Recently I got to interview Brooklyn Davey Norstedt about her role in Stranger Things; Tales From 85.
What drew you to acting and what was your big break?
When I was six years old, I was obsessed with the movie “Annie,” so for my seventh birthday my parents took me to see the musical on stage at my local theater. From the
second the curtains opened and the music started, my heart felt like it exploded.
The feeling I had was genuinely electric. I felt so at home, and all I could think is “I NEED to be up there.”
On the back of the program for the show, they had advertisements for acting classes, so I begged my parents to let me take them. And they did, because they have always been so
supportive of everything I have the passion to do.
My big break is really Tales From ‘85. I would say this is my first bigger project in which I am a lead as well, and it’s the best thing I could have ever asked to be involved with. I have one credit previously for a co-star role in an Apple TV Plus series called WeCrashed.
There have been many close calls for me, but lots of rejection, and that can be hard . Especially as a younger kid, I had to learn how to deal with it. But one of the many things Tales has taught me is that what’s meant for you will nd you. You hear that a lot, but it never sunk in for me
until I saw a real example in my life.
What was it like transitioning to animation and did you have to prepare differently than
with live-action work?
I transitioned, or rather explored the world of animation when the pandemic hit in 2020.
There were so many online acting classes. I saw one for voice acting and decided to try it out. Previously, I did not even realize that was something I could do. My rst voiceover class, I absolutely fell in love and went 100 percent into that world.
Yes, I do have to prepare differently! I think that I carry the same principles with live action acting at the core of voiceover work, such as how I study the character. I put the same
amount of time and attention to detail with every role I do, whether it be animated or live action.
I also try to put myself in it somehow, I always try to nd a little opening – even if it’s something small.
But with voiceover, you really have to use your physicality in the booth and imagination to get into the scene. Obviously with live action, you have a set, costumes, and other actors to work with. With VO, you have to use your mind to create that for yourself.
And it’s not something you can just skip out on, you have to do everything you can to bring whatever specic emotion it is through your voice. I don’t have my face to carry the performance.
So sometimes it can require that much more passion and commitment, which is something I personally enjoy very much.
It’s just me in the booth, playing like I did when I was a little kid.
How much time did it take for you to record for the first season?
I think it took around two years. I would typically record one to three times every month, usually one episode at a time, but up to three episodes per session occasionally.
Sometimes, it would just be pickup lines for previously recorded material or rewrites.
Or ADR, where they actually show me the animation and I say the line to match it.
Animation takes a long time, and with our team especially, they never rushed to get anything done. The
attention to detail with my character alone is insane, and that carries through every aspect
of this show.
Do you record solo or with other members of the cast?
I record solo with our showrunner, Eric Robles, and Meredith Layne, our casting director over zoom directing me. But I would love to do a session with the other members of the
cast at some point. A lot of us got to meet for the release of season one, and we just jived together so well!
How has your life and career changed since the debut of the series?
I had to hide the fact that I was doing this project for almost three years, and it was a part of me during that time, but now that it has debuted, it’s forever cemented as a part of who I
am. There’s been a lot of online support for me and the show, which I greatly appreciate.
But I also try not to look at social media just a ton, because whether it be positive or negative engagement, the sheer amount of interaction can be overwhelming.
I have to be careful not only for my mental wellbeing, but my safety. Right now, I’m trying to focus on the things that really matter. Acting is what I want to do for life, and I will keep pursuing it no matter what.
What have been the greatest challenges and biggest triumphs for you with the animated
series?
The greatest challenge at the beginning was just the fact that I had been given such a huge responsibility. Bringing this iconic character to life from such a beloved show felt like a massive weight. Especially because I have a previous very deep connection to not just
Stranger Things, but Eleven. I’ve been a super fan for the longest time. So I was very excited, but also very nervous.
The biggest triumph for me was when I was able to let go of those
nerves and fully dive into the character.
At times, it was a challenge to balance honoring the live action Eleven, but also guring out how to bring her to life through my voice in
animation. That aspect of it was very hard at times. But as the recording sessions go along,you eventually start to nd your groove. And with the support of Eric and Meredith, it made
the whole experience feel like one big playground for me.
Though challenging at times,
that’s what I found fun about it, and it made the end result even more rewarding,
Will you be attending any conventions this summer?
Yes, and I could not be more excited! Interacting with fans and sharing the love of Stranger Things is one of my favorite parts about all of this. Locations and dates coming soon!
How do you balance growing your character in the animated series yet staying true to the live-action series timeline?
This is a great question, one which I had very many conversations with Eric and Meredith about. This feat is something they wanted to accomplish with all of the characters, and I personally think the writers and everyone involved did an amazing job with it. One of the
things we talked about is how between seasons 2 and 3, Eleven would have been really
stepping into her independence and making her own choices, and learning how to communicate her emotions.
At the end of season 2, she has gone to the snowball and kisses Mike, but at the beginning of season 3, she is making out with him in her bedroom.
To me, that indicates a LOT of growth in that in between timeline (haha). So I feel like everything she goes through in the animated series is actually a very natural progression to
that, and her arc is owed to our incredible writers. Also, as humans, we go through ups and downs with our emotions.
We learn life lessons, we grow, and sometimes we forget what
we learned and have to learn those lessons again. We all constantly make mistakes, that’s the beauty of being human and that’s the beauty of these characters. I love to see the
progression and expansion on all of them in this series.
What are some of your fondest memories from recording?
Every session I had, honestly, I always had the most incredible time. I really lucked out with
working with Eric and Meredith, they are just the kindest people. Every session I would bring a new Eleven Funko pop, and at the end I would always show them and we would just talk and have fun. That was always a highlight for me.
As far as recording goes, Eric gets so into the scenes and he’s able to show me his vision for how the nished product will look.
For example, there’s a scene where I snowboard down a hill, and he got up and demonstrated that for me as I did it. There are a lot of moments like that, and I’m grateful that I’m working with people that are as passionate as I am about our job. I also loved recording the nal
battle, the moment where Eleven closes the gate. I remember getting the scream for that, and it was just such an epic moment. They were clapping for me, they were so excited.
Their energy is just infectious.
What would you like to see for your character in the new season?
Just as many, if not more battles and ghts. I love when Eleven gets to stand up for her friends and show through her powers how much she cares about them, how much she
would sacrice for them. I would also like to see her have more time and interaction with Nikki, I really like their friendship.
I think it’s so sweet.
What else do you have upcoming?
Season 2 of Tales From ‘85 comes out this fall, and I’m so excited for fans to see the awesome new adventures the team has cooked up. And I’m in this industry for the long run, so you’ll just have to stay updated with my next adventures. 99 percent of the time, I can’t talk about what I’m
doing next because it’s top secret, but I’m excited for the future!
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