We Can't Stop Discussing Sydney Chandler, the Latest Heroine in Sci-Fi

      Since Ridley Scott's *Alien* debuted in theaters in 1979, the sci-fi horror film has spawned numerous sequels, crossovers, and spin-offs, creating an expansive universe (pun intended) with complex lore and a fervent fan base. Surprisingly, in its 46-year history, there had never been an attempt to create an *Alien* TV series—until Noah Hawley, known for his critically acclaimed, unconventional series like *Fargo* and *Legion*, took a bold step and developed one of the year's standout shows, *Alien: Earth*. In this venture, he introduced us to Sydney Chandler, the series' remarkable breakout star.

      You may recognize Chandler from her appearances in the FX series *Pistol* and Olivia Wilde's *Don't Worry Darling*, but the 29-year-old is still relatively new to the acting scene. However, we doubt this will remain the case for long, given the overwhelming success of *Alien: Earth*. When we meet on the set of her *Who What Wear* shoot, there is a nervous energy about Chandler. She doesn’t fit the mold of a typical self-assured Hollywood star; she is more reserved, introverted, and somewhat shy. Despite her acting lineage—her father is Kyle Chandler—she wasn’t the child who aspired to follow in his footsteps. Instead, she spent most of her childhood away from the industry's chaos on her family's farm near Austin, Texas, enjoying a grounded upbringing that fostered her love of nature and active lifestyle. (Her happy place is biking on a trail, covered in sweat.) Rather than indulging in TV, she preferred reading, and for a significant time, she viewed herself as more of a solitary person. "I was absolutely terrified about the idea of being in front of people ever," Chandler shares over Zoom. Acting wasn’t her initial plan; she pursued creative writing and poetry in school, a choice she now looks back on and acknowledges wasn’t the most financially wise. Her parents consistently encouraged her artistic pursuits. At that time, she was working on a screenplay about aspiring actors, which inadvertently served as a way to nudge herself into an acting class.

      That was a pivotal moment. "I had this scene with this poor girl, and I was screaming at her," she recalls. "It was a very angry scene, and halfway through the monologue, I realized, 'This is the first time I've ever raised my voice in my life.' I was in my early 20s at that time. I had never raised my voice before, and it felt amazing. It felt empowering, and it was really intriguing to be in a safe, collaborative space to explore those emotions." The experience was as exhilarating as it was frightening for Chandler. She became hooked. "There's that moment where you get lost in the work no matter what you're doing, and it's the most clear-headed, peaceful, meditative place," she explains. "I think that's our addiction as actors—discovering that moment." You could say Chandler discovered that moment early on with *Alien: Earth*.

      Set two years prior to the events of Scott's *Alien*, the FX series takes place in 2120, a time when Earth is controlled by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic, and Threshold. Cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial components) and synthetics (humanoid robots with AI) coexist with humans. In the pursuit of immortality, the brilliant founder of Prodigy Corporation creates a new type of being—hybrids (humanoid robots infused with the consciousness of children)—debuting the first hybrid prototype named Wendy. When a spaceship carrying deadly alien specimens crashes on Earth, Wendy and the other hybrids must fight to save the world. Not only is sci-fi Chandler's true passion, having watched the original *Alien* film at too young an age, but she also felt an instant connection with the inquisitive and perceptive Wendy. It was a sensation that Chandler had not before encountered when reading for a role. She felt profoundly connected to Wendy and felt an overwhelming compulsion to fly herself to Calgary to meet creator Hawley. "I've never related to a character as much, even if this is a 12-year-old child in a synthetic body," Chandler reveals.

      The in-person meeting made a significant impact; Hawley found his Wendy in Chandler. "The younger me would have laughed her head off at the idea of hopping on a plane to discuss leading a sci-fi TV show with a director," the actress laughs. Observing Chandler’s skilled performance, it’s evident she was the perfect choice for the part. Wendy serves as the key emotional anchor of the show, a multifaceted character torn between her obligations to Prodigy Corp and her innate human drive to protect her brother. Chandler captures Wendy's childlike wonder with her wide-eyed presence, while also demonstrating strength and