She didn’t relate to her Californication character
An incredible opportunity came knocking when Madeline Zima scored an audition for the Showtime series “Californication,” but it wasn’t an easy process. As she explained to Moviehole in 2007, “When I auditioned with David [Duchovny], I felt sure enough of myself to take a few risks … But then I had an audition for the network that was … well, not the best.” Zima tried the scene a couple of times and, despite a rocky start, she managed to deliver. Later, the actor was thrilled to learn that she’d landed the recurring role of Mia Lewis, a manipulative and scheming teen who blackmails, lies, and steals Hank’s writing.
While speaking with MovieJunk in 2022, Zima emphasized how little she related to her character on “Californication,” yet how she was still able to channel her own experiences into the antagonist she played. “I didn’t relate to the character that much, but I knew people who were like that character. I grew up around those kind of girls, and I had a lot of empathy and understanding for that kind of … need for attention and love in a misguided way,” she explained. It was her first recurring role since her time on “The Nanny,” and her incredible performance undoubtedly helped her secure her next one.
Madeline Zima joined the cast of Heroes in 2009
“Heroes” was a breakout hit for several actors, including Hayden Panettiere, who went through a stunning transformation over the show’s four seasons. Madeline Zima was already established and had been acting for more than 17 years when she was cast in the role of Gretchen Berg, who roomed with and had a major crush on Panettiere’s Claire Bennet in Season 4 (resulting in a steamy kiss). Although Zima’s character was only present for half of the episodes of the final season, she had also been wrapping up her final appearances on “Californication” and working on a couple of movies, so the experience served her well.
Zima spoke about joining the cast of “Heroes” while at the 2009 BAFTA/LA Tea Party. When asked if she would be playing a good character or an antagonist on the show, she teased, “Well, you never really know actually, because they tell you one thing but then they’ll … set up a whole foundation and rip it out from underneath you as far as … twists and turns are concerned on that show.” Without giving too much away, Zima enthused that the uncertainty of what her character will endure on a show is all part of the fun of acting.
She has advocated for the homeless community
Back in 2016, among the many initiatives Californians had to vote on was Proposition HHH, or the Homelessness Reduction and Prevention, Housing and Facilities Bond. The measure would allow $1.2 billion in bonds to be as funding to support those experiencing homelessness, including the building of permanent supportive housing, temporary shelters, and mental healthcare. Anyone who has passed through downtown Los Angeles has seen the homeless crisis firsthand, so this was an important measure for many city officials, as well as locals like Madeline Zima.
In November of 2016, the actor advocated for Californians to vote “yes” on Proposition HHH in a tearful video for Yes on H in which she spoke of her own experience with the homeless community. Zima said that she used to volunteer at a shelter and became close with another volunteer named Andrew. She soon realized that he was also experiencing homelessness, as she explained, “One night driving home from a friend’s house in Beverly Hills, I saw him sleeping … on the street. … You don’t know what it feels like to not have a bed or a roof or even a car. It was weird to look into somebody’s bedroom and realize that his backpack was his pillow.” The matter was clearly close to Zima’s heart as she spoke through tears and, thankfully, the measure ultimately passed.
Madeline Zima auditioned for Twin Peaks without realizing it
Twenty-seven years after David Lynch captivated audiences with the groundbreaking murder mystery series “Twin Peaks,” its third season finally hit Showtime. “Twin Peaks: The Return” was released in 2017 as an 18-episode limited series that reintroduced Special Agent Dale Cooper and enjoyed an incredible critical reception. Another Lynch project in the works was a big deal, so while it was being made, production was incredibly hush-hush.
Madeline Zima appeared in two episodes of the series, and the role was as much of a surprise to us as it was to her. In a 2017 interview with Vulture, the actor described the audition process for it, stating, “It wasn’t like a normal audition. … I went in there and they asked me some questions, mainly I was just meant to talk. … I didn’t even know what I was auditioning for, I had no idea.”
Even though rumors were floating around that Lynch was considering her for “Twin Peaks: The Return,” casting had given her a completely different title and there was no script to work from, so she didn’t believe it. “[S]o much in Hollywood is hot air and B.S. I’ve just learned to be either discriminating or … not cynical, per se, but wary of most projects. Especially things that sound too good to be true, like something involving David Lynch,” Zima explained. Nevertheless, she got to play the character of Tracey for two episodes — an absolute dream for any fan of Lynch’s work.
Madeline Zima made her directorial debut in 2018
After spending 25 years acting in various films and shows, Madeline Zima took a huge step in her career and made her directorial debut in 2018. Her short film “Warm Human Magic” is described as an anti-romantic comedy and was both written and directed by Zima. It starred her younger sister, Yvonne, and even resulted in a talented new filmmaker nomination at the Madrid International Film Festival.
Speaking with NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) in December 2018, Zima explained that her film was based on experiences she had in her 20s and that the concept was intended to be largely relatable. When asked what advice she had for aspiring filmmakers, Zima recalled the insight she heard from Francis Ford Coppola while listening to him speak at the Festival of Disruption. “You should learn and develop that inner voice that says what’s right and wrong, and use that and trust that over and over again,” she explained.
She was cast on Season 4 of Doom Patrol
Fans of DC Comics are likely familiar with HBO Max’s rendition of “Doom Patrol,” its series about superhero outcasts coming together to fight evil. After a successful three-season run, the show’s fourth season introduced Madeline Zima as Casey Brinke, also known as Space Case, in 2022. Playing a superhero at least once is likely on many an actor’s bucket list, and as excited as Zima was to take on the role, she said that it’s never easy to join an already established cast.
In a December 2022 interview with Popternative, the actor explained, “It’s so ‘new kid on the block.’ … Like, ‘Where do I sit at lunch? Am I gonna make any friends?’ Like, ‘I hope somebody likes me because I’m stuck in Atlanta for, you know, five months, and I’d love to not be alone the entire time.'”
Luckily, Zima has had years of experience walking onto new sets and, despite her concerns, she clearly brought something special to the character. Show creator Jeremy Carver, for one, couldn’t be happier with her performance. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly following the actor’s debut on “Doom Patrol,” he said, “I can’t speak highly enough of the bright-eyed nuance that she brings to the character. It’s really wonderful to watch that character and Madeline progress over the course of the season.”
Madeline Zima will star alongside Megan Fox in Subservience
In her three decades on-screen, Madeline Zima has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including with John Ritter in “Lethal Vows,” Renée Zellweger and Forest Whitaker in “My Own Love Song,” and several of Hollywood’s leading women in 2019’s “Bombshell.” For Zima’s next project, we’ll get to see her star in the sci-fi thriller “Subservience” alongside Megan Fox, perhaps best known for her role in “Transformers,” and Michele Morrone of “365 Days.”
The film will center around an artificially intelligent home aide that gains sentience, leading to dark consequences. The co-president of the production company behind the film, Millennium Media, released a statement about their supporting cast, which read, “Madeline [Zima], Matilda [Firth], and Andrew [Whipp] each bring something unique to the table and are a thrill to watch. Featuring an incredibly timely story about artificial intelligence, these actors are the best group to bring our vision to life.” While a release date has still yet to be announced, we can’t wait to see yet another one of Zima’s incredible performances.
