We won’t dwell on the fact that over a decade has passed since its first release. pitch perfect The movie came out (just…how?!), kicking off a trilogy that left us all obsessed with a cappella and wishing we were part of the Bellas’ band of beautiful weirdos. Instead, let’s focus on the fact that one of our favorite Barden Bellas, nervous leader Aubrey, is about to return to our screens in a big way.
Well, sort of. Anna Camp stars in Peacock’s new horror thriller hysteria. While you could definitely argue that her new character, Tracy Whitehead, is just as neurotic and traditionalist as Aubrey, that’s where the similarities end. Aubrey may have daddy issues, but Tracy is “mommy dearest.”
hysteria The story takes place in the late ’80s, a time when people’s hair was big and the horrific paranoia of the Satanic Panic was high. When a beloved college quarterback goes missing, a struggling high school heavy metal band decides to capitalize on everyone’s obsession with the occult by renaming themselves the Satanic Metal Band. However, a series of bizarre events that followed seemed to place the target on their leather-encrusted backs.
Camp’s Tracy was the mother of a local teenage girl, a devout Midwestern crusader known around town as a fanatic. However, people finally begin to take her seriously when her extreme religious beliefs seem to predict strange events.
We took a few minutes to chat with Kemp about her complex new character, true crime TV obsession, and more.
Scary Mom: How would you describe your character, Trish?
Anna Camp: There are many words to describe Tracy Whitehead. I think she was a very protective mother. Her drive is incredible. I also think she is a very broken person who is very ashamed of who she really is. I think she is protective first and foremost, loves her daughter and will do anything to save her from the evil in the world and shelter her.
SM: What is it like for you to play the mother of teenagers?
AC: This is my first time playing a mom to a teenager. It’s really fascinating because I didn’t have children of my own, but I did have a mother that I loved very much, and I did grow up testing limits and pushing boundaries and being a little bit rebellious. I developed a really lovely relationship with actress Nikki Hahh. I love her like a daughter. I love her like a friend.
Our relationship off camera is the complete opposite of on camera, and I think that makes it easy to be with her because we have this very safe relationship where we can really go to extremely dark places. In order to go to these dark and intense places together on camera, you really have to trust each other and build a connection there.
I love playing a mom, and even though Trish seems crazy to people, I don’t judge her. I think everything she does is out of her kindness, everything she does is out of love.
SM: You’ve played villains before, but this feels new, exciting and fulfilling. What did you think when you first saw the script?
AC: I just logged in after reading one script. I don’t know what’s going to happen to Tracy, or anyone, throughout the series. First of all, I just love the world it’s set in: the late ’80s, the Satanic Panic, the conflict between rock and roll and religion. It’s also very timely right now – people are still trying to censor things, people are being told they shouldn’t read certain books or listen to certain music. Certain groups are being socially isolated. This is very common in our show.
I also love crime suspense thrillers. This is what I watch in my spare time: true crime and date line. I don’t know what it means to me to relax by watching a true crime documentary. But I love a good suspense thriller, so I’m excited to be on board.
SM: Look, I get it. My husband joked that I was having an affair with Lester Holt date line.
AC: I love Keith Morrison. Thank you for not judging me.
SM: hysteria It feels right this time of year. What other scary things do you like to watch?
AC: I love revisiting classic old horror movies. The first horror movie I ever watched that I always go back to and enjoy watching is poltergeist. I guess I watched it when I was Carol Anne’s age, so I shouldn’t have. For a year I couldn’t go near the TV because I thought I would be sucked in and never get out. But I love that movie; I love the ’80s hairstyles, the wardrobe, everything.
I also like this movie Carrie. It’s a classic and I actually rewatched it before filming because I knew there was a controlling, religious mother aspect to it [co-creator, showrunner, and executive producer] Matt Scott Kane drew from these characters to create these characters.
SM: A classic choice. I know everyone always asks you if you will visit Aubrey again pitch perfectbut since we’re talking about horror, what about Sarah? true blood? Do you think she came out of the basement?
AC: Good question. So crazy! I think she did come out of the basement. I don’t think she’s dead. I think she was so conniving and manipulative that she somehow got Pam to let her go and then she went off somewhere to cause mischief. Maybe she likes vampires now, maybe she could have been a vampire. We don’t know, but I definitely think she’s still alive and out there doing what she does best in her Southern way, wreaking havoc.
You can stream hysteria It will be broadcast on Peacock from October 18th.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
