On 17th October, Kayden Tokarski’s new thriller project My Professor’s Deadly Secret will be premiering on Lifetime Movie Network, in which she will be playing Lauren Swanson, and has Ryan J. Francis as the director. Kayden plays Becky in sci-fi film Roswell Delirium, which is seeing huge success at film festivals, and she works alongside actor and producer Anthony Michael Hall. Amongst Kayden’s further work, she has appeared in numerous episodes of Dhar Mann since 2022, played Charlie in the 2023 Peacock rom-com Love’s Fast Lane, been part of short film My Melancholy Baby (currently streaming on Amazon Prime), and she played 13 Year Old Martha (Julia Roberts) in TV mini-series Gaslit, which has seen Kayden win the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Streaming Series: Guest Youth Artist. Upcoming for Kayden includes Curse of Vandor and the sequel Curse of Vandor: Revenge of the Sorcerer as Robbie Avery alongside Dee Wallace as Ethel Gordon, playing Alice in Killer in the Woods (formerly Mama Bear), a previously-filmed unannounced project, and her short film Stay Here is starting its run at film festivals. Talking to Kayden, she told us about playing Lauren Swanson in new thriller film My Professor’s Deadly Secret, being part of sci-fi film Roswell Delirium, her upcoming projects Curse of Vandor and its sequel, and guest-starring as 13 Year Old Martha in TV mini-series Gaslit.

Can you tell us about the new thriller film My Professor’s Deadly Secret, which is premiering this month on Lifetime Movie Network?

Yes! This TV movie premieres at 8/7c October 17 on Lifetime Movie Network. I play the character of Lauren and am grieving the death of my aunt, who was a top math professor. My mom and I are at odds over her death. There are twists and turns but in essence, with the help of my math tutor Kristy, we uncover a shocking familial betrayal.

What was it like getting into character as Lauren Swanson and how would you describe her?

Lauren loves math, especially calculus, and is extremely smart. I actually learned calculus for the role to better connect with her. She is a strong character but also very vulnerable. I tried to really channel her feelings and experiences to bring her to life.

How was it being directed by Ryan J. Francis and filming opposite Nicole Marie Johnson, who plays your on-screen mother Helen?

Ryan Francis is a brilliant director as well as an actor. Since he is a great actor, he really understands his actors and gives them the space to prepare and embody their characters. I loved his vision and direction and feel very blessed to have worked with him. Nicole Marie Johnson is so incredibly talented, and we instantly connected. She is so good in this film and has become a lifelong friend. I am so grateful to have worked with Ryan, Nicole, James Hyde (who played my dad) and Maddison Bullock, who plays Kristy. This cast is simply incredible!

Was there anything that drew you to My Professor’s Deadly Secret and what was it like reading the script for the first time?

Oh my gosh, I instantly fell in love with this script because of the twists and turns and how Lauren matures and develops throughout the film. It was written by Maddison Bullock and she is so talented!

You play Becky in Roswell Delirium alongside a cast including Anthony Michael Hall and Reginald VelJohnson, what was this like to film?

Roswell Delirium is directed by the amazing Richard Bakewell and was such a joy to be part of. It is a sci-fi set in the 1980s and I play a mean girl. I loved researching that era to help bring the character to life. Anthony Michael Hall is also a producer of Roswell Delirium, and he was so wonderful on set and supportive of the young actors!

How has it been seeing the huge success to Roswell Delirium at film festivals and who do you think will enjoy watching it?

This film is so well done and beyond being a sci-fi movie, it brings a lot of depth to mental health challenges. I feel like it will resonate with all types of audiences.

In the upcoming film Curse of Vandor and its sequel Curse of Vandor: Revenge of the Sorcerer, you play Robbie Avery, with Dee Wallace playing Ethel Gordon, what has the project been like to work on so far?

These films are directed and produced by Ritchie Allen Greer and are wonderful family-fantasy films. They are like a cross of The Chronicles of Narnia and Stranger Things. Working with the legendary Dee Wallace was a dream come true! She is so talented and inspirational to be around.

How was it filming as Alice in the yet-to-be-released thriller film Mama Bear?

This is such a great film too! It was renamed Killer in the Woods and will be released sometime this year (Stay tuned!). We filmed this movie in Massachusetts, and I just loved working with director Matt Toronto and the amazing cast and crew. My character experiences some huge challenges and this movie will certainly surprise people!

The short film Stay Here, in which you can be seen starring as Presley, has just started its film festival run, can you tell us about this?

I was honoured to be asked two years ago to play the role of Presley by the amazing director Marley Rankin. This is a coming-of-age story that will resonate with not only girls, teens and moms but anyone. It’s so beautifully written and shot! It will also premiere on October 27 at the Montclair Film Festival, which is backed by Stephen Colbert and features many Oscar contenders.

Since 2022, you have appeared in numerous episodes of Dhar Mann, what is the show like to be part of?

I have been really grateful to be part of the Dhar Mann family. His episodes are incredibly inspiring and reach people all over the world. It’s an honour to help tell these stories that touch millions of people.

What are some of your favourite memories from filming the 2023 Peacock film Love’s Fast Lane as Charlie?

I absolutely loved this experience, filming in Kentucky. Love’s Fast Lane is a rom-com and has such a great story. It is especially inspiring to women and girls and shows you that anything can be accomplished if you put your mind to it. I hope families will continue to watch the movie because it is very endearing!

How did you find the experience playing 13 Year Old Martha (Julia Roberts) in the TV mini-series Gaslit?

That was the biggest honour of my career, playing a young Julia Roberts. I got to work with an incredible scene partner Jesse Bush as my dad and was directed by the amazing Matt Ross. This show, which is on STARZ, Amazon and Hulu, is based on the Watergate scandal and has a star-studded cast including Sean Penn, Dan Stevens and Betty Gilpin. If you haven’t seen it, you need to watch it.

What do you remember most from being involved with the short film My Melancholy Baby, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime?

The film explores the impact of addiction and developmental disabilities on a family. It is based on a true story and was written by Keith Sharon, who also wrote Showtime starring Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy and Finding Steve McQueen with Forest Whitaker. I played a girl with severe developmental disabilities and studied a child with similar disabilities to be able to really connect with the character and what she was experiencing.

Having won and been nominated for numerous awards, including winning the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Streaming Series: Guest Youth Artist for Gaslit and the Young Entertainer Award for Best Young Actress 12-15 – Short Film for Bombay Beach, how does it feel being recognised for your work?

Oh my gosh, I am so incredibly honoured by every recognition. It’s crazy to think my work somehow moved someone, and I could not be more grateful!

How did you get into acting and was it something you always wanted to do professionally?

I have been wanting to be an actor ever since I was four years old and watched Disney sitcoms like Good Luck Charlie. My parents did not want me to be part of the industry, but I kept asking every year. It wasn’t until they saw me as the lead in a school play in fourth grade that they knew I was serious and very passionate about this field.

Can you say about the charity work you have been part of?

Yes, my first professional acting job was a role in the Joyful Child Foundation’s Be Brave pilot. This nonprofit founded by Erin Runnion after the horrific death of her five-year-old daughter Samantha helps to keep kids safe and protects their joy. I was honoured to be part of that as well as a speaker for an American Red Cross LA fundraiser; the keynote speaker for the 2021 Walk Against Drugs event; and most recently, I emceed the Breaking the Chains Foundation’s How to Love Your Selfie Youth Camp, which was designed to teach youth self-love, self-esteem, etc. I was asked to be a youth ambassador for this organisation and could not be more excited for the opportunity.

Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?

I love dramatic series like Ginny and Georgia and The Bear and movies like Incoming. I love spending free time with family and friends and just started horseback riding, which is so beautiful and freeing!

We understand you reached Junior Olympian status on the 1m diving board, can you tell us about this?

Yes, I used to be a competitive diver and dived from the 1 metre, 3 metre and 5 metre diving boards. It was a lot of work, training and fun, and I was shocked when I made Junior Olympian status on the 1 metre. I had to stop diving competitively because of my schedule but I still love hitting the diving boards when I can!

What are you hoping the next year brings for your career and do you have any further projects coming up that you can share?

I have a project coming up that I cannot yet talk about but am very grateful and excited and am just hoping to work with some of my idols one day including Zendaya, Florence Pugh and Emma Stone. I am very grateful for every opportunity and just believe it’s essential to put in the work and always keep moving forward!

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