Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Michelle Gomez and Gavin Leatherwood Talk Part 2

This Chilling Adventures of Sabrina article contains spoilers.

If there’s one truth about the second part of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina it’s that things get DARK. And really, with Satan being a central figure in the series, how could they not? But this journey towards the abyss makes for some compelling television that helps the show truly come in to its own.

Seemingly on opposite sides of the spectrum in Sabrina’s life are Nick Scratch (Gavin Leatherwood) and Ms. Wardwell/Madam Satan/Lilith (Michelle Gomez). While the former seems totally devoted to helping Sabrina at every turn, the latter is determined to manipulate her, first for the Dark Lord’s interests and then her own.

But then, twist! Turns out that Nick was also influencing Sabrina’s actions at Satan’s behest. However, the situation is far more complicated than that as Nick does possess genuine feelings of love for her, and ultimately helps her defeat the Dark Lord — sacrificing himself in the process.

When it comes to Lilith, things are complex there as well. She has basically had it with Lucifer’s lies, and wants what is coming to her, namely being installed as the Queen of Hell. This leads to an unexpected alliance with her would-be replacement, Sabrina, and together the pair help vanquish the Dark Lord. As a result, Lilith ends the series as something of an anti-hero, and but she and Sabrina are freed from Satan’s grasp.

read more: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 2: The Blackwoods Reveal All

We had the opportunity to discuss both Nick Scratch and Lilith’s journey’s with Gavin Leatherwood during the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s New York City press tour, in which they provided us with some amazing insights into everything from their characters to some hilarious NSFW on-set antics.

How do you feel about the overall skepticism towards Nicholas?

Gavin Leatherwood: “I think people have the right to be a bit skeptical. He does seem to really be at Sabrina’s beck and call, just sort of as Ms. Wardwell is, or Madam Satan. She’s constantly there, and helping her move along. And then Nick’s there, helping her move along. Even Ambrose is there helping Sabrina. Everyone’s kind of helping her, and the big question is why. What is the intention behind that? In part two, we really do start to see some of these intentions surface and come to light, and we’ll see that with Nick as well.

The warlock world is a very dark one and selfish one, and we definitely do see a bit more of that develop.”

What type of journey is Madam Satan on this season?

Michelle Gomez: “Probably a bit more some self-realization as to how she got there, why she’s there, and maybe questioning more about taking a different path herself. I think that Sabrina and what she stands for in being a woman in her own right, and finding her voice so clearly is inspiring Madam Satan into maybe do the same for herself, but then it’s also really interesting to see Madam Satan be in a human world. That’s the fun of it, isn’t it? And how far is she going to take it? And the fact that we start to see a sort of breaking down, a dissemblance of her barriers and her belief system, I think, whatever that might be. Does she have to continue being the Dark Lord’s foot soldier? Maybe she’s a little tired of that.”

What is your response to the enthusiastic fanbase that has developed around this show?

Gavin Leatherwood: “The following of the show is so huge, which is mind blowing to see that, and it’s really fun that there’s a lot of Team Harvey or Team Nick, and I really want a sweater or a t-shirt made, and I want a Team Harvey shirt with Ross’s face right here. One day.”

Michelle Gomez: “It’s blown me away how quickly the Sabrina fan base has come up, and it’s voracious in its appetite. So I’m kind of pinching myself that I came from Doctor Who and this wonderful world of fans over there to this. It’s just as passionate, I’d say, but with a newer audience.”

Have you ever had a discusssion with the writers about where you’d like to see your characters go?

Michelle Gomez: “No, I haven’t really. I’m just grateful that they’ve asked me to come back, so I’m going to leave it at that. They seem to be doing pretty well the first time, right? I don’t think they need an actor with an idea in there.”

Gavin Leatherwood: “No, they’re so talented.”

Michelle Gomez: “They don’t need us, no. We literally just learn it, say it, and go. The real talent, the real star, is Roberto (Aquirre-Sacasa, showrunner) for sure. That man’s mind is unbelievable. If I could have an ounce of that imagination. And then, of course, the cast is phenomenal. Kiernan Shipka… I would like to be her when I grow up. She has taught me so much in how to conduct myself, and be a professional. She’s amazing, isn’t she?”

further reading: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 2 Ending Explained

Gavin Leatherwood: “Yeah, truly. That sort of work ethic that she puts into everything was really just…We’ve said it in all, but she sets the bar.”

Michelle Gomez: “High”

Gavin Leatherwood: “Very high. She’s there morning to night, pretty much every single day, and, yeah, like you said, Roberto as well is the wizard at the head of this all.”

What was your favorite scene of the series to film so far?

Michelle Gomez: “Still the one that just kills me was the Exorcist, where Madame Satan does everything in four, five, six-inch heels, and we’re handed by the props department a blanket. Within that blanket is maggot baby, and we’re told “don’t look at it,” and we’re like, oh, my God, this is going to be really scary. They’re like, “just don’t unwrap it or look at it.” And we’re like, “Okay.” So we’re running through this, jumping, going down, and we get to this well, and it’s a big hole, and it’s one shot. One take, right? So don’t fuck it up, right?

I fling the maggot baby in the blanket down the well. We all look down, and the blanket opens up, and Elmo with a dildo strapped to his head and his ass is doing this back up at us as we look down at Elmo with dildos strapped to him. Now, my question is this: In a pinch, the props department had to throw that together, so, first of all, why is there an Elmo in the truck, and two dildos available?”

Gavin Leatherwood: “A bit excessive.”

Michelle Gomez: “Have it. Oh, yeah, that happened. And we didn’t crack. No.”

Gavin Leatherwood: “I can’t believe that. I don’t even want to say anything after that.”

Special thanks to Michelle Gomez and Gavin Leatherwood for taking the time to speak with us. Check out all of our Chilling Adventures of Sabrina news and reviews here.

Chris Cummins is a Philadelphia-based writer, producer, and comics historian. Read more of his work here. You can find him on Twitter at @bionicbigfoot and @scifiexplosion