StarCentral Exclusive: Brooke Nevin on Her Latest Role and Life Beyond Acting

Acclaimed actress Brooke Nevin has captivated audiences once again in the recently released Lionsgate/Buzzfeed Studios film F** Marry Kill*. This gripping comedy thriller masterfully blends suspense, intrigue, and humor, taking viewers on an electrifying cinematic journey. In the film, Brooke portrays Valerie, the older sister of the lead character played by Lucy Hale. Her dynamic performance is central to the film’s intense and witty narrative, adding complexity and charisma to the story. With a unique premise and a stellar cast, F** Marry Kill*, Brooke’s portrayal of Valerie is set to leave a lasting impression on audiences everywhere.

Brooke Nevin’s career is a testament to her versatility and dedication to the craft of acting. With an impressive television and film resume, she has showcased her talent across various genres. Fans will recognize her from critically acclaimed TV series such as The 4400, CSI, and Call Me Fitz, the latter of which garnered numerous accolades, including the prestigious Golden Nymph Award from the Monte Carlo TV Festival. Her ability to seamlessly transition between drama, comedy, and now psychological thrillers speaks volumes about her range as an actress. F** Marry Kill* is yet another milestone in her evolving career, proving her adaptability and passion for storytelling.

While Brooke Nevin is celebrated for her on-screen performances, her creativity extends far beyond acting. She is also a skilled photographer and director, exploring the artistic world from multiple perspectives. This multifaceted talent allows her to bring unique depth and insight to her roles, whether in front of or behind the camera.

Adding to her dynamic life, Brooke is a proud new mom, a role that has added even more depth to her journey. Her path to Hollywood began with beauty pageants and ballet, experiences that instilled a strong foundation of poise, discipline, and perseverance. These early influences continue to shape her approach to her career and personal endeavors.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Brooke Nevin is a strong advocate for holistic living and an active lifestyle. She is an avid runner, hiker, HIIT enthusiast, and dedicated yoga practitioner, embracing wellness as an essential part of her daily routine. Her commitment to physical and mental well-being aligns seamlessly with her approach to life and work.

Brooke also has a heart for philanthropy, actively supporting A Sense of Home, a charity dedicated to empowering former foster youth by helping them create stable living environments. Her dedication to meaningful causes reflects her compassionate spirit and determination to make a positive impact both in Hollywood and in her community.

In an exclusive interview with StarCentral Magazine, Brooke Nevin shared insights into her experience working on F** Marry Kill*, her journey as an actress, and her passion for creative expression. She opened up about the excitement of taking on such a thrilling role and how it challenged her as an artist. She also discussed her inspirations, personal growth, and future aspirations, leaving fans with a deeper appreciation of her craft and the person behind the talent.

Your role as Valerie in F Marry Kill* adds an intriguing layer to the film’s suspense and wit. What drew you to this character, and how did you prepare to bring her to life?

Well, firstly, the script for F Marry Kill was a super fun read— such a specific comedic tone, well-paced, and a surprise twist that I didn’t see coming. As for playing Valerie, her intensity just jumped off the page for me. At first, you’re like, “OMG, Valerie, relax. Maybe just let your sister date a nice, emotionally unavailable man like the rest of us!” But it was fun to peel back her layers of paranoia to set up Valerie’s unseen softer underbelly so all of her antics actually feel justified. And maybe, just maybe, I picked up a book on criminal profiling to get in the right mindset.

The film blends comedy with psychological thriller elements. How did you approach balancing these genres in your performance?

It’s a fun mash-up of genres because you have to dial up the stakes in both comedy and thrillers, and in F MARRY KILL, we dial it up to eleven. With Valerie, I really leaned into playing her like she’s the lead in her crime drama – because in her mind, she is. She’s so intense about protecting her sister that her paranoia becomes the comedy.

The balancing trick was dialing up the stakes at the right moments – because Valerie’s obsession with safety and control isn’t just funny, it’s also coming from real fear. There’s a detail just barely touched on in the script – that Eva and her sister have recently lost their mom – and I used that backstory to have Valerie operating out of love, which feeds the fear of losing her little sister too – it’s why she goes to such great lengths!

Your dynamic with Lucy Hale’s character is central to the story. What was it like working with her, and how did you build the chemistry needed to portray sisters?

