Interview: Actress Sabrina Gennarino for THE PURGE TV Series
Sabrina Gennarino

We are now past the halfway point of the 10 episodes of THE PURGE TV series. In the past few episodes we were introduced to a brand new character named Madelyn. Madelyn is played by horror fan-favorite Sabrina Gennarino (The Walking Dead). Gennarino was kind enough to chat with me about her new role on the show and what her experience has been like. Here’s what she had to say:

Nightmarish Conjurings: Fans have recently been introduced to your character on THE PURGE. What can you tell us about her?

Sabrina Gennarino: First off, thank you so much for the opportunity to talk with you! Madelyn is a badass, simply put. She runs a group known as The Matron Saints. They are a bunch of bad-ass women that go around on Purge Night rescuing women in trouble. The Saints are geared up, tactical and even have a mobile unit to carry out their missions. Madelyn and the Saints are part of the rising opposition of citizens agains Purge Night. She has 4 daughters and will be damned if they have to live this life. Not only do the Matron Saints rescue women, they train all year specifically for The Purge and they train other women as well. I feel that she has to walk a very difficult line. She has to balance her humanity, compassion and outright buried rage, along with the task at hand…punishing those who “Purge.” I also feel that she wishes she didn’t have to do what she does but just couldn’t stand by and let it happen. Every Purge, it must be so very difficult leaving her daughters to save the lives of others, knowing she might not come home. But she does it as she feels compelled to do it. She MUST make a difference.

Nightmarish Conjurings: How familiar were you with THE PURGE franchise before signing on for the role?

SG: Very familiar! Who hasn’t heard of the films?! They are a full blown part of pop culture and horror culture. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to join the franchise.

Sabrina Gennarino and Seth Gilliam in The Walking Dead

Nightmarish Conjurings: You previously had a role on THE WALKING DEAD before THE PURGE. Both shows seem to deal with human nature. Do you find yourself drawn to those types of projects?

SG: Yes! I do find that! They are both similar to the extent that we’re dealing with extreme circumstances in alternate realities. Ones that allow our imagination to stretch. But really, this can be equated to any difficult situation in life. I mean…we’re all flawed in one way or another. It’s how you deal with it. So in that sense, shows like this are kind of inspiring in a way…they force us to answer, “Who would I be in this reality? How would I respond? Hide, help, neither? Would I still have compassion or will I adopt the kill or be killed mentality? Shoot first and ask questions later or would I even care about the questions? I love shows that require a moment or fifty of introspection. And then to take those questions and answer them for the character I’m playing and then finding the connecting tissue to the rest of humanity…well that just fascinates me. Not a thing mundane about that!

Nightmarish Conjurings: What has the fan response been like since it was announced you were joining the cast of THE PURGE?

SG: Gratefully…amazing!!!! As I’m a fan of the fans, that was a huge relief! I honestly couldn’t have hoped for a better reaction nor could I be more grateful. Being a part of a show surrounded by incredible creators, cast and crew, that’s so brilliantly done, that the fans love, is a dream for any actor! I am beyond grateful to be a wee part of The Purge and I’ll hope that I continue to get opportunities to create characters the fans dig.

THE PURGE airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on USA Network

Molly Henery
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