Teen actress Athena Park returned as Savannah in the latest season of Holly Hobbie this summer. The season focuses on Holly’s senior year and some big projects she and her friends want to tackle to improve their community. Senior year is just the beginning for many of these characters and their big dreams.
We caught up with Athena for an inside look at Savannah’s story and her favorite behind-the-scenes moments—along with info on more of Athena’s latest projects.
Showstopper Magazine Online: Hi, Athena! To start, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your acting?
Athena Park: Hi! I’m 17 years old. I’m in my first year at the University of Toronto, and I’m loving it. I’m still acting while going to school. I’m in the middle of rehearsals for a play that will be on stage in a month. I started acting when I was about 8. It started with a small play in elementary school and I fell in love with it. I went on to do commercials and then TV shows and a film I was in just premiered at TIFF. Last summer I started performing my songs, and now I have three released on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. I love sports too, I have a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and I played on Team Ontario for Volleyball. In my spare time, I am interning at a sound studio and writing more songs.
SMO: What was it like to return to Holly Hobbie for Season 5?
Athena: I was so happy to return! We all got to reunite, and it was so great to see everyone again. We got older and wiser, but we went right back to where we left off. Spending time together and having those memories will be with me forever. When we weren’t shooting we played board games, went for walks, and did TikToks! I really like how the show ended.
SMO: How has Savannah changed since we last saw her?
Athena: Savannah grew up! She also went through a transition. The new and improved Savannah is part of the gang now and she is able to be herself.
SMO: What are your favorite parts about bringing Savannah to life? Are there any challenges?
Athena: Bringing Savannah to life was so good for my acting growth. I grew with her and I learned that even though we were the same age and growing together I needed to be separate from her, I needed to remember her growth too. The challenge was remembering her during the lockdown because of the pandemic. I needed to remember where we left off and bring her back when we started up again.
SMO: Do you have any favorite moments from filming this season?
Athena: Oh yes. When we were in this cute small town and we were all in a hotel, we played board games for hours, we went for walks, and had dinners at the cutest restaurants.
SMO: Favorite behind-the-scenes moment from Season 5?
Athena: Oh yeah! There was a hysterical moment while shooting a scene. I had a baby cow on a leash, and Amy was being very serious in a protest, but the calf kept licking my leg and everyone started laughing.
SMO: What are you most excited for people to see?
Athena: I want people to see how it all wraps up. It really does mimic life very well.
SMO: What did you think of this season?
Athena: I loved it.
SMO: Along with Holly Hobbie, you star in The Swearing Jar. Can you tell us a bit about that role?
Athena: Playing Robin meant a lot to me. The script was so sad and sweet all at the same time. Robin was a high school student who had a favorite teacher and this teacher went through a really hard time.
SMO: Is there anything else you want people to know about Holly Hobbie or any of your other work?
Athena: Keep an eye out for my new song coming out. I hope you enjoy Holly Hobbie! And you can find me on Instagram @itsathenapark. Hugs!
Season 5 of Holly Hobbie is streaming now on BYUtv.
