An Interview with Princess K. Mapp, Daire McLeod, & Nour Assaf from ‘Ghostwriter’

The third season of Ghostwriter gets underway on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 21, 2022, and in anticipation of its arrival, we here at Nerds That Geek were fortunate to sit down with the cast. And here is what Princess K. Mapp, Daire McLeod and Nour Assaf had to say about their roles and this brand-new season of storytelling.
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John Betancourt: What does it mean to all of you, to be part of such a storied franchise?

Nour Assaf: We are so grateful, you know. This whole journey from the beginning of February of 2021. We filmed through COVID, there was challenges, but we got through them. And we're so thankful for such an amazing cast, crew, production, everyone huge shout out to them.

Daire McLeod: And I think to be part of such a coveted franchise, like you said, that was around since the 90s, which is amazing. And the fact that not only did we get to, you know, continue on the story of that version, we also got to start a completely new one of the reboot! So, I found it was really cool, that, you know, we got to also carry all this literature and all of this, and honoring these classic stories that I feel like everyone's read at some time.

Princess K. Mapp: I really love the fact that we are showcasing very important topics that are happening in our everyday world, like Nia experiencing racism and Samir’s issues. And Charlie's issues, too. We each have issues that people go through. And I'm excited to other people to realize that they're not alone. And we also go through the same things.

John Betancourt: Now since this is basically a playground of a show, where you three get to hang out with mythical characters all day long, how do you as actors maintain that sense of wonder all day?

Princess K. Mapp: Oh, well, to stay in that mindset all day, I guess you just got to really just be positive. And just like, in your own little imaginative world, and with the CGI I think that those scenes were like, at first, I thought they're gonna be really difficult. But imagining something there is not really that hard if you just really put your mind to it. And just like using the magic and mystery that we have in the show into like our acting, it really helped.

Daire McLeod:  I think that the reason that the show you know, staying in that positive and wonder-filled mindset all day, I think it actually… and I'm gonna go into something a little bit but like, when I was like really, really young, I always used to do like these games where I'd be in these fictional worlds, I'd be playing with my friends, we’d like make believe we're princesses one day and then thieves that are like princesses, the next. (Laughter from all) There was always some kind of element though of royalty. I don't know why. (More laugher) But anyways, but it was just really cool. That I got to be part of a story that not only portrays like I said, literature, books, and music, because I'm a musician, but it's like really cool that I got to you know, live in that fantasy worlds for six months. Which was really amazing.

Nour Assaf: Adding on to both of them. Yeah, like the positivity, super important of having that mindset and staying humble to yourself, especially as an actor in this industry. Staying positive all day. Yeah. Samir as a character, he has a Syrian accent. And me being originally Lebanese, my parents have that middle eastern accent. So, it was easy for me to put on that accent. However, it kind of takes away from the acting perspective, as when you're acting normally you have to focus on only acting. And when you're acting with an accent, you have to focus on an accent while acting. So that made it pretty difficult. And it was a challenge at first, however, I overcame that. And, you know, I think it really helped me grow as an actor. I really enjoyed that experience.

John Betancourt: What would you like audiences to know about your characters in advance?

Daire McLeod: I think what I would want people to know about Charlie, is that Charlie is definitely a “march to the beat of her own drum” kind of girl, me and her both live by the motto “dare to be different.” And I think that she's going to teach everybody, you know, being authentically yourself is what's most important because her conflict through the show is feeling like a second fiddle to her older sister who is perfect, and she is beautiful and smart and has all of these awards and accomplishments. And I feel like that makes Charlie sometimes feel, you know, like she's not enough as herself because, you know, magician, wanting, and her parents want her to get into the painting business when she doesn't really want to. So, I think that's going to be something that could inspire people, because it's talking about that even if sometimes it gets tough to be yourself that you always have to be that way.

Princess K. Mapp: For Nia, I think everyone should know that at first, she is not really a team player, she is a… to herself straight to the point kind of girl. And she loves her own company like she is fine with it. And she's been comfortable with that for a while. So, when she goes throughout this journey with Samir, and Charlie, it's such a new environment for her. So, she's kind of hard at first, but you get to see the character development throughout the show and how much stronger and more lovable Nia becomes.

Daire McLeod: Oh yes, so lovable. (Laughter from all)

Nour Assaf: Yeah, so Samir. He's a Syrian refugee. And throughout the show, he goes through many, many situations where he's feeling differently. And he's… you know… it's not fair. And I just want little, little boys and girls across the world who might be going through the same thing as Samir to be inspired and to know that they're not alone. And they're going through this together, and hopefully, this can bring awareness to the public.

John Betancourt: That and something Princess mentioned earlier, actually leads me right into my next question. What does it mean to each of you personally, to be part of a show that is working to tackle some important topics and start some important discussions?

Nour Assaf: Yeah, I'm super grateful to be a part of a show like this. Because if you look at these, like all these shows that are being released and these movies, they don't really focus on much of real-world issues that people are going through. And that's what I really, really liked about the season. And it really brought attention to me.

Princess K. Mapp: Yeah, like I'm honestly really honored to be on the show where we’re showcasing these true events, because this is really happening in the real world. And it's really important and people need to know that this is happening. Nia’s character is another girl out there going through the same thing. So, Nia and others are out there going through the same thing. And there are millions of kids like that, and millions of people going through that today. And I'm very happy that we get to showcase that, and show that that they're not alone, and that we're here and what our characters do after that, and how they grow and how they become powerful, instead of letting that change who they are, and define who they are.

Nour Assaf: One hundred percent.

Daire McLeod: Yeah. And I think for me, it's just, it's so cool to be a part of a show, that's not only tackling the social issues, but tackling the issue of, you know, literature and all of that, and how people, you know, I feel sometimes get absorbed in the things that don't matter, the materialistic things. The things about social media and appearances. And it's, I think it's really cool that we're not only tackling the issues that are very prevalent and very heavily, not only discussed today, but also have been needed to be discussed for years.

Princess K. Mapp: Centuries.

Nour Assaf: Yeah, like right now the world is really, really revolved around electronics and social media and what happens here and what happens there. While this show what's different about it is how it really focus on reading and literature and magic and mystical things. You know, it's a reimagining of the hit early 90s show, and we're rebooting it now. And I'm so grateful.

John Betancourt: Last question I have for all of you today, what are each of you most proud of when it comes to your time on this show?

Princess K. Mapp: Well, like I said before, I'm very proud of Nia because of what she's gone through. And to show afterwards how powerful and the activist she becomes because Nia did not let that change her. She made it, she let it become better. She made it, she’s grown from it. And she, she changed from it. And I'm very happy that people can see that and to learn from that and to apply that in their own life.

Daire McLeod: I think… ah… and I'm starting to get emotional a little bit. I've like always wanted to do this. Since I was like 12. Like… whoa… sorry. So that was like, as soon as I stepped on stage for local theater productions for a little theater camp that I was in. And you know, the idea is that I got to… oh… gosh… live out my dreams for first six months was really cool.

Nour Assaf: Oh, yeah, I'm super proud of the show for you know, being that different show out there. Not that not that same show that always focuses on the genre, like, comedy, action, thriller. Those shows and movies are great, but I'm really proud of how this isn't. It's different. It's really… it's really sending a message out to the world.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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