Melanie Liburd Of Catalyst On the Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In TV & Film
…I think, especially in the world we live in today, we sometimes feel like we’re not doing enough. But actually, just moving through the world with good energy, being kind, having empathy, and showing up every day makes a huge difference. The small things in life really add up to the big things. So, I’d say simply striving to be the best version of yourself — consistently — can change the world in ways we don’t always realize…
We had the pleasure of talking with Melanie Liburd. Melanie is a British actress known for her dynamic performances across television, film, and video games. Born in Hertfordshire, England, she was raised in a culturally diverse household. Her mother, Georgina, worked in real estate, while her father, Michael, a martial arts expert, hails from Saint Kitts and Nevis. Liburd grew up alongside her two brothers, Marc and Leon, in Herefordshire.
Initially drawn to the creative arts, Liburd pursued a degree in Fashion Design, earning a Bachelor of Arts with honors while also studying Art History. Her early career saw her working as a fashion and beauty model, a role that allowed her to travel extensively. However, her aspirations shifted toward acting, prompting her to train at the Identity School of Acting in London, a move that laid the foundation for her career in television and film.
Liburd made her screen debut in 2012 with a role in the British action drama Strike Back. She soon gained international attention with a guest appearance as a Red Priestess in the HBO series Game of Thrones (2016), a performance that marked her entry into high-profile productions. Around the same time, she secured a recurring role as Nyx Harper in the science-fiction series Dark Matter, solidifying her presence in genre television.
Her career continued to expand with roles in psychological drama and mainstream television. In 2017, she starred as Alexis in the Netflix series Gypsy alongside Naomi Watts. She then joined the critically acclaimed NBC drama This Is Us (2018–2021) as Zoe Baker, a documentary filmmaker and love interest to Kevin Pearson, a role that introduced her to a broader audience. Liburd further demonstrated her versatility with a turn in Power Book II: Ghost (2020–2022), playing Caridad “Carrie” Milgram, a complex and layered character in the Starz crime drama.
Her work has not been limited to television. In film, she has appeared in projects such as How Sarah Got Her Wings (2015), Brian Banks (2018), and the horror thriller Perpetrator (2023). She also joined the cast of Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024), further expanding her filmography with a role in a major action franchise.
In 2023, Liburd ventured into the gaming world, taking on a leading role in Alan Wake 2, where she provided both voice work and motion capture for the character Saga Anderson. Her performance in the psychological horror game was widely praised, earning her nominations at industry awards, including The Game Awards and the New York Game Awards.
Beyond her acting career, Liburd maintains an active presence on social media, where she engages with fans and shares insights into her work. While she primarily resides between Los Angeles and New York, she frequently travels to London, balancing her international career with time spent with her family.
With a career that spans multiple genres and formats, Liburd has established herself as a versatile and sought-after actress. Whether on screen or in interactive media, she continues to take on roles that challenge conventions and showcase her range as a performer.
Viewers can watch CATALYST now, directed by Chris Folkens, created by Folkens and David Bianchi, and starring Melanie, on AppleTV+.
Melanie, it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share a story from your childhood and how you grew up?
Melanie: How did I grow up? Well, I grew up in the UK, just outside London. I have two brothers, and as soon as I could, I moved to London to pursue acting.
We’re very lucky in the UK — there are some great theater programs and classes, and a lot of artistic and creative opportunities that I wanted to be part of. I went to drama school in London and then moved to California. I fell in love with the place and have been here ever since.
I go back and forth a lot to see my family, but for the last 10 years, I’ve mainly lived between here and New York. And honestly, I’m really enjoying it — it’s been great.
Amazing. Tell us a bit about your first entry into entertainment. Tell us about your first break and how that developed.
Melanie: My first break — oh my goodness. Well, it can definitely be a hustle, and you get a lot of no’s in this business, so you really have to love it.
I came here for pilot season. It used to be a specific time of year, though now it’s more year-round. Back then, it was very intense — especially coming from the UK. Sometimes I’d have four auditions in one evening, then wake up the next day, drive on the other side of the road, and do it all over again. It was a lot.
But I loved it. As an actor, you have to choose how you want to work and not spread yourself too thin. I realized I couldn’t do four auditions a day and still give my best, so I had to make smart choices. It was a lot of work — but really enjoyable.
You must have some amazing stories from all the different projects you’ve worked on. Can you share one or two that stand out in your mind from your professional life?
Melanie: Really good stories or bad stories? There are so many!
I’ve had so many experiences, but for me, what’s most important is that I truly love this business. I’m so grateful to do this job, and I know how hard it can be for people trying to break in. I think the most important thing is to be a good human, give back when you can, and take good advice when it comes your way.
I’ve been really fortunate to work with some amazing actors who have been incredibly generous. Recently, I worked with Will Smith on Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and what stood out to me was how giving and comfortable he is in his own skin. That energy filters down to the entire set. When the lead sets that kind of tone, it creates an environment where everyone — from the crew to the background artists, the cameramen, the director — feels valued. It’s such an ensemble effort, and that sense of collaboration is something I really love, especially coming from a theater background.
