Actress Victory Van Tuyl shares her take on playing Marissa in the Passionflix adaptation of “The Black Dagger Brotherhood” and reflects on her journey from Nickelodeon to complex adult roles
With a growing resume that spans comedy, horror and drama, Victory Van Tuyl brings emotional depth and quiet strength to every role she takes on. In the upcoming Passionflix adaptation of “The Black Dagger Brotherhood,” she steps into the world of J.R. Ward’s beloved vampire series as Marissa—an aristocrat navigating power, identity and unexpected romance. Here, the actress opens up about the complexities of her character, the behind-the-scenes bonds formed on set and the lessons she’s carried from childhood theater to her latest leading role.
DA: You’re set to portray Marissa in the upcoming adaptation of “The Black Dagger Brotherhood.” What drew you to this role, and how did you prepare to embody an aristocratic vampire?
VVT: I think one of my favorite things about Marissa is how layered she is—there’s so much more going on beneath the surface. Her journey of finding her voice and stepping into her power throughout the series feels honest and incredibly relatable. To prepare, I read everything I could and spent a lot of time thinking about how she carries herself, both physically and emotionally, in a world that consistently underestimates her. The vampire element definitely adds another layer of fun to it all.
DA: The series is based on J.R. Ward’s bestselling novels. Were you familiar with the books prior to joining the cast? How did that influence your approach to the character?
VVT: I had heard of the series before but hadn’t read it until I joined the cast. The books were incredibly helpful—they gave me a deeper understanding of the world these characters live in and the intricacies of their relationships. The insight into Marissa’s internal world was invaluable and helped me make sure I was honoring the way J.R. Ward originally envisioned her.
DA: Can you share any memorable behind-the-scenes moments or challenges you faced during the filming of “The Black Dagger Brotherhood”?
VVT: Getting to meet my castmates’ families when they visited set was such a highlight. After hearing so much about them for weeks, it was really nice to finally put faces to names. Michael [Roark] and I also had a lot of fun exploring the nearby towns in Georgia during our days off—we discovered a lot of hidden gems!
DA: How does working with Passionflix, known for adapting romance novels, differ from your previous projects?
VVT: Passionflix has such a strong respect for both the source material and the fans. Everyone involved was genuinely invested in telling the story in a way that would resonate with viewers and longtime readers, which is rare with adaptations and, in my opinion, very special.
DA: What can fans of the book series expect from this adaptation, and how do you think it will resonate with new audiences?
VVT: Fans of the books will recognize so many of the moments and dynamics they’ve been waiting to see brought to life. Everyone worked incredibly hard to stay true to the heart of the story, down to specific lines of dialogue. For new audiences, I think the show offers something for everyone. At its core, it’s a love story, but it’s also about identity, belonging and finding your people—things that feel universal to the human experience.
DA: Looking back at some of your previous works, your role as Teri Forman in Nickelodeon’s “Marvin Marvin” was a significant part of your early career. How did that experience shape your journey in the entertainment industry?
VVT: Working on “Marvin Marvin” was a dream come true, and I have only the best memories from that set and cast. It set a very high bar.
DA: And then in “Bedeviled” you ventured into the horror genre. What attracted you to that project, and how did it challenge you as an actress?
VVT: I loved working on “Bedeviled”—it was a fun challenge to explore fear. Keeping the performance honest in such heightened situations was new for me and stretched a different muscle.
DA: You’ve appeared in a variety of genres, from comedy to drama. How do you choose your roles, and is there a genre you particularly enjoy?
VVT: I really enjoy digging into complex characters, so I often find myself drawn to drama. I’m always most excited by characters who are flawed and layered.
DA: Looking back, is there a specific role or project that you feel was a turning point in your career?
VVT: I don’t think there’s been one single turning point—it’s really been a build. Each experience adds something new, and over time, that’s shaped how I approach every role and project.
DA: How have your past roles influenced the way you approach new characters today?
VVT: Every role has taught me something, but overall, I think I’ve gotten better at trusting my instincts and not overcomplicating the process.
DA: You started your acting journey in community theatre at a young age. How did those early experiences influence your professional career?
VVT: Discovering community theatre was such a gift. I learned how to listen, how to take direction, how to fail in front of people and keep going. It laid the foundation for how I approach acting today and was invaluable training.
DA: What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the industry, and how have you overcome them?
VVT: One of the biggest challenges has been patience—when things are quiet, when roles don’t come or even during the agonizing waiting period after an audition. What’s helped me most is building a life outside of acting that I love, so my sense of self isn’t tied up in whether I’m working or not.
DA: Are there any particular directors or actors you’ve worked with who have had a significant impact on your growth as an actress?
VVT: I’ve been really lucky to work with so many amazing directors, but I’d be remiss not to mention Jon Menick. He directed me in my first leading role when I was fourteen and helped me tap into a level of depth I hadn’t explored before. It was a huge turning point for me.
DA: What advice would you give to aspiring actors looking to break into the industry today?
VVT: Be grateful for every opportunity to grow, no matter how small it seems.
DA: When you’re not acting, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy to unwind and stay inspired?
VVT: I love being outside—hiking, playing tennis or spending time at the beach. I also read a lot and try to watch as much as I can. There’s so much great content out right now, it’s easy to stay inspired.
DA: What’s a fun fact about you that fans might be surprised to learn?
VVT: I have extremely vivid dreams with full plots, characters and dialogue.
DA: Do you have any dream projects or collaborations you’d love to pursue in the future?
VVT: I’d love to be part of a psychological drama or thriller. Watching characters slowly unravel in quiet, believable ways is really fascinating to me.
DA: How do you stay grounded and maintain balance amidst the demands of your acting career?
VVT: Staying grounded for me means sticking to a routine and making time for the people who matter most. It’s easy to get caught up in the work or the industry in general, but having a full life outside of it helps keep me balanced.
Photography Kimberly Yvette Goodnight
Styling Venk Modur
Editor @lensbymi
Makeup Akina Shimizu, represented by A-Frame Agency
Hair Tanya Alian using GHD, represented by A-Frame Agency
Location AE Studios