Dream-Cast

Is there any author who doesn’t at least kind of dream that their book will be developed into a movie or series? While I didn’t set out in writing Awaken Persephone in order for it to be developed, I can’t help but daydream (when I’m not working or writing the sequel— wink, wink) of who my dream-cast would be.

Scroll to see who I’d love to watch play these characters of mine, and let me know if you have any other actors/actresses in mind!

Tulip Burns - Sadie Sink

Now, I am of the opinion that when a book is developed, the best practice is to cast new or up-and-coming actors. While the big name, super star-actors certainly have talent, I personally really like it when an actor can fully disappear into the character they’re playing. I don’t like an actor’s star-power to overshadow the character itself. Sadie Sink has definitely had some star-making roles, especially in Stranger Things, but her ability to make her characters feel real (in addition to the fact that she’s a dead ringer for Tulip) makes her my ideal choice for our Persephone!

Tony Jackson - Jaden Michael

Tony, in the beginning of the book, is one of Tulip’s oldest friends. He has always been tender with her, always goes out of his way to make her laugh, and is just an overall charmer with a smile that could melt an iceberg. But, after his past life as Hades is revealed in his own awakening, he becomes much more intense— sometimes even downright volatile. Jaden Michael has an extraordinary ability to be a total cutie patootie, yet someone with a storm inside him. Pop some green contacts in, and he IS Tony.

Val Esparza - Sam Morelos

When writing the book, I was heavily influenced by memories of my own best friend Jenny (who was, for all intents and purposes the Val to my Tulip), so I have a hard time picturing anyone but my oldest and dearest friend being her… Buuuuuut, Sam Morelos would have to be it! I loved her as the sarcastic bestie in Regretting You, and she absolutely has a quality that Jenny has— which I passed on into Val— that just makes you feel like you could tell her anything and get no judgement for it.

Nyx - Anya Taylor-Joy

The dark, mysterious, manipulative night herself. If you’ve ever seen Anya Taylor-Joy in anything, you know as well as I do that this woman has R-A-N-G-E. Nyx is someone that Tulip is both compelled and maybe even mesmerized by, but also a little terrified of. No one fits that bill (at least in my mind) better than Anya Taylor-Joy.

Sadie-Mae Camlen - Maria Thayer

To me, Sadie is just such a positive force in Tulip’s life. She’s someone with an easy laugh, and even easier smile, and who seems like they just have sunshine coming out of their ears. Add all that together, and I feel like Maria Thayer is the perfect fit! I just can’t see anyone else playing Tulip’s Other Mother.

Moros - Drake Rodger

Moros doesn’t play a huge role in Awaken Persephone, but in my mind he would be played by an actor who can make his presence known, even when given very little to actually say. He should be someone that can be intimidating just to look at— someone in whom you can see a burning rage bubbling just under the surface. To me, that’s Drake Rodger.

Logan - Mason Thames

Ah, my very own god of war… Logan, like Moros, doesn’t play the biggest role in Awaken Persephone, but he will be a huge part of the sequel, and I want someone that would catch the viewer’s (and Tulip’s) eye, even if we have to put him on the back burner. Now, you may think Logan would be played by someone who could be rageful, fiery, combative, given who he was. However, that’s not my Ares. So, that can’t be my Logan. Logan needs to be played by someone who can be cocky, abrasive, yet charming and “touch her and die” (trust me). After watching him in not only The Black Phone, but also Regretting You, I literally cannot picture anyone else as Logan.

Tatum - AnnaSophia Robb

Tatum is not the Aphrodite you might have read about in your old Greek Mythology books back in the day. Yes, she is absolutely stunning, as one would expect the goddess of love to be, but after fading all those centuries ago, and the life she’s lived in the modern age, she’s much rougher around the edges and, dare I say, maybe a little cynical. In all I’ve seen her in, AnnaSophia Robb knows how to walk that line so perfectly!

Tracy Burns (Tulip’s mom) - Sarah Paulson

Tulip’s mom, in my humble opinion, should be played by the incomparable Sarah Paulson. Tracy is filled with grief over the loss of her husband, but fueled by love and a protectiveness for her daughter that keeps her going. Tracy is someone who just can’t smile the way she used to… Can’t laugh the way she once did. Her eyes are haunted with the life she always envisioned for herself having been taken from her so unfairly. If you’re an AHS fan, you know that Sarah Paulson can nail that role better than just about anyone.