PEYTON LIST IS NO STRANGER TO THE SPOTLIGHT; FROM CHILD MODEL SHE GAINED PROMINENCE IN THE MOVIE 27 DRESSES, AND AS HOLLY HILLS IN DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES, FOLLOWED BY A SUCCESSFUL RUN AS EMMA ROSS IN DISNEY CHANNEL'S JESSIE AND ITS SPINOFF BUNK'D.

MORE RECENTLY, SHE KICKED ASS AS THE FIERCE AND FEARLESS TORY NICHOLS, IN NETFLIX’S HIT SERIES COBRA KAI, INSPIRING A NEW GEN OF GIRL POWER MARTIAL ARTS FANS AND SPARKING COUNTLESS TIKTOK ‘HOW TO KICK LIKE TORY’ TRENDS. NOW SHE’S HAUNTING US ALL AS MADDIE, A DEAD TEEN STUCK IN LIMBO IN THE AFTERLIFE, IN PARAMOUNT+’S SUPERNATURAL DRAMA SCHOOL SPIRITS, WHICH SHE ALSO EXECUTIVE PRODUCES. HAVING COMPLETED THE SHOW’S SECOND SEASON LEAVING AUDIENCES ON A CLIFFHANGER ENDING, SHE FOUND TIME TO HOP ON A ZOOM WITH US TO DISCUSS THE POWER OF PERFORMANCE, FASHION THAT SPEAKS HER LANGUAGE AND FUTURE PLANS TO CLIMB MOUNTAINS – AND NOT JUST IN THE CAREER SENSE – LITERALLY HIKING UP BIG HILLS, HER NEWFOUND PASSION.

Hey Peyton, before we discuss anything else, I love the fact you’re now into hiking! First you’re climbing career mountains… and now out in nature, literally ascending big hills!

I know!! I went to Scotland to the Cairngorms to go hiking, and I screamed and cried during that hike, it was so hard, I was like “what did I get myself into?!” But it was also what made me love social media again – I now see all these backpackers doing these big hikes saying how it sucks, but you’ve just got to keep going! It’s that feeling of when you’ve started a hike, you have no choice, you can’t turn back, and it’s been the best thing for my mental health as you’re on this mountain and you’ve got keep going. It helped that the Scottish scenery is so beautiful too, it changes every 15mins, it’s so insane.

A complete mind trip in the sense of being out in all that wilderness too, having grown up and now living in the cultural beating heart that is New York. Having access to all those theatre shows around you as a child, were you ever starry eyed?

Yes definitely. My family would enter the lottery system to go and see all the Broadway shows, at least one or two a week for 20 bucks and it was so exciting for me. I wanted to go so badly and see this other bigger world outside of school, and live performance has always been so addictive and inspiring to see.

Left Full look **Fendi**
Right Full look **Christian Dior**

What about those career mountain highs then, as you’ve really showed your range since your Disney days – did those roots give you the self-confidence boost you needed?

Absolutely. I never thought I would get a Disney show, as I was either doing thriller indies in New York or guest starring as someone’s daughter on an ABC show, and it felt so different for me. It really did give me the confidence I needed, as I thought if I can get this, then I can play different characters, and it was exciting to me thinking about the many genres I could enter as an actor.

And then came your big breakout really, as Tory Nichols in Cobra Kai. After the final season, did you have a newfound appreciation for your character’s arc, in that you learned more about her and how much strength and heart she had?

I didn’t expect the writers to take the character on the journey for five seasons, and for her to have so much depth and this ability to change – I’m happy they took it in that direction. I’ve gone to Comic Cons and had teachers who work in the foster care system tell me that they’ve met girls like my character; so, to see that arc tell how change is possible is so inspiring, taking complex characters further than you expected. Of course, the show has its delightfully cheesy moments too [laughs], but to also have the heart in it I think is inspiring.

Yes, particularly in how a new gen of young women are keen to learn martial arts, for self-defence. Did the training, working with a black-belt sensei on-set, help build your own self-confidence, and empower you?

Definitely! I had never thrown a punch before this show! [laughs]. I worked with Janelle Kauffman, a stunt coordinator, in the first couple of seasons, and she’s insanely bad ass. She taught me how to use numb chucks and learn self-defence, and I feel like every girl should learn that! I’m happy that martial arts are having another wave of popularity, and especially among girls now, it’s great to know they want to learn it in schools as well as the boys.

