Audrey Lynn-Marie joins the cast of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, produced by Blumhouse and Universal, portraying Charlotte Emily — one of the franchise’s most beloved and mysterious characters. Known to FNAF fans as Henry Emily’s daughter and the spirit behind the animatronic The Puppet, Charlotte becomes even more emotionally layered through Audrey’s interpretation. “She goes through something very sad, yet still chooses to protect other children,” the actress shares. Audrey stars alongside returning cast members Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio and Matthew Lillard, as well as new additions Skeet Ulrich, McKenna Grace, Freddy Carter and Wayne Knight.
Charlotte Emily is one of the most mysterious and emotional figures in the FNAF universe. What was the first thought that crossed your mind when you found out you would be playing such a beloved fan-favorite character?
To be honest, when I was first asked to audition for FNAF, they had the name of “Wendy” on the sides. So I had no idea of the significance of the character at that point. I was just so excited to be able to audition! Once I booked it and started researching more about the lore and the character I started to realize just how important Charlotte was to the entire story and I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming!
Charlotte’s journey involves trauma, courage, and a deep sense of protection. Which part of her story resonated with you the most while filming?
I really admire Charlotte’s heart for protecting others, despite what she has been through in her life. I also admire her determination to not give up no matter what is happening.
FNAF has a rich mythology—including games, books, and countless fan theories. How did you prepare for a character with such a deep, pre-existing history and fan expectations?
The responsibility of such a well loved character was a pretty big deal to me. Once I fully started to realize all the history, lore, and fan expectations I just did everything I could to learn all the backstory I could on Charlotte in every different universe. I read books, played games, and read a lot of stuff online too. Once on set I got the FNAF encyclopedia and read it with my set teacher during school breaks, which was a lot of fun, and Piper was also fun to talk lore with as well!
Your performance brings humanity and emotion to a character known for her supernatural side. How did you find the balance between the frightening and the sensitive aspects of Charlotte?
I found the balance by focusing on the emotional reality of each scene. It was easy for me to imagine how alone Charlotte must feel in those moments at the birthday party and how she felt like she didn’t belong there or couldn’t really connect with everyone around her; I think a lot of kids my age feel this way at some time or another. But, when she was begging and desperate for help and being chased down the hallway, the overall feeling was anger towards the adults and determination to do what she had to do to help the little boy.
You share the screen with actors like Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, and Matthew Lillard. What was the most memorable or inspiring moment working with this cast?
It was so great to be on set with so many talented actors! I didn’t actually have scenes with Josh or Piper, but I did get to do school and hang out with Piper, and we got along really great, she’s so fun to be around! I also got to talk Hunger Games with Josh in the HMU trailer in between our separate scenes. Matthew was amazing to work with, he always explained what he was doing so that it wouldn’t be scary and he was always so kind.
The FNAF fanbase is incredibly passionate and emotionally connected to Charlotte’s story. How has it felt to receive so much support and affection from the fans?
The FNAF fans that have found and followed me on social media are amazing. They are genuinely passionate about Charlotte’s story and have all welcomed me into the franchise with open arms. They have been so encouraging about my acting career, and have truly overwhelmed me—in the best possible way—with their support and love for Charlotte’s character!
Charlotte is a character who, even after death, chooses to protect other children. What do you think her message represents—both within the story and in the real world?
I think within the story her message is all about being super selfless, being innocent, and how much she really just wants a deeper connection with her dad. In the real world I think it’s about how important it is to stand up for kids who are hurting or who have been treated unfairly, and that even if you go through awful stuff, you can still choose to be brave and help others.
Follow Audrey Lynn-Marie on Instagram