Interview: Actor Paxton Singleton for THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE
The Haunting of Hill House | Photo Credit: Steve Dietl/Netflix

This Friday, October 12, will see the release of the highly anticipated Netflix series, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, directed by Mike Flanagan (Gerald’s Game, Absentia, Oculus) based off the classic horror novel of the same name by Shirley Jackson. The show centers around five siblings who grew up in the infamous house and the horrors they have experienced both past and now present. For the release of the show I had the chance to speak with the talented young actor, Paxton Singleton, about his role as Steven in THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE and how he used physical pain to emote fear.

Nightmarish Conjurings: It’s so great to speak with you today Paxton! To start things off, can you tell us a little bit about your character Steven in THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE?

Paxton Singleton: Steven is a kind, nice and loving person. Now that he is older, he is ready for his parents to start treating him like an adult. He’s lucky that they actually give him that room to change. He starts helping with the remodel of the house and things like that. He is also very protective of his siblings, especially his little brother. He’s kind of the perfect big brother.

Nightmarish Conjurings: What was it about playing this character that attracted you to this role?

PS: I felt like he was me, and I was him. I knew from the start that it would be a challenge playing a character with so many life-changing experiences, but I also felt very connected to him. It was very easy to be honest as this character.

(L-R): Julian Hillard and Paxton Singleton in The Haunting of Hill House | Photo Credit: Steve Dietl/Netflix

Nightmarish Conjurings: Did you face any challenges when you were working on set during the filming of HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE? Did anything spooky happen?

PS: Nothing really spooky happened while filming. In one scene, I had to run on rocks barefoot. It helped that they stuck mole skin to the bottoms of my feet, but it was still pretty painful. I was able to use the pain to do a better job acting. I used the emotions from the pain as fear. I never really told anyone that I did that, but your question reminded me of it.

Nightmarish Conjurings: Was there a favorite scene that you filmed? If so, could you tell usa little bit about it?

PS: Episode 6 was no doubt my favorite scene-work and episode. I put money down that everyone else, cast and crew, will that as well. The scene was so long and had so much going on. It was one huge challenge…and, as I’ve said, I love challenges.

Nightmarish Conjurings: Are you a fan of the horror genre?

PS: I am not a fan of the horror genre. Scary movies are a fear of mine, but I’ve loved working on this because it was a challenge. That is definitely what I’m about.

Nightmarish Conjurings: What do you think people are going to be surprised about the most when it comes to your character?

PS: The affect the house has on my character is very unique. Now that I think about it, the house has a unique affect on each individual character. I don’t want to give anything away. You’ll just have to watch and see.

THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE arrives on Netflix October 12, 2018

(L-R): McKenna Grace, Lulu Wilson, Paxton Singleton, Violet Mcgraw, Julian Hillard, Henry Thomas in The Haunting of Hill House | Photo Credit: Steve Dietl/Netflix
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