Zibby Allen
Actress Zibby Allen was born in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is best known for her roles in hit shows as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Flash,” and “Bates Motel,” amongst numerous others. You can soon catch her returning as Brie Sheridan in Netflix’s beloved series “Virgin River,” returning for its new season July 20th.
Tops by Herve Leger
Blazer by ANNAKIKI
Pants by Katie Gallagher
Vintage belt by Saint Laurent
Choker by Sara Shala
Necklace by MER’S
Earrings by Harbison
Ring (left middle): Lady Grey
Ring (left pointer): Lady Grey
Ring (right): Pamela Love
When did you start acting?
As early as I can remember I wanted to act in theatre. My mother made me wait until I was 8 years old to audition for my first community theatre play, which I did. From that summer onward, I never stopped. Throughout my youth it was community theatre, in my late teens I moved on to training and working with the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, and in my early twenties I moved to Los Angeles to start the long and weird journey of breaking into TV and film.
What has been your favorite project to work on?
I love them all! Honestly, I’m a monogamist when it comes to my projects, so it’d feel like cheating to say anything other than Virgin River. I really love playing Brie Sheridan. It’s such a treat to go on a long-form ride with this character over several seasons.
Left:
Dress by ANNAKIKI
Leather jacket by BLK DNM
Necklace by Windowsen
Earrings and ear cuffs by Jenny Bird
Ring by Lady Grey
Right:
Tops by Herve Leger
Blazer by ANNAKIKI
Pants by Katie Gallagher
Vintage belt by Saint Laurent
Choker by Sara Shala
Necklace by MER’S
Earrings by Harbison
Ring (left middle): Lady Grey
Ring (left pointer): Lady Grey
Ring (right): Pamela Love
That said, I carry a forever-fondness for every job I’ve had. The characters I’ve gotten to play so far have each left their mark on my heart. I feel like they’ve all taught me a little something more about myself. So, it’s impossible to choose just one.
What area of your career do you find most enjoyable-- acting, writing, or producing?
Acting is incredibly satisfying when you get to do it. Writing is super satisfying because you can do it without waiting for permission, you don’t need a scene partner, you don’t need to audition, you can just write. Producing is grueling when you’re in it, but the satisfaction that comes with the completion of a project is addictive. I enjoy all three for their own reasons but if I had to choose, I’d say I’m my happiest when I’m acting. I love the immediacy and thrill of living in a scene with other actors. It’s a singular experience that lives and dies between “action” and “cut,” and it can never be exactly replicated. There’s nothing else like it.
Left:
Dress by Harbison
Trench coat by LBV. LEAD BY VISION
Gloves by On Aura Tout Vu
Earrings and ear cuffs by Jenny Bird
Sunglasses by Fendi
Shoes by Black Suede Studio
Right:
Dress by ANNAKIKI
Leather jacket by BLK DNM
Necklace by Windowsen
Earrings and ear cuffs by Jenny Bird
Ring by Lady Grey
Tell us about “Lies Between Friends”
It will air on Lifetime in the U.S. on July 31st. It’s a really fun and scandalous TV movie. I play the role of Claire, who is happily married to the CEO of a multi-million-dollar company and who, unbeknownst to her, has some dark skeletons in his closet from his college years. Those skeletons come back to haunt Claire’s entire family when her husband's old college buddy asks to cash in on a favor still owed to him. It’s dramatic, suspenseful, and has just enough camp to keep it fun.
Left:
Dress by Harbison
Trench coat by LBV. LEAD BY VISION
Gloves by On Aura Tout Vu
Earrings and ear cuffs by Jenny Bird
Sunglasses by Fendi
Right:
Dress and boots by ANNAKIKI
Leather jacket by BLK DNM
Necklace by Windowsen
Earrings and ear cuffs by Jenny Bird
Ring by Lady Grey
When you’re not working, how do you spend your free time?
Getting outside and being in nature is paramount to my mental health. I spend a lot of time walking my sweet angel of a dog, Kona, exploring trails, beaches, etc. I have to force myself to do it though. It sounds funny, but I could easily spend an entire day on the computer researching things. Seriously, I love reading about anything from skincare, history, health-related info, random facts, etc. I’ll read a headline about the discovery of a black hole and three hours later, I’ll find myself in some archival science-y corner of the internet with no idea how I got there.
I also have a slight obsession with looking at real estate all over the world. Like, I do it every day. I have no idea what that means or if it’ll lead to some cool real estate journey (like purchasing a castle to refurbish in Northern Ireland, but it’s certainly fun to muse about.
I also love entertaining: throwing gatherings, hosting dinner parties, etc. Before my acting career really took off, I had an event company and absolutely loved it! I spend a lot of time planning the next thing with friends.
What are your goals for the next few years?
In between seasons of Virgin River, I’d love to work on a few projects of a different genre to the show. I’ve always wanted to work on a period piece. I imagine it’d be a wonderful type of job to research and immerse myself in (plus the costumes!) Also, I really miss comedy, which I did a lot of prior to Virgin River. Going to work to laugh all day is the best. I also really miss theatre and would love to work on the stage again.
These days though, I find myself dreaming about working with certain creatives I admire. Shonda Rhimes, the Duplass Bros, Max Mutchnik, Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, to name a few.
Outside of career related goals, the next few years hopefully come with finding a real estate passion project for me and my husband, Adam, to sink our teeth into. Adam is an incredibly talented visual artist. He does interior styling, lands
Left:
Dress by ANNAKIKI
Leather jacket by BLK DNM
Necklace by Windowsen
Earrings and ear cuffs by Jenny Bird
Ring by Lady Grey
Right
Sweater by ANNAKIKI
Necklace (top): Vintage Chanel
Middle necklace (middle): Celeste Starre
Silver necklace (bottom): Jenny Bird
Earring (left): Jennifer Zeuner
Earring (right): Elsie Frieda
Earcuff and ring by Jenny Bird
What advice would you give to aspiring actors, writers, and producers?
This is your dreamscape. You’re it. Don’t be fooled by the illusion that nothing is happening for you. It’s an illusion. Don’t get caught up in the comparison game. It’s an illusion. What’s right for you? What creative impulses live in you? What do you hear when you turn down the noise of the outer world? How do you feel when you take a dip in that potent magic pool that lives inside you? Stay there. Stay aligned with your magic. Act from that place. Fuck the rest. You’re it.
Dress by Harbison
Trench coat by LBV. LEAD BY VISION
Gloves by On Aura Tout Vu
Earrings and ear cuffs by Jenny Bird
Sunglasses by Fendi
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Ben Cope
Talent: Zibby Allen
Fashion Stylist: Christina Pacelli at The Only Agency
Hair + Makeup: Cat Sherwin
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Lola Jarzemsky, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
