Having booked her role of Luna Loud in the 2021 TV movie A Loud House Christmas, Sophia Woodward plays the regular role of Luna in The Really Loud House live-action series for Nickelodeon/Paramount+ alongside a cast including Wolfgang Schaeffer (as Lincoln Loud), Jahzir Bruno (as Clyde McBride), Eva Carlton (as Leni Loud) and Lexi Janicek (as Lisa Loud). Last year, Sophia was part of the Halloween TV movie A Really Haunted Loud House, and has attended the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards a number of times. In Series 3 of Game Shakers, Sophia had a guest appearance as Cassie, and she made her television debut as recurring guest star Young Molly in Lethal Weapon, which was also her first TV audition. Sophia will be spending the next year studying, and continuing with acting, she is set to play Beth in Oceanless Beach, which, once completed, will be premiering at film festivals. Recently chatting with us, Sophia speaks about her regular role of Luna Loud in The Really Loud House, being part of The Loud House franchise and her recurring guest role as Young Molly in Lethal Weapon.
What are you enjoying most so far about playing the regular role of Luna Loud in The Really Loud House for Nickelodeon/Paramount+?
I’ve had a lot of fun with the musical aspect of Luna’s character. I started acting in musical theatre, so it’s been very fulfilling to play a character that loves music as much as I do.
How would you describe Luna and can you tell us about the series?
Luna is a punk rock, individualist musician. She’s a rockstar at heart and has a lot of love to give to her family. It’s basic, but the word that best describes the series is FUN. It’s been so incredible creating this tight-knit, chaotic family. This show has a whole lot of mischief, with even more heart.
What is it like getting into character as Luna and how has it been developing the role over the years?
Developing Luna has been a really interesting process. I talk a lot about how much inspiration I derive from Joan Jett for her character. I sang Bad Reputation for my audition song, so throughout the audition process I would meet with our production team and we all would consistently find ourselves mentioning Joan Jett. So, she was a huge reference for me.
How do you find the experience on set of The Really Loud House and filming alongside the rest of the cast?
I find the experience a blast. I adore my job, and I love the people I get to do it with.
What is it like seeing the fan response to the live-action series and why would you recommend watching it?
It’s always hard when you’re doing a spin-off of something else, and it’s pretty daunting. Especially with an audience as loyal and passionate as the Loud House fans. I’m very proud to say that I have seen very minimal negative feedback. I’m biased, but it’s so hard to not like our show. There’s something for everyone! I’m incredibly proud of it, and would continue to be proud even if it wasn’t well-received.
You first played Luna in the 2021 TV movie A Loud House Christmas, do you remember how you felt finding out you’d booked the role and what was the film like to work on?
I was ecstatic. I was going to high school in Oklahoma and auditioning virtually. The casting process had been really intense and after a certain point I kind of assumed I just didn’t get the job. So, when I got the phone call I was jumping off the walls. Shooting the movie was a lot of fun, it’s so funny to look back at now. We were all so little. We all knew we were a part of something special even then.
Last year, you appeared in the Halloween TV movie A Really Haunted Loud House, can you tell us about this?
A Really Haunted Loud House was a beast to shoot. We were filming during February/March of 2023 in Albuquerque and it was FREEZING. I lucked out and got a full coverage costume with lots of layers to it, but I was still so cold! Plus, it was all night shoots so the temperature was even lower than it was during the day. I am so thankful for anything having to do with this franchise and this show, but, man, that was a long two months (I’d go back and do it again, though, if given the chance).
What is it like attending the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards?
The Kids’ Choice Awards are always so fun. Each year I have attended I’ve brought one of my younger siblings with me and we make a weekend of it. This past year I brought my little brother, Finn, who’s 15 and we had a really great time. It’s always fun to spend one on one time with family, so why not make it more fun and do it at the KCAs?
In Series 3 of Game Shakers, you had a guest role as Cassie, what was it like filming your episode?
It’s always exciting when you book a job as an actor, because bookings are so far and few between. I found out I got the role of Cassie the night before I had to go and rehearse the next day, which isn’t abnormal for guest star roles. Once I got to set, though, I was surprisingly nervous. I had very rarely worked with actors my own age and was worried about being in a professional environment where all of the other actors were my peers. Luckily, the cast was incredibly nice, but I definitely was more nervous for that one in contrast to other jobs I’ve done.
How was it making your television debut at the age of 12 in Lethal Weapon as Young Molly?
It was incredible. Lethal Weapon was my first television audition ever, so to book it and go on to be a recurring guest star was HUGE. I’ll forever be thankful for that opportunity. I’m not sure where I’d be without it.
We understand you have worked on the upcoming film Oceanless Beach, is there anything you can say about this and what are you looking forward to for the release?
I’m beyond excited to see the finished product of this film. My character, Beth, was very easy for me to connect with and bring elements of myself to her. This project and this character are both extremely different from what I have been doing for the past three years with Nickelodeon. I’ve had to really stretch myself for Beth and I’m proud of what I accomplished.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?
I started acting in local musical theatre when I was eight and immediately fell in love with it. I was lucky enough to have really great mentors who believed in me and wanted to push me to give professional performance a shot. I attended a talent cruise when I was 12 where I competed against other talent from all over the country in front of casting directors, agents, and managers. That’s where I got my representation, and soon after that I booked Lethal Weapon. I’ve always loved storytelling and watching stories being told. Even from a young age, my parents have videos of me forcing everyone to watch me put on a play in our living room.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
My favourite movie of all time is Silence of the Lambs. Clarice is a type of dream role for me and I love Jodie Foster. For TV, picking a favourite is impossible, but I’ve recently been binging The Middle.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I play a lot of music and read a lot of books.
Do you have any projects coming up that you can share, and what are you hoping the next year brings for you?
Oceanless Beach is in post-production right now! When it’s ready to be released, trust me, I’ll be shouting from the rooftops. I hope this next year is full of growth for me, personally and career-wise. I’m dedicating the next year of my life to “studying” which is basically what I’m calling “taking as many classes as I possibly can”. Whether that be for acting, dance, music, or other things, if I want to learn about it, I’ll be studying it. So, catch me working on myself in 2025.
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