Another project that was a joy to be part of was Catalyst. David and Chris, who are friends of mine, asked me, “Do you want to be in our little movie?” This was about 10 years ago, and I said, “Sure! What do you need me to do?” They told me, “Oh, we’ll just bring you in for one day of filming.” And I was like, “Okay, sounds great.”
What I loved about Catalyst was how much of a true collaboration it was. When you see people working really hard, it makes you want to work harder too. And when that energy is there, it becomes fun. Even if you’re doing 12- to 15-hour days, if everyone is enjoying the process, respecting each other, and giving it their all, it doesn’t feel like work anymore.
That’s amazing, great story. It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting out in acting and the lesson you learned from it?
Melanie: Oh my goodness. I think if we didn’t make mistakes, we’d never learn or grow. We have to make mistakes, and I think people forget that. One of my drama teachers used to say, “You have to fail spectacularly to become better and to let go of fear.” We get so caught up in being afraid of failing that we don’t try new things, and that can be really stifling.
In drama school, there’s nothing more embarrassing at the time because they make you try everything. You reach a point where you think, Well, I’ve pretended to be an animal, I’ve embarrassed myself here, I’ve fallen over there, I’ve said the wrong thing in that moment… And eventually, you just stop caring and realize, I may as well go for it. That’s really freeing.
Like all life lessons, it can be disappointing at times. In this industry, you audition for a lot of roles and might only get one out of many. Hopefully, as you go on, your hit rate improves, but you still hear a lot of nos. So it’s important to learn what helps you work at your best.
Like I said earlier, spreading yourself too thin doesn’t work. You only really need one job. That’s something I always tell young actors when I give talks at drama schools. Focus on the work. Don’t stress about things you can’t control. Read all the books, study your craft, and enjoy the process. Then, when the right job comes along, you’ll be ready for it, and it won’t pass you by.
We love hearing stories where someone a bit further ahead opens a door or creates an opportunity that changes another person’s career trajectory. Do you have a story where someone did that for you, or where you did that for someone else?
Melanie: Oh yeah, absolutely. I think it works both ways. When you’ve been in this industry for a long time, you sometimes forget the simple things that helped you when you were just starting out — things you didn’t know yet.
And I’m always studying, by the way. I still find it fascinating. The study of people is never-ending. That’s what’s so intriguing about it — understanding different personality types, what drives people, why they do what they do. Even in films like Catalyst, you explore the psychology behind people’s actions, including the bad ones. Can people be forgiven? Can they change? Those kinds of questions are really interesting to me.
But going back to whether people have helped me — of course. It’s like life, isn’t it? You work hard, hope for a bit of luck along the way, and appreciate the blessings when they come. I try to do what I can to help others, even in the simplest ways, because sometimes that’s all you can do.
You have such an impressive body of work. You already mentioned a few things, but please tell us more about Catalyst and any other projects you’re working on. Where can we watch them?
Melanie: Oh, Catalyst. Yeah, for David and Chris, it was really a labor of love. When you know how hard it is to make a film in this industry, it’s incredible to see people push through and finally complete a movie nine years later. It’s really impressive, and it’s wonderful to see good people succeed.
What I loved about Catalyst — and the script in particular — is that it challenges the audience to think outside the box. It encourages people to see the complexities of life rather than thinking in black and white. Life isn’t simple. More than one thing can be true at the same time.
Can good people do bad things? Yes. Can people change? Yes. Can some terrible acts be forgiven? I don’t know. But the film raises those questions and makes people think, and I believe the most interesting movies are the ones that do that.
So along a similar vein, what lessons do you think our society can take from the broader themes of Catalyst?
Melanie: Oh, goodness. From a life perspective? I think it’s just recognizing that life is complex, not black and white. Multiple things can be true at the same time.
I think Catalyst encourages empathy — understanding human nature and the complexities of people. And ultimately, I think it gives us hope.
That’s great. So, you were in This Is Us, which is one of the most beloved shows of all time. Why do you think that series captured people’s hearts and minds?
Melanie: Oh, I think it’s because the stories were so relatable. It did something similar to what we were just talking about — it was cathartic for people to see themselves on screen. And not just in terms of representation, but in the sense that we’re all living this shared human experience, and it can be challenging.
The show had a way of bringing people together, reminding us that we’re not alone in what we go through. I think This Is Us did a great job of that — really touching people’s hearts. And of course, Dan Fogelman is an amazing writer. He had all of us in tears! I remember reading scripts and thinking, How do they do this? It was fascinating.
And beyond that, it was just a really fun show to be part of. Such a great ensemble, a wonderful cast, and a very welcoming, family-like atmosphere, which is always a joy to work in.
Amazing. How would you compare and contrast yourself, Melanie, with your character, Zoe Baker? How are you similar, and how are you different?
Melanie: Oh, wow — so different!
Zoe had a lot of psychological layers to her. She had a lot of growing up to do and was running from her past and unresolved trauma she wasn’t fully aware of.
