Nina Dobrev has her eyes on a new horizon as she seeks to join the cast of the hit Hulu series Paradise for its second season. The former Vampire Diaries star and passionate environmental advocate, 36, expressed her excitement and the personal stakes involved in a recent interview with Parade, where she detailed her collaboration with SC Johnson for their World Recycling Day campaign.
Dobrev revealed her connection to the series, noting, "I recently became friends with Nicole Brydon Bloom, and she's on the show. So at first I was like, 'Oh, I'll just watch it to be a good friend and support her,' and quickly became very addicted to it." Her ambitions were further fueled when she randomly met series star Sterling K. Brown while filming in Australia. "Ironically, the second I landed in Australia to shoot my movie recently, the first person I saw was Sterling K. Brown in the lobby of my hotel," she added. "And it was the day after I had watched, I think, the whole thing." Dobrev's enthusiasm comes alive as she reflects on this serendipitous encounter with Brown, saying, "Between the three of them, I'm heavily campaigning to be in Season 2. That would be amazing."
But Dobrev's interest in joining Paradise goes beyond mere enjoyment or ambition; it also mirrors her commitment to environmental advocacy. She passionately discussed the show's themes, stating, "I mean, the global crisis theme of the show and the reason why they're even in paradise is because of what's going on in the environment. And it really is a global crisis that is imminent. All the shows and the things we're consuming, they're all starting to write about [it] and put that on the screens because it's the most pressing issue that faces our generation." This intersection of Dobrev's career aspirations and her environmental mission highlights the urgency of the conversation surrounding climate change.
Dobrev has partnered with SC Johnson, along with EarthEcho International and Conservation International, for a campaign aimed at promoting collective action to reduce plastic waste. She emphasized the importance of big companies taking responsibility for the environment: "A lot of [SC Johnson's] products are made with recycled plastics. It seems like it's such a small thing, but when a company that big does it, [it] makes such a big difference." She pointed out that individual efforts to recycle can pave the way for larger change, as it is crucial to ensure that waste is processed correctly. "On a legislative standpoint, once we put it in the bin, we have to make sure that the government's actually doing what it's supposed to with it so that it goes to the right places and it doesn't end up in the oceans [and] doesn't end up on our beaches."
Central to SC Johnson's campaign is Zuzu, a spirited hermit crab who embarks on a journey to recycle a discarded bottle left on his beach. Zuzu’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive impact of plastic waste, yet it also provides a glimmer of hope for future recovery. Dobrev described the campaign's mascots, saying, "The mascot is so freaking cute, so that makes it helpful and easy to get people linked in, because I feel like as soon as they watch the movie, they really start to feel for it." The emotional connection forged through storytelling, she believed, could inspire people to take action. "I cried. It's a really moving film."
To further engage the public, Dobrev laid out three actionable steps everyone can take right now to contribute to environmental stewardship: "The three actionable steps are: join the movement, watch the Zuzu film, and then sign the petition. [It] takes 10 minutes out of your life," she asserted, conveying her hope for real change. Dobrev believes that collective action could lead to significant improvements in environmental health and sustainability.
As for Paradise, the new series, created by Dan Fogelman and featuring a stellar cast, delves into the urgent themes of family and survival set against a gripping narrative involving the murder of the president within a bunker. The series effectively employs timeline hopping, mirroring Dobrev's passions for connecting stories and characters in a meaningful way. We see the emotional struggles of characters, just as we do in Dobrev’s environmental mission. With a narrative based on familial ties and personal sacrifices, the show has been compared to Fogelman's previous hit, This Is Us.
While This Is Us delicately explored family relationships and emotional growth, Paradise ramps up the stakes as characters fight to protect their loved ones in a post-apocalyptic setting. The developers of the show manage to instill a strong sense of empathy, allowing viewers to become invested in the characters' lives. This depth helps viewers emotionally engage with the unresolved themes of loss and redemption, as shown through the journeys of key characters like James Marsden's President Cal and the fate of characters like Billy.
As the countdown to the second season of Paradise continues, Nina Dobrev remains ardently hopeful about her future in the series as well as the potential for meaningful dialogue surrounding climate issues. Her dual quest as an actress and an environmental advocate brings an inspiring message about the power of individual responsibility and the importance of cultivating community awareness. More than just a wish for a role, Dobrev envisions a world where her artistry and advocacy converge to make a significant impact.
