IN CONVERSATION WITH MADISON LINTZ

interview by JANA LETONJA

Madison Lintz is starring in Prime Video’s ‘Bosch: Legacy’, which will be premiering its final episode on 27th March. From playing Sophia in ‘The Walking Dead’ to commanding the screen in ‘Bosch: Legacy’, she’s built an impressive career while staying refreshingly relatable

You’ve been part of the ‘Bosch’ franchise for quite some time now. How has Maddie Bosch evolved from the beginning, and what has it been like watching her grow over the years?

Maddie and I grew up together, a lot of our life milestones happened at the same time. We learned to drive together, we graduated high school at the same time, we experienced all the growing pains that come along with becoming an adult and stepping into your career of choice. It’s been quite an honor and a privilege to stay with a character for so long, I’ll treasure the experience for the rest of my life.

‘Bosch: Legacy’ has become such a beloved series. What has playing Maddie Bosch meant to you personally, and how has it shaped your own journey as an actress?

I have definitely learned so much about myself in my journey to continue developing Maddie as a character. There is a lot of strength and confidence I’ve found within myself, because it exists so boldly in Maddie. It comes so easily to her, she stands so firmly in what she believes in. I felt I had no choice but to find how that manifests in my life in order to allow it to truly shine in Maddie’s character. Her storyline has taken me places I never thought I would ever go as an actress, and rising to the challenge has been incredibly rewarding. I’m so thankful to the writers and producers for putting their trust in me. Playing Maddie has really taught me to be open to any and all roles that may come in the future. You just never know where a certain character may take you, or what they might teach you. 

Looking back on your time with the ‘Bosch’ franchise, are there any standout moments or scenes that left a lasting impact on you, either as an actress or personally?

Where to start? Working with Titus was always a wonderful experience. For him, it was always the pursuit of “beating the page”, which I always found very inspiring. He also always held space for me especially, as a younger newer actress to really spread my wings as an artist. I can never thank him enough for that. Any scene at the Bosch house, I’ll never forget that view. The sunsets were so beautiful, they’d often film them to use in the show. They were usually the last shots before lunch. While the camera was rolling, the whole cast and crew would stand and watch, in complete silence. Those quiet sunsets stand out so vividly in my mind. 

Hollywood can be a tough industry to navigate. What challenges have you faced along the way, and how have you built resilience in such a competitive environment?

I have definitely come face to face with failure more times than I can count. Learning how to navigate that with grace and gentleness, as well as self-awareness, so that I might learn from those failures and carry the lessons with me has been a wonderful study of trial and error. I used to think resiliency was built by grit and will power, but what I have learned is it’s more about shifting your perspective. In my opinion, there can be no triumph worthwhile without failure of some kind of first. I try to think of failure as an old friend, who will, whether I want them to or not, walk with me the rest of my life. That perspective shift has certainly helped me feel more resilient in this crazy industry. 

You’ve spoken about the power of confidence and independence in your career. How have you learned to embrace those qualities, and how do they impact the roles you choose and the way you approach your work?

I think looking for qualities, no matter how minor, that exist in the character within myself has definitely increased my confidence as an artist. Once I find that through line, there’s nothing that can stop me. The more I define how qualities like confidence, like power, even like grief or shame or anger manifest within me, the easier I can identify them within a character.

You’ve portrayed strong, independent women in both ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Bosch: Legacy’. What do you think is the significance of stepping into these kinds of roles, and how do they contribute to the conversation around women in Hollywood?

It’s an honor to portray the type of woman like Maddie Bosch who stands her ground in a professional setting. My hope is that it has resonated with women watching who may be in similar situations in their real life. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about for me and I can only hope that message has been received.

What would you consider the most significant milestone for you so far, and how do you reflect on your journey?

The past three years have been such a whirlwind. The undertaking that was ‘Bosch: Legacy’ is definitely the most significant and certainly the most gratifying milestone to date. I felt like this show allowed me to really portray Maddie as a fully grown woman, making it technically my first adult role. This allowed me to really dig deep creatively, and while it was extremely challenging, it was equally as rewarding.

With your growing fame, how have you managed to stay grounded and relatable to your fans, despite the challenges and pressures that come with being in the spotlight?

Once I noticed the ‘Bosch’ fanbase really begin to take shape, I definitely started to brace myself for some uncomfortable or maybe even negative experiences, as I knew they were probably inevitable given the nature of the job. I also began to check myself because I know what can happen to people, especially given my age, if they experience a certain level of exposure without anyone around them to help them maintain a healthy perspective. While I will continue to self monitor and surround myself with good and honest friends, in this case it was so unnecessary. ‘Bosch’ fans are some of the kindest and most respectful people I’ve ever had the pleasure of interacting with. It’s amazing. Any day I happen to meet a ‘Bosch’ fan and have a chat with them is a good day.

Are there any actors, directors, or industry figures who have inspired you or played a role in shaping your career, particularly as a young woman in Hollywood?

Titus Welliver and Mimi Rodgers have been incredible role models to me for the past ten years, as well as dear friends. The way they navigate the industry with such grace is truly inspiring

With the final episode of ‘Bosch: Legacy’ premiering imminently, what’s next for you? What kind of roles or projects are you most excited to explore in your career moving forward?

I made my stage debut in November. I am definitely excited about trying my hand in the theatre world and have something exciting in the works. I also have a film set to release this fall, which I can’t say much about. 

CREDITS:

photography AUSTIN HARGRAVE