Zoe Kosovic Talks Netflix's Guarding Stars, Working With Jared Padalecki and Leighton Meester, and Her Superhero Dreams
Exclusive Written Interview | Pop Culture Unplugged

Zoe Kosovic Talks Netflix's Guarding Stars, Working With Jared Padalecki and Leighton Meester, and Her Superhero Dreams

Young actress Zoe Kosovic opens up about playing Clementine, her unforgettable experiences with Hollywood stars, the fun of filming a holiday movie, and the acting journey that began with a visit to her brother's film set.

For young actress Zoe Kosovic, stepping onto a film set has never felt like simply going to work. From visiting her older brother during filming to landing roles alongside some of Hollywood's most recognizable names, Kosovic has developed a genuine love for storytelling, acting, and everything that happens behind the camera.

Now, Kosovic is taking on the role of Clementine in Netflix's holiday romantic comedy Guarding Stars, arriving November 18. The film features Jared Padalecki, Leighton Meester, and Andie MacDowell, and Kosovic's experience on set was filled with laughter, friendships, Christmas decorations, card games, and even an unforgettable snowball fight.

In this exclusive written interview with Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias, Kosovic shares her earliest memories of filmmaking, what she learned from her co-stars, why Clementine felt so familiar, and the dream role she hopes to play one day.

Early Career & Acting Journey

You've been passionate about acting since you were very young, inspired by watching your older brother on film sets. What are some of your earliest memories, and when did you realize acting was something you wanted to pursue?

I remember visiting my brother on a set he worked on in Halifax called Sharp Corner. I loved getting to visit and never wanted to leave. I remember being sad I had to be quiet on set, while my brother got to say lines and act and play make believe on camera. I really wanted to do that. I also loved all the free food and meeting all the nice people (the crew). I went almost every day and loved it.

We've heard that you loved being on set so much as a child that you sometimes didn't want to leave! What was it about the filmmaking environment that captured your imagination at such a young age?

I really did and still do. I love playing pretend and thought it is so awesome to play pretend and it be filmed to make a story. I would watch the tv screens (monitors) at video village and I would lean over and see the people in real life doing the scene and then saw them on the screen and thought it was so cool it was filmed and turned into a movie. I thought it was funny though and sometimes confusing because you don't shoot the story in order.

Growing up in the entertainment industry is a unique experience. How has being involved in filmmaking from such a young age shaped you both personally and professionally?

I am not really nervous to be on set because I am use to it and I love it so much. I also give my ideas sometimes too. I am not afraid to talk to grown ups. I become close to all the crew and other actors. It is really hard to say goodbye to all the friends I make though.

I have also learned some of the other jobs crew do on set and I love to help out. One of my last projects, I got to help at craft/crafty and would give out the sandwiches and make some of the drinks. I only got to help mostly when I was wrapped, but I liked that.

Sometimes I got to be like an AD and say "quiet on set" "rolling" I like that because I get to speak into a walkie. I also got to do my stuffed animal "Unicorn Rosie's" makeup and hair while I was in hair and make up and got good ideas from the hair and make up people. One time, they even gave me my own makeup bag for Unicorn Rosie filled with cool things.

"I am not really nervous to be on set because I am use to it and I love it so much." — Zoe Kosovic

Netflix's Guarding Stars

You're appearing as Clementine in Netflix's upcoming holiday romantic comedy Guarding Stars. How did the opportunity come about, and what was your reaction when you found out you'd landed the role?

I got the audition and did the self tape and had fun doing it. I also saw it filmed in Calgary and I really wanted to go back to Calgary to film because I was there for two other projects before and love Calgary so much.

My Mom read me what the movie was about and it seemed like it would be fun. I did the callback and waited to hear if I booked or not, and when I found out I did, I was sooooo excited, like super duper excited.

I also did some Chem reads with Noah (he plays my Dad) and a couple actors who were trying out to be my Mom and a couple actors trying out to be my brother and I thought that was really cool because I got to already see who my Dad was going to be.

Tell us a little about Clementine. What drew you to the character, and what can audiences expect from her in the film?

She seemed like me. She is fun, outgoing, honest, and loves the holidays and all holiday activities and loves her family. She even has a brother too. I love how her Uncle Jack plays guitar.