But in some ways, we’re similar. Like Zoe, I’m very free-spirited — I love to travel, see the world, meet new people, and experience different cultures. We both have that openness to life and people.
And, of course, she had a lot of fun with Kevin — that’s for sure!
You’ve spoken about the importance of diversity in Hollywood. What progress are you happy to see in that area, and what more would you like to see moving forward?
Melanie: Oh, of course. I think about this a lot.
I grew up in a very diverse neighborhood, but when it came to television, I didn’t really see people who looked like me on screen. Would it have helped if I had? Absolutely. Seeing representation from a young age makes you realize, Oh, I can do that. I can be an actress.
If you had asked me at 10 years old whether I thought I’d be working as an actress in Hollywood, I probably would have laughed and said, What? That’s impossible. It just seemed so far-fetched and out of reach. But when kids — and even adults — see people who look like them, who share their background or experiences, it opens up possibilities. It makes things feel more attainable.
So, I do think progress has been made, and that’s amazing to see. But there’s always more work to do. Representation in every form — on screen, behind the camera, in writing rooms — matters. It’s hugely important.
This is our signature question. Melanie, you’ve been blessed with a lot of success and experience. Looking back to when you first started, what are five things you know now that you wish you had known back then?
Melanie: Oh, this is such a lovely question.
I think, first and foremost, I’d say: trust yourself. Trust the process of life, the failures, and the setbacks. Sometimes we feel like the world is falling apart around us, but those failures often lead to the biggest growth and the lessons we need to become better — not just as actors, but as human beings.
Second, be kind to yourself. We can be so hard on ourselves, constantly striving for more, but it’s important to take a step back and recognize how far we’ve come.
Third, enjoy the journey. There have been times when I put everything into my career and missed out on other aspects of life. That’s part of the sacrifice of any passion or profession, but I’ve learned that balance is key.
Fourth, surround yourself with good people. Find kind, supportive, and uplifting people — whether in your personal life or in the industry. The people around you make all the difference.
And finally, lift others up. Success isn’t just about what you achieve for yourself — it’s about how you support and inspire those around you.
Honestly, those are the things I try to remind myself of every day.
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines you follow to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Melanie: Oh, I’m very much about that, yeah.
I’m not at my best if I don’t move my body, so I try to stay disciplined with working out. Whether it’s going to the gym, taking a hike, or just being in nature, staying active is really important for me — it keeps both my body and my mind strong.
I think, deep down, everyone knows what they need to feel good. The challenge is just staying consistent with it. And ultimately, you have to fight for your happiness — prioritize the things that keep you feeling your best.
You’ve built a career that spans both the UK and the US. What are some of the biggest differences between the entertainment industries in both countries?
Melanie: Oh, they’re definitely different. Culturally, there are noticeable differences between working in the UK and in America — not necessarily good or bad, just different.
The industry in LA is huge, and like in any job, you go where the work is and where the opportunities are, so I’m hugely grateful for that. As actors, our job is to transform ourselves — whether that’s through an accent, a character’s personality, or something else entirely. That’s part of what makes the job so fun.
I always hear people say, “Oh my god, so many English actors come to America!” But at the end of the day, we’re all just acting — it’s what we do. We go where the work is, where the stories excite us, and where we feel drawn.
I actually have a project coming up in the UK, which is wonderful because my family is there. But I also love working in the US. For me, it’s about finding great stories — ones that challenge me and inspire me, no matter where they are.
Is it true that your father is a martial arts expert? Did that influence you when it comes to your own stunt work or physical training?
Melanie: It absolutely influenced me — especially in terms of discipline.
Growing up, my brothers and I were always active. Whether it was watching my dad teach martial arts, working out, or just being mindful of health and fitness, it was a big part of our family life. We were a family of athletes, really. That kind of discipline definitely carries over into adulthood, and it’s something I’ve taken with me into my career.
Here’s our final aspirational question. Melanie, because of your great work and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Melanie: Oh, wow — this is a big question to answer on the spot!
I think, especially in the world we live in today, we sometimes feel like we’re not doing enough. But actually, just moving through the world with good energy, being kind, having empathy, and showing up every day makes a huge difference.
The small things in life really add up to the big things. So, I’d say simply striving to be the best version of yourself — consistently — can change the world in ways we don’t always realize.
How can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they watch your latest projects and support you in any way?
Melanie: Oh, yeah! I’m working on a movie in Canada called Merciless, which is about to be announced. It’s with Jonathan Majors, and it’s a love story and psychological thriller — really exciting.
I’m also doing a film called A Year in London, which is another love story, set in both London and Italy. It’s an independent movie, and I’m really excited about it.
I usually post updates on my social media when I’m working, so people can follow along there. Both of these projects are so different, and that’s what I love about this job — getting to play characters that are completely unique from one another. I truly enjoy transforming for each role, and I’m just really grateful for the fans and the support.
Melanie, it’s been so delightful to meet you. I wish you continued success and blessings, and I hope we can do this again next year when you have another exciting project.
Melanie: Of course! Thank you so much. Really great questions. Nice to meet you.
Melanie Liburd Of Catalyst On the Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In TV &… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.