Alexa Morden is a British/Canadian actress with an ever-expanding resumé of film and television work, including critically acclaimed shows like Skins and Fresh Meat, plus a starring role in the BAFTA-nominated short film Standby. She also recently starred in Henry Colin’s mind-bending thriller Lost in Time. As a filmmaker and writer, she’s hopes to clear the path for up-and-coming talent with her upcoming book Beyond the Spotlight, releasing in early 2026.
What was the moment in your youth where you started gravitating towards acting? Did a film, an actor, a book or a play inspire you?
My parents told me I was 3 when I first said I wanted to be an actor. So I’ve never known a life not wanting to act! Some of my earliest memories are watching my favourite movies and musicals on repeat on VHS and acting out the scenes in my living room as I watched. Which soon turned into putting on performances at home to my parents. I remember watching ‘Oliver!’ on stage for the first time and was completely mesmerized. I distinctly recall thinking to myself “this is what I’m going to do.” I was 6 when I first started going to performing arts classes, and the rest is history!
Acting is an incredibly self-critical profession. When was the first time you felt like you absolutely nailed a performance — a role you look back fondly on?
It has to be the first time I played the lead role in a feature film (The Colour of Spring) because I finally felt like I had gotten to exactly where I wanted to be, with enough days on set to really sink my teeth into the role. The director, Paul Andrew Kimball (who is also executive producer of Lost In Time), told me after the first week of filming that casting me in the role was one of the best decisions he had ever made…which was so validating after years in a challenging industry that is full of set backs. The character I was playing was also an actress herself, so it was a role I really felt connected to. In the film she was playing Lady Macbeth, so being able to perform Shakespeare (which I love) on screen was a real highlight.
When receiving a screenplay, what is your process to breaking it down and getting into the shoes of your character?
Oh gosh, lots. One technical thing I like to do is to write down three lists. One is everything my character says about others in the script, another is everything my character says about themself, and the third is everything other characters say about my character. This helps you, as an actor, build an idea of what your character thinks about themselves and the world – and the version of themselves that others see. And then it’s about fleshing them out to be a 3D, multi faceted, nuanced human being – and not just a character on a page. It’s fun thinking up back stories, mapping out relationships with other characters, and finding what you can bring of yourself to a role, as well as how your character is different from you.
Your work in independent cinema is extensive. What draws you to smaller, more stripped-back films that make you keep going back?
It’s just such a fulfilling experience. Indie films often don’t have the biggest budget to work with, so everyone there is doing it for the love of bringing a story to life. There’s no hierarchy, no pretense, no one’s there just for a big payday. Everyone has a genuine passion for film and the role they play in making one. I love that we are all part of a machine that couldn’t run without each other. Actors are no more important than any other crew member – something all actors should learn and remember. It’s important to remain humble. That way you can always continue to learn from others and remain connected to why you do what you do.
What is a piece of direction or advice from a director/co-star that you will remember forever?
The first short film that I wrote and produced myself (Hers), I also acted in. Our director, Matt Holt, who is also a friend of mine, told me to “just stop thinking so much” – or something along those lines. He could see that during and after every take I was really in my head. I cared so much about the project, and put so much of myself into it, that I was caring too much about “getting it right”. He taught me in that moment that I had to trust myself, let go, and just have fun. That’s where the magic happens. Not in overthinking and being a perfectionist. I think for a lot of actors, because we don’t get to do the thing we love to do as much as we want to do it, when we do get the chance to act professionally – the stakes are really high. But that pressure can be the very thing that stops us from doing our best work. The moment we release it, we make space for authenticity and freedom.
Being thrust into the limelight with shows like Skins, Fresh Meat and then the short film Standby must have been exhilarating. With the success those went on to have, how did you keep yourself grounded throughout that process?
I’m laughing thinking about this because it was actually these experiences themselves that have kept me grounded. The original (lead) role I booked in Skins ended up being re-cast last minute under a different casting brief so I was offered a small role instead. My guest star role in Fresh Meat was part of a storyline that ended up being cut for time restraint reasons, and despite being sure that strutting my stuff on the BAFTA red carpet would change everything for me…I didn’t book my next job for another 2 years! That’s the thing about being an actor…nothing is guaranteed, you never know how things will pan out, and it’s full of moments that can seem wholly unfair. The industry itself keeps you grounded, unless you’re one of the lucky few. True success as an actor doesn’t come in the form of impressive credits – it’s the resilience, discipline, and the ability to get back on the horse when you’re thrown off.
How do you stay inspired between projects? Any hobbies or practices that keep your imagination alive?
