Dead City Chronicles: An Exclusive Interview with Pallavi Sastry on The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead: Dead City breathes new life into the iconic Walking Dead TV franchise by transporting the story to the Empire State, specifically Manhattan. Lauren Cohen's portrayal of Maggie and Jeffrey Dean Morgan's depiction of Negan reunite once again, this time on a mission to rescue the son of Maggie and Glenn, who sadly passed away. The strength of The Walking Dead: Dead City lies in its compelling character conflicts and the unique backdrop it provides. Though the first season consists of only six episodes, it is hailed as one of the most remarkable Walking Dead narratives in recent years.

While a significant portion of The Walking Dead: Dead City unfolds in Manhattan, early episodes introduce Maggie's new community called Hilltop. Among the newcomers is Nina, portrayed by talented actor and producer Pallavi Sastry, who is relatively new to the Walking Dead universe. Despite not being a fan of horror, Sastry fearlessly delves into the world of The Walking Dead. Although this marks her debut on a major network television show, Sastry has previously showcased her acting skills and produced captivating projects, such as the film Land of Gold, currently available for streaming on Max.

Pallavi Sastry spoke with Screen Rant about joining The Walking Dead universe, her season 2 hopes, and more.

Pallavi Sastry on The Walking Dead: Dead City

Screen Rant: What was your relationship like with the world of The Walking Dead before taking this on, and how did you prepare for the role?

Pallavi Sastry: I am easily scared, even by the smallest things, so it wasn't initially what caught my attention. I have to be honest. My sister, who is also my producing partner, is really into it and has been watching since the beginning. I was unsure if I could handle it. I actually started watching Fear the Walking Dead first because Karen David, one of my best friends, is part of the cast. I wanted to support her and I found the show to be really well-made. That was my first exposure to the franchise. When I got this job, I decided to go back and watch some of the Maggie and Negan storyline. I wanted to familiarize myself with it as much as possible because usually there's not much time between getting a job and starting to work. I'm really excited to be here. I didn't fully understand what I was getting into at first, but it's just great filmmaking. The storytelling is strong. Eli, our showrunner, is incredibly talented, creative, and also a genuinely good person.

Did you receive any advice from Eli, Lauren Cohan, or Jeffrey Dean Moran regarding the genre or the world of the show?

Pallavy Sastry: Lauren would consistently inquire about my actions during certain takes, especially when my character is observing others. For instance, Ginny and Negan share many scenes together, and Maggie often watches them closely. There were instances when I was present with Lauren during these moments, and she would always ask me what my character would be doing during that time. It occurred to me that she meant to always be vigilant and check my surroundings. Even if those characters are not directly involved in the scene, there might be shots from my perspective or through the gaze of other characters. It served as a reminder that everyone in this world is constantly alert and in survival mode. It was really important to keep this in mind.

I saw your Instagram post where you expressed your excitement about the premiere, and I also noticed that this is your first major franchise job. What were your biggest concerns when entering The Walking Dead universe?

Pallavi Sastry: When entering an established project, it is crucial for an actor to consider how they can contribute to the storyline, genre, and overall world-building. As a newcomer, my focus is on serving the current story and being receptive to the guidance of Eli, Lauren, and the talented directors involved in the series. Right now, I am in a state of excitement and eager to fulfill the role assigned to me. While I am open to learning more about my character, I understand the necessity of following the lead of those involved in the project. Eli has hinted at further revelations about my character, so I patiently await more information.

One fascinating aspect of this universe is the immense growth potential for any character, yet the possibility of that coming to an abrupt end. Did you receive any insights about your character upon joining the project?

Pallavi Sastry reflects on her journey, emphasizing that it has primarily been a process of discovery. She appreciates the opportunity to discuss scenes with Eli, seeking his perspective and understanding his intentions when writing them. This dynamic sparks inspiration for her future performances, as she recognizes the limitless possibilities in her relatively new venture. Pallavi fondly recalls meeting Cassady and Okea, actors from the original series, at the premiere. Okea shares how his character was initially planned for only four episodes, highlighting the uncertainty that often accompanies their work.

Given your background in musical theater, do you believe that experience has influenced your acting in roles like these?

Pallavi Sastry believes that discipline is the key factor. She finds it amusing that when she started working in television, agents and casting directors would emphasize the long hours and stamina required. Pallavi, however, considers Broadway to be the ultimate test of endurance and skill. Her supportive representatives have always been confident in her ability to handle demanding schedules because of her theater background.

Moving on, Pallavi expresses her interest in Land of Gold, a film she has been researching. She finds the story and project fascinating and would like to know more about how she became involved in it. Additionally, she is curious to learn about the most thrilling aspect of the entire process.

Pallavi Sastry: The movie is currently streaming on Max, so anyone can watch it. It was a project we were involved in from the start. As mentioned earlier, my sister is my producing partner, and we were actively searching for a feature to collaborate on. We had previous experience with documentaries and short films, and through our network, we came across an exceptional filmmaker named Nardeep Khurmi. He is the writer/director and also stars in the film. Having worked on shorts for over 15 years, he was now eager to create a feature-length movie. However, he needed producers to support the project because, unless you are a highly renowned figure, it is challenging to secure funding and attract prominent producers. We were enthusiastic about it and committed to making it happen because we loved the story. We were actually the first ones to read the script and immediately felt a connection. We said, "We want this. We want to bring this to life." I have never seen a film that so effectively intertwines the immigrant experience like this one does. Both the main character and another important character are first-generation immigrants, with the latter being undocumented as well. Even though they come from different cultures, they share many commonalities. Our goal with storytelling is always to tell a classic, essential story. This is a road trip drama with a surrogate father-daughter dynamic, which we have seen before, but never from this perspective. That was incredibly exciting for us. We joined the project right from the beginning, and our hard work paid off when we won a significant award at Tribeca, securing full funding for the movie. We then premiered the film at Tribeca, followed by a year of continuous festival screenings, and ultimately sold it to HBO. I understand if there are limitations to what you can disclose, but reflecting back on Dead City, was there a particular moment or experience during filming that captured the essence of working on a show like that?

Pallavi Sastry: I'm struggling to articulate this, but I think it's acceptable to say that it's enjoyable when you're involved in one of the final episodes of a show. At that point, you start to get a sense of the direction the story is headed and you have a feeling that there is still more to come. It's definitely not the end.

Pallavi Sastry: I think so. I feel that way, and the ratings are good. The ratings are looking good, and the reviews are looking good, so I think all of us are pretty hopeful.

About The Walking Dead: Dead City

The Walking Dead: Dead City, a thrilling spin-off/sequel, features the main series' notable characters - Maggie and Negan. Together, they embark on a daring mission to save Maggie and her stepson, Hershel, deep in the heart of Manhattan. Their journey entails confronting menacing hordes of zombies and treacherous human adversaries.

New episodes of The Walking Dead: Dead City air Sunday nights on AMC.