Talitha Bateman: ‘Annabelle’ star finds another family on the set of ‘Away’
Bateman (right) with Josh Charles
If you think Talitha Bateman looks familiar, it’s probably because she’s been working as an actor since she was 11. The young actress, who just turned 19 last Sept. 4, plays Alexis, the 15-year-old daughter of Hilary Swank and Josh Charles, in Netflix’s trip to Mars series, “Away.”
This is one of the reasons why Hilary and Josh, who were only in their teens when they appeared in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “The Next Karate Kid” (for Hilary) and “Dead Poets Society” (for Josh), feel protective of Talitha.
While it is true that the sci-fi show is Talitha’s most significant dramatic feat to date, it isn’t really her “biggest break” as a lead star. That distinction belongs to 2017’s big-screen chiller “Annabelle: Creation,” the blockbuster prequel to the 2014 horror flick “Annabelle” that has grossed $306 million worldwide and is considered by critics an improvement over its predecessor (with a 71 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes).
But more than box-office success, Talitha also wants to be remembered for projects and stories that people can relate to. In fact, the young actress said she wasn’t even sure if she was keen on breathing life into her “increasingly rebellious” role, Lexi.
With Adam Irigoyen
“When I first ‘booked’ the audition, I was uncertain about it because I have this weird thing about playing characters that are defined by being a daughter, or a child in some way. Usually, this is the kind of role that is weighed down by not having her own personality,” she explained to Inquirer Entertainment. “But when I read the script, I realized why they decided to make her that way and appreciated all the complexities Alexis has. I really liked how they wrote her, and I didn’t even realize how much I loved her until after I left the audition room!
“After the callback, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I really want this role!’—and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So, when I got the e-mail that I had gotten it, I was completely thrilled. I was so excited.”
As it turned out, Talitha’s experience on the set of “Away” proved even more satisfying—and not just because she thought it was a “wish fulfillment” kind of thing: She was only 6 years old when she watched a scientific film about outer space and thought how being an astronaut would be “the coolest job ever.”
“Honestly, I just enjoyed going to work every day because I love the people I was working with,” she shared. “I felt so blessed every single day. I really do mean that, because they also cast Josh, Monique (Gabriela Curnen, who plays family friend and crew support Melissa Ramirez) and Felicia (Patti, who plays Melissa’s adorable teenage daughter Cassie), and Adam (Irigoyen), who portrays Isaac Rodriguez, my significant other in the show.
Talitha Bateman in “Away”
“All these people were just so much fun to work with—they’re such humble, intelligent and creative individuals, onset and off. I would have loved to hang out with them in general. And so, that was my favorite part about filming and working with Hilary, Josh and all the astronauts—and just seeing them for a good amount of time over six months on end, I just loved how we bonded and have gotten to know each other really well.
“With movies, you have a smaller experience with people and you don’t always remain in touch. But I’ve actually gotten closer to these people through this series.”
But Talitha isn’t sure if she’d be as gung-ho as Emma Green, Hilary’s character, as far as going on a trip to Mars is concerned.
“I don’t know if I’m selfless enough to do that,” she said with a laugh. “The feat is very impressive, and [making the difficult decision to leave her family behind] makes me respect a lot of the people who have dedicated their lives and careers to that endeavor. But, while I value the people who have made that choice, I don’t think I would be the right type of person to do that.
“Do I think [space exploration] is relevant? If we want to put money towards that, I respect it, although I’m not sure I understand all the benefits that it has. But I think we could spend a little more time investing [all that] money on our planet, especially given the current situation we’re in. There are a lot of issues around the world that deserves more attention.”
