For our newest digital feature, we chat with actor Danika Frederick, who stars as Nikki in the chilling new supernatural thriller drama series, Safehaven that premiered December 1 on Tubi. The series follows a high school comic artist forced to unravel the mystery behind why the terrifying images from her sketches are coming to life and how to stop the growing danger they pose.

With a slate of exciting projects on the horizon, Danika shows no signs of slowing down. She will soon appear in an upcoming episode of the hit comedy series Animal Control, the action-drama Tracker, and a highly anticipated new Netflix series set to debut later this year.

Check out our conversation below.

Photography by Sim Zewdi

Did you always know you wanted to be a storyteller and actor?

Danika: All I have ever wanted to do was perform. Whether that was on stage or on camera or as a dancer, that was always my biggest dream, but I really didn’t think it was possible for me so I never thought it was an option. I didn’t start acting until I was 25. When I was 6, I visualized myself as the lead of some sort of young adult TV series without even realizing it. I never thought about it as a TV series, it was just this weird vision that I had. Specifically, I was wearing my pink and purple striped Barbie shirt with matching jeans and walking into the class as the “new kid” and some guy would always say, “WHO is that?” as I traipsed my way to my desk. I watched a lot of Young and the Restless with my mom so I attribute it to that.

What was the audition process like for Safehaven?

Danika: For Safehaven, I had recently started working with my acting coach, John Emmet Tracy who I absolutely adore. He’s my acting dad. He helped me build the 2 versions of Nikki and encouraged me to make some really creative, interesting physical choices that weren’t in the sides. That’s actually one of my favourite things to do (within reason of course), I think because I grew up as a dancer so it really helps me to feel more in character. My coach and I created a sort of “ink blot” dichotomy for Nikki to both connect and differentiate her coma world and real world self. I was actually so unbelievably sick and had 4 auditions to do that weekend, and ended up turning one down. Thankfully it wasn’t this one! I had a zoom callback about a month later and the rest is history!

What is the best part about working in the thriller/supernatural genre?

Danika: Maybe I’m a bit of a masochist, but I find playing “negative” moments much easier than positive. I love being able to work myself into really heightened, adrenaline-fuelled emotions. I also think that because these genres are more fantastical than real life and usually don’t happen, it’s true “story telling” and more imaginative . It’s just so much fun to play make believe!

What is your ideal project that you would like to work on?

Danika: I would absolutely love to do a period piece, or something in the Yellowstone universe. Maybe both! Working on 1883 would have been a dream. I also love any roles that have a very physical component. Playing a character that would need me to train in ballet again would be an absolute dream.

What’s it like to work in horror/thriller genres at a time where’s there is a big interest for that kind of content?

Danika: One of my favourite things about horror/thriller is that they tend to get a bit of a cult following, even if it’s a bit niche. One of my favourite parts is seeing all the fan theories. It’s my favourite genre to do as well, because I feel like it’s make me the most creative. I love making the story real to me and relating it to my life, so I’m hoping there will be more to come!

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Safehaven is streaming for free on Tubi.

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