'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAn3wFD//EAB4QAAICAQUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDAQQTAAYRMWFx/9oACAEBAAE/ANmMXUvi+nVhb7ywotPOczEm5Y5B9nv7qjv+4qjXWzO0wWIkZM5kp471/8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQADEv/aAAgBAgEBPwC5dT//xAAYEQEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAEDEf/aAAgBAwEBPwDAlHtz/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
As the horror comedy set during the satanic panic of 1980, Hysteria!, continues to wow audiences, Aline O'Neill is proving herself to be a force to be reckoned with. The Atlanta-born star is a quirky actress, singer, and dancer who plays Tonya Perkins on the show.
Fans may remember her as Emma Campano from ABC's crime procedural drama, Will Trent, and horror lovers might know her as Jill Coleman from Eldritch, USA. However, her experience is not limited to the silver screen. Aline O'Neill has worked on theater productions of Mamma Mia, Cats, and Chicago.
O'Neill's work in the short film The Dwell Hotel has earned her best actress awards at two prestigious film festivals.
Trending
Hysteria! centers around a high school metal band that capitalizes their town's sudden interest in the occult by rebranding the band as a Satanic metal band. Aline describes her character Tonya as a "grounded character," adding:
"While everyone else is used to the craziness, she's the one sane person reacting like a normal human would. That's totally Tonya in Hysteria!—she's the reality check in all the cult madness."
In a candid and exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Aline O'Neill opened up about working on Hysteria!, off-screen chemistry with her co-stars, her passion for acting, and more.
"Each new role is like solving a unique puzzle"— Aline O'Neill details her acting journey, love for psychology, gaming, and more
Q) Hi Aline! Could you tell our readers a little bit about your upcoming show, Hysteria!?
Aline O'Neill: Hi there! I'd love to tell you about Hysteria! The show is set in the late 80s during the Satanic Panic. Without saying too much, it makes for a thrilling binge-watch that will keep you on the edge of your seat as things spiral into absolute madness. The best part is that you can already stream all eight episodes on Peacock right now!
Q) What was your experience playing the character of Tonya? Was there something you particularly related to Tonya?
Aline O'Neill: Playing Tonya was an absolute treat! I love how she always stays true to herself no matter what chaos is thrown her way. She trusts her gut and does what she needs to protect herself, which I totally respect. The other kids in the show could learn a thing or two from Tonya, if you ask me!
Tonya actually reminds me a lot of Jami Gertz's role and responsibility in Twister. While everyone else is used to the craziness, she's the one sane person reacting like a normal human would. That's totally Tonya in Hysteria!—she's the reality check in all the cult madness. Having such a grounded character in these wild scenarios is crucial—it really helps to sell the intensity of these situations. (Spoiler Alert: I mean, if you were in a place where they might actually kill a cat or YOU, wouldn't you be freaking out too?!)
Q) If you had to pick a favorite dialogue from the show (without giving anything away), what would it be?
Aline O'Neill: THIS SHIRT COST THIRTY DOLLARS!!!
Q) Could you share with us some of your most memorable moments on set?
Aline O'Neill: (Spoiler Alert) But my most memorable moment on set was definitely the blood-spitting scene with Chiara (Aurelia). Our director Alonso (Alvarez-Barreda) was like, "Look, we've got one shot at this. It'll take at least an hour and a half to reset hair and makeup, so we gotta nail it."
The pressure was on, especially for her. I mean, she was out there practicing by spitting water on walls! We gave each other this big pep talk before, and then just crushed it!
Watching the replay back after, everyone was dying laughing. There was so much blood that I was genuinely shocked when it happened. That whole night was hilarious and weirdly so much fun.
Q) In Hysteria! you worked with some of the industry veterans like Julie Bowen, Bruce Campbell, and Garret Dillahunt. What was your experience working with them? Was there a particular co-star you connected with?
Aline O'Neill: Working with industry veterans like Julie Bowen, Bruce Campbell, and Garret Dillahunt was incredible. They're absolute legends—amazing actors and people. I honestly felt close with all my co-stars, but I have to say, I left this project in total awe of Anna Camp. She's such a light on set—there's never a dull moment with her around. Her laugh is literally contagious, and she's just a joy to be with. And oh my god, she's so freaking talented!
I also spent a ton of time on set with Jessica Treska, who plays Judith. We became super close friends. Actually, the whole cast and crew became like this tight-knit family. We were so lucky—I could honestly rant about how awesome every single cast member is! It was such a special group.
Q) How do you approach a new role? Are there any techniques you employ to get into character?