I’m curious to know, when you were training for the role, did that mental focus and heightened awareness you need with martial arts, enable you to discover elements of yourself you maybe haven’t accessed yet?

Without a doubt. We worked with a Sensei called Tony for the last season and he’s a fifth-generation black belt. I learned that when you step onto the mat you must bow, and respect the space you’re entering, and bow to your Sensei, your teachers, and your opponent. I think there is something powerful in respecting a person before you have a conversation or a fight, or anything, there is a value in that. To have a sense of self and feel more confident and powerful and have ownership over your body really translates and I want to keep it up and do more. I was texting with my Sensei recently, and he told me, “Remember to chamber your kicks”, and honestly, I haven’t been kicking anything for ages! [laughs]

Well, speaking of kicks, how else do you get yours, in terms of work. You’ve done action now, what’s next, do you like challenging yourself?

I never had any idea when I got the script and joined the show (Cobra Kai), that I was doing any martial arts, and when I found out, I really wanted to learn, until I saw how difficult it was! [laughs]. I wanted a stunt person to come in and do it all instead. But that show is insane as they really want you to do everything and they push you all the way, and now I’m glad they did, as it tested me so much. I would love to do a dark indie next, with writers and filmmakers that shoot practically, something grounded where I can learn so much; I’m hungry to do something that’s gritty and fun to be part of.

Meanwhile, you’re haunting audiences in School Spirits, and that’s not the first time you’ve played a ghost, having starred in Girl Haunts Boy. Did fantasy appeal to you then?

I met with the showrunners and producer for School Spirits, and I really liked them all on a personal level, but when I read the script, I didn’t really think that Maddie was me or that I could do the part justice, so I went in with no expectations. I learned from indie directors like Max Winkler and Craig Johnson though, who both worked on different seasons, and they had done a lot of dark comedy, so working with them was brilliant. With the third season I’m going to be sitting in post-production and learning about that process too, so it’s been a great learning experience for me so far.

Left Full look **Dsquared2**
Right Full look **Celine by Hedi Slimane**

Well, let’s talk about Season 2 for now, where we see Maddie stuck in limbo with Janet in control of her body. How did you approach those scenes with your co-star Jess Gabor?

I worked with Jess whenever we could find extra time, even at weekends, and we got on so well, which helps! It was such a new challenge as I’ve never played the same character as another actress, so having to be respectful of the fact that she’s playing the character her way and I’m playing my version. I would study her tapes and try to emulate her and come up with little movements, like how she tucks her hair behind her ears, and we would talk about her triggers. We studied old movies and really studied each other too.

And for season three… will you have more input into Maddie’s story?

Well, with the first season I just let the writers run with it as I liked what they were doing with the character, but with this next season, yes, I’m asking more questions! I know they’re in the writer’s room now and I keep asking “What’s going on, what’s happening, where is she going, by the way... I’m not playing two people anymore…is this done?” [laughs]. I know they’re very open to my input and all of us that are involved with the show are more engaged in the storyline even more than before. The fact that people are really interested in the show and where the story goes has made it more exciting for us.

Has co-producing on this series made you hungry to bring your own projects to the small and big screen too; are you writing anything now?

Absolutely. I used to have a lot of anxiety about doing things by a certain age, and doing them all when I’m young, but now I’m more relaxed than ever and I feel like I have ideas that I’m excited to make – not necessarily with me in front of the camera. There’s so many people on my dream board I want to work with, and I’m fascinated by women’s coming-of-age stories, how you’re so fragile at that age; and I’ll probably become obsessed with something else too as I age!

Which brings me perfectly to my last question about ageing, as you’re heading towards that milestone 30th birthday. I know you love style, and you’re a real influencer, so if you could choose one fashion item that expresses where you are now in your life, and how you feel heading towards the big 3-0, what would it be?

Oh, I love this question… I think a long, lacy, vintage silk robe. I saw this photo of a woman wearing one, and she was just relaxing outside and was so cool and confident, and I’ve been collecting them ever since from the Topanga flea market in California. They’re the kind of thing I want to feel comfortable enough to step into and just relax about who I am, relaxing into my body and be comfortable with ageing and growing up.

… so not a pair of hiking boots then?

Haha! I didn’t know I could choose footwear! But yes, hiking boots for sure, and you know what, I’m going to Zion National Park for my 27th birthday in April and dragging my twin with me, to go hiking. No turning back!