More than four decades after Alien first redefined sci-fi/horror, FX has finally dropped the highly anticipated Alien: Earth, a new series that reimagines the franchise for television while honoring the atmospheric dread and existential tension that made the original so iconic.

Set in 2120—two years before the Nostromo’s ill-fated voyage—the series centers on Wendy, a terminally ill child whose mind is uploaded into an adult synthetic body by Prodigy’s wunderkind CEO, Boy Kavalier. As Prodigy touts “hybrids” as humanity’s next leap, a derelict Weyland-Yutani research vessel crash-lands on Earth, spilling specimens that ignite a turf war between old-guard corporate extraction and Prodigy’s transhuman experiment. Caught in the crossfire are Wendy’s soldier-medic brother Hermit and Kirsh, a company synth tasked with guiding her—until the fight to control evolution becomes a fight to keep Earth from hosting the perfect organism (and a chilling parasitic “eye” creature that puppeteers hosts).

Among the cast of veteran talent and rising stars is Diêm Camille, who plays a character named Siberian. Known for her roles in The Wheel of Time and Alex Rider, Camille continues her genre run in a high-stakes, sci-fi/horror setting—and she’s already proven that she’s more than capable of fitting into this immersive universe. Now, Camille is opening up to us about what to expect from her character, the ensemble cast, and more.

Congratulations on all of your exciting roles this year! You recently explored fantasy in The Wheel of Time, adventure in Washington Black, and now you’re stepping into darker corners of sci-fi with Alien: Earth, all premiered this year. What’s been the best part of getting to delve into the genre—especially for a property as iconic as Alien?

Diêm Camille: The best part of entering this beloved xeno-drooling world, and continuing the work of legends, is realizing how much light and joy there also is in this bloody dark universe. Created by the love and dedication of hundreds of people. And you can't create a thrilling story that makes you cover your eyes, with split fingers, without having characters who bring you hope and humanity. Parker had an almost childish joy, Vasquez had a sharp humor, and Ripley gave us resilience and love. Alien: Earth brings us my lovely no-bullshit Siberian. One might see her as a badass, but she's more real than that. She's fearless because she believes she has to be.

How would you describe your character when we first meet her?

Diêm Camille: Siberian is a cigar-smoking, lean, mean marine with iconic red braids, my personal homage to Vasquez’ red bandana. Siberian's pretty sick of Hermit. She's tired of having someone on her team who doesn't even want to be there and who isn't a fighter like her. So, if he screws up, they all die. And she has no patience for the end, she's about the now. She's actually quite present and really senses her circumstances wholeheartedly. I've tried practicing that more since playing her, because I'm exceptional at thinking about tomorrow, which is so not how I was raised. I can talk about the future for hours, but in my present, I will zone out at some point. But I don't want to blame it on ADHD… today.

What role does Siberian play within the team, and what are her biggest strengths?

Diêm Camille: Siberian is a tactical soldier, working for Prodigy. Her job is to search and rescue civilians and secure Boy Kavelier's assets—the hybrids. She's an E4 corporal. At least that's what my military coach and I decided. Siberian's biggest strengths are her bravery, selflessness, and her bullshit filter. She didn't come to play; she came to save.

You're also a screenwriter, director, producer, and playwright. How do you draw from that multitude of talents and experience in your work as an actress?

Diêm Camille: Just like all my memories are basically different brushes to my painting of a character, my passion for storytelling in various ways informs me about the story on so many levels. I've always been extremely visual, a blessing and a curse. I see everything move in front of me like a movie. Even while talking, my mind has to create the scene for my point before I can say it. So, sometimes I'll talk for a minute before I can get my point across; it's both funny and frustrating. But as soon as I put pen to paper or direct, I get to do what my mind is designed for. That's quite special. To find something that matches the way you think, and to be able to apply it to your passion.

Was there a particular scene or moment on set that helped you really connect with the character?

Diêm Camille: There was a moment where we got a glimpse into why Siberian is there. That moment invites us into her fears in a very subtle and honest way, beautifully directed by my fellow Nordic, Ugla Hauksdóttir. I've always thought that there was something honest about fear. When we are scared, that's when we really get to see each other. Because it's human nature, stripped from any armor of clothes, views, and differences. That's what horror does. The same way, Alien: Earth strips away your armor by serving you terror and a grim possible future that sparks real and honest conversations about our world. Being part of that brutally honest conversation gives my Siberian even more meaning.

How did you react to getting a role on Alien: Earth?

Diêm Camille: I was in utter disbelief and thought it was a big fan production. And it sort of is, just a big Disney one with a marvelous cast of icons. I was going through a loss when my agent, Amy O'Neill, sent me the casting for Siberian from Kate Rhodes James. I had told Amy, only to send tapes if I was up for Storm or something equally insane. So, when I read “ALIEN”, Noah Hawley and Ridley Scott's names in the e-mail, I immediately did the tape with my amazing friend and actor Thue Rasmussen. He actually said I was going to get it, but I played it cool… Until I got the call and broke down joyfully under the pink sunset, in front of a 7/11. I couldn't believe I was going to work with the man of IP's and the man of American Gangster. So, I played it cool again. Until my stunt coordinator, Rob Inch, showed me this big stunt I had to do, and I broke down again. Because I realized I was standing in the middle of my dream.

The Alien universe has a long legacy. From your perspective, how does Alien: Earth build on that world?

Diêm Camille: Because we're standing on the shoulders of legends and a whole universe, the possibilities were quite endless while honoring the blueprint. I believe Noah really saw the world horizontally and created new creatures to emerge from that horizon, so we could get that feeling again from the O.G. films—the escalating fear of the unknown, great expectations to a deadly battle, and a story about humanity. Alien: Earth not only provides that suspense of a new fear, a new unknown, it also puts a magnifying glass on the daily atrocities in society. To me, it is a David and Goliath story, but where David is a 12-year-old hybrid and Goliath is capitalism, who created the hybrid to begin with. Following people who don't know their power is way more exciting when we get to see the consequences of knowing your power too well, next to it. And the show portrays that brilliantly.

What is your favorite Alien film and why? And do you have a favorite creature?

Diêm Camille: I have two. Alien, because of the consistent feeling of fear and alarm it gave me, and Aliens, because of the fun characters and the theme of motherhood. The fact that Ripley protects Newt by killing an alien queen and the eggs that she's trying to protect is an irony so beautifully crafted by James Cameron, it blows my mind each time.

My favorite alien—I mean, the xeno is the perfect organism, isn't it? But a new alien came knocking on Earth, the “eye midge”. It's sooo creepy, unreliable, intelligent, and deviously observant. It would make the perfect chess player. Rewatching all the Alien movies before filming actually made me see the aliens as creatures instead of monsters, because humans can be monsters too. And Noah tells that story in Alien: Earth with sublime attention.

Alien: Earth is currently available to stream on Hulu.