For Dove Cameron, Prime Video’s new thriller 56 Days feels like a long time coming – almost sixteen years, in fact. The project’s origins trace back to a childhood audition, a testament to the often circuitous route to success in Hollywood.
Cameron recalls a “magical, very old Hollywood experience” surrounding landing the lead role. At age 14, she tested for a Fox series centered around a child spy. Though she didn’t secure the part, the encounter proved surprisingly pivotal. “I got really close,” Cameron told The Hollywood Reporter. “But ultimately didn’t land the part.”
Fast forward to May 2024, and Cameron discovered a striking connection between that early audition and 56 Days: Karyn Usher, the creator and executive producer of the new series, was also involved with the original child spy project. “When they called me about the show almost two years ago, it was Karyn being like, ‘I remember you from when you were 14,’ which is so crazy,” Cameron said. Usher apparently remembered Cameron fondly, telling her that the writer had never forgotten her and actively sought to work with her on 56 Days. “She sent me my mom flowers. She kept in touch, all this stuff. It was super sweet,” Cameron added, describing the gesture as “magical and authentic.”
The role of Ciara in 56 Days appealed to Cameron for several reasons, including the script’s willingness to explore mature themes. “I read the script and [Usher] was like, ‘Be warned. There’s nudity,’” Cameron explained. “I felt like I was in a place in my life where I was not so scared of doing that anymore.” Beyond the subject matter, Cameron felt a deep connection to the character. “I really felt like I knew [Ciara],” she said. “We had a Zoom meeting where I just talked, essentially, about my understanding of the character. We were all very aligned.”
Cameron’s journey to this point has been marked by a unique experience of growing up in the public eye, initially through her work on Disney Channel. Reflecting on that period, she described it as a largely positive experience professionally, even if personally challenging. “I was one of those young actors who didn’t want to go home,” she said. “I didn’t really think much about what could have been.” She acknowledged the “what ifs” – the roles she almost landed – but ultimately views her path as a natural progression.
The transition from child actor to a more mature performer has been a gradual one, and Cameron emphasizes that she didn’t actively try to “break out” of her earlier image. “I never really had a big moment where I was like, now I’m going to show people that I’m an adult,” she explained. Instead, she focused on following her instincts and allowing her work to evolve organically. She credits her music as playing a role in shifting perceptions, noting that releasing her own material, rather than performing songs written for Disney, allowed her to express herself more authentically.
Cameron also highlighted the importance of stage work and roles like her appearance in Schmigadoon! in helping her navigate this transition. “I think that some of these things were just little sideways stones to now, I’m 30, and my work has changed,” she said. She recognizes that many people will always associate her with her earlier roles, but she’s comfortable with that. “Their version of me in their head is from their childhood, that’s this beautiful memory,” she said. “I don’t have to do that thing forever to make them happy.”
The perception of former child stars is a recurring theme in conversations about Cameron’s career. She acknowledges the tendency to hold actors in a specific age range for a long time, but doesn’t view it as unfortunate. “I don’t think [of it as] unfortunate. It’s just their reality,” she said. “I understood that people’s perception of me had nothing to do with the person that I am a really long time ago.”
Currently, Cameron is feeling optimistic about the future, both personally and professionally. She described her current state as a “beautiful era,” marked by self-acceptance and a sense of purpose. “I’m engaged to the love of my life,” she shared, “and the show, the album, everything… It’s still real life. Nothing’s ever fully perfect. But I do think that Here’s the closest it’s been in a long time.”
And speaking of the album, fans have reason to be excited. Cameron revealed that she recently received the “green light” to release her latest musical project this year. The album has undergone several revisions, with some songs repurposed as singles, but the current version feels particularly special. “It’s really honest,” she said. “It’s more vulnerable… I’m not writing with another person’s gaze on it, which is, to me, different as someone who’s always been a performer my whole life. It feels much more intimate.” She hopes the album will resonate with listeners and help them connect with themselves.
As Cameron reflects on her journey, she offers a relatable perspective on navigating life and career. “My 20s sucked, so if you’re not having a good time, that’s OK,” she said with a laugh. “Thirty is the best.”
