Currently, Maddison Allard is filming her sixth horror film of the year, called GRIN, with two upcoming – The Caged (in which she plays Lexi, and is written and directed by Jeffrey Scott Collins), and in The Green Monster, she will be seen as Niamh, with the latter being released on streaming services. Maddison plays Young Alexis in short film Marrow, which has recently been shown at film festivals, and her other screen projects include Series 2 of Apple TV’s Surface and a number of commercials including for Young Epilepsy, Putty Pals and Smyths Toys. Having stage experience, in 2023, Maddison was part of the tours of operas La Boheme and Aida, and she is hoping to continue work in both stage and screen in the future. Catching up with Maddison, we found out from her about the upcoming horror films The Caged and The Green Monster, having short film Marrow recently shown at film festivals and being part of the operas La Boheme and Aida.

In the upcoming release of horror film The Caged, you play lead character Lexi, how was your time on set and being directed by Jeffrey Scott Collins (who also wrote the film)?

I absolutely LOVED being on set for The Caged. It was by far my most challenging role yet with some really intense and dark scenes. Jeffrey was an amazing director to work with and so knowledgeable. He was really great with us children. There was lots of blood involved and challenging moments which he really guided us through. The cast and crew took such good care of me and made sure I was ok every step of the way. It really helped me understand complex horror scenes and what is expected from an experienced child actor. The blood tasted disgusting but my amazing on-screen brother, who is a little older than me, told me it tasted nice so I wouldn’t be worried about tasting it, which was super sweet of him!

Can you tell us about The Caged and your character, and what was Lexi like to play?

Playing Lexi was great! I can’t say too much yet but I am in the very first opening scenes of the film which explain the main plot. Without Lexi and her family, you wouldn’t understand how it all began! The Caged is based on a true story of a haunted house in Essex! Director Jeffrey Scott Collins quite literally woke up one day and said “I want to do a horror film” and so here it is!

Was there anything that drew you to the role of Lexi and how did you feel booking the project?

I had spent most of 2025 on other smaller horror sets and was gaining lots of experience. When I saw the brief for this role I just felt it would be super fun and would be my very first feature film role. There are some details about Lexi’s character that drew me in which you will have to wait to see. They were looking for someone experienced and many girls were put forward and applied. I had completely forgotten about it when the call came in to say I had been offered the role. It was so surreal as I was on holiday and my mum jumped off her sunbed and was like “YOU GOT IT, YOU GOT A FEATURE FILM!!”. I was too busy playing and it didn’t really set in until she told me again in our hotel room that afternoon. She recorded my reaction and the whole crew thought it was the most magical thing. Casting director Gaby Whyte Hart has been the most wonderful person from start to finish. It was so lovely she said she knew she wanted me from the minute she saw me and has been instrumental in my progression ever since. I had waited so long to be given this moment and so this project will always be so special to me and it goes to show, never give up.

How was it taking on the role of Niamh in the upcoming feature film The Green Monster?

Niamh was my first fully scripted movie where I would be part of the key plot and so I was super excited and nervous! It’s going to be released on streaming platforms, which was a goal of mine. I can’t wait to be all over the TV. It was such a fun film to work on, horror with a twist of Christmas. My on-screen big sister protected me a lot in the film and is super talented so she guided me a lot. I had the best time as it was my first job where I got to go away on location rather than work in the London or nearby! Champdog Films and the cast and crew were amazing and have already been back in touch! I had an amazing moment last week when I saw I am getting a special title card in the credits, which was an amazing feeling.

What was it like playing Young Alexis in the short film Marrow, which has recently been showing at film festivals?

Marrow is special because it was the horror film that began my journey in this genre. It was a student film project and it has been winning so many film festivals in the last 12 months. It was my first experience dealing with near death and darker scenes. My mum said that as I’m approaching the older age range we needed to take on more serious and harder roles to showcase more advanced acting and, whilst Marrow wasn’t scary for me, it was a great step in the door. I know the students behind Marrow will go far, we have kept in touch too,which is nice. It really was the right move to make for me showcasing more serious acting.

Having been in the cast of six horror films this year, what do you enjoy most about filming for this genre?

I still can’t believe I’ve been in six horror films. I still find that mind-blowing! I actually never meant to end up in this genre of film but one film then dominoes into another and with horror the casting teams are definitely comforted by children with experience as they know they can handle the scenes and what is needed. It’s really fun being on a horror set. No day is boring on any set but with horror there is always something crazy happening. On my last job, there were chopped up rubber fingers and hands lying around, which was so funny. Nothing beats sitting down to eat your breakfast before filming then seeing someone walk in with a prosthetic bloody eye ball hanging off their head. I love all the blood and FX used to create the magic during post-production that really brings it together. It really is amazing!

What is it like filming scary scenes and how do you stay focused during filming?

At first I was nervous about scary scenes when this journey first began. My mum always checks with me prior to accepting any horror work if I am comfortable with it. She sits me down and explains what will be needed from me and I’m always allowed to decline it but I’m just not phased by it at all. I think I’m so used to it not being real and seeing how it comes together behind the scenes that I don’t find it scary. I really want to see some finished products but, unfortunately, most things I’m not allowed to watch when it’s done as it’s 18+.

