Kiernan Shipka Reflects on Mad Men Legacy While Embracing New Role in Industry

At the New York City premiere of Industry season 4, Kiernan Shipka opened up about her journey from child star to complex adult roles with a mixture of nostalgia and excitement. Now 26, Shipka spoke candidly about the surreal experience of being part of Mad Men’s legacy, a show that fundamentally shaped her career and personal development. “I mean, Mad Men’s such a legacy show and it’s crazy to be a part of it,” she shared at the Regal Union Square event. “It still sort of blows my mind. I actually think the older that I get and the further away from it I get, the weirder and wilder it is to process the fact that that was a part of my life.” Having portrayed Sally Draper—daughter of the complicated Don and Betty Draper—throughout all seven seasons, Shipka essentially grew up on set, receiving what she has often described as her personal “acting school.” The significance of this foundation isn’t lost on her as she continues to build an impressive career.

The transition from child actor to adult performer has been visibly striking for both Shipka and longtime viewers. She recounted a moment that highlighted this evolution: “I had someone tell me the other day that they were watching Mad Men on HBO Max, and then it cuts to, like, a trailer for Industry, and I’m doing something very adult and it’s kind of, like, wild that it’s been so long.” This jarring juxtaposition—from playing innocent Sally Draper to her current complex roles—serves as a visual timeline of her artistic growth. Despite the years and roles between then and now, Shipka maintains a profound appreciation for her beginnings, stating, “I will always owe, quite literally, everything here to Mad Men.” This gratitude permeates her reflections, acknowledging how the critically acclaimed series provided the foundation for her continued success in Hollywood.

Shipka’s newest challenge comes in the form of Hayley Clay, a character she describes as a “full party girl” who works as an executive assistant at a fintech company in Industry’s fourth season. The role represents a significant departure from her previous work, including her time as Sabrina Spellman in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. What attracted Shipka to the character was the multidimensional nature of the role: “I think just that she was very layered, very complicated, and I looked at her whole journey as, like, this big old map.” The actress embraced the opportunity to explore Hayley’s complexity, noting that the character is “sassy and raw” with numerous beats and moments that allow for a richly developed storyline. This nuanced approach to character development demonstrates Shipka’s maturity as an actress and her willingness to tackle increasingly sophisticated roles.

Embracing the “party girl” aspects of Hayley Clay came naturally to Shipka, who jokingly referred to her own life experiences as “research and development” for the role. “So fun! Oh my god, I mean, I’ve done enough research and development in my own life. It’s good that I finally got to bring it,” she quipped with characteristic humor. This lighthearted comment hints at the authentic way Shipka approaches her craft, drawing from personal experiences while shaping them into distinctive performances. Industry, known for its unflinching portrayal of sex, drugs, and complex relationships in the high-pressure world of finance, provides the perfect canvas for Shipka to showcase this evolution in her acting repertoire. The role allows her to display a different side of her talents while maintaining the emotional depth she’s been cultivating since her Mad Men days.

What’s particularly exciting for Shipka about her role in Industry is the element of surprise that accompanies Hayley’s character arc. Without revealing specifics, she expressed hope that viewers will be as shocked by her character’s journey as she was while reading the script. “I just hope that they’re surprised by her. I was surprised by her. I was surprised reading it. I never knew what her next move was, and I really hope that people don’t see what’s coming,” Shipka shared, hinting at unexpected twists that await audiences. This enthusiasm for the unpredictable nature of her character suggests a role that challenged Shipka creatively and pushed her beyond familiar territory. For an actress who has been working steadily since childhood, finding roles that still surprise and challenge her seems particularly valuable.

The trajectory of Shipka’s career exemplifies a successful transition from child star to respected adult actress—a notoriously difficult path in Hollywood. From her formative years on Mad Men, where she portrayed the evolving consciousness of Sally Draper with remarkable subtlety, to her supernatural adventures in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and now to the morally complex world of Industry, Shipka has consistently sought roles that allow her to grow as a performer. Her ability to reflect thoughtfully on her past while enthusiastically embracing new challenges speaks to her maturity both personally and professionally. As viewers prepare to witness her transformation into Hayley Clay in Industry’s fourth season, they’re not just seeing a new character but observing another chapter in the remarkable evolution of an actress who has successfully navigated the transition from child star to versatile adult performer. With each role, Shipka continues to expand her range while honoring the foundation that Mad Men provided—a balancing act she performs with seemingly effortless grace.