This article originally appeared in the Spring 2026 Backstage Issue of Showstopper Magazine.
Annie Jean Buckley has never been afraid of the spotlight, and luckily, she had a family who didn’t just cheer her on, but pushed her to take it seriously. By 8 years old, she wasn’t just pretending to act in her living room; she was performing professionally in theater productions.
Eventually, she took her passion to the University of Hartford, where she studied classical theater and learned how to bring even more depth to each role. “Theater prepared me for the text work and how to find the anxiety or depth in every character,” she explained. “I love doing the work and creating a character as a whole. And what excites me most is that no two roles I’ve ever played have been the same.”
Genre-Work
Annie might be known for her upbeat personality, but most of her career so far has lived in the world of scary movies. “I love horror,” she said. “I think people love the thrill of being scared or watching someone else live through a scary, sometimes unrealistic scenario of terror.” According to Annie, horror sets are surprisingly fun and laughter-filled. “I could be covered in fake blood and still be having the time of my life.”
One role that stands out the most for her is the lead in The Audition. It pushed her deeper than anything she’d done before. “For about 70% of it, I was having a nervous breakdown,” she admitted. The character required her to feel smaller, less confident, and less talented than everyone around her—feelings she doesn’t normally tap into. “It was almost therapeutic,” she explained. “I let that little bit of doubt that’s just ‘human’ really shine.”
Chasing Cupid
Recently, Annie’s been drawn to stories about young adults figuring out life after school—messy, funny, confusing, and real. “Seeing material about 20-year-olds written by that generation is important,” she shared. She thinks the years right after school, when everything feels confusing and unpredictable, deserve more attention on screen—something that made joining Chasing Cupid especially meaningful.
The show gave her a chance to bring out her lighter, goofier side after months of intense horror shoots. “It’s a comedy, which I love,” she said. “I had just been doing back-to-back drama and horror projects, so meeting with creators Hillary [Lewis] and Lauren [Dividi] was like a breath of fresh air.”
What she loves most about the series is how real it feels. It’s funny, it’s chaotic, and it captures the kind of friendships that get you through everything. “I hope people take away that friendship is the most important relationship,” she said. “Your friends will constantly be there for you.”
One behind-the-scenes memory that still makes her laugh happened during the pilot, when her character CeCe had to get a How I Met Your Mother tattoo. Annie had never been inside a tattoo parlor before, so the whole process felt hilarious. “I couldn’t stop laughing,” she said. “It was such a different experience for me.”
Behind the Scenes
Real film sets don’t move like the movies do—Annie will tell you that immediately. “It’s a lot of waiting,” she revealed. Between the lighting resets, camera tweaks, and long stretches of downtime, actors spend a huge part of the day staying ready for their next shot. But she actually thinks it’s one of the best parts of the job. “You have time to connect and make friends with the crew and cast,” she said.
She also has a ritual she sticks to every time she starts a new project: character playlists. She picks songs her character would listen to. It helps her slip into someone else’s world, especially when the vibe is totally different from her own.
What’s Next for Annie
Annie has a new feature film coming out (she can’t spill details yet—it’s under NDA), but she did share that it’s a murder mystery and her character is “really fun.”
Off set, she pulls inspiration from everyday life. She’s been rewatching her comfort movies, shuffling between Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and early-2000s throwbacks, and yes…diving back into scary movies like the true horror fan she is.
She’s also a proud Disney adult. “If you want a good time at Disneyland, I know all the tips and tricks,” she laughed. So if anyone needs the perfect ride order or snack list, she’s your girl.
Acting Advice
Her best advice for teens wanting to break into the acting industry? Go for it. “Find scenes you love from movies and TV shows, film yourself doing the scenes, and put it out there!” Even simple practice builds skills and confidence. And don’t wait for everything to be perfect. “There will never be a perfect time—now is the perfect time.”
Whether she’s covered in fake blood, laughing with friends on set, or building a playlist to understand a character, Annie always circles back to the same belief: acting is teamwork. The spotlight might be bright, but in her words, “you’re just a tiny puzzle piece.” The magic happens when everyone brings their piece to the table.