health practices off-set such as grounding techniques, journaling, and leaning on my support system. When you take on something that emotionally heavy, I feel that it’s just as important to know how to come back to yourself at the end of the day.

Currently, we can also watch you in ‘Electra’, which is completely different tonally. How did you prepare for such contrasting roles back-to-back?

It was definitely a challenge but also an exciting one. ‘Electra’ required a different kind of intensity that was more psychological and relational than spiritual. I always find that everything comes down to your director. I make it a priority to create a bond with them and ensure it’s a true collaborative effort which is something I’ve been very fortunate to experience on both projects. It is really special to be able to lean on them and trust them to find my weak spots. When I am in an environment where I trust my director, it helps me compartmentalize. I also created distinct music playlists, timelines for my characters specifically, and physical attributes for each character. That way, when I stepped into Emma or Electra’s world, I could fully immerse without letting the two bleed into each other emotionally.

‘Electra’ seems to blur lines between thriller and psychological drama. What drew you to this project?

I was really drawn to the script’s exploration of power, trust, and identity. 'Electra' is a story that challenges the audience to question what’s real and what’s manipulated and I loved the opportunity to play a character who is both vulnerable and cunning in her own way. It’s a very different kind of intensity from 'The Ritual', but equally layered.

Fans first got to know you as Dorcas in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’. How do you look back on that breakout role now?

I’ll always have so much gratitude for that role. Sabrina gave me my first major introduction to a global audience and allowed me to work with an incredibly creative team. Dorcas was a character who was bold and unapologetic, and playing her gave me the learning experience I truly needed at that time. I look back on that time fondly because it shaped so much of who I am as an actress today.

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earrings and choker SHAY

You’ve worked across genres - fantasy, romance, horror, drama. Is there a particular type of role or genre you’re most drawn to now?

I’m most drawn to roles that challenge me emotionally, regardless of genre. I love stories that explore the human conditions of grief, love, fear, resilience. Whether that’s in a horror film, a drama, or even a dark comedy, I want to keep pushing myself into characters that make me grow and that resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

What has been the most pivotal moment in your career so far?

'The Ritual' has definitely been a turning point. Not just because of the scale of the project, but because of the depth it required from me and the opportunity to work alongside icons like Al Pacino. It stretched me as an actress and gave me a renewed sense of what I want to contribute to this industry and my art.

You’ve built a loyal following on social media. How do you balance connecting with fans while keeping some space for yourself?

I’m so grateful for the community that’s grown around my work. I love being able to connect with fans and share parts of my journey. But I also believe in boundaries and having parts of my life that are just mine. That balance is essential for staying grounded and keeping my focus on the work itself.

What’s next for you after these two big releases? Anything you’re especially excited to share or explore creatively?

I’m excited to continue exploring complex and challenging roles. There are a few projects in development that allow me to dive even deeper into character work and work behind the scenes as well. I’m also really interested in producing down the line and helping bring powerful, meaningful stories to life not just as an actress but as a creative collaborator.

TEAM CREDITS:
talent ABIGAIL COWEN
photography LENNE CHAI 
styling LUCA KINGSTON
makeup JEN TIOSECO 
hair DIMITRIS GIANNETOS 
production JASMINE PERRIER
photography assistant VIOLET DELY
styling assistant JIMMY AYALA