Amie Donald Discusses Sweet Tooth, M3GAN, and Stunt Work
Amie Donald is making waves in the entertainment industry with her versatile performances. She is currently known for her role as Maya Monkey in the second series of Sweet Tooth on Netflix, a show that recently announced its third and final season. Prior to this, she appeared as three different hybrids in the first series. Beyond the world of hybrids, Amie also starred as the titular character M3GAN (voiced by Jenna Davis) in the popular science fiction horror megan film, acting alongside Violet McGraw. Her performance in M3GAN, particularly the viral dance sequence, captured global attention. In addition to her acting pursuits, Amie is an accomplished competitive dancer who has represented New Zealand internationally. Shock Naue had the opportunity to catch up with Amie to talk about her experiences playing Maya Monkey in Sweet Tooth Season 2, embodying the robotic doll in M3GAN, and performing stunt work on both projects.
Joining the cast of Sweet Tooth for its second series as Maya Monkey marked a significant step in Amie’s career. Describing her character, Amie shares, “Maya is a cheeky, playful, clever character.” She found the costume comfortable and the prosthetic application quick each day. Before auditioning for the role, Amie wasn’t familiar with the Sweet Tooth series. The audition sounded like a fun project, and having played multiple hybrids in Season 1, she was asked to return to audition specifically for the role of Maya Monkey in Season 2.
Working on Sweet Tooth was a positive experience for Amie. She particularly enjoyed playing Maya’s character because it allowed her to explore a new style. The opportunity to perform her own stunts and collaborate with the other hybrid actors on set was a highlight for her.
Having Maya Monkey as her first major recurring role in a TV series proved to be a valuable learning experience. Amie was fortunate to learn some ASL (sign language) during the production and continued to perform her own stunts. She also had fun “helping” with puppeteering. With the release of Sweet Tooth Series 2, Amie is pleased to see the final product and believes everyone will enjoy watching it. She eagerly anticipates Season 3.
Last year, Amie captivated audiences as Amie Donald starred as M3GAN in the hit science fiction horror film. Recalling her time on set, some of her favorite memories are the friendships she formed with the cast and crew. She particularly enjoyed working closely with Violet McGraw, and the two have maintained a close friendship since filming wrapped.
Discovering she had landed the leading role of M3GAN was a moment of shock and excitement for Amie. “It really took a while to sink in,” she admits.
Preparing for the unique role of M3GAN involved working with two movement coaches, Jed Brophy and Luke Hawker, who assisted her in developing the character’s robotic movements. Amie’s extensive dancing background also proved beneficial, aiding in the flexibility required for M3GAN’s actions. She appreciated how M3GAN’s movements evolved throughout the film, becoming more human-like as she spent more time with humans.
Working on the M3GAN project was largely enjoyable, but it presented one significant challenge: the mask. Amie could only wear it for 30 minutes at a time due to the eyes fogging up, which obstructed her vision. Despite this, she found the character and her movements incredibly fun to portray.
When asked about her favorite scene to film, Amie finds it a difficult choice, listing a few contenders. The fight scene with Bruce the Robot is one favorite, and the hallway dance scene is another, precisely because it allowed her to do what she loves most – dancing.
Watching M3GAN for the first time was a rewarding experience for Amie. She loved seeing how all the elements – her movement, the animatronics, and Jenna Davis’s voice – came together to bring M3GAN to life. The fan response to the film and the viral clip of the M3GAN dance has been overwhelming. “The fan response was just crazy,” she says, adding that she enjoys watching fans recreate the dance on TikTok. Fans of horror might also enjoy exploring the legacy of other iconic film series, such as the halloween h20 installment.
Amie Donald is not just an actress but also an accomplished stunt performer. She confirmed that she did her own stunt work for roles in both M3GAN and Sweet Tooth. She thoroughly enjoyed all the stunt work and felt fortunate to work with excellent stunt teams on both productions, stating she would “do it all again in a heartbeat.”
Beyond acting and stunts, Amie is a dedicated competitive dancer. She began dancing at five years old, with jazz and contemporary being her favorite genres. She also incorporates acrobatics into her dancing. Her dance career includes representing New Zealand at the Dance World Cup in 2019. Those interested in the evolution of film genres might also appreciate learning about early slasher films like halloween 4.
Amie’s entry into acting was somewhat unexpected. She “fell into acting by accident,” admitting it wasn’t something she had initially planned. Her love for dancing, which she’s pursued since age five, is deep-rooted. It was her dance teacher, Kylie Norris, who suggested she get an agent due to her strong stage presence and expressive abilities. Following this advice paid off, leading her to discover a new passion for acting.
In her free time, Amie Donald enjoys spending time on her trampoline and with her animals. Her favorite TV series is Stranger Things, and she is a fan of action movies, particularly anything Marvel-related, like Guardians of the Galaxy. She aspires to be in a Marvel movie someday.
Regarding upcoming projects, Amie confirms she has some in the pipeline but isn’t able to discuss them yet. For 2023, she hopes it brings her continued opportunities and success.
