Australian actress Ashleigh Cummings is seen playing Abby in Russo Brothers’ Citadel. The global spy series stars Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in pivotal roles as Mason and Nadia. Citadel will include spin-off shows in different languages set in the Italian Alps, India, Spain, and Mexico. It will star Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. In this interview, Ashleigh Cummings spoke about Citadel, working with Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden, and more:
What drew you to the role of Abby Conroy?
ASHLEIGH CUMMINGS: I had auditioned for the Russos previously, but couldn’t partake in the project due to scheduling conflicts. I was at my doctor’s examination table when I received a call with the offer for Citadel. I thought the brothers were offering me a one-liner consolation prize which, honestly, I would have been thrilled with! But then I read the script and was floored to be offered such a rich role. I loved that Abby embodies a certain kind of romantic mundanity and safety amidst the dopamine and adrenaline rush of the show. Those qualities are often judged in our society and in our storytelling, but in Citadel, they were celebrated and met with recognition of their value, while also allowing Abby to be a distinctive and expansive character in her own right.
Also, the idea that we could be many things at once was infused into every aspect of the show, and I appreciated that Abby’s lines weren’t as clear-cut as they seemed, either. Having full-bodied and incongruous characters represented on-screen was genuinely refreshing to read. It resonates more with me than the traditional archetypes we’ve become accustomed to seeing in our narratives.

How was it acting opposite your fellow castmates? Any memorable moments on set?
ASHLEIGH CUMMINGS: Richard’s brain is electric, and he’s always 10 steps ahead. He has such an instinct for the architectural requirements of scene and story—which I think stems from his theatre experience—so it’s a creative dream to be seen with him. He’s also exceptionally generous and attuned, so if I’m not getting something, he’ll work it with me or surprise me with what he knows I need during my coverage. He made me feel both personally and creatively very supported and was definitely a tethering point for me in the whole experience.
How was it working with Priyanka Chopra?

How does Citadel compare to other film and television productions you’ve worked on in terms of its scale and scope?
Citadel is an action-packed series from start to finish. How did you like working with the stunt teams?
