As FROM continues to unravel its unsettling mysteries, the MGM+ horror series shows no signs of slowing down, even as the end comes into focus. Season 4, which premiered on April 19, brings viewers right back into the nightmarish town where escape feels impossible. With a fifth and final season confirmed, the stakes have never been higher for the trapped residents.
Among them is Acosta, played by Samantha Brown, who made her debut in Season 3 as one of the town’s newest and most skeptical arrivals. Now, returning for her second season, Samantha steps back into the role with a deeper understanding of both the character and the world she inhabits. For our latest digital feature, we caught up with Samantha to talk about Acosta’s journey, filming some of Season 4’s intense moments, and what it means to be part of a series that has captivated horror fans around the globe.
Exclusive photograhy for Popternative Magazine by Ashley Ross
Did returning for your second season on FROM feel different after having joined the show last season? What was it like returning to set?
Samantha: It’s always nerve-racking joining an established show, especially one as big as FROM. Returning for Season 4, having that familiarity with the cast, crew and set allowed me to step (quite literally) right back into Acosta’s boots with confidence and immediately hit the ground running. It was also strange because us actors and the audience had over a year of life between seasons, but in terms of the world of the show, Episode 1 of Season 4 picks right back up where we left off last season. You have to rewind your mind to drop back into exactly what your character was feeling and processing during the Season 3 finale. A full calendar year has passed for Samantha, but only mere seconds for Acosta.
How would you describe Acosta this season compared to when she first arrived in town?
Samantha: When Acosta first arrived, she was scared, disoriented and very guarded, holding tightly to her moral convictions and struggled to trust anyone or anything around her. This season, we see her shift. She begins to adjust to the reality of the town in meaningful ways, becoming more vulnerable, letting her guard down and slowly opening herself up to the people around her. There’s a real evolution happening for her this season and it challenges everything she thought she knew about herself.
In episode 2 of this new season, Acosta tries to escape by speeding off in the ambulance—what was it like filming that scene, and how would you describe her mindset, especially since it seemed clear the plan wouldn’t work?
Samantha: It wasn’t clear at all to Acosta that trying the loop wouldn’t work. Compared to the other characters, Acosta has only been in FROM for a matter of days. She’s a trained police officer with a highly logical mindset, so it makes complete sense that she would need to test the loop for herself rather than simply take everyone at their word. If you suddenly woke up trapped in a room full of strangers who told you the only door in the room was locked with no way out – but one person had a gouged-out eye with a broken bloody hand and two others were holding a hammer and screwdriver – you’d probably be wary of trusting them too and want to check out that door for yourself. It’s survival instinct, human curiosity and the need to trust yourself before accepting the impossible.
Samantha: In terms of filming, it was one of the most challenging days I had on set. All of the wide shots you see in the episode of the ambulance driving were done by an incredible stunt performer, but for the interior dialogue scenes between Acosta and Kristi, we shot that in a studio in front of a blue screen where the ambulance was propped up on a rig and the crew was shaking it to simulate the vehicle moving. As an actor, I love having as much of the real environment around me to help feed my performance, so trying to keep up the adrenaline throughout such a chaotic scene when you only have a blue wall to look at was challenging. You have to just fully engage your imagination and rely on your instincts. I’m grateful to have had Chloe Van Landschoot with me as my scene partner – we just bounced off of eachother all day. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Are you a fan of the horror genre? What’s it like being part of a series that leans heavily into horror, especially as the genre keeps growing in popularity?
Samantha: I am a big fan of horror. And the only thing better than the horror genre are the horror fans! I think one of the most exciting parts of being on a show like FROM is seeing how passionate and engaged the fans are. Horror audiences are the most dedicated and it’s been incredible to see people from all over the world come together online to talk about the show, dissect theories, debate mysteries and connect over every episode. There’s such a strong community around the genre and FROM really taps into that. Being a part of a series that sparks that level of conversation and fandom is incredibly rewarding as an actor.
With FROM officially ending after its fifth season, what was your reaction to that news?
Samantha: My reaction was pure pride for the creative team, cast and crew who have been building this show since day one. John Griffin, Jeff Pinker and Jack Bender always envisioned telling this story across five seasons, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see them get the opportunity to end this adventure on their own terms. It is a testament to the blood, sweat and tears they have poured into this show from the very beginning. I once heard that in storytelling, “the best endings are earned, never given,” and I think that couldn’t be more true for the team behind FROM.
There are so many terrifying elements to the series—what scares you the most?
Samantha: Honestly, what scares me most is the very real possibility that by the end of the series, none of these beloved characters ever make it home. For all the monsters and horrors in FROM, that may be the most terrifying thought of all.
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A new episode of Season 4 of FROM releases Sundays at 9pm ET on MGM+ through June 28.
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