At the start of The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Hope Bennett (Alexa Mansour) and Iris Bennett (Aliyah Royale) set out from a safe zone in Nebraska in pursuit of their father, who had seemingly run into trouble while working with the Civic Republic Military. Throughout the season, Iris remained optimistic in the face of adversity. However, at the end of that outing, she found herself separated from her sister for the first time and soon after discovered that her home had been destroyed, which might just have major ramifications for her going forward.
CBR talked with Aliyah Royale by phone about her experience filming The Walking Dead: World Beyond Season 1 and what fans can expect to see with Iris in Season 2.
What was your reaction to The Walking Dead: World Beyond Season 1?
Oh, my goodness. It’s so interesting seeing something that you worked on come out. You worked on it a year ago, and you’re like, “Oh, my God is that what happened? I didn’t remember any of this.” It’s really like watching everything for the first time. But I enjoyed it. I thought it was really cute and told good stories. And I think it set up Season 2 really well.
Did you have any part that was specifically your favorite when you were watching it or that made you go, “Oh, that’s so cool?”
Easily, just because the effect was incredible, the moment where Silas and Iris, Episode 4, are trapped in the school gym, where the Sadie Hawkins dance was. I remember being there and being just in my feelings, because it was a school dance. And I never really experienced those growing up. But watching it was totally different.
I remember the moment where Iris and Silas are dancing, and then the students appear around us. But you know, we had cut and put the students in, took the students out. We were making a show versus watching it. And you see us dancing, and then the camera turns ever so slightly, and you see all these students dancing around us. It was like, “Oh my god. It looks so magical.” It was so sweet and really warmed my heart.
Do you have a favorite or particularly memorable moment from when you were on set for Season 1?
Definitely the moment where I was a walker, because of the fact people don’t usually get to experience that unless they’re dead. But it was really cool, just because the contacts went over my entire eyeball. They were massive. Like not just my pupil or iris. The entire eye. And looking out of them was like looking at a white sheet, so I couldn’t see.
And I just remember walking to set, and I had to have people on both sides of me to take me where I needed to go because I couldn’t see. I don’t know what happened or who it was, but I was walking, and I can’t see and someone was terrified and screamed at the sight of me. And it scared me, because I couldn’t see, so I was like, “Why is someone screaming?” They were like, “They’re screaming at you.” And I was like, “Oh, that makes sense.” And I just went on to work, did the scene. That was funny, because I didn’t know what they were reacting to, and it scared me.
That’s wonderful. I feel like that’s exactly what would happen to me if I was in the same position like who’s being screamed at?
What’s wrong? Is it like a spider or something?
So how is production on Season 2 going, because I know you guys have been filming amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that’s going on. What’s that been like?
We have a million safety protocols in place. A wonderful health and safety team that keep everybody safe and accountable. It’s been super easy. Wear your mask and wash your hands. It’s pretty much the way these things go. But yeah, everything’s been going by really easily. It’s super fast, actually. Yeah, Season 2 is rolling.
Has there been anything challenging about filming Season 2 for you?
Knowing that we have a two-season run has been challenging. I am usually good about these things, because that’s how the industry goes. I was shooting one particular scene that was incredibly emotional. And I wasn’t expecting it to be, just because I’m not an emotional person.
But something happened. I literally could not get my line out, because I had broken down into tears and couldn’t speak. And I was like, “Oh my god. This is really happening. We’ve got two seasons, and the show is wrapping up. Oh my god. What am I gonna do now?” Yeah, it was really emotional for me.
How would you compare the upcoming season to Season 1?
Season 1 was a great season for setting up these different stories about Iris, Elton, Silas [and] Hope. And Season 2 is basically less of going into the past and more like, “Okay, what does everyone’s present like? What are the choices that we’re going to make today that are different than the choices we made last season?” Because I think for several characters, there’s a few switches in personality traits and morals and ethics.
Let’s say, hypothetically, Iris survives Season 2. You didn’t have to put on zombie makeup again this season. Is there a character from the wider Walking Dead universe that you really want Iris to meet?
I would kill to work with Michonne or Negan. Negan just because I think he’s a badass. And when watching this show, he was always the character that was just most interesting to me. I always find it interesting when someone could be given the same options as us and choose the evil one or the one that doesn’t save common good. Yeah, I just always find those kinds of characters interesting, the villain of the story as opposed to the hero. So it’d be cool to work with someone who lives in that kind of mindset.
And then Michonne is just everything that I think Iris would grow to be as an adult: Strong willed, smart, resourceful, [still] kind, you know? Yeah, she’s just an adult Iris.
How do you think Iris would interact with Negan? Because that’s a really good point where he definitely chooses the bad side. And Iris is almost, like, terminally optimistic.
You know, I’m trying not to give things away! You know, Season 1, yes, I would definitely say Iris was terminally optimistic. And in Season 2, a lot happens. And I think even in just the first couple of episodes, there’s a switch that we’re gonna see. And we’re gonna find out what becomes the most important thing to her. You know, we’ll see what happens, because I think her and Negan would be pretty cool.
With The Walking Dead: World Beyond ending this season, what does the future look like for you as an actor? Is there anything you’d like to do or anything you’re really interested in?
I go where the wind takes me, pretty much. I know what I really, really want to do so bad, even though I don’t think I can play the age, is one of those really sweet Hallmark Christmas movies, which is such a difference from the undead world of The Walking Dead universe. But I’m a sucker for romantic comedies, but specifically really improbable ones. Like meeting a guy 12 days before Christmas, and then getting married on Christmas Eve. So doing a project like that would be awesome. I love Christmas. And yeah, that would be so dear to my heart.
Put your hands together and get, like, The Christmas Zombie, and then you’ll have everything, right?
Exactly! Maybe I should write a movie about that.
Created by Scott Gimple, Robert Kirkman and Matt Negrete, The Walking Dead: World Beyond stars Aliyah Royale, Alexa Mansour, Hal Cumpston, Nicolas Cantu, Nico Tortorella, Annet Mahendru and Julia Ormond. Season 2 does not currently have a release date. Season 1 is available now on DVD and Blu-ray.
About The Author