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It takes at least one billion years and 825,000 lbs of pressure to form a diamond. Sophie Thatcher is only 22 years old, but the pressure of returning to one of 2022’s most-watched shows, Yellowjackets, will likely be enough to crystalize her career as one of Hollywood’s most exciting new actresses.

Originally from Illinois, the musician and actress struck it big when she was cast as the teenage Natalie Scatorccio, or “Nat,” a character she shares with Juliette Lewis, who plays Nat later on in her life. Now, Thatcher’s burgeoning career is finding her space within the fashion world, having recently starred in Calvin Klein’s latest ad campaign along with Ella Emhoff, model and stepdaughter to Vice President Kamala Harris. With some music floating around SoundCloud, Thatcher’s varied interests and talents make her career as unpredictable as it is captivating.

V spoke with Los Angeles’ newest resident about returning to work, as well as what might be next.

V MAGAZINE: Hi Sophie! Where are you?

SOPHIE THATCHER: I’m in L.A. I was living in New York, but I finally made the move. I’ve been here the past couple of months, but also in and out of Vancouver because we’re finishing season two of Yellowjackets. I just got a place in Silver Lake, but at the moment I’m staying in Sherman Oaks with my boyfriend because I don’t have any furniture in my apartment yet.

V: Besides working, what is there to do in Vancouver?

ST: Actually, I think of everyone in the cast, I’m probably the one who flies out to LA the most, because I really try to keep my artistic and social life pretty separate. Especially now that I have a life and a place here. But Vancouver is really gorgeous. The first year we went there it was a bit depressing because we were all stuck because of the pandemic. So that kind of tainted the experience. Obviously, now it’s a lot better.

V: That first year, you also had no idea how big the show would become, I’m sure. What was it like going back this time around knowing there is an audience of millions waiting to see more Yellowjackets?

ST: It’s strange for me to have people that I admire say that they’ve seen the show, like Liz Phair for example. The awareness kind of spurs up excitement, if anything, and that pushed me to work harder this season. I think we all sense more pressure going into it this time around. We’re all more present, and almost hyper-aware of anything that could be bad. At the same time, it’s almost detrimental to an actor if you’re too aware. For me, it’s also about my connection to my character Natalie, whom I feel like I’ve been playing for so long. But it took me a second, like a scene or two, to snap back into it, like getting into her body and speaking like her.

V: It’s definitely true that success can also bring about new levels of stress!

ST: The first season, we didn’t really think anybody was gonna watch it. We didn’t know how it was gonna turn out. There was something really beautiful about that because we all just kind of let ourselves play around with the characters. It felt more like an indie film, to some extent. The difference with this season is, well, they have more money (laughs), and we’re shooting in a studio and it’s set in the winter. So we have to physically and emotionally fake a lot of the circumstances as actors.

V: I’m pivoting directions here. I read that you recently binge-watched Daria. What resonated with you from that show?

ST: Well, I had the biggest crush on her best friend Jane growing up. I’m really sensitive when I’m watching shows, like I would change my voice to sound more like Jane. She has such a deep, sexy voice. I also did that with Claire Danes while watching My So-Called Life. I dyed my hair to look like her and would always practice her character’s lines. But with Daria, that show held up really well, and so did My So-Called Life. They were both kind of groundbreaking.

V: Why is Calvin Klein a brand you’ve been excited to work with?

ST: It’s just a really timeless brand. It makes me think to the ‘90s, like Kate Moss, Brooke Shields…I think of how effortless and cool everyone looked, and seeing women looking androgynous and confident. It really belongs to any decade, and that’s what’s exciting to me about it. And their clothes are just tailored so well, the jeans last forever. They have such iconic ad campaigns that everyone can identify immediately.

V: We’re reaching the end of the year, believe it or not! Are you a New Year’s resolution type of girl?

ST: Not really, because I feel like for the last few years I always have had the same two, which are to read more and be on my phone less. This year, I just want to be nicer to myself, and maybe to release some more music or art.