For Alexa Swinton, playing Rock (formerly known as Rose) on And Just Like That was a dream come true. Not only did she get to take on an important storyline, but she also got amazing advice from Kristin Davis, who plays her mother on the series.
“Kristen introduced herself to me first, which was very kind,” Swinton shared. “Because I don’t know if I would’ve been able to. She said, ‘Hi, I’m Kristen, it’s great to meet you Alexa. I saw your tapes and I knew you were the perfect Rose, because it was Rose at that time.’ Kristen made me very aware of the fact that I can always ask for help to run my lines with people.”
Throughout the series, Rock tells her mother and father that they identify as non-binary — a moment that Swinton hopes other teens can connect with.
“They said that it really did make them feel like it was more normalized,” Swinton said of the reaction from her friends. “Because when you see someone like you on media, it makes you feel like you’re not abnormal. You’re not alone. Like I said, I have a lot of friends that have the same experiences. They had to come out to their parents. Maybe they haven’t yet.”
The actress added, “My character is very much realistic for 12-year-olds that are living through the current times. Because there are a lot of people like that.”
In one scene, Rock tells Charlotte that she doesn’t feel like a girl — an important situation that the young star will never forget. “I was like, I’m glad we’re finally getting something like this, because I haven’t seen it,” she told GRAZIA USA.
Though acting alongside Davis and Sarah Jessica Parker may be daunting, it seems like Swinton took it all in stride. “She was very comfortable with me, which made me very comfortable with her,” Swinton revealed of working with Davis.
“Alexa has been acting professionally for most of her life, so I didn’t really try to give her any advice about the industry,” Davis added. “Alexa is very confident and doesn’t seem to need much praise, which is unusual for someone her age, and so perfect for the part of Rose/Rock.”
