Apple TV+’s Silo has become one of television’s most compelling science fiction dramas, drawing audiences into a claustrophobic underground civilisation where every answer uncovers a new mystery. While Rebecca Ferguson’s Juliette may drive the story, season two saw another formidable force emerge in the form of Camille Sims, played by British actress Alexandria Riley.
What began as a guest role unexpectedly evolved into one of the series’ most fascinating characters, with Riley transforming Camille into a woman whose motivations exist in shades of grey rather than simple heroism or villainy. As Silo continues to ask timely questions about power, survival and truth, we spoke to Riley about expanding Camille’s story, working alongside Rebecca Ferguson and why great science fiction has never felt more relevant.
Camille began as a much smaller role. Did you ever imagine she would become such an integral part of Silo?
Alexandria Riley: Silo came across my lap in a really unique way, to be honest. It started as just a taped audition for a guest role in two of the final episodes of season one. So I didn’t really know how embedded in the world Camille was going to be until season two.
It was Graham Yost and the producers who saw something in the character and myself, and decided to write the role up. I was just so thrilled to have been given that opportunity.
Camille has evolved enormously across the series. What has been the most rewarding part of exploring her character?
Alexandria Riley: It’s been an incredible journey playing Camille. What I’ve always loved about her is that she’s never just been “one thing”. There are so many layers to her, and I think we saw that very early on.
Being able to expand on that and explore it has been a gift as an actor. I always knew she was very tactical, always two steps ahead of the game. Her strength, her loyalty to her family and even her ability to manipulate if needs be.
But really tapping into her experience as a former raider has been fun. Exploring that militant side of her whilst she tries to balance her family life was really interesting.
Camille often stands opposite Juliette, creating some of the show’s most tense moments. What drew you to playing such a morally complex character?
Alexandria Riley: I think antagonists are the most exciting characters to play! They’re so complex. You have so much space to “play”. What is that person truly capable of? How far will they go? And how vulnerable are they at their core?
Those themes are so challenging, which is what makes it so enjoyable. Then to throw many head-to-head scenes with Juliette into the mix was fantastic.
Rebecca is incredible, and we had a blast on set. It was always really electric during our stand-off scenes. We have quite similar instincts, so we would just bounce off one another. They’re two powerhouse characters, so when they get into it, it’s really spicy!
Camille never feels like a conventional villain. How did you approach portraying someone capable of both compassion and manipulation?
Alexandria Riley: I certainly wanted to ensure that I didn’t approach Camille as a villain, because I don’t think she is. That’s too easy. And boring!
She’s someone trying to survive and protect her family by any means necessary. It was very satisfying to portray someone so powerful but also so conflicted.
There are times I think Camille herself questioned whether or not she was a bad person, which just added to her complexities. My job was to hopefully show that inner turmoil and what it was doing to her emotionally.
I empathised with Camille. At this point I’d sort of sat inside this character’s head for four years, so I knew how difficult she would be finding the situations she was forced into. She is fundamentally a good person who is having to do really questionable things because she just wants the best future for her son.
How do you do the right thing when you’re between a rock and a hard place? And what does that do to you mentally? Those were the questions I had to ask.
There was also a lot of work put in off screen. I was very lucky to work with some very generous actors. Rebecca and Rashid (Common) would often meet with me so we could really pick scenes apart. The directors were also fantastic and always on hand. It was a real collaborative effort.
Although Silo is set in a dystopian future, many of its themes feel remarkably relevant today. Why do you think audiences connect so strongly with the story?
Alexandria Riley: Silo was, of course, based on the books written over ten years ago by Hugh Howey, but it’s definitely still wildly relevant, and the weight of it certainly isn’t lost on me.
I think that’s the beauty of science fiction. That genre has always been very good at remaining timeless because it’s rooted in questions that never go away and reflects our world back to us.
That’s why this story still resonates. It asks us as an audience to question, think and discuss. Inviting interpretation and conversation is a very important thing to be doing right now.
What do you think Silo says about humanity?
Alexandria Riley: Great sci-fi has always taken fears that feel recognisable and pushed them to the extreme to make them thought-provoking, and Silo is no different.
I think it really explores what it means to be human. Our instincts and will. Our desire to be led. But I also think it shows our strengths and ability to rebel.
The unity within the Silo is incredible. A community of people who have been capable of maintaining a new civilisation and who rise up when Juliette starts to ask “why?”
I think there’s a hope in that. And sometimes that’s all it takes. That one voice.
Hugh Howey’s novels have a devoted following. Was that something you were conscious of while developing Camille?
Alexandria Riley: We were all so conscious of honouring Hugh’s story. That was always at the forefront of our minds. I was initially quite nervous when Camille’s role became bigger, as she doesn’t appear in the books.
Of course, the show has always been an adaptation and not a direct page-to-screen transition, but I always had the readers in mind. Luckily, the incredible writers wrote Camille in a way that she just fit the world instantly.
I chose not to read the books prior to filming because I knew the screen version was going to be very different, but also because I didn’t want to make any decisions on how I felt about other characters before shooting. I wanted it to be as organic and authentic as possible.
You seem drawn to emotionally complex stories. What attracts you to those darker roles?
Alexandria Riley: I think I’m naturally drawn to dark drama. Stories which delve into every corner of the human condition.
Real people in real situations excite me because you have the opportunity to portray someone that a group of people, or even one person, will look at and think, “I relate to this.”
There’s a rawness and authenticity to those kinds of stories that I really enjoy being a part of.
Life can be ugly and messy, but that’s also what makes it beautiful to me in a weird way. It also allows you to try to understand certain behaviours in people.
I think I might have an untapped desire for psychology in me!
The world of Silo feels incredibly immersive. How much did the physical set influence your performance?
Alexandria Riley: They almost go hand in hand. When you step onto that set, you are in the Silo. Our designers did an incredible job creating that world, down to the tiniest details.
The sets were huge. It was dark, damp and really felt never-ending. That staircase was so imposing. All that had such a huge effect on the scenes. You were trapped. It really got into your psyche.
However, Camille’s season three arc was very intense for me, but in the best way. I love being challenged because it really makes you stretch yourself as a performer.
If it’s easy, it can get a bit mundane. I’d go home after a day of heavy scenes in the Silo feeling like I had really worked. It was very satisfying.
Looking back, what has Silo meant to you personally?
Alexandria Riley: I still haven’t really found the words to describe this experience.
I just keep saying things like “gift” and “honoured”. Both are completely true, but the words feel a bit flimsy. It’s been completely surreal from start to finish.
This industry is hard. You always hear, “It just takes that one opportunity,” but you never actually believe you’ll get that. This has definitely been that one opportunity for me.
I’m so very proud of the work I got to put into this role and show, or even to have been a part of it at all. I feel like I got to showcase a lot too, which is always good.
From the cast and crew to production and writers, it was such a joy to work with everyone. I feel very fortunate, to say the least. I just hope that people enjoy watching it now.
Silo airs weekly on Apple TV.
Photographer
Pip
Styling
Harriet Nicholson
Hair and Makeup
Bianca Simone Scott
