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Exclusive: Actress Megan Stott On Why “Penelope” Was The Perfect Escape From Hollywood’s Hustle

Netflix’s new series "Penelope" follows a young woman’s journey into nature to find herself, away from the constant buzz of notifications and screens. We sat down with Megan Stott to talk about her connection to the character, her tech boundaries, and making a name for herself in Hollywood on her own terms.

By Carmen Schober3 min read
Emily Sandifer

At 21, Megan Stott has already been on plenty of sets, but this latest one felt different. Set against the stunning backdrop of Washington’s lush forests, Megan’s experience on the show became a real-life escape into nature—one that, for her, reflected a genuine need to disconnect.

“Having my mom there was like having my best friend along for the ride,” she said, laughing. “Set life can get lonely, so having someone to laugh and gossip with made it feel more like a girls' trip than work.”

Penelope, Netflix’s latest release from the Sundance Film Festival circuit, is a cinematic escape into dreamy, surreal realism. With a stripped-down cast and an emphasis on visual storytelling, the series creates an almost hypnotic atmosphere, immersing viewers in a landscape where nature becomes its own character. Minimalist in dialogue but rich in atmosphere, the show follows a young woman’s journey to shed the noise of her modern life in favor of a raw, introspective experience in the wilderness.

And for Megan, the show hit close to home. The character is a young woman who feels suffocated by modern life and social media pressures, choosing to escape to the wild to find herself. Megan understands that urge for quiet in a world that’s constantly connected.

“Penelope felt like me,” she reflects. “I get overwhelmed by how much time people spend on their phones. I’d rather read, work on myself, or just enjoy my hobbies. Honestly, social media feels more like work than fun.” Megan’s approach to tech reflects her somewhat unconventional path through adolescence.“

"I wasn’t even allowed to have Instagram or TikTok until I was 16,” Stott shares with a smile. “My idea of a good time was watching SpongeBob before school. By the time I hit 18, though, social media felt huge and overwhelming. I barely post anymore. When I do, it’s on a digital camera where I have to wait weeks for the photos.” This intentional disconnection mirrors Penelope’s character, who feels a similar tension with the digital world and embarks on a journey to find peace beyond it.

The role came with challenges, especially as Penelope’s character struggles to feel at home with her family. Unlike Penelope, Megan has a close bond with her mother, who joined her on set. Still, she found a way to tap into that feeling of distance, with help from one of the directors. “Mel and I talked a lot about Penelope’s backstory. Her struggles weren’t because of her family but more about figuring herself out. She’s under so much pressure—SATs, college applications, everything’s moving so fast. She just needs to hit pause and understand who she is.”

The idea of feeling lost is something Megan feels many young women can relate to, and it’s a theme she hopes resonates with Penelope viewers. “We live in such a fast-paced time. It’s rare to feel present, and that’s what I think Penelope wants: to just be in the moment.”

While Megan shares many similarities with her character, she’s also very different. “Penelope’s more of a tomboy,” she laughs. “I’m the opposite! I’m super girly. I love my nail appointments, my makeup, cute outfits. By the time I was her age, I already had a pretty clear idea of who I wanted to be, and I leaned into my strengths. Penelope’s still figuring that out, so it was fun to explore her uncertainty.”

Although she feels clear about who she is now, Megan also knows how challenging self-discovery can be, especially in Hollywood. She’s candid about the industry’s demands and the obstacles young actors often face along the way "There’s so much rejection. Every audition feels like a chance, but it’s mostly ‘no’ after ‘no.’ It’s easy to question yourself and wonder what you’re doing wrong,” she admits. “But if acting is truly what you want, rejection won’t push you away. It might even make you more determined.”

Working alongside big names on Hulu's Little Fires Everywhere gave her a boost of confidence early on, though. “Reese Witherspoon encouraged me to take risks and be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. That’s where the magic happens as an actor.”

Before Penelope, Megan made a strong impression with her role in Little Fires Everywhere, where she starred alongside Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. In the series, based on Celeste Ng’s bestselling novel, Megan played Izzy Richardson, the rebellious, fiercely independent youngest daughter in a highly controlled family. Izzy’s complex character grapples with acceptance, identity, and the desire to break free from her mother’s rigid expectations, leading to tense and explosive moments that became some of the show’s most memorable.

It turns out Witherspoon wasn’t just a mentor; she was also one of Megan’s childhood inspirations. “I used to say, ‘I’ll know I’ve made it if I get to work with Reese Witherspoon,’ so imagine my surprise when Little Fires came along!” she says, laughing. “After that, I didn’t know what my next big dream would be. I also adore Jennifer Lawrence—her comedy style and presence are incredible.”

Her career continues to grow, and Megan is expanding her repertoire. On November 1st, she’ll star in Aftermath alongside Dylan Sprouse. “It’s an action-packed story with explosions, fighting, and all the cool stuff,” she says excitedly. “I play the younger sister trying to reconnect with her brother, and there’s plenty of banter and sibling moments. It’s totally different from Penelope, but it was such a blast to film.”

For Megan, the balance of doing something emotionally deep like Penelope and following it up with action in Aftermath is exactly where she wants to be. “I love roles that challenge me in different ways, whether it’s comedy, drama, or action. Each one has something unique to offer, and I’m always looking for projects that make me grow.”

Penelope is available to stream on Netflix, where you can follow Megan Stott’s journey as she brings this unique, nature-bound story to life.