When I was younger, I really struggled to stay focused on set. I have ADHD and when I was first starting out age four, I really struggled to understand behaviour and expectations on set even though I Ioved it. Over the years, I’ve learnt to understand how filming works and I love what I do so that in itself helps me focus. I love making people proud, I’m a huge people pleaser. I also understand when I need to go for a walk between filming or bring fidgets for downtime. I do colouring and bring my tablet with me as well. Shutting off during lunch or breaks helps me reset. I think it’s just a case of growing up and gaining experience.

We understand you filmed a role for this year’s Series 2 of Apple TV’s Surface, how was this?

Yes. I actually filmed this so many years ago! It’s been a while and I looked completely different and was so young. It was my first TV series, it was a supporting role but what an amazing experience being on such a high-budget A-list series. We saw some big stars and got to film at different locations. We were also part of photographic supporting scenes. It was a great role to have so young. TV is definitely something I want to do more of!

As a stage actor, you performed in the 2023 UK tours of La Boheme and Aida, what are some of your favourite memories from these shows?

Theatre, what can I say! I absolutely love theatre, it is truly my dream. I am a dancer and a very theatrical person. I would love to be in the West End one day or on a UK musical tour with a production like Annie or something! When I was offered the chance to be in two opera tours for such famous shows I couldn’t say no! It was so surreal as I was one of the youngest being only six years old! My favourite memory was the curtain call when all the crowds were clapping for me. Seeing all those seats full was such a magical feeling. I remember my mum asking how it felt and I told her it was the happiest night of my life. That’s when my mum truly knew theatre was my passion.

How do you prepare for roles and do you have a process for learning your lines?

I always try to get my scripts as soon as possible but I find learning lines very easy. I can usually read a script once or twice and know it instantly. My mum thinks I may have photographic memory. I don’t usually spend much time with the script. My mum will read through with me and explain the scene and direction. Then we will do a read, repeat run through together, then after maybe a second run through I usually remember it all. I used to find script work daunting when I used to see actors with them and wondered how on earth they learnt it all but I think we spend so much time auditioning with scripts at such short notice your brain just learns to pick it up.

Can you tell us about some of the commercials you have been involved with such as Young Epilepsy?

Young Epilepsy holds a special place for me. My grandad passed away from a seizure and so when I saw this campaign I really wanted to take part and the team wanted people who had a connection to the charity. When we told our story, they were really touched by it and I got one of the roles.

I have done a lot of commercials, especially through my younger years. I have done commercials for Smyths Toys, a cake company, Young Epilepsy, a worldwide agricultural company, ESPO Education, a gaming company and other small bits.

Another favourite commercial was for Putty Pals. The team behind the brand are so friendly and we keep in touch, which is really nice.

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

It’s so cliché but I was your typical young performer. I have always loved singing and dancing from a young age. My mum enrolled me into Stagecoach when I was three. A wonderful principal saw me and allowed me to start a little early as I was super confident. She told my mum about an audition for the Waitress UK Tour and asked if she could put me forward for the role of Lulu. After the audition, my mum emailed around some agents and had some conversations and the rest is history! I booked my first job about a month after I signed and have been consistently booking various roles ever since, I am very lucky.

What films and TV shows do you enjoy watching?

I’m not a massive TV person as I’m too busy! I spend most of my time at dance but I would say I really love Disney’s Descendants, Monster High, Mamma Mia!, KPop Demon Hunters. All the fun normal shows girls my age love to watch. My mum says I watch too much on repeat as I tend to always go back to what I know! I have just started watching Stage Stars on BBC iPlayer! It’s my dream school so it’s been really inspiring to watch all the children in it.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Free time?! Haha. I’m a competitive dancer for an amazing dance school called Em Dance Coaching, so usually you can find me at the dance studios learning routines and training hard. I dance all styles and love acro but my heart will always be musical theatre. I’m about to go into the next competition season so it’s a super busy time right now.

When I’m not at the studios, I love being outside riding my bike, going to trampoline parks and just hanging out with my friends. It’s super important to do lots of normal things around acting.

Do you have any further projects coming up that you can talk about and what are you hoping next year brings for you?

Yes!! I’m having the most exciting year. I have just begun filming for role six as we mentioned. The feature film is called GRIN. I play a lead role in that. It is another horror film, of course! I’m really excited as I’m going away on location again, the scenes I’m in are super challenging. After filming finishes, I will be taking a break until new year as it would have been my eighth role this year. I achieved so many dreams in 2025 which I’m so proud of. It’s been manic! I’m currently working hard behind the scenes as I have some exciting stage opportunities coming.

In the next year, I would love to book another TV series role, as lead cast ideally. I am hoping for more musical auditions. That is my absolute dream but I am considered tall in theatre so what will be will be. I feel really proud of myself this year and I really hope next year I continue to grow as an actress…

Follow Maddison on:

Instagram