Alyvia Alyn Lind, star of Netflix’s hit limited series Wayward, admits she’s just as curious as fans about what happens next. The show, created by Mae Martin and co-starring Toni Collette, dives deep into the dark underbelly of the troubled teen industry, centering on Vermont’s fictional Tall Pines Academy. Collette’s character, Evelyn Wade, runs the school with a cult-like grip, preying on vulnerable teens under the guise of therapy. Among her newest targets is Leila, played by Lind—a Canadian teen who crosses the border in a desperate attempt to rescue her best friend Abbie, only to end up trapped at the institution herself.
Leila’s story is layered with grief and guilt. She’s haunted by the drowning death of her older sister, Jess, a trauma that fuels her drug use and emotional turmoil. Throughout the series, Evelyn manipulates Leila’s fragile state, convincing her to question her memories of that night. Two versions of the tragedy unfold—one where Jess’s death is a tragic accident, and another where Leila pushes her sister into the pool in a drunken haze. Lind believes the truth leans toward the accidental version. “At the end of the day, I personally believe she didn’t intentionally push her sister,” she explains. “People who experience trauma often have memory gaps, which makes it easy for someone like Evelyn to twist the truth and exploit those vulnerabilities.”
The manipulation runs deeper than Leila realizes. After Jess’s death, her mother emotionally abandons her, and at Tall Pines, Evelyn fills that void, pretending to offer love and guidance. By the time Leila chooses to stay behind while Abbie escapes, it’s clear she’s fallen under Evelyn’s psychological control. “Leila genuinely believes she’s found a family there,” Lind says. “But all of that was placed in her head by Evelyn. She preyed on Leila’s soft center, hiding behind that tough exterior.”
Lind joined Wayward soon after her previous show, Chucky, was abruptly canceled, calling the new project a “grateful and seamless transition.” Whereas Chucky leaned into camp and supernatural chaos, Wayward is grounded in real-world horror. “It was refreshing to dive into something raw and emotionally complex,” she shares. The shift challenged Lind to explore trauma, manipulation, and identity in ways that felt deeply human.
Although Wayward was always described as an “eight-episode limited series,” the open-ended finale has sparked talk of a continuation. Lind admits the entire cast grew increasingly attached to their characters. “We were all aware it was a limited series from the start, but the more time we spent together, the sadder we became about it ending,” she says. “You never know, though—limited series get renewed all the time. We’d all love to return. I especially want to see where Leila goes next.”
Lind, who grew up in a showbiz family, began acting at just three years old alongside her sisters, Emily and Natalie Alyn Lind, and their mother, actress Barbara Alyn Woods. “I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t on set,” she recalls. “It might sound exhausting to some, but for me it was a dream come true.” Despite growing up surrounded by actors, Lind insists she was never pressured into it. “My mom always gave us the choice. She’d ask, ‘Do you still like this? Are you happy?’ And we all said yes. That’s why I’ve never lost my love for it.”
Watching Wayward with her family, Lind noticed something funny. “When I cry on screen, I look just like my oldest sister, Natalie. And certain smirks or expressions remind me of Emily. I’m a mix of both of them—it’s strange and sweet at the same time.” The sisters share some mannerisms but have distinctly different acting styles. “Even though we learned from the same coach—our mom—we all developed our own rhythm.”
Filming Wayward in Toronto, where she has dual citizenship, felt like coming home for Lind, who has shot several projects there. She describes the emotional weight of the drowning scene—the story’s centerpiece—as both daunting and rewarding. “We filmed all night, from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. It was physically and emotionally draining, but that’s what made it so powerful,” she says.
In one of the most pivotal moments, Leila shares pizza and music with Duck, a previously intimidating staff member, while Pink Floyd’s “Time” plays—a song heard earlier in the series. Lind interprets the scene as the moment Leila begins to surrender. “It’s the first time she sees something human in that place. Suddenly, she thinks, ‘Maybe this isn’t so bad. Maybe they were really trying to help me.’ It’s the scariest kind of manipulation—when kindness becomes a trap.”
Working alongside Toni Collette was another transformative experience. “Just watching her was a masterclass,” Lind says. “She switches between accents effortlessly and brings so much depth to her character. I was a huge fan before we met, so I was nervous, but she couldn’t have been more generous. Seeing her bring Evelyn to life was incredible.”
Lind’s passion for her craft remains clear—and so does her affection for Leila. Whether Wayward ends here or continues, Lind feels a deep connection to her character’s journey. “Leila’s ending breaks my heart,” she admits. “I want her to get as far away from that school as possible, but she has to figure that out herself. I can’t protect her forever.”