I think one of the most important things any actor or creative can do between jobs is stay creatively inspired. Our creatively-wired brains don’t switch off when a job ends – we need creative outlets! I’m currently writing a short film with a director friend, I’m in my 8th year of hosting and producing my podcast for actors (The 98%), and in my free time I have a range of hobbies from painting and crochet, to building miniatures!
Your most recent film that we had the pleasure of watching was Henry Colin’s Lost in Time. What was your first reaction to reading the script? How did you approach the thoughtful, but also quite thematically complex story on set?
My first reaction was “what the heck is going on!” Which I think others may relate to when watching the film – ha! I read it through a few times and asked a lot of questions. What was really helpful was that we essentially shot the film in order, which isn’t common in film. So we filmed everything at the house in one block, everything in the bunker in one block, and then the beach on the final day. That made it easier to keep track of where we were in the film, but mostly where Leda’s state of mind was. I was just constantly learning lines! We’d be filming one scene and in between takes I’d be running the lines I’d learned for the next scene/day, and then when I got back to my accommodation after a day’s filming I would start learning the lines for the next block, and it went on like that!
What was your favorite scene to shoot from Lost in Time and why? What is a role you hope to play in the future — a character that perhaps is very close to your heart?
It’s a bit cheesy but the very short flash of me walking in slow motion down a dimly lit corridor was very fun to film. I felt like Terminator or something. One of those movie moments that as an actor you always imagine acting out…dramatically walking down a corridor and watching yourself back in slow-mo. (I’m easy to please!)
I would love to play a fantasy-esque role. A powerful Witchy woman on an adventure of some sort. I’m a big kid at heart and just love having fun on set, so something that brings in magic, the great outdoors, some fight scenes thrown in, and endless opportunities to play would be a dream!
February of 2026 will see the launch of your book Beyond the Spotlight, which aims to aid newcomers of the industry in finding their footing. Why is this specific cause so important to you? What challenges do you think others might face that are completely avoidable?
The book is perfect for newcomers, but equally valuable for seasoned professionals, because we’ve all been fed an idea of what being an actor looks like that doesn’t really exist – at least for most of us. Only 2% of actors earn their main source of income from acting work, yet the pressure to always appear “booked and busy” can lead to isolation, self-doubt, and low confidence. These challenges are avoidable when we understand the reality of #actorslife – the day-to-day experience beyond the glitz, glamour, and social media highlight reels – and feel able to talk about it openly.
Beyond The Spotlight combines my lived experience as an actor, with all its trials, tribulations, and lessons learned, with practical insights and exercises from a world-renowned performance psychologist, to equip actors and creatives with a resilient mindset and a process focused approach to navigate their craft and career with confidence.
One of the biggest hurdles actors face is the pressure of “success.” We’re conditioned to believe there’s only one version as actors: continuous work, fame, wealth, red carpet appearances, and critical acclaim. But when 0.002% of actors ever reach that point, why do we torture ourselves by comparing ourselves to the minority? Redefining success is crucial. It’s not about “making it” – it’s about making a creative life you genuinely enjoy, rather than focusing on outcomes entirely outside your control. Working in indie film is a perfect example of that. Lost in Time may never find itself in front of the eyes of the Hollywood elite, but it was a hugely rewarding challenge, unforgettable experience, and something I’m really proud of. No one can tell me I’m not successful just because they don’t recognize me from jobs I’ve done. Success is about the work you love, the growth you experience, and the impact your creativity has on yourself and others.
Beyond the release of your book, what are other upcoming projects that excite you?
There’s a two-hander short film I’ve co-written that my collaborator/director and I are hoping to shoot in the Spring, but there are some other projects that I’m quite busy with at the moment. I am now founding director of a non-profit that I’ve built off the back of the podcast and platform I’ve been running for several years. The 98% CIC (community interest company) works to empower actors and creatives in the face of industry malpractice. Branching off from this I’m planning a new podcast series where I combine my interest in true crime with my industry experience to take listeners behind the scenes of the investigations The 98% has helped uncover – fraud, scams, misconduct and more! I’m passionate about giving a voice to people who’ve been silenced in an industry built on a dangerous hierarchy. I’m also an acting coach and am really excited to be collaboratively running my second actor training retreat in North Wales in March with an award winning TV director and a person-centered acting practitioner, where we’ll be diving into process, play, and authenticity in an immersive, supportive environment.
My next feature film, LATE, another two-hander indie (shot in just 6 single takes!) is set for release this year. I hope to be on set again soon and am always looking to connect and collaborate with other filmmakers. You can follow my work on Instagram at @alexa_morden @the98percentpod & @acting.with.alexa
