She could be ghost hunting, zombie killing, or stalking the streets as one of the walking dead herself – but a scream queen is on the prowl and horror follows her around.
“I love Halloween, I like to dress up as Freddy Krueger, but a female version. I’ve got a dress with slashes on and the claws. It’s brilliant”, says actor Sabrina Dickens.
Her first paid role was as Marianne Butler in Silent Night Bloody Night: the Homecoming, a casting that began her climb into the world of horror.
The 26-year-old from Castle View said: “Horror’s always been my favourite genre so I enjoy it. I can play a victim, a villain, a zombie flesh eater. I enjoy the overlap and can show my nasty side like in Menu, a short film I did about a psychotic ex-girlfriend.
“Then I got a call from Haunted After Dark magazine saying that they’d like me to represent them as Scream Queen – so even more horror stuff.
“It involves an update of me as that icon representing horror and gore and telling the audience my story.”
Sabrina’s story began in Bristol, moving to Caerphilly 16 years ago where she attended St Helen’s Roman Catholic Primary School before going to Cardinal Newman School in Pontypridd.
Since graduating from the University of South Wales, Sabrina has starred in
Granny of the Dead, which is out next year. It was directed by Tudley James from Newbridge and shot in the town.
She said: “Granny of the Dead is definitely a must-see, if you like Shaun of the Dead you’ll love this one.”
“I’m a zombie slayer. Her weapon of choice is a garden pitchfork so she likes to throw that at their heads. It’s not just normal flesh eating zombie, they’re quite demonic, so it’s quite gory.
“It was such a fun role to play and such a cold storyline. There were times we were out in the pouring rain and I was in this ridiculous crop top with shorts and boots – it was horrible but fun at the same time.”
Sabrina has been head hunted for the UK’s first paranormal activity television show, UK Haunted.
She will present the show “all about ghost hunting” and filmed a promo, “and my god was it scary”.
“I went in there not really as a believer but came out thinking there might be such thing as ghosts, – some things are not explained.
“You trust the people you’re with. They’re all looking for the same thing as you – why would they be false?”
Sabrina’s favourite horror films are the Saw series because there’s “great twists and a lot of gore – that’s what I like”.
But the actor is not all blood and gore, spending some of her time dressing up and entertaining kids.
She explains: “I used to get called in as Princess Belle. I’m a massive fan of Disney and love entertaining children, but I also love horror so it’s a bit of a weird contrast.
“But that’s one of my skills. I’m able to morph into different roles and emotions which is one of my key skills as an actor.
“I’m still trying to take a step from horror because I don’t want to get too typecast.”
And she has diverged into other genres, including playing an extra in Skin Traffik, starring Mickey Rourke.
Her latest film, in which she starred alongside John Altman- Nasty Nick from EastEnders – is “a must-see”.
She said: “In My Lonely Me I play a dual role, kind of like Eddie Murphy would do. I play as the lead girl and her mother. It’s a bit different it’s not a horror, it’s a thriller and a musical.”
Sabrina also plays a desperate actress in web comedy series The Real Kim Valentine. She is looking for as much experience as possible and is enjoying a busy year,
She said: “I’d like two years carrying on what I’m doing in bigger films and I’m trying to get into TV as well. That gives you a good recognition and people start to remember your face.”
For more information about Sabrina Dickens visit SabrinaDickens.com or follow her on Twitter @MissSDickens.