Matthew Lillard Says Getting Picked On As a Kid Made Him Feel Connected to CARRIE

Matthew Lillard made his mark playing a high schooler in the Scream horror movie franchise. Now it’s 30 years later and the actor finds himself back in the genre once again, but this time he’s playing a high school principal in the present day reimagining of Stephen King’s 1974 novel Carrie.

In the series, Lillard says his character’s “responsibility is to take care of all of his kids,” which is something he could relate to as a father of three himself.

Lillard explained in an interview with People that his sense of paternal protectiveness wasn’t the only thing he tapped into when he signed on to play the role of Principal Grayle. “I personally was picked on and grew up feeling like an outsider. My kids have had that experience at times,” he shared. “Certainly, on social media, I’ve experienced it. My kids have experienced it.”

In the series, Carrie is targeted by fellow students through an anonymous Instagram account that initially singles her out, but soon expands its reach to the entire school population, teachers included, setting in motion a devastating series of events.

“Definitely, it connects you to the material emotionally, which I think enriches your performance in ways that I don’t think are different,” Lillard says. “But it’s just — my humanity is painted by being a father.”

The full first season of Carrie is available to stream now on Prime Video.