Stranger Things’s Francesca Reale says she originally auditioned for Maya Hawke’s role

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11th Jul 2019

If you’re reading this, by now you’ve probably binge-watched the entire third season of Netflix’s Stranger Things and you’re well acquainted with Francesca Reale, aka the lifeguard, Heather. But don’t worry – whether or not that’s the case, there’ll be no spoilers in this story. Prior to the new season dropping on July 4, we spoke with 24-year-old LA-based Reale, who had just been cast as Heather, a hot young lifeguard who works at the Hawkins Community Pool. Heather becomes a key character for the new season, embroiled in the centre of a dark mystery – of course, this is Hawkins we’re talking about! Here, Vogue chats with Reale about the audition process, what it was like to join the already tight-knit cast of the show and how she plans to deal with the influx of fame that’s certain to hit her.

First of all, what can you tell us about your character (no spoilers, please!)?
“I had auditioned for the role that Maya Hawke actually ended up getting cast in. I had one audition and I don’t think it was that good. And then I got another audition for Heather, and all they said was: “Heather, recurring, popular lifeguard at community pool that’s tied up in a mystery.” That was it. They actually didn’t even give me a scene from the show, they gave me what we call ‘dummies’, something from a movie that has already come out, or been out for a while.”

Do you remember the specific scene that you had to act out?
“Yep. It was actually one of the hardest auditions I’ve ever had, because I know the scene so well that I had so much trouble trying to figure out a way to make it unique, and different, and interesting. Yeah, it was actually the scene from Scream where Drew Barrymore … in the beginning … where she’s making popcorn to watch a scary movie with her boyfriend, and she’s on the phone with the serial killer. It’s been redone in like a bajillion parody movies, they make fun of it all the time – it’s the most famous scene out of the movie, in my opinion.”

You obviously nailed the audition, though.
“It was so hard! I honestly would prefer any other audition because when you get new material that hasn’t been made, you get to put your twist and turn on it and kind of figure it out for yourself, but in this case, I had such a vivid image of the way the scene had already been done – seven different ways it had already been done – so I really struggled to find a way to make it unique. But one of my best friends from home, he sat with me and we figured out how [to make it different] … ‘Instead of popcorn, we’ll be eating Cheerios. Instead of the phone you see in the movie, we’ll use an older rotary phone, and we’ll take it a little more ‘80’s!’ And that was what I did.”

Were you a fan of Stranger Things before watching the show?
“I was. I actually started watching the show pretty late. I started watching the first season right before the second season came out, but I hadn’t seen it before that. And then I just became a fan.”

The cast seem like they’re a pretty tight-knit group. What was it like joining them for season three?
“I was pretty scared to be honest, because like you said, you’re on a show for a couple years and you kind of become your own close family. That can be kind of intimidating as a newcomer. It can really be a hit or miss on sets. You either get a sense of people being really cold or mean or snobby, or you get on one where there really is a warm family vibe, and Stranger Things was definitely one with a warm family vibe. The directors were amazing, the cast was amazing, the crew was amazing.”

Was there anyone that you were particularly star-struck to work with from Stranger Things?
“I was kind of star-struck by the whole cast – but specifically the kids. I was star-struck in a weird way, because it was less about who they were, and more about the way that they carried themselves at that age, because I remember being between the ages of 13 and 16 and just being a mess. These young adults, these adults basically, were so mature and they’re so respectful, and it took me back. I was in awe of all of them.”

What can we look forward to for season three, for those who are yet to watch it?
“Something for me that I was really looking forward to when I was auditioning, because I am a fan of the show, was just the idea that it’s in summer. I think it’s really, really cool that it’s going to be a completely different season, we’re so used to seeing these people in fall, and winter, which have such a different energy altogether. The energy of the characters is going to be very different because they get to be outside and at the Starcourt Mall. The first few seasons were really amazing but this has a different energy altogether. They step up their game in every way possible. I can’t wait for you guys to watch it!”

What did you do in your downtime on set?
“A lot of acting is just sitting in your trailer before you actually get to do your scene. A lot of the time, you’re just waiting for everyone to get ready, or for the scene before you to be done. It’s a lot of sitting and a lot of waiting, so you can get kind of stir-crazy. I started a reading list, so when I had downtime on set I would read as much as possible of a book off my reading list. I also started playing Sudoku – I very quickly failed. I’m not good at it, I just don’t have the mind for it. But a bunch of people on the cast and crew would always play this game – it’s called Word Collect – it is on your phone. [And] I started trying to learn Italian.” 

Stranger Thing is such a popular series, are you prepared that you might be about to skyrocket to fame?
“I’m not prepared. I’m the most unprepared. I am, in all honesty – because I do feel like it’s important to talk about it – I’m very anxious. It’s really scary to think about that kind of jump people have to make, and how they deal with it, and how they compartmentalise their life differently. So it is kind of nerve-wracking, but I have a really incredible support system at home, and my family will do nothing but keep me humble, no matter what happens. I have my friends. So at the end of the day, I think I’m going to be fine, but in the pre-moments, I’m a little nervous. I do have Instagram, and I have a Twitter, and in preparation for all of this I deleted both of them off my phone so I don’t check them until the show comes out. I’ll take a break from it now, before it gets incredibly overwhelming.”

What’s next for you? What can you tell us about your next project, Yes, God, Yes?
“Yes, God, Yes is a movie that was shot last year and it premiered at South by Southwest this year, and it’s [also] starring Natalia Dyer, and Timothy Simons and Alisha Boe. It’s a really funny and smart coming-of-age story about a young Catholic girl. I do think in a time where, at least in the US, we’re having issues about being able to choose what happens to our body, a movie like this is incredibly important. I’m really excited for it. I love Karen Maine, the director and writer, and I can’t wait for people to get to see it.” 

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Season three of Stranger Things is on Netflix now.