The Six Triple Eight star sat down with Wonderland to discuss her recent role in the Netflix movie, working with Tyler Perry, and so much more.
Louisiana-born Tyler Perry has become a fixture in Netflix’s film lineup, dabbling in comedy, thrillers, and even the animated feel-good hit Paw Patrol. But with his latest — and most ambitious — project, he turns to history, bringing to life the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion from World War Two.
The Six Triple Eight, now streaming on Netflix, shines a light on the only Women’s Army Corps unit of colour during the war, tasked with sorting through a staggering seventeen million undelivered letters meant for soldiers on the frontline. Led by Charity Adams (played by Kerry Washington), the battalion was made up of 855 women, including Dolores Washington, portrayed by 28-year-old Canadian actor Sarah Jeffery.
Wonderland caught up with Jeffery as she reflected on her time on set, her connection to Dolores, and so much more. Scroll down to dive in…
Hi Sarah, thanks so much for chatting with us! How are you today? What have you been up to recently, and how’s 2025 treating you so far?
Thank you! I’m doing really well. I think for so many, these are very strange and uncertain times we’re facing, so I’m doing what I can to focus on the things I can control and stay present. Thus far, 2025 has looked like a lot of meditating, reading, and family time, so I can’t complain.
Before we dive into your new project, tell us about your creative upbringing. Where did you grow up, what were some of your earliest influences in the acting world, and when did you fall in love with the craft?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t surrounded by the arts. Both my parents are artistically inclined, especially my dad who has been in the industry as an actor and stand-in since before I was born. My sister Hannah, who is only a year and nine days older than me, caught the acting bug before I did, and naturally I wanted to do everything she did. I’d say she was one of my first inspirations and influences. At first, I looked at it as a fun thing to do and if I was lucky enough to book a commercial here and a small role there, perhaps a way to earn money to put myself through nursing school. When I booked my first series regular at 15 on a show called Rogue playing Thandiwe Newton’s daughter (another one of my biggest influences), I discovered a space I felt I could really contribute to, and a space where my creativity could breathe and grow and from that moment on it was always going to be acting.
Huge congratulations on The Six Triple Eight! When did you first hear about the project, and do you remember your initial reaction to the script? What was it about the story that first caught your attention?
Thank you again! I first heard about the project in August of 2022. The tape came to me and I was floored to learn about this piece of history that I had no prior knowledge of. I immediately connected with my character, Dolores, and put myself on tape. I remember thinking it would be the honor of a lifetime to tell the story of these bold and brave women, so when I got the offer and I was just so full of gratitude.
How familiar were you with the historical context behind the story before reading the script, and how did you approach bringing this character to life?
As I just mentioned, this piece of history was a total blind spot for me. At first, I chalked it up to being Canadian and not having learnt about it in school, but it quickly became evident that I was in the majority when it came to knowing absolutely nothing about it. In terms of bringing my character to life, I really had to meditate on what it must have been like for these ladies in that time. As a biracial woman, I face my own set of challenges in this day and age but I reflected a lot on how much more gravity that would’ve held back in the 1930’s and 40’s. I spent a lot of time looking at whatever archival footage I could find, seeking out what music they would have been listening to, embodying that specific panache those ladies had, and just remembering that my job is to honor them.
Who is Dolores Washington? How did you connect with her the most, and what were the biggest challenges in playing this role?
Dolores Washington is a kind and smart young woman from New York who happens to be biracial. When we first meet her in the movie, we see a soldier mistake her as white on a train and she quickly corrects him stating she is a negro. For me, this scene in itself was a marvel and a gift because it gave me, Sarah, the permission to own my blackness, something I have long battled with. As a woman who is often deemed white presenting, I have been really cognizant to acknowledge my privilege and be thoughtful of how I step into black spaces, but often times that has left me questioning whether I have a place in these spaces at all. This role was so meaningful and life altering to me because I got to exist in this space with all these incredible, beautiful Black women who never doubted that I should embrace this part of me. That was both the most rewarding and most challenging part of this role.
You share screen time with some industry heavyweights in this project. What was your experience like on set, and what did you learn from working with such inspiring talents?
Yes! I am still so bewildered that I got to work with all the people I worked with on this project. As for Miss Kerry Washington, I am simply stunned by her generosity, kindness, and grace. She made time and space for us young women in a way that I’ve never experienced on a set before. Proof that no matter your level of fame and success, you can and should lead with kindness. It’s not always like that!
And how was it working with Tyler Perry?
I am forever indebted to Tyler for seeing me and choosing me to be a part of this. He is such a titan in this industry and I so admire him for all the opportunity he has brought to Black actors. He runs a set with such a confidence and vision that you can’t help but adopt that confidence.
How would you say these projects have shaped you as an actor? What lessons from this chapter do you think will stay with you forever?
I think The Six Triple Eight has reminded me what weight we have as actors and artists. It has reminded me that we need to actively seek out these stories to tell, to keep diversifying, and to keep creating opportunities for our beloved communities. The lesson I keep coming back to is to lead with kindness. It costs nothing and I just can’t see another worthwhile way of moving through life. That said, I am reminded of the phrase “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness”. They are not synonymous, and as I’ve grown older and gained more experience in life and on sets, I feel more comfortable asserting that difference.
Looking ahead, where do you see your artistry evolving? Are there any bucket list genres you’d love to explore in the future?
I really want to dabble and explore all areas of this industry. I like the idea of directing, writing, creating with friends, etc. I want to challenge myself. I think 2025 could be the year that I introduce something new into the fold. As for bucket list genres, I still haven’t done a horror film and that is, in my eyes, a total rite of passage as an actor. Seems so fun to me, which is funny because I actually really don’t do well watching horror films. Maybe making one would be good exposure therapy.
Finally, what’s next for you? And what excites you most about the future?
I have a couple of indies I’m really excited to share with the world. The kind that are true labors of love. I want to do more of them, continue to work out and stretch myself as an actor, so to speak. I feel an interesting and exciting spark coming into this year and am curious to see what that will play out as!
Words – Freya Goodchild-Bridge
Sarah Jeffery
Sarah Jeffery
Sarah Jeffery
Sarah Jeffery
Sarah Jeffery
Sarah Jeffery