Our first meeting was for a stunt rehearsal before filming, and I literally had to jump on her back, so I feel like that really set up the sibling dynamic for us. Lucy was so game, even though I was so worried about breaking her, which perfectly set up our relationship with me as the overbearing, overprotective sister. We had a lot of fun!

As someone who has successfully transitioned between genres throughout your career, what unique challenges or opportunities did F Marry Kill* present to you as an actress?**

I do love the diversity of genres over the course of my career, and when a project comes along that tone-wise or character-wise is a clear departure from something I’ve recently done, it’s exciting to explore. Valerie was definitely a departure. F Marry Kill was shot on a condensed schedule, but even with that, our director, Laura Murphy, encouraged multiple takes for each scene and a culture of “try anything”. We were able to improv and widen the margins of what was possible with the comedy while still honoring our characters.

You’ve had an impressive career spanning TV and film. How do you choose roles that resonate with you, and how does Valerie stand out among your previous characters?

I think there’s a certain allure to roles that demand self-discovery, that’s an invitation to go excavating and unlock a hidden part of myself. Playing “Valerie” gave me the chance to lean into paranoia, protective instincts, and this determination to be right no matter the cost! She’s messy, she’s so sure of herself, and yet she’s vulnerable in ways that she refuses to admit.

I’ve always been drawn to comedic characters who are deeply emotional – the ones who aren’t just delivering the punchlines, but who are feeling everything at full volume. I don’t usually play the “straight (wo)man” in a comedy— the one reacting to the chaos around them. I tend to gravitate towards the characters who are the chaos, who are funny because of how intensely they care about something. Valerie is the perfect example of that; playing her was like living in that delicious middle space between absurd and very real.

Beyond acting, you’ve pursued photography and directing. Did your experience behind the camera influence how you approached this project or viewed your character?

Once you’ve peeked behind the curtain of everything that goes into bringing a story to the screen, you can’t really go back. But I will say that Laura Murphy was such a cool, assured energy on set that my “director brain” was totally switched off, and I could focus solely on acting. I’ll always be curious about lensing and filmmaking’s technical aspects, so you’ll often see me behind the monitor during my off-camera time, trying to soak in as much as possible.

As a new mom, how has motherhood impacted your perspective on storytelling and the types of projects you want to pursue in the future?

Being a new parent teaches you very quickly that nobody has it all figured out, and in that way, it’s made me even more interested in playing messy, flawed, deeply real characters. I think I’m also more drawn to stories that have something to say – whether about resilience, self-discovery, or just the complexity of human relationships.  And on the spectrum of future projects, I also really want to do a kid-centered story that my son will one day be able to watch and enjoy.

You’ve been involved with A Sense of Home, empowering former foster youth. How does philanthropy inspire your work and personal life, and what message do you hope to send to fans about giving back?

I’ve been really inspired by a quote asking, “How can you use your intrinsic talents to address the world’s unmet needs?”  For me, it started with organizing and decor when I joined A Sense of Home, and now, I use my photography skills to uplift children in foster care with The Heart Gallery. I think it’s a really actionable and simple way to serve your community by starting with something you’re already good at. There are countless ways to use your creativity to help others!

Your journey began with beauty pageants and ballet requiring discipline and poise. How have these early experiences shaped your approach to acting and navigating Hollywood?

I actually only ever did one beauty pageant which was like a pre-teen dare to myself to wear a sparkly dress and not trip on stage (I mostly succeeded). But I think the exposure of being on stage at a younger age helped me build a “performance muscle” of enjoying the process even when there were nerves. It taught me to worry less about the scrutiny of those watching. Not that I didn’t feel the pressure and stakes when I first moved to Hollywood, but tapping into my love of the arts definitely helped me focus on the intrinsic motivation for why I got into the business in the first place.

Between acting, directing, photography, and your active lifestyle, how do you find balance, and what advice would you give to others juggling multiple passions and roles?

Honestly, I think the concept of a perfectly balanced life, where every aspect receives equal attention at all times, is often a myth. Especially as a new mom, I’ve learned that embracing imbalance and understanding its cyclical nature is far healthier and more realistic. My best advice would be to think of life in terms of seasons. Some seasons are for planting, others for nurturing, and others for harvesting.

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