For Aspen Martinez’s major film debut, she will be playing Maude in A24’s new thriller OPUS, which is directed by the film’s writer Mark Anthony Green and stars Ayo Edebiri as Ariel Ecton and John Malkovich as Alfred Moretti, and Aspen attended the Los Angeles premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood ahead of the film’s release on 14th March. With the release of Series 3 of AMC’s Dark Winds on Sunday, Aspen will be seen playing Carmelita, having joined the cast for the new season, working with Zahn McClarnon, and her further upcoming projects include A Monkey for Christmas and Night of the Starlings. Aspen booked her first professional acting role in 2022, playing Madelyn in an episode of Big Sky, and she went on to play Josie in The Curse on Paramount+. Answering our questions, we found out from Aspen about the new thriller feature film OPUS, playing Maude in the A24 release and joining Series 3 of Dark Winds as Carmelita.

In A24’s new thriller feature film OPUS, you play Maude, can you tell us about the film and your character?

I am very grateful to be a part of this project. I really enjoyed everyone I worked with, and it was a great experience. The story is about a writer that is invited to a famous pop star’s compound. The writer finds herself in the middle of a cult and creepy things start to happen. My character is Maude; she is one of the kids that lives on the compound. She and the writer become friends. Maude is cute and sweet, but she is also manipulative and surprising.

How did you feel finding out you’d booked the role of Maude for your major feature film debut, and what was the character like to play?

I was beyond excited. I met Ayo (Edebiri) at my last round of auditions, and we became friends. I was happy that I was going to work with her. I really had fun playing Maude. I liked how she was cute and sweet, but she also had an unexpected side to her. I think I relate to Maude because I have a cute, sweet side, but I also like to be silly, loud and joke.

What was it like on set of OPUS and being directed by the film’s writer – Mark Anthony Green?

Mark Anthony was amazing to work with! He is so nice, encouraging, and fun. There was one scene where he decided in the moment to add some lines to my character. I’m thinking this is awesome, also thinking I need to get these lines memorised quick. Ayo helped me with the lines and gave me some great advice on memorising lines. We filmed the scene, and everyone was celebrating. I was grateful Mark Anthony gave me that opportunity, and I will never forget that moment, or those lines. I hope to work with him again in the future.

How was it meeting and working with the rest of the cast, which includes Ayo Edebiri as Ariel Ecton and John Malkovich as Alfred Moretti?

I enjoyed working with everyone. They were all friendly and supportive. I learned a lot, it was a good team.

How did you find the experience attending the Los Angeles premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood last month?

When I started acting, I also started to wonder if one day I’d get to be on the red carpet. That was my first experience at a premiere, and it was so much fun! It was also my first time in Hollywood and it was cool to see the Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign.

You have joined the cast of Series 3 of AMC’s Dark Winds as Carmelita, how would you describe Carmelita and what was it like getting into character?

Carmelita is a nine-year-old girl from Mexico whose family speaks Mixtec. Working with actors like Jessica Matten and Amanda Ming, who are really great in their character roles, helped me get into my character.

Was there anything that drew you to the role of Carmelita and how did you prepare for filming?

Growing up in New Mexico, I’ve been part of moments when kids need to translate for their parents. That part of the story was familiar to me and helped me understand Carmelita.

What did you enjoy most about working on Dark Winds?

I always have fun on set and meeting new people. I also enjoyed learning about the time period of the set and props – seeing old phones, typewriters, and cars.

Why would you recommend watching OPUS and Dark Winds, and who do you think each will appeal to?

I have to wait until I’m a little older to watch OPUS. I think people should watch them because they both have a lot of mystery and thrills. OPUS has 70s-vibe original music that makes you want to dance. John Malkovich as a pop star? You have to see that. Dark Winds is also set in the 70s and focused on indigenous culture. People are going to love them both.

How was it filming episodes of The Curse for Paramount+ as Josie?

Playing Josie was great. It was something different for me to play the mean girl. My character was injured, and I had some special makeup done. I was also part of a stunt for one scene and had a stunt double in another scene. All new experiences and really fun!

What was it like playing Madelyn in an episode of Big Sky for your first professional acting role in 2022?

I was nine when I played Madelyn in Big Sky. Something I enjoyed was acting alongside other actors in an emotional scene. My character was scared and crying, and there was a lot happening. I like performing these emotional moments.

Also, I met Jensen Ackles, who is one of the nicest people. He helped me on set with cues, and I had fun talking and acting with him.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

My sister started acting first and I would watch her practice. It looked fun so I decided to try it. I really liked the stories and becoming the character. My favourite things to do when acting are crying scenes and comedy scenes. I also like going to set and meeting new people.

What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?

Some of my favourite films are E.T., Damsel, Suicide Squad, and The Addams Family. I like the TV show Schitt’s Creek and I like watching Bluey with my younger cousins.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I absolutely love riding horses. I’ve grown up ranching and spend a lot of time outdoors tending to my animals. My family has horses, cattle, chickens, dogs, and cats. I love working with and having animals.

Do you have any further upcoming projects that you can tell us about and what are you hoping this year brings for your career?

I do have a couple of projects coming up. One is called A Monkey for Christmas, which is about a boy who gets adopted and struggles to fit in. When his Christmas gift of a puppy gets swapped in the mail with a monkey, he and his new siblings work together to save the monkey from animal traffickers.

Another project coming out this year is Night of the Starlings. This is about a teenage girl who is dealing with her own issues and trying to save a young mother and baby. It ties into a ghost story I’ve grown up with – the famous story of La Llorona. This was a special project for me because my sister and I play sisters in the film, and we got to work together for the first time on set.

I’m always looking forward to the next project. A dream or hope of mine is that one day I will book a role where my character gets to ride a horse in the film.

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