Interviewing actress Jennifer Castillo

1. How was your childhood?

I grew up in Santo Ángel, a small village in Murcia, Spain, as the youngest of four sisters. I had a challenging childhood, but it was also creative and lively. Our home was always full of food, music, singing, and dance, so I always gravitated towards performing. I loved participating in school plays, musicals, dances and recitals and it became a way to express myself. Perhaps because of the challenges, my curiosity for the performing arts came so early in my life, as a way to have fun and joy.

2. From what age did you decide to be an actress and how did you know you had the skills to go on TV?

I’ve always had a sense that performing was for me, but I fully realized I wanted to be an actress around age 10, when I performed in my first full play and took on multiple roles. I loved the thrill of embodying different characters and connecting with the audience, I still remember their laughter very vividly! As I grew older, I trained in acting, singing, and dance, and by my late teens, performing on stage and eventually on camera felt like a natural extension of who I am.

3. Did your parents support your decision to be an actress?

Yes, they encouraged me to pursue my passions or do whatever I really wanted. They hadn’t studied themselves, and I was a very responsible and dedicated student so they could not say much! Being the youngest of four, I also had a lot of freedom, which allowed me to become independent, freedom that gave me the confidence to move to England at 18, learn English, and pursue acting professionally.

4. What was your first appearance on screen?

If we don’t count the many horror, fantasy and comedy short films I made with my friends when I was a kid with a very cheap phone, my first professional on-screen role was the lead (Danielle) in The Crossing, directed by Naveed Mughal shortly after I graduated. Before that, I had done theatre, musical theatre, and immersive shows, so this film was my introduction to screen acting. I loved that the film addressed the dangers of driving under influence or fatigue, issues I’ve cared about since childhood. After that I got my first TV role in DOCTORS at the BBC where I played one of the doctors they were interviewing to hire.

5. What role did you like the most?

I would say Lizzy in the Amazon Prime sitcom No Filter. Comedy and dramedy have always been my favourite genres, I grew up watching hundreds of hours of sitcoms, which later expanded to fantasy and sci-fi. Lizzy was funny, charming, and lived entirely in the moment, she didn’t care what anyone thought.

I would also highlight Carmen in my short film EXPATS. This dramedy was inspired by my own experiences moving to the UK. I not only acted but also co-wrote and produced the project, allowing me to immerse myself in the character and the creative process. The role challenged me emotionally and artistically, as I had to balance comedy with serious themes like manipulation, emotional abuse, and loneliness.

6. What do you think led you to fame?

I think it’s a combination of perseverance which comes from knowing why I love this profession, and understanding myself as a person first, and then as a storyteller. Studying psychology and neuroscience has helped me understand and approach characters with empathy, which allowed me to create fully distinct and unique characters. Reading and learning about many different practitioners and their methods also shaped a strong and flexible creative process for my preparation for a role, so that I am always ready for any role that comes my way. If I can give any advice for any actors starting out, it is to be curious about people's behavior, learn as much as possible, be disciplined, try to stay positive and nurture yourself as a human first so you can bring all these into your art.

7. What types of characters would you like to interpret?

I love characters who are witty, funny, and full of internal conflict, those who naturally oscillate between comedy and drama, just like life itself is. I’d love a lead in a dramedy and sitcom, a detective like Amy from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a doctor, or a lead in sci-fi or action films. I enjoy exploring strong, complex female characters, witches, superheroes, or even morally unstable or “evil” characters. I’m fascinated by understanding their logic and motivations. But really I would love to work with Armando Iannucci, Tristram Shapeero, Ben Palmer, Dominic Brigstocke, Matt Lipsey, Jon Brown, and Nida Manzoor in the UK, as well as Laura Caballero, Javier Ruiz Caldera, Álex de la Iglesia, and Los Javis in Spain. I would play any characters for them!

8. What actors and actresses do you feel comfortable working with?

I love working with positive, collaborative, and curious actors who are willing to explore every emotion and discuss our character relationships openly. I enjoy people who bring professionalism, warmth, and passion to the set. I am a person that loves to do a ton of work and preparation before arriving on set, and I do all this so that when I arrive on set I can have fun, connect with everyone in the crew and be fully present during my scenes, so for me is always lovely to work with disciplined actors that can also share a laugh during long shooting days!

9. In what other genres of art would you like to participate?

I love stand-up comedy and I would love to become a big stand up comedian someday! I have performed at venues like Angel Comedy Club with Sergi Polo and it was so fun! On other hand music and musical theatre are my roots, and I continue training daily in singing and dance but I’m interested in returning to songwriting and collaborating with music producers and singers in pop, rock, or melodic electronic genres. Lately, I’ve been writing poetry and hope to perform it on stage, mixing my literary, performing and my passion for revindicating injustices.

10. Do you have any anecdotes that have marked you as a person?

Moving to England alone at 18 was a defining moment. It taught me independence, resilience, and the importance of trusting my instincts with people and situations. From there I started traveling, meeting people from all over the world, and experiencing different cultures and they have all shaped me both as an actor and as a person.

11. What has been your greatest achievement?

Continuing to work consistently as an actress is itself an achievement for me! Producing and starring in my first major short film was another milestone, allowing me to fully express my creativity and collaborate with an amazing talented team. Also my latest short film about dementia, 13:01, was nominated and got placed third in The Actors Home Community Awards led by Casting Director Luci Lenox, and I felt incredibly grateful.

12. What projects are next?

I’m currently working on a new role for an action series. She is a strong, lonely woman who will fight and do anything to survive. I am also preparing for a period drama in which I play a lead, who is navigating a difficult family truth. On other hand, I am writting my own sitcom inspired by my film EXPATS. I am also pending for a couple other roles but I cannot say much about this!