Alyvia Alyn Lind Reflects on Similarities Between Her Roles in “Wayward” and “Daybreak” as Angelica
Netflix viewers diving into Wayward may find themselves cheering for Alyvia Alyn Lind’s character Leile, particularly if they adored her portrayal of Angelica in Daybreak.
In an exclusive chat with Us Weekly, 18-year-old Lind shared her thoughts on the connection between her two characters, stating, “Oh my gosh, I love that. I feel like I bring Angelica to literally everything I do in my life. That character means a lot to me.”
Lind was excited to take on the role of Leile after the abrupt end of Daybreak, which premiered in 2019 but was canceled after just one season.
“We were all so shocked and disappointed. While we were filming and approaching the end, it felt like a ‘when we get renewed,’ not an ‘if we get renewed.’ We were discussing our plans to meet again in a few months. It was such a surprise,” Lind reflected.
Daybreak was set in a post-apocalyptic landscape following a nuclear strike that wiped out most adults, leaving teenagers to fend for themselves. The adults transformed into zombie-like creatures known as Ghoulies, while a group of misfits, including pyromaniac Angelica (Leile), fought for survival.
After portraying Angelica, Lind transitioned to SyFy’s Chucky, where she landed the role of Lexy. Currently, she stars in Wayward, which premiered on Netflix earlier this month. The series unfolds in a seemingly idyllic yet ominous town, uncovering the hidden perils of the troubled teen industry.
“It’s an industry that often goes unnoticed, and yet it deserves more discussion. I genuinely hope this show sparks a dialogue,” Lind explained regarding how Wayward sheds light on the dangers associated with the troubled teen industry. “The experience was truly eye-opening.”
Lind undertook extensive research for her role.
“When I received the audition, I did some initial research. After booking the role, I dove deep into the subject matter. That’s all I focused on for weeks. I watched everything I could find,” she revealed. “I read survivor blogs, documentaries, and even Paris Hilton’s book about her time at Provo Canyon School. I threw myself into it.”
The actress particularly referenced Netflix’s documentary The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping, adding, “I keep telling everyone to watch that alongside our show. It represents a nonfiction take on our narrative and is incredibly disturbing, disgusting, and horrifying.”
Wayward allowed Lind to challenge herself. “I love immersing myself fully into a role, and this was an amazing opportunity to research thoroughly and portray these kids’ realities accurately,” she mentioned.
Lind expressed that Leile stands out as one of her “favorite characters to develop” in her career thus far.
“Leile is so multi-dimensional. She’s a deeply traumatized teen girl, and I appreciated how she uses humor to shield herself, along with her best friend Abbie [Sydney Topliffe], as a form of defense,” she previewed. “Even behind her tough exterior, you can catch glimpses of the 16-year-old girl striving to let people in despite her barriers.”
Lind continued, “I collaborated closely with Mae Martin — our showrunner and dazzling star of the show. They were instrumental in helping me create Leile. They were available for any questions anytime. This project is their passion, and they’ve invested years into it, so I wanted to honor that by portraying the character authentically.”
Wayward is now streaming on Netflix.
