Exclusive interview with Hettienne Park  about Disclosure Day 

By Jean-Paul Eliard
June  30 2026

Hi Hettienne, I am very happy to do this interview.

Could you introduce yourself to the visitors of cinema-movietheater.com?

Hi, my name is Hettienne Park. I’m an American stage, television and film actress. I grow my own food. And I love music.
Thank you for inviting me to this interview. 

What do you like when you read the script? And what did you think when you discovered your character Serena? 

It was thrilling to read the script.  It was hand delivered to me and I had to guard it like it was a newborn child. 
I found it fascinating, exciting, confusing, and creative.  I think Serena is an interesting character, powerful and mysterious.
I kept thinking about her name and why she's named Serena. Serena means peaceful, tranquil, calm. 
As we were filming, I started to really understand that the story is profound. 
It felt like puzzle pieces coming together showing me an image I couldn’t have imagined.  Then after watching DISCLOSURE DAY at the premiere in New York, I left realizing more and more. 
The layers of symbolism and meaning run deep.  And if you dive in, it’s fascinating. I need to watch and experience the film again.  The details are staggering.  There is so much to think about.

Can you tell us how you got your role?

My reps asked me to submit a self-tape so I auditioned.  A few weeks later,
I was offered the role. And of course, I was so happy to accept.

How did you prepare for your role?

I read the script several times. I thought about what would drive Serena to join Wardex, to achieve her position, to devote herself to a cause she believed in and why, how she was recruited. 
I did some research on government agencies, law enforcement training, and the military.  I also considered who she is to Scanlon (played by the wonderful Colin Firth). 
What is their relationship, their dynamic, what drives her loyalty…
Any details that help me make her a fully formed person rather than a vague broad stroke. 
It’s the stuff that nobody else sees or cares about.  And of course, I thought about how Serena and Wardex fit into the story.   

How was the shooting with Eve Hewson, Josh O'Connor, Stars Emily Blunt,......... and the director Steven Spielberg?

The cast is spectacular.  It was super relaxed and very entertaining being on set with them. 
Everyone seemed genuinely grounded and easy going and stoked to be there. It is pretty special working on a job where every single person involved is so excited to be there. 
Working with Steven Spielberg was a dream.  He’s so good at making you feel welcomed and his energy and passion are infectious. 
He’s the consummate master of his craft with the sparkly fire of a kid. 
I loved watching him between set ups just filming moments with his iphone. 
He probably has the greatest home videos of all time.  

I'm fn of  these series. The Beast in Me, I watched on Netflix France, 9-1-1: Lone Star and Numb3rs, I watched on French Channel.

Could you tell me what filming was like for those three series?

I don’t have Spielberg’s memory so I can’t recall much detail about 911 LONE STAR or NUMB3RS. I think I was barely a blip on those shows.
Let’s see…911 LONE STAR I remember filming the exterior of a firehouse in NYC and then flying to LA to film the interior of that firehouse and I remember Rob Lowe making a real smoothie in the pretend kitchen. 
NUMB3RS I worked on in LA and it was one of my first television jobs I think?
I remember my father-in-law who was a brilliant scientist was delighted that
I played a character who was a math nerd.  Probably because I’m terrible at math.

BEAST IN ME was more recent and I loved working on that show!
That was a great cast and crew. We filmed mostly in New Jersey and I started while I was still working on BLACK RABBIT (another limited series for Netflix).
It was such a great pleasure working with Claire Danes, David Lyons, and directors Lila Neugebauer, Antonio Campos, Tyne Rafaeli. 
The writing was so good.  I mean, every creative and producer across the board was top tier. It was so much fun to play and go on a ride with my character, Erika Breton.  And such a privilege to work with this team.

".....Ms. Park is a recipient of the 68th Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway as well as Off-Broadway debuts......" Source biography on IMDb 

What memories do you have of this award?

That was an honor and surprise to get a double prize.
My off-Broadway debut I played Sooze Moon Marcantonio in Tony Kushner’s play at The Public Theatre called “The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures.” 
Fun fact: The inimitable Tony Kushner has collaborated with Spielberg on several films.
I’m incredibly blessed and amazed to have worked with such titans. My Broadway debut was in Theresa Rebeck’s “Seminar” on Broadway at the Golden Theatre. 
I played Izzy alongside another top tier cast including the late, great Alan Rickman. I mean, come on now.  What a phenomenal talent and beautiful human.
Receiving this award really moved me.  When you’re scraping by as a struggling actor, you get used to being just a blip and being overlooked.
It was so uplifting and encouraging to feel like my work and contribution actually landed somewhere. And it was the first time I felt like I was part of a community and that I belonged.  I will never forget it. 

When and why did you choose to become an actress? 

I had a lot going on when I was growing up. I was in dance classes and music lessons pretty early on around age 3 or so. 
By the time I was in middle school, probably 6th grade, I was also into sports and clubs and because I loved to dance, I joined the school musicals. I was in CATS and WEST SIDE STORY and had a blast.
Then in 9th grade I won a “best supporting actress award” in an old timey comedy at school.  In 12th grade, I worked on a ground-up piece that was about the Vietnam war. 
The high school acting teacher incorporated some of my ideas which was amazing to have my thoughts turn into reality on stage.  Unlike dance and music, this was something I chose to do on my own. 
I love the collaboration. I love storytelling.  This art form requires so many different skills and levels of awareness and forms of expression, it struck me as such an interesting challenge.
And the sound of an audience's laughter is the best. Just the gathering of people sharing an experience together is so unifying and awesome.

While I was in college, the English Department offered a theatre seminar in London.  I signed up and got to see 14 productions in ten days and my mind was blown.
I saw Theatre de Complicite’s Metamorphisis, Midsummer Night’s Dream at The National Theatre, Comedy of Errors, Hamlet, Assassins, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Josephine, The Maids - just to name a few.  It was life changing. 

I double majored in Economics and Religion. 
I attempted to get involved with the university’s drama club, but it was too exclusive of a clique for me to join. 
Once I graduated, I started waiting tables. Found a local theatre. Performed on stage in plays and met a couple older actors who encouraged me to move to NYC and pursue acting. 
So I did. The only way I could afford seeing any theatre was to volunteer as an usher. I collected and studied playbills. Based on my research, I decided to train at The William Esper Studio. Completed their two-year program.
Continued waiting tables, worked as an office temp. Also worked as a transcriptionist.
Joined various theatre groups, auditioned for various casting directors and agents, decided to quit acting about 30 some odd times until I finally got representation and booked my first professional job around 2004.

What is your next challenge / project?

I’m currently playing Sergeant Elise Park on THE LAST OF US for HBO.  

Do you have anything else you'd like to add?

Sure. I’ll add a shout-out to any Fannibals out there. They’ve always been so supportive, loyal, and positive. Thank you, guys! 

Thank you very much for your interview Hettienne, I wish you the best.

Same to you. Thank you!

More information about Hettienne on IMDb.