If you’re a heavy social media user, it’s very likely that, at least once in the past year, you’ve fallen into the witchcraft rabbit hole online. From Facebook and Reddit communities to thousands of videos on TikTok and a hashtag dedicated to books related to the topic (#Witchlit), new generations seem to be bringing back the powerful, magic, and feminine world of the witches — and so is BAFTA-nominated writer Lauren Sequeira, on the final countdown to the release of her first original series, Domino Day, on BBC Three.

Starring Siena Kelly (Adult Material), the supernatural series tells the story of Domino, a Manchester-based witch who needs to feed on the energy of others to survive. And to pick her prey, she counts on her Tinder matches to find some despicable men, all while being followed by another coven of witches who desperately want to destroy her plans. To get a deeper feeling of the modern-day witch drama, we caught up with rising star Siena Kelly to discuss all things Domino Day, character preparation, and favourite memories on set. Get ready to be spellbound! But first, keep scrolling…

Watch the trailer for Domino Day…

Read the full interview…

Hey Siena! How are you doing?
Hi! I’m doing really well. I’ve just done an evening yoga class and I’m about to tuck into some yummy homemade vegan food so I’m feeling very content.

When did you start acting and do you remember your first role?
I’ve been performing my entire life. I’ve always been in a dance class, singing, acting, doing theatre etc. I can’t remember my first acting role. Maybe when I was in a pantomime when I was a child? I fell off the stage which, unfortunately, has happened more than once!

How did you first hear about Domino Day? What drew you to the project?
I first heard about it through my agent in the summer of 2021. I was sent the first episode and was asked to audition for Domino. I was in a play at the Royal Court at the time and I was exhausted from the play so had to really sadly decline it. Luckily for me, production was put on hold and the audition came back around during the winter. The script had been rewritten and I thought the rewrites were brilliant. I thought it was rebellious, complicated and full of drama. I went for a few rounds of auditions and met with our amazing first block director, Eva Sigurdardottir, and was offered the part!

Specifically, what intrigued you about the character of Domino?
I was immediately drawn to Domino. My heart broke over her situation. It felt very real and familiar despite her “supernatural-ness” being the core issue. I just read an extremely lonely and isolated young woman trying her hardest to stay afloat and blend in. Just trying to keep her feet on the ground but the ground keeps moving. I just wanted to help her out.

How did you find common ground with the storyline and connect with something supernatural and sort of out there conceptually?
I consciously chose to ignore the supernatural elements to Domino. I find the big supernatural stuff quite difficult to hold onto and connect with. Once I discovered that there is very little information about the type of witch Domino is, I thought it would be helpful to just leave it at that. I, instead, focused on her humanity and tried to ground her in as much reality as I could. Really concentrating on her deep loneliness, her isolation, her shame and guilt, her compulsive behaviour, her desperation to be “normal”. I needed to be able to empathise with her on a human level and understand her pain.

How did you get into character for Domino? And do you have a typical process or does it depend on the role/project?
Costume, hair, and make up really helped because it’s so different from my own. I wore acrylics for almost 4 months! My poor nails! I also would listen to an extremely intense techno playlist on set most of the time. Techno makes me so unbalanced and frenzied so that helped me with Domino a lot. I usually use music to find characters emotions. I also very, very, very slowly go through scripts with a fine tooth comb, multiple times, to try and really build and then embody this person.

Do you have a favourite memory from filming?
I did lots of wire work for the first time and it was so much fun! We also worked with a lot of fire and that was really thrilling.

What can viewers expect from the series?
It’s a high stakes, high emotions, dark, sexy, pacy supernatural show about a woman learning to accept herself. What’s not to be excited about?!

What was a highlight of 2023?
I was in Jamaica for almost a month this year. Babirye, who plays Sammie on the show, joined me for some of it. We became fast friends during this job. I’ll always be so grateful for this job for introducing us to each other. We had a verrrrry fun day on Frenchman’s Cove. I stayed with an incredible Rasta family in the hills (shout out to Higher Level JA) for a couple of weeks. It was bliss.

You have so much to look forward to in 2024! What are you most excited for at the moment?
I’m excited for Domino Day to come out! I just filmed a different TV show that I am so proud of which I think will be airing next year too. I’m excited to get my yoga teacher training certificate in 2024! I’m a big, big believer and lover of rest. Sacred rest. So I’m excited to read more books, have more laughs, have some more deep sleep and unashamedly wake up at midday.