She may only be in her late teens, but Alyvia Alyn Lind already has a résumé most actors would envy. The Wayward star has been on set since childhood, growing up under the glare of the camera while honing an impressive dramatic range.

Now, with her latest role in the dark, genre-bending thriller, she’s proving there’s far more to her than former child-star charm.

Sharp, self-aware and refreshingly unfiltered, she talks candidly about falling down stairs at Comic Con, secret songwriting sessions, and why the world behind the camera is calling just as loudly as the one in front.

Alyvia Alyn Lind

Life

Square Mile: What current or upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?

Alyvia Alyn Lind: I’m so excited about Wayward. It is such an emotionally charged series – part psychological thriller, part coming-of-age drama, and part epic love story.

My character has this incredible arc that explores identity, guilt, and redemption in a way I’ve never played before. I could not be more proud and thrilled about how much people are loving the story.

SM: What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

AAL: Portraying a young Dolly Parton has been the most magical experience of my career so far. She’s such an icon – not just for her music, but who she is as a person.

Seeing how she interacts with fans, tells stories, and truly loves what she does - it was so inspiring to watch, especially at such a young age. Stepping into her world felt beautifully surreal.

SM: What’s been the funniest moment of your career?

AAL: Funniest, and most embarrassing, would definitely be falling down a flight of stairs in front of 100 people at New York Comic Con. I was wearing these huge platforms, and my ankle chose the perfect moment to give out. I instinctually jumped up and acted like it never happened.

Alyvia Alyn Lind

SM: What do you hope to achieve in your career?

AAL: I'm extremely excited about exploring the world behind the camera. All areas of the industry have always intrigued me. Acting wise, I hope to continue taking on more roles like Leila – fearless and layered characters that I can jump into headfirst.

SM: Outside of your family, who is your biggest inspiration?

AAL: Greta Gerwig is such an inspiration. I love the way she tells stories in such a real, and heartbreaking way. After I watched Francis Ha, Ladybird, and her rendition of Little Women, my view on filmmaking was altered forever. I also admire her move from acting to writing to directing with such grace.

SM: Tell us something nobody knows about you.

AAL: I write music. It’s something I’ve always done privately – mostly late at night, just me and a guitar. Maybe one day I’ll be ready to share it publicly, but for now, it’s my secret creative outlet.

Style

Alyvia Alyn Lind

SM: What’s your favourite item of clothing – and what does it mean to you?

AAL: There’s this vintage leather jacket I thrifted a few years back. It’s worn and a little too big, but it's perfect in my mind. Finding a good leather jacket is like finding gold – I hope it will be passed down generations.

SM: Favourite accessory – and why is it special to you?

AAL: A tiny gold ring my best friend gave me years ago. It’s simple, but I wear it every day. Whenever I'm stressed I find that I fidget with the ring; it has become an anxiety reliever. Looking at it reminds me of her, and calms my nerves.

SM: What’s been your most embarrassing style fail?

AAL: Having two older sisters who are very fashion savvy, I've had the luxury of live-in stylists. They've always had my back, and are not afraid to tell the bitter truth. That being said, there are some photos of little me at six years old on the red carpet that are pretty hilarious.

Alyvia Alyn Lind

SM: Is there an item you threw away – or lost – that you really miss, and why?

AAL: I had a necklace with a green pendant that I found at a thrift store in Toronto. I wore it constantly, until one day I touched my neck and it was gone. It was a tough day. When you find a staple like that, especially when it's one of a kind, it feels like such a loss.

SM: What’s next on your shopping list?

AAL: I'm always on the hunt for a perfect pair of jeans. Low-rise, baggy, faded dark blue – it's harder to find than you'd think. When I work on location, I'm in constant search for my next vintage pair.

SM: What would you buy if money was no object?

AAL: A quiet cozy cabin by a lake with enough bedrooms for all of my friends and family. Somewhere we can all disappear – jackbox games, water sports, and s'mores by a campfire. That’s my idea of luxury.

'Wayward' is available to view on Netflix now.