Imagine growing up in a world where the lines between reality and fiction blur, and your childhood is intertwined with a groundbreaking TV show. This is the story of Kiernan Shipka, a former child star of Mad Men, as she reflects on her unique journey.
"It's like a chicken or an egg situation," Shipka reveals, pondering the influence her character, Sally Draper, had on her own life. "I wonder, which parts of me shaped Sally, and which parts of Sally shaped me?"
Shipka's journey began at just six years old when her family moved to Los Angeles for her to portray Don Draper's eldest child. Despite the challenges of the industry, Shipka thrived, much like her character Sally, who witnessed the messy lives of adults around her.
With a background in modeling, dancing, and acting, Shipka made her screen debut at an astonishing five months old on ER. By the time she was 13, she realized the unique challenges of being a child actor, but it was only in her 20s that she truly understood the impact and what kept her grounded.
"I struggled, but I managed it internally," she shares. "It was a personal journey, and I'm grateful for it. I love what I do, and I'm proud of navigating the tricky path of child stardom."
Mad Men, which premiered 20 years ago, marked the beginning of a remarkable career. Shipka's first scene saw her character scolded by her chain-smoking mother, Betty, for playing with a dry-cleaning bag, a moment that set the tone for many showdowns to come.
Off-screen, Shipka formed warm relationships with her on-screen parents, January Jones and Jon Hamm, who she credits with motivating her to excel in her craft.
"Working with adults in the industry was beneficial," she explains. "Being surrounded by grounded professionals helped me navigate my circumstances."
Mad Men, alongside Breaking Bad and The Sopranos, is hailed as one of the greatest TV shows ever made. Shipka reflects on her role in its legacy, appreciating the lasting impact it has had.
"Creating something enduring is the ultimate goal," she says. "It set a high standard for me as a young actor."
Shipka's career post-Mad Men has been diverse, from playing a teenage witch in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina to a dancer in The Last Showgirl, and now, Hayley, an ambitious assistant in Industry.
Her arrival on Industry marks a significant change for the show, as it enters its fourth season with a largely new cast. Shipka credits her Mad Men experience for this opportunity, admitting she hadn't seen the show before auditioning.
"I devoured the episodes quickly," she says. "Before I knew it, I was in Wales, meeting the cast and feeling so welcomed."
Playing Hayley has been a learning curve for Shipka, especially navigating the world of high-stakes finance. "I'm constantly looking up terms and jargon," she jokes.
However, revisiting Mad Men is a different experience. "It's like a time capsule of my childhood," she says. "I plan to watch it again now that it's on HBO Max. It's easier to watch as a viewer and occasionally see myself with a lisp."
There was talk of a Sally Draper spin-off, and Shipka is open to the idea. "I feel a sense of unfinished business with TV characters," she explains. "With movies, it's a clear goodbye, but with TV, there's always a chance of returning."
Season 4 of Industry is now streaming on HBO Max, offering a fresh perspective on the world of finance through the eyes of Kiernan Shipka's character, Hayley.
