Top by Atelier Ndigo SS22
Skirt by Atelier Ndigo SS22
Shoes by RICAGNO

Danielle Savre an actress, director, and writer, is best known for her roles in Malcolm in the “Middle, Heroes,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and in its spinoff, “Station 19,” as Maya Bishop. Behind the camera she is the director and writer of the short film “Heard.” In “Station 19,” she plays the former Fire Captain and current Fire Lieutenant, Maya Bishop. New episodes of “Station 19” premiere Thursdays on ABC and Hulu where fans can see Maya Bishop navigate mental health challenges and the difficulties of being a female firefighter and member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

**Left:**
Jacket by Sarah Wong FW23-24
Jewelry by Lilou
**Right:**
Barbie pink ruffle Mini Dress (Over) by Luciana Balderrama
Barbie pink strapless dress (Under) by Tatmu
Shoes by RICAGNO

Who was your biggest role model growing up?
My grandmother, Betty. She was a strong independent woman who valued integrity and lived life to the fullest.

Have you always wanted to be involved with television and film? How did you get into acting?
I sort of fell into acting at age 7. I grew up close to Hollywood and had a big personality for a 7-year-old and by a series of events I got an agent and booked my first job. You could always find me glued to the TV watching all the VHS tapes my parents had on the shelves. I always knew I loved the art of storytelling and that I wanted to be part of the movie magic process. Over time that has grown into a passion for being part of projects that feed my soul and tell the stories that need to be told.

What is your favorite part about being an actress, director, and writer?
As an actress it’s getting to say brilliant dialogue and be included in fantastic storylines that intelligent writers create. As a director it’s getting to be a part of the filmmaking process from start to finish. There are so many people and elements that go into making it possible. I find it fulfilling to get to be a part of the nuts and bolts of it all. I do not consider myself a writer yet, even though I’ve written. I enjoy coming up with a story and breaking down the thematic concepts or collaborating with writers to make the script and the direction flow together.

Dress by Sarah Wong SS23
Jacket by Sarah Wong SS23
Shoes by Ginissima
Jewelry by Lilou

How does your experience in front of and behind the camera differ?
Being in front of the camera has a level of anxiety tied to it that is hard to match. You have to be vulnerable and raw yet hit your mark and find your light. It has a duality to it that forces you to have to be hyper aware of your surroundings while at the same time imagining they aren’t there. All eyes are on you and you take ownership of portraying your character but the words aren’t yours, the clothes, hairstyle, makeup and even your mannerisms are the characters. From action to cut, you are in control but then you must walk away from the scene not knowing how it will be cut together, what takes will be used, what music will be played over your dialogue, or if it will all just be cut. Behind the camera you have a say in all of those elements. It is less anxiety and more stress. There is stress to prepare, to work as a team to come up with the best way to execute and tell the story. As a director my stress lies in making sure I can lead the team in making a great episode of television. That being said they are both professions that fulfill my love and passion for storytelling.

What initially attracted you to play the character, Maya Bishop?
Her strength. When I read the scenes for her, she just felt like someone I would want to be friends with. A cool, no bullshit chick who is unapologetically ambitious and lives life the way she chooses to live it. I never imagined she would have become the developed yet flawed character she is today. It’s been one hell of a ride playing her and I am excited to see what the writers do with her next.

**Left:**
Dress by Atelier Ndigo SS22
**Right:**
Jacket by Sarah Wong FW23-24
Boots by Sarah Wong FW23-24
Jewelry by Lilou

What is the most challenging part about playing Maya Bishop?
Making sure I can believe that she would do some of the things she chooses to do. Maya at times has made some horrible choices but as the actor playing her, I have to ignore my judgment of those choices and have empathy for Maya. I have to learn to understand why she would choose to, for instance, blackmail her boss. But Maya believes what was done to her was unfair and she believes the only way to get what she wants is to lower her moral standards since she feels everyone else has done the same. Her beliefs and justification are flawed but If I don't believe she felt she needed to do these horrible things then the audience never will either. It is a big challenge at times but I enjoy navigating the intricacies of how Maya ticks.

How did you mentally prepare for your role as Maya Bishop?
Years of training and work in front of the camera. I grow with every character I have ever played and playing Maya is no different. I have grown as both a person and an actor. Each character leaves an impression on me that changes me for the better. It allows me to see life through another character’s eyes. A new perspective. To be even more empathetic. So, I guess all the roles I played before Maya have prepared me to play Maya.

Was there any physical preparation required for playing a firefighter?
As a cast we all did some firefighter training. It helps that my sister is a firefighter with the LAFD so I had some insider tips. But it has been something that I have just gotten better and better at over time. I grew up in an athletic household so I have that as my background. As a result, I love the physical challenge of it all. I think I have had to adopt more preventive care not to injure myself. So, enough sleep and stretching before working those 12-hour days and wearing that 120 pound gear has proven necessary.

**Left:**
Top by Atelier Ndigo SS22
Skirt byAtelier Ndigo SS22
**Right:**
Dress by Atelier Ndigo SS22
Shoes by RICAGNO

What is it like working on the set of “Station 19” and working with fire?
We actually don’t work with real fire anymore. It is all VFX that is added after. It is sort of strange acting with fire that isn’t really there. Feels a little funny on the day of filming but always looks fantastic when it is all completed.

How has Maya grown since the first season of “Station 19?”
You are just going to have to watch all 6 seasons to get that answer. She has had such a monumental arc. She started off as a “by the book” overachiever to coming to terms with her identity and then transforming into someone who is desperately malicious to get what she wants and now to a healing, passionate woman who can finally see what is important to her and her future. She has evolved to become someone you can root for and wish the best for. She is still working on finding peace with her demons but she is getting there and I am sure we will continue to see her evolve even more as the show goes on.

What things do you and Maya have in common? How do you differ?
I think Maya and I have the same unwavering passion for our careers. We both put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect. However, Maya doesn’t know when to stop. Maya has more damage that she needs to come to terms with. Not to say I don’t have my own damage, but I think I have been in therapy longer than Maya. So, she will get there. Also, Maya doesn’t really smile and I, on the other hand, never stop smiling.

Sheer Blue Glove by Juliya Slon
Gloves by Sara Wong FW23-24
Top by AnnaKiki SS23

What have you learned as a result of playing Maya Bishop?
I can relate to her struggle to balance work responsibilities and personal life. Sometimes I tend not to set those boundaries and the work gets done but the friend’s birthday party is missed. And the truth is the birthday party memories only happen once, the emails that need to be responded to will be there in the morning. And I will have more desire to want to do the emails when I have taken time to celebrate someone I love.

What should fans look forward to seeing from you?
I have directed my first episode of “Station 19” this season so you will definitely see more directing from me both on “Station 19” and with other projects. In the meantime, you can always see me as Maya Bishop by rewatching “Station 19” on Hulu or tuning into your upcoming 7th season that premieres in the fall.

What are your goals for the next five years?
To create content that leaves a positive impact on the world. Whether that is through the roles I play, the projects I direct, or the posts I make on my social media pages. In the next five years I want to grow my family, to have collected more stamps in my passport, and create even more wonderful memories with people who will be in my life forever and with some I know will just be passing through. I hope that in that time span and beyond I’ll continue to learn and evolve into a person my grandmother would be proud of.

Social Media.
Instagram: @dsavre

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Justin Ayers
Talent: Danielle Savre
Fashion Stylist: Melvin Sanders
Hair: Rikke Gajda at The Wall Group
Makeup: Daniele Piersons at Atelier Management
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Tarese Douglas
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Angie Hines, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine