Fallon Smythe
Fallon Smythe, an American actress, stars in the upcoming CW series “Gotham Nights” from the DC universe. The Las Vegas native has earned many credits such as “I Didn’t Do It,” “Grown-ish,” and “Lost in the West.” When she isn’t acting, she raises awareness about Type 1 diabetes. She is a youth ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Fallon made her DC debut in “Gotham Nights” on March 14, 2023.
Blazer by Tibi
Jewelry is Vintage
You were originally scouted for voice acting by voice-over coach Alice Whitfield. What was the transition like into on screen work?
I started working with Alice Whitfield when I was 11 years old because it was "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day," My mother had a successful voice-over career in our hometown, Las Vegas, Nevada. The transition was fairly smooth for me. There are slight differences between voice-over and on-screen acting, like cadence and inflection. It was helpful to have a deep underlying understanding of the dialogue. Voice-overs taught me how to be intentional with everything I was saying. Shifting to on-screen was about letting that intention percolate through my body and allowing the physicality to become part of the art form.
Philanthropy appears to be important as you’ve done work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. How did you become inspired to pursue this philanthropic endeavor?
Well, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was 12 years old, and through that diagnosis, I was introduced to JDRF, which helped create a sense of community for me. It was comforting to know that other kids my age were going through the same thing I was. The more I had the privilege to learn about what they do, the more I wanted to be involved. I became a Youth Ambassador and helped raise awareness and money to search for a cure, spoke at galas and events, and was featured in educational videos that were played across the country. My work with JDRF is extremely personal, and I have been lucky to lend a small hand in their massive work.
Left:
Long skirt, button down, blazer by Tibi
Boots by RAYE
Right:
Coat + top by Dorothee Schumacher
How did you physically prepare for the demands of the role of Harper Row on “Gotham Nights?”
Earlier in the year, before I had even gotten the audition for “Gotham Knights,” I had begun training at the gym with my father. He had a pretty rigorous routine planned out for me, and I continuously joked that I felt like I was training for a superhero role. I got the audition a month or two later, and the rest was a domino effect. I trained in the gym for almost 2 hours daily, alongside diligently researching and preparing emotionally for the nuanced story and woman that is Harper Row.
What was your favorite experience on set and what was the most challenging?
My favorite experiences were also the most challenging. I've always been a night owl, so the late nights in 15-degree weather were my favorite. You feel so immersed in the moment, and there's something comforting about being up all night with these coworkers who are quickly turning into best friends and family. You get the giggles when it hits 4 am, and you can groan together about how cold it is and how tired you are, though I always look back on those moments the most fondly. The flip side is it's challenging for those obvious reasons, plus you're in boots for 15 hours that are just killing your feet, lol.
Your character on “Gotham Nights” is openly bisexual. How important was it for you to have that type of character representation in a major superhero universe?
It is extremely important to me, as it is to many people, to have representation in the media, especially in a world as vast as the DC Universe. Everyone deserves to see and feel themselves represented on screen. I am honored hopefully to play a small role in a person's self-discovery journey. Art should mirror life, and I'm thankful that these characters, and characters like the ones on “Gotham Knights,” have the ability to reach the masses and hopefully make even one person feel less isolated and alone. It's a beautiful thing to offer solidarity through a character that a wide range of people can relate to.
You had a recurring role on the hit Disney Channel show “I Didn’t Do It” and a role in the Nickelodeon film “Lost in the West.” What was it like making that transition to a much more mature role like the current one you have?
From a young age, as I began my journey in this industry, I was always drawn to darker and grittier dramas. I was lucky to have had the privilege to get my start on Nickelodeon and Disney. Though as I've matured, I've watched my roles mature as well. Being able to grow alongside the characters I play has been incredibly special.
Left:
Coat + top by Dorothee Schumacher
Right:
Suit by Tibi
Shoes by IRO
Do you feel any pressure to be entering such a beloved and iconic universe like DC?
Of course, it’s obviously an intimidating thing to step into a universe as notable and iconic as DC. There are a lot of expectations and fans who are deeply passionate about these characters that they hold so dearly to their hearts. It has been a real honor and a milestone in my career. To be able to take my love for DC and its characters and pepper in my own life experiences to Harper Row has been a freeing and expansive experience. They are big shoes to fill, but I’ve been eager at the task.
What was your experience working with amazing talents like Misha Collins?
Misha Collins is absolutely wonderful; there are no bad things to say about him. Through his extensive career and experience, he was incredibly welcoming and encouraging but, most importantly, treated the cast and those newer on the scene (me included) as peers and equals. Which is an incredibly rare thing to find in this industry.
What has been the biggest learning experience thus far in your career?
Probably this. This is my first time as a series regular on a show. With a show like this, you’ll find yourself on a particular set for an extended period of time. A huge learning experience was being in the same environment with similar circumstances and finding new ways for my character to navigate them. It forced me to be even more introspective and discover new possibilities breaking the realm of expectations for my character. Obviously, we had an incredible script to lend to that, but I was excited to push the bounds of how far that could go.
Left:
Suit by Tibi
Right:
Coat + top by Dorothee Schumacher
Loafers by Phillip Lim
What things can we expect from your character in” Gotham Nights?”
Harper Row is acerbic, guarded, gritty, and grounded, but she is also deeply layered. There is more to Harper than meets the eye. Through this season, you get to see why she is the way she is. You’ll slowly see her layers peel back, and what’s beneath it all is rich. If you ever watch the show back from the beginning, you get to see these little moments of what lies beneath the surface. She’s saying one thing, but the more you learn about her, the more it means something entirely different. Harper is anything but one-dimensional, and I believe the beauty of her lies in the nuances.
In what ways are you different from and similar to Harper Row?
In the ways we’re similar, we are also different. Harper and I are similar at the core. We both love fiercely, are extremely loyal to our families, have a blunt nature, have our insecurities and our inability to let people in, and we are always trying to do the right thing. We differ mainly because I’m not a genius in electrical engineering, lol. Though Harper has definitely taught me a few things in that respect. I’m also probably not as curt as Harper, but there are definitely moments I wish I was.
Social Media.
Instagram: fallonsmythe
TikTok: fallonnoelsmythe
Twitter: fallonsmythe
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Rowan Daly
Talent: Fallon Smythe
Fashion Stylist: Jordan Shilee
Hair: Dionah Austgen at TMG
Makeup: Sarah Uslan at The Visionaries
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Hayley Langer
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Ary Russell, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
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