Danish actor Sandra Yi Sencindiver is set to appear in Noah Hawley’s highly anticipated “Alien” series for FX, though details about the project remain shrouded in secrecy.
“I think that especially the fans who love films No. 1 [Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’] and 2 [James Cameron’s ‘Aliens’] will be very pleased with the universe and the world-building in this reimagining,” Sencindiver told PvNew. “A lot of brilliant people, a lot of very interesting character actors [who are] very dedicated and, of course, Noah Hawley is just a brilliant storyteller.”
Executive produced by Scott, the is show set on Earth before “Prometheus” and will reportedly explore the formation of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation and the race to create android life. Sencindiver, a “huge ‘Alien’ fan,” who says she watched “Aliens” on repeat as a child, plays a crucial character named Yatani.
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“I can’t say anything more than that, other than it’s been very exciting and interesting to play this character,” she said. “And I also think it’s a pleasure that nobody has played that character before. That’s also great for me, that I get to set the bar for what this character is. We’ll be pleased — the old fans of the original movies.”
Production on the series is ongoing, with filming expected to wrap this summer. Sencindiver noted that post-production, given the show’s sci-fi nature, will likely be extensive. While exact release dates are un/confirm/ied, she suggested audiences might see the series debut in 2025.
Meanwhile, Sencindiver is riding high on the success of Netflix’s “Geek Girl,” based on the popular young adult book series by Holly Smale. The show is currently among the top 10 most-watched TV series on the platform. It follows Harriet Manners, a socially awkward teenager who is unexpectedly scouted as a model. Sencindiver plays fashion designer Yuji Lee, a character she describes as “eccentric and larger-than-life.”
The show has found a global audience and resonated far beyond its expected demographic. “It’s hitting pretty hard in Brazil — I’m getting so many messages from Brazilian viewers,” Sencindiver said. “I think it strikes a chord with how we’ve all felt a bit odd or like the outsider, and just wanted to be seen for the odd person we were and that would be OK.”
She credits the show’s appeal to its authentic portrayal of neurodiversity and its uplifting message of self-acceptance. “We’ve seen stereotypical versions of being neurodivergent, like ‘Rain Man.’ But to have something that is genuine and well-researched, and also played by an actress who is neurodivergent [Emily Carey]… I think that hits with a lot of people,” Sencindiver explained.
The actor also highlighted the show’s underdog story and its message of self-acceptance as key factors in its widespread appeal. “It’s just healing, I think, for the soul to watch a story that makes you accept that who you are is actually good enough — more than good enough,” she said.
While a second season hasn’t been officially greenlit, Sencindiver is hopeful given the show’s popularity. “I don’t think I’ve ever received as many messages from people saying, ‘Please tell us there’s a second season on its way,'” she noted. “I think we’re just waiting for Netflix to say, ‘Go ahead and make Season 2.'”
Sencindiver also reflected on her experience working on Apple TV+’s “Foundation,” based on Isaac Asimov’s science fiction novels. The actor described the series as “a huge, huge project” that took nine to 10 months to film. “To be a part of a collective of storytellers, telling the huge story and having a role and a part across all episodes, that was just so satisfying for me,” Sencindiver said.
She praised the production’s scale, mentioning “huge sets and a lot of teams, beautiful costumes, amazing hair and makeup, really brilliant writing.” Sencindiver also highlighted the strong bonds formed with co-stars Terrence Mann and Ella-Rae Smith, with whom she shared many scenes.
Beyond her on-screen work, Sencindiver, who was born in Busan, Korea and raised in Denmark, has been making waves with “A Bigger Picture,” her initiative advocating for greater diversity in Danish film and television. The campaign, which began as a response to the lack of representation in several high-profile Danish productions, went viral after gaining a visceral reaction from director Lars von Trier. “Fuck me,”von Trier told publication Berlingske when they asked him about the campaign in 2023, adding that any form of censorship or quotas is a restriction of freedom of expression and would lead to fascism.
“We didn’t take it that seriously,” Sencindiver said of von Trier’s comments. “Because he did that, the campaign actually went viral and went international. So it just gave our agenda even more focus.”
The initiative has sparked important conversations within the Danish film industry, leading to meetings with the Minister of Culture and the Danish Film Institute. Sencindiver sees this as a crucial step towards more inclusive storytelling in Danish media.
Looking to the future, the actor is currently developing her first feature film as director, building on “Watch” and “Seeking Hwa Sun,” two short films she’s helmed. She sees this move behind the camera as a natural progression from her extensive theater background.
“I’ve directed several award-winning shows while I was doing theater,” Sencindiver explained. “It didn’t feel that foreign to me to want to express myself and write something myself and direct something myself.”
Her most recent short film, “Seeking Hwa Sun,” which will hit the festival circuit imminently, draws from semi-biographical material. Sencindiver found the process of transforming personal experiences into art both intense and therapeutic. “There’s something about taking something that is very personal and forming it to a piece of art, and inviting other collaborators to work on it with you,” Sencindiver said.
