HOLR is chatting with rising star, Peyton Jackson!
In this exclusive Q&A with HOLR Magazine, rising star Peyton Jackson talks to us about his role in Blumhouse’s upcoming horror film Woman in the Yard, where he plays Taylor, a young man grappling with grief while stepping up as the man of the house.
Keep reading to learn all about how Jackson prepared for the emotionally intense role, and his experience working alongside Danielle Deadwyler. Plus, we dive into how Jackson’s passion for creative pursuits outside of acting—like 2D animation, voice acting, and music composition—has helped shape his acting approach.
With a career spanning diverse projects, Jackson is offering HOLR a glimpse into his future goals and vision for his journey in the entertainment industry.
You’re starring in Blumhouse’s Woman in the Yard, which marks your first full-fledged horror film. How did you prepare for such a challenging genre?
I’ve always been a fan of horror films and stories. With this film, I really decided to look further into my character and focus on what he was going through at that time. Really looking deep at what my character was probably feeling so that I could project that to force the audience to sympathize and really understand what Taylor was going through and go through it with him.
In Woman in the Yard, your character, Taylor, has to step up as the man of the house while dealing with grief. How did you approach portraying such a layered and emotionally intense role, especially in such a suspenseful environment?
Well, when it comes to layers of a character it’s always nice to really sit as that character and think of where they are emotionally, mentally, and physically in the various aspects of the story. I do feel like whenever I get a character as serious as this and in the moment, I really have to focus on making sure that I know my character. Cause, I knew that if I truly knew my character, everything else was going to come naturally. Knowing my character, just living in my character, and doing my scene studies, that’s what really helped me.
You mentioned that working with Danielle Deadwyler felt like a master class in acting. Can you share some specific lessons or techniques she taught you that had an impact on your performance in Woman in the Yard?
Well, I had never done a horror movie before. I had done suspense. During the super scary parts of this film, parts where our characters were really frantic and freaking out, Ms. Danielle helped me to do just enough without doing too much, but still have you feel what Taylor feels. It was amazing to work with her. She helped me to control what I do while giving the same amount of intensity.
Your career has spanned a range of projects, from Nobody’s Fool with Tyler Perry to Respect with Jennifer Hudson, and now Woman in the Yard. What draws you to a project?
The thing that draws me to a project is the script. I love good scripts; and a good story. It’s like a full-course meal…so fulfilling. I love really good characters within a good script. That’s what really draws me in.
Outside of acting, you’re pursuing a variety of creative interests like 2D animation, voice acting, and music composition. How do these interests influence your work as an actor, and do you see them playing a role in your future career?
I love what I do…the gifts/talents that I’ve been given. My interests in 2D animation, voice acting, and music composition all enhance my acting by giving me a stronger sense of expression, emotion, and timing. Voice acting sharpens my delivery, animation helps me visualize performances, and music strengthens my understanding of rhythm and pacing. In the future, I see these skills shaping my career by allowing me to create and control my own projects, blending all my creative passions into storytelling. Plus understanding writing from a creative standpoint allows me to see the vision writers and directors have for their projects, making it easier for me to understand what they want me to deliver.
You’ve already accomplished so much at a young age, from acting alongside industry greats like Viola Davis and Regina King to leading projects like Pet Investigators. What are your long-term career goals, and where do you see yourself heading next in the entertainment industry?
My long-term goal is to build a career where I have creative control over my work, whether that’s through acting, voice acting, writing, or producing my own projects. I want to create stories that are unique, impactful, and true to my vision, whether in animation, video games, or film. Right now, I’m focused on growing as an actor and taking on the roles of more complex characters in various genres. Ultimately, I see myself leading and bringing fresh, innovative stories to life across different mediums.
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Published by HOLR Magazine
Photo credit: Katie Parker
Stylist: Brooklyn Wilson
Groomer: Magen Grays