Aline O'Neill: When I tackle a new role, my first step is always to immerse myself in the script. I focus on internalizing the dialogue, but it's more than just memorization—it's about really getting to know the character through their words. Once I've got that foundation, I start exploring deeper. I'll do whatever it takes to really understand the character's world and perspective.
The cool thing about acting is that every role demands something different. There's no one-size-fits-all approach. For some characters, I might need to dive into tons of research, while for others, it's more about connecting with specific emotions or experiences. Each new role is like solving a unique puzzle, and I love figuring out the best way to bring each character to life.
Q) Could you tell us a little bit about your journey into acting? Is there any personal anecdote that pushed you into the industry that you would like to share?
Aline O'Neill: My acting journey started pretty early! When I was little, my parents enrolled me in this summer camp where we performed junior versions of musicals. There was this defining moment when I was older when an acting teacher of mine suggested I try on-camera work. It had honestly never even crossed my mind before! I'd always been laser-focused on musical theater and Broadway. He sent me an audition opportunity; I went for it, and I booked it. Being on that set was when I figured out that this is what I feel called to do.
Q) Your work in The Dwell Hotel earned you awards at the Stranger Days Independent Festival and The Cobb International Film Festival. First off, congratulations. Could you tell us more about the short film?
Aline O'Neill: Oh wow, thank you so much! I'd love to tell you about it. The Dwell Hotel is this wild short film where I play Penny, a bellhop who gets caught up in this crazy situation between a cop and this mysterious rich lady. It's like she falls down this rabbit hole of absolute chaos!
We shot the whole thing in just a couple of days at this adorable hotel—get this, it's actually called The Dwell Hotel! The place was already decorated perfectly for the film, so we just moved in and started shooting. We literally stayed there while we filmed, which was such a cool experience.
You can actually watch the whole short on YouTube! I'd love to say more, but I don't want to spoil anything. Let's just say it's quite a trip!
Q) Is there a particular genre of media or a type of role you love? Could you tell us about your dream role?
Aline O'Neill: Oh man, I'm a total sucker for dramas like Euphoria and Tell Me Lies. I'm absolutely itching to do a role like that. My dream part would definitely be in that world, exploring the complexities of relationships—especially the messy, twisted, and sometimes toxic ones. I feel like I have a lot to offer in that space. That said, I'm also dying to do a horror or slasher film right now! I'm definitely more drawn to opportunities that allow me to explore intense emotions and situations.
Q) Is there a role in theater or TV/film that you really loved working on? Film industry vs. theater: do you have a preference?
Aline O'Neill: Theater will always be my first love, but I don't think I have to choose between the two. They both offer such unique experiences that I cherish so much. I've been lucky enough to love every role I've worked on, regardless of the medium. Whether it's theater or film, I feel fortunate to have had opportunities in both worlds, and at the end of the day, I'm just grateful to be doing what I love.
Q) What do you do when you are not acting? What are some of your hobbies?
Aline O'Neill: When I'm not acting, I'm usually playing video games or tackling my endless watchlist. Right now, I'm playing Baldur's Gate with some friends for the first time and loving it! Quality time with my people and pets is also super important to me. I love to explore new spots around town and try to always make time for exercise when I can.
Q) Give us your top three picks for future co-stars that you admire and would love to work with.
Aline O'Neill: Oh man, that's such a tough question! I'm going to cheat a little here and say my top picks are actually all of my amazing Hysteria! co-stars. I'd love nothing more than to dive back into that world for another season. There's so much more to explore in that small town, you know? And I feel like we've only scratched the surface with Tonya—I just know there's so much more to her story that audiences haven't seen yet. Plus, our cast’s chemistry is off the charts, so getting to work with them all again would be an absolute dream!
Q) Besides acting, if you had to choose an alternative career, you would pick?
Aline O'Neill: In another life, I was totally in the behavioral analysis unit, like in Criminal Minds! I've always been fascinated by psychology and what makes people tick. Honestly, it's basically acting in a way—you have to get inside someone else's head and figure out their motivations.
Q) With acting credits both in films and theater, what does the future hold for Aline O'Neill? Are there any upcoming projects that you are particularly excited about?
Aline: What I can say is that I'm really excited about the possibilities ahead. I'm feeling good about what's to come and everything on the horizon. I'm just excited to see where life takes me next!
Q) What advice would you give to aspiring actors—something you wish you knew when you started acting?
Aline O'Neill: My advice to aspiring actors would be: You are enough just as you are! In fact, being yourself is what makes you special and unique. It's your superpower! Don't try to fit into some mold of what you think you should be or what “they” want you to be. Instead, embrace your individuality and stay true to yourself, always. <3
All eight episodes of Hysteria! premiered on October 18, 2024, and are currently available on Peacock.