My dad plays guitar in real life and I like to sing along and it was fun to do that on film with my Guarding Stars family. You can expect her to be funny and honest and playful.

You had the opportunity to work alongside Jared Padalecki, Leighton Meester, and Andie MacDowell. What was that experience like, and did you learn anything valuable from working with such established actors?

Yes, they are super kind, all of them, to everyone on set. They would work on their scenes and were very prepared. When they weren't working on their lines or busy, they spent time with me playing with different toys, puzzles etc I would bring to set.

Leighton let me, my mom, my set brother and his Mom spend a lot of lunches hanging out with her. We played a lot of Go Fish. She is a Mama and I can tell because she is very nice. She even told me about a slime museum in LA. I am going to visit it (she knows I love slime).

"We played a lot of Go Fish. She is a Mama and I can tell because she is very nice." — Zoe Kosovic on Leighton Meester
Was there a particular moment on set with Jared, Leighton, or Andie that really stood out to you or taught you something memorable about acting?

They all taught me it is good to be prepared and practice together and have fun too. We would rehearse things and try them different ways. They also showed me that even they sometimes forget lines but they were very good and would just go again and not get upset and I tried that if I made a mistake.

Also, there is a snowball fight scene and Jared let us actually hit him so my set brother and I and Leighton tried super hard to get him and it was sooo fun. I got so hot from running around, I took all my snow clothes off.

What was the atmosphere like behind the scenes of Guarding Stars? Do you have a favorite memory or funny moment from filming that you can share?

We all were in the same Green room and I like when they put all the actors in the same Green room because we get to spend time together. They felt like family and it makes it so nice to film like that.

I really especially liked playing with my zinger balls with Noah and Siobhan and Go Fish with Leighton. There's a scene where we are decorating for Christmas and that felt so real and fun to be decorating for Christmas so early. I even got to decorate Jared and Leighton haha.

Growing as an Actress

Every project brings new challenges and opportunities to grow. How did working on Guarding Stars challenge you or help you develop as an actress?

All the actors are so good and I was with them a lot so I could see how they would do and how good they were and would want to be like them. If anyone would make mistakes, no one would be mean.

Having a set brother was fun too and sometimes we would continue having fun when they said cut so it was hard to hear cut sometimes. I worked on it for a while and every day I was learning.

When preparing for a role, how do you approach understanding your character and bringing that character to life on screen?

The last few projects I've worked on, the character is like me a lot. Clementine Likes to have fun and be with family and be silly, so it was honestly really easy. I just actually have fun and do the things Clementine is doing so then it isn't like I'm pretending.

I don't know if I am allowed to say, but for this role my character isn't always so nice to Hannah and that was a little hard because Leighton is sooo nice.

Looking Ahead

Looking back at your acting journey so far, what has been your proudest moment, and what advice would you give to other young actors hoping to follow a similar path?

I am really proud that I am able to memorize all the lines. especially from Reminders of Him and Guarding Stars. I am really happy how I played Diem and Clementine.

I would say if you want to do acting and love playing make believe, you should tell your parents and if they say yes, look for an agent.

With Guarding Stars arriving on Netflix November 18, what are you most excited for audiences to see, and what's next for you? Are there any dream roles or future projects you'd love to pursue?

I'm excited for them to see how loving and silly and crazy and how much like a normal family ours is..except one thing is Clementines Uncle Jack is super famous. We all love each other even if we fight sometimes. It's nice for people to have a family like that and not everyone does.

My dream role is to be a super hero because I want to have super powers. It would be awesome.

"My dream role is to be a super hero because I want to have super powers. It would be awesome." — Zoe Kosovic

A Bright Future Ahead

From her earliest experiences visiting her brother on set to sharing scenes with established stars, Zoe Kosovic's enthusiasm for acting shines through. Whether she's learning from her fellow performers, helping the crew, or turning a Christmas scene into a real-life holiday celebration, she brings a playful curiosity to filmmaking.

Her experience playing Clementine in Guarding Stars reflects that passion, combining family, humor, and the joy of bringing a character to life. And while she already has several memorable projects behind her, Kosovic has her sights set on something even bigger: becoming a superhero on screen.

Guarding Stars arrives on Netflix November 18, 2026.

Interview by Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias. Stay connected for more exclusive conversations with the stars of your favorite movies and television shows.

Photo Credit: Nick Reuper