Earlier this year, Netflix psychological thriller series Unchosen was released, with Olivia Pickering playing Grace alongside her on-screen parents Molly Windsor and Asa Butterfield, with Fra Fee, Christopher Eccleston and Rory Wilmot also in the cast. For Olivia’s first film, she played Little Frankie in the 2023 short film Firefly, and won the Rising Star Award at the 2024 Ealing Film Festival for her portrayal of the character. 2026 has already been a busy year for Olivia, having been self-taping and had recalls, as well as filming for an upcoming ITV series. Olivia chatted to us about playing Grace in the psychological thriller series Unchosen, working alongside a cast including Molly Windsor and Asa Butterfield, and winning the Rising Star Award for her portrayal of Little Frankie in short film Firefly.

What was it like getting into character as Grace in this year’s psychological thriller series Unchosen?

I really loved played Grace. She is hard of hearing, just like me! I had so much fun on set! I loved wearing all the different dresses!

Was there anything you found most challenging about playing Grace, and what did you enjoy most about the role?

My most challenging scene was the water scene! I have never drowned before, so I had to use my imagination to think about how it would feel and what would be happening to me! They were my favourite days on set!

We practised in my paddling pool at home and in the shower with my clothes on! Fra (Fee) and I practised in a swimming pool before the big pool at Pinewood. I felt really strange being in the water with my shoes on, but I loved filming those scenes. I got a round of applause when I’d finished.

How was it filming with Molly Windsor and Asa Butterfield (who played your on-screen parents) and the rest of the cast, which included Fra Fee and Christopher Eccleston?

Molly, who played my mum, was amazing! We had loads of fun on set, and she really looked after me! We got on really well, and I miss her lots!

Asa was hillarious as my dad! When he shouted at me in the kitchen scene, we really laughed afterwards!!

Although Fra was the devil in the series, in real life he was the kindest, funniest person! For Halloween, I got him a devil’s mask! He really looked after me in the water, and I trusted him completely!

But my favourite person is Rory (Wilmot), who played Anthony. We had so much fun on and off set, and we are still friends! He’s doing so many great things at the moment, and I’m so happy for him!

Can you tell us about Unchosen and your character, and how did you feel finding out you’d be in the cast?

Grace is six/seven years, I think, so the same age as me! She is very much like me because I love to look after people, so having my role looking after Anthony suited me!

When I found out I got the role, my mum told me and got me a balloon which said “Netflix” on it! I was really shocked!

What was it like on set of a psychological thriller series?

I loved being on set. I had the best tutor and chaperone, who looked after me every day! My mum and I moved to Shepperton from Monday to Friday for four months, which was a great adventure!

Although I’ve heard the series is a bit creepy, I never felt scared on set! Even after the scary scenes, like the one with Fra in the chicken coop or where I see the fight and I looked scared, straight after the team made sure I was happy and we were all laughing! We worked hard before each scene to ensure I was happy and there wasn’t anything worrying me!

How was it having Unchosen release on Netflix earlier this year, and what was it like seeing your completed scenes?

It’s been a long wait, and I wasn’t too sure how much I would be in the series in the end. Before the series was released, Netflix put a couple of social media posts up which my mum showed me, and I saw my face!

We also saw a clip on The One Show with me coming out from under the table. That’s when I realised that I was going to be on the TV!

You played Little Frankie in the 2023 short film Firefly; what do you remember from working on your first ever film?

Wow, I was so little! We went away to Cornwall to film, I think! I had to learn sign language for the film as Frankie was deaf. We had the best scene on the beach, and I remember squeezing into a wetsuit, which took me ages! It was so cold, and when I ran on the beach my wellies filled up with water, so I had to use my mum’s socks!

It was my first time on a surfboard, and I shared a house with a lovely girl called Francesca (de Courcy), who played an older me! This was the start of my acting journey, so I’m really grateful for that!

What was it like winning the Rising Star Award at the 2024 Ealing Film Festival for your performance in Firefly?

This came as a complete surprise… I was filming Unchosen, so I had to wait a while to pick up my award! It’s on my shelf as a reminder of my first ever acting experience, and it’s something I’m very proud of.

How did you originally get into acting?

My mum tells me it’s a funny story! Our neighbour (who is a stunt person) said they were looking for a five year old for a production being filmed near us. I didn’t get it, but the agent asked if we wanted to join their agency. So we did, and it went from there!

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

I love Bluey still, even though I’m now nine (don’t tell anyone lol). I also love Erin & Aaron, and one of my favourite films is Project Hail Mary, which I saw with my dad at the cinema. He says it’s our E.T.?

I also love Annie (the musical film) and Wicked, of course!

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to swim!! I love to create anything, from art to writing songs and stories! And also singing – I sing all the time!!

I’ve also just started painting Warhammer figures, and I recently got a metal detector for the beach.

What do you feel you’ve learnt from being part of the acting industry so far?

I love it! It’s a lot of work, and sometimes I have missed birthday parties or fun stuff at school when I have been recalled, but that’s ok!

I have met some amazing people, and I love being in the casting room meeting new people! I feel so lucky to be part of it!

Do you have a process for learning new scripts and how do you prepare for auditions?

I recently had an eight-page script to learn in an American accent! This was tough as I only had three days.

I can learn lines easily if I understand the scene and my character! I have a screen acting coach who is amazing and helps me with my scripts, and also a great accent coach! Now my reading is so much better, I can read my own scripts, and my mum helps me with the lines.

What are you hoping the rest of 2026 brings for you, and do you have any projects/filming coming up that you can tell us about?

I’ve had a great start to the year with lots of self-tapes and recalls. I have been lucky enough to film for an exciting ITV series this year, and possibly something for early next year.🤞🏻

Thank you for my interview, and I hope to do one with you again soon!