IN CONVERSATION WITH CAYLEE COWAN

interview by JANA LETONJA

Actress and producer Caylee Cowan continues to build a dynamic career in Hollywood, balancing striking on-screen performances with an expanding role behind the camera. Known for standout appearances in Frank and Penelope and the cult horror-comedy Willy’s Wonderland, she enters 2026 with a slate of major projects that further expand her creative influence. Her first release of the year, The Possession at Gladstone Manor, arriving in April, sees her starring opposite Jesse Metcalfe and horror icon Lin Shaye in a supernatural thriller blending eerie suspense with campy humor. With multiple films arriving throughout 2026 and a growing commitment to producing character-driven stories, Caylee is emerging as a creative force determined not only to star in compelling narratives but to help shape them.

coat VINTAGE
earrings SOPHIE BUHAI

What first attracted you to the role of Jamie Black in The Possession at Gladstone Manor?

What initially drew me to Jamie was how emotionally grounded she is within the supernatural world of the film. What I loved about this script was that Jamie’s journey felt deeply human. She’s scared, specifically for her mothers well-being, but is confronting that fear, and the supernatural elements almost become a metaphor for the emotional battles she’s facing internally. It felt a little like an Alice in Wonderland descent into madness. The deeper she goes into the world of Gladstone Manor, the stranger and more disorienting things become.

What grounded her for me emotionally is that she’s desperately trying to hold her family together. Her mother is a live-in caretaker, and Jamie doesn’t have much of a support system outside of her brothers. So beneath all of the eerie things happening around her, there’s this very human story of someone trying to stay strong and keep her family intact while everything around her begins to unravel.

The film blends horror with campy comedic moments. What was it like navigating that tonal balance as an actor?

That tonal balance was actually one of the most fun parts of making the film. As an actor, you can’t really play the comedy or the horror. You have to play the truth of the situation. Jamie believes everything that’s happening is real, so my job was to stay grounded in her emotional reality.
The campier or more comedic moments really come from the circumstances and the world of the film rather than from the character trying to be funny. Sometimes when things get so intense or bizarre, there’s an absurdity to it that naturally creates humor.

dress ALAIA
tights FALKE
shoes LARROUDE X ALTUZARRA
earrings SOPHIE BUHAI
bracelet BOHEME
ring MIRAKI

Your character enters a very mysterious and sinister world inside Gladstone Manor. How did you prepare for the emotional and physical demands of the role?

For this role, it wasn’t so much about traditional preparation as it was about staying open to the moment. I wanted to remain responsive to whatever was happening in the scene because Jamie is constantly navigating things she doesn’t fully understand.

That meant trusting the director’s vision and leaning into the visions Jamie experiences. What grounded her for me was the emotional core of the story. She’s terrified of losing her mother and feels responsible for protecting her. In many ways, everything she does is driven by that mission to hold on to the family she has.

What was it like collaborating with horror legend Lin Shaye on this project?

Working with Lin Shaye was incredible. We had both worked on Frank and Penelope before, but we didn’t share any scenes then, so it was really fun to finally get to work together this time. She’s such a legend in the horror genre, but what struck me most was how generous and present she is as an actor. She’s such a force. Lin brings this fearless intensity and so many unexpected choices to a character that really elevate what’s on the page and make her unforgettable.

dress RABANNE
ring TYPE JEWELRY
earrings NICKHO REY

You’ve appeared in such a wide range of films, from Sunrise in Heaven to Frank and Penelope. How do you choose projects that feel right for you?

For me, it always starts with the story and the character. I’m drawn to projects where the character feels emotionally complex and where there’s something meaningful to explore beneath the surface. Whether it’s a film like Sunrise in Heaven or something darker like Frank and Penelope, I’m really looking for roles that challenge me and allow me to step into a different world. When the story is compelling and the team is passionate about what they’re making, that’s usually when I know it’s the right project for me.

You’re also producing your projects now. What inspired you to step behind the camera?

I think producing came from a desire to have a deeper creative voice in the stories I’m telling. As an actor, you’re one piece of the puzzle, but producing allows you to help shape the project from the very beginning.

I’ve always been really passionate about storytelling, so stepping into producing felt like a natural evolution. It’s incredibly rewarding to stay with a project from an idea all the way to the screen.

dress VICTORIA BECKHAM
earrings SOPHIE BUHAI

How has producing changed the way you think about storytelling and character development?

Producing has really changed the way I look at storytelling because you start thinking about the entire architecture of a film, not just your character. You’re looking at theme, pacing, tone, and how every character serves the larger story.

As an actor, that perspective has actually helped me develop characters. Instead of only focusing on my role, I’m thinking about how the character fits into the emotional journey of the whole film and what they contribute to the story overall.

Do you find that producing gives you more freedom to champion stories that might otherwise be overlooked?

Absolutely. Yes, stories, but also filmmakers. Sometimes it’s not just about the story itself, but about supporting a filmmaker with a unique vision and helping create the opportunity for that vision to be realized.

What kinds of stories are you most passionate about bringing to life as a producer?

I’m drawn to stories that explore the complexity of being human. I’m especially drawn to stories that come from books or people’s true life experiences. There’s something really exciting about stepping into a world that already has that depth and history behind it.

coat VINTAGE
earrings SOPHIE BUHAI

You’ve been outspoken about supporting women in film. Why is that mission personally important to you?

It’s important to me because I’ve seen how powerful it can be when women are given the opportunity to tell stories and lead creatively. I’m always really excited by the opportunity to work with female directors and producers.

For me, it’s about creating space for others and supporting each other in an industry that historically hasn’t always made that easy. The more we champion one another, the more interesting, honest, and diverse the stories we’re able to tell.

What keeps you creatively inspired when you’re between projects?

I love reading and discovering new books. It keeps my imagination active between projects.
I also find inspiration in collaborating with other creatives and talking about ideas that haven’t been made yet.

With multiple films releasing in 2026, what excites you most about this upcoming chapter in your career?

What excites me most is seeing these projects finally meet their audience. So much of filmmaking happens quietly behind the scenes for years, so when the films finally come out it feels like sharing something you’ve been living with for a long time.

I’m also really excited about stepping into new roles and exploring different kinds of characters. Every project is a chance to enter a completely different world, and that’s always the part of this job that feels the most exciting to me.

dress STELLA MCCARTNEY
earrings and rings YARI

TEAM CREDITS

talent CAYLEE COWAN
photography JESSE VOLK
styling LAUREN JEWORSKI AT THE WALL GROUP
makeup ELAYNA BACHMAN AT TRACEY MATTINGLY AGENCY
hair JENNA LEE
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA