Sarah Desjardins, a Canadian actress, is best known for her role as Callie Sadecki on the hit Showtime series “Yellowjackets.” She has also made appearances on popular shows such as Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. An actress from an early age, she has a number of credits and has no plans of stopping.

Sarah currently stars on two of the most popular series on television; Showtimes "Yellowjackets" and the new Netflix series "The Night Agent." The season 2 premiere of "Yellowjackets" was Showtimes most-streamed premiere and "The Night Agent" is currently number 6 on Netflix's all-time most popular TV series list. It appeared in the Top 10 in 93 countries in its first two weeks.

How does your first acting role compare to your most recent work?
We’ve come a long way! My first role was playing JK Rowling’s younger sister Diane in a Lifetime movie, “Magic Beyond Words: The JK Rowling Story.” Very cool to be part of the Harry Potter universe in the smallest way. I went from having a few lines in an English accent to now having many leading roles in all kinds of scenarios with some of my favorite actors. I’m incredibly grateful.

Your parents pulled you out of acting as a child because of how expensive it was, yet when you became older you returned. What went into that decision to come back, and how do you navigate the risks of the industry?
It wasn’t so much that it cost money. It was more that I was only 6 years old and required a lot of my parents’ time and effort. They decided that if it was something I still wanted to pursue when I got older and I took the initiative to do it, they would be supportive. I’m glad they made that choice. I remembered my brief experience of auditioning and wanted to get back to it, but I was incredibly shy. In high school I started to do all the plays and musicals to overcome that. Then I got braces and once I got them off three years later I jumped back into acting.

In terms of navigating the industry my top tip is that it cannot be your whole world. You need to love yourself enough without it in order to stay centered in yourself. Having passions outside of it also allow you to not hold on too tightly.

You are starring in the upcoming Netflix action thriller series “The Night Agent.” How did you physically prepare for such a demanding role?
I am a physically active person, I love running, strength training, Pilates, being outside in nature. Maddie, however, did not “require” much physical preparation. She’s the Vice President’s daughter and an art student. She’s not expecting what’s about to happen to her so I didn’t feel the need to do anything specific in terms of physical preparation.

What was the most interesting part, as a Canadian, about playing the daughter of the Vice President of the United States?
I think as any person who is not related to anyone in politics (especially not of such high importance), It was very interesting to have the experience of having a protection detail, constantly being watched, the lack of privacy. Further, the experience Maddie has of needing to put on a face and not be her true self. That can be incredibly taxing and self-abandoning.

**Left:**
Dress by MUGLER
Blazer by ETRO
**Right:**
Full look by ETRO

What was so special about the Yellowjackets” script when you first read it?
When I read the pilot years ago I was captivated instantly. Firstly, due to the plethora of complex female characters. Secondly, I LOVED the idea of jumping back and forth from the past, and this traumatic event to how it has affected them as adults in the present. The story itself was so intriguing and well written. I knew the show would be something special. How lucky I am to be involved.

In what ways are you different from, and similar to, your “Yellowjackets” character, Callie Sadecki?
I’m honestly quite different from Callie if we’re looking on the surface. She has attitude, is perpetually irritated, and is quite rebellious. I am none of those things. However, our similarities come from inside. Callie is longing to be seen, heard, valued, and loved. Growing up I felt all these things too. I didn’t fit in at school, I had trouble making friends, I didn’t feel valued. This is how Callie feels with her parents (Shauna for the most part) and that’s somewhat due to Shauna’s experiences out in the wilderness.

What were the best and most challenging times in your experience on the set of “Yellowjackets?”
The best and most challenging times on ‘Yellowjackets” go hand and hand for me. I work with such talented actors on the show and in my storylines specifically we are leaning into the absurdity of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. My costars are great at the effortless comedy that comes out of such a situation. The best times are the people I love on this show making me laugh. The most challenging is trying NOT to laugh. I would also say being mean to Melanie is incredibly challenging since we get along so well as people. But also, kind of fun since I never was that kind of teenager.

What was the audition process like for “Yellowjackets” and how did it differ from “The Night Agent?”
For “Yellowjackets,” I got cast off a single tape I shot while on vacation. What a dream. “Night Agent” was somewhat similar. I shot my initial audition while away on a different holiday, I then had a session over Zoom with our showrunner Shawn Ryan and the casting team, John Papsidera (who read with me the angel), Corrine Clark, and Jennifer Page.

How do you spend your days off from your busy schedule?
I’m an introverted person so if I’m not spending time with friends on days off. I love to be alone. I love to go for long walks outside, read my book, get some kind of movement in, cuddle my cat, play my ukulele, maybe go see a movie or go to dinner by myself. I also love to cook and bake.

What is the most valuable thing you have learned in your acting career?
The importance of letting go. Do your work and let it go. Don’t be afraid to play! It’s so important. Also, bringing yourself to every role is what makes you special. Trying to do what you THINK people want is doing yourself a disservice.

What are you most excited for people to see of you this season?
I’m excited for everyone to get to know a different side of Callie. To understand where she’s coming from a little more. That’s all I’ll say.

Social Media.
Instagram and Twitter: @SarahDesjardins

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Rowan Daly
Talent: Sarah Desjardins
Fashion Stylist: Jordan Shilee
Hair: Marc Mena for Exclusive Artists using Oribe Haircare
Makeup: Andre Sarmiento from A-Frame Agency
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Hayley Langer
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Ary Russell, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine