Netflix Woman of the Hour star Autumn Best has won the audience’s hearts with her stellar performance on-screen at such a young age, making her one of the most sought-after new-generation actresses. Her career began in Southern Utah as a child performer.
Born on September 17, 2002, Autumn Best emerged as a prominent star with her role in The CW’s 4400, a sci-fi drama about marginalized people who disappeared over the last century. In the series, Best portrayed Mildred, a teenager with unique abilities.
Moreover, the actress revealed that working on the show helped her immerse herself in the atmosphere on set and screen. With her television debut, Best came under the radar of Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of The Hour.
Surprisingly, the 22-year-old was working at a local coffee shop in Chicago when she received an email about the life-changing opportunity.
Best added to the offer, “I was just so honored that Anna even wanted to meet me, and she just talked me through the character. And I was just so excited and surprised.“
Before her Hollywood break, Autumn Best performed in theater at a young age and planned to study theater at New York University. Fortunately, she landed a role in 4400 and moved to Chicago after finishing high school.
However, she mentioned that growing up as a Mormon posed a challenge as she had never experienced many things in real life that the characters performed on screen. In one of the instances, Best had to learn how to hold a cigarette as she had never seen anyone in Utah smoke.
Autumn Best has embraced her disability and discusses it through her on-screen characters!
Best has a limb difference disability and was born with just a thumb on her left hand. Growing up, the actress endured bullying and constant questioning from peers due to her particular physical features.
However, her part as Mildred was a blessing, as the directors described Best as the one they were waiting for to start the project. The team broke down the plot and adjusted Best’s features in the story, making her grateful for the opportunity.
Moreover, the event induced one of their favorite memories: She struggled to find a perfect pair of gloves for her left hand during childhood. The incident would often sadden her, but her father would sew gloves himself as a solution.
In an interview with Backstage, Best explained that her parents set a high standard through their acts of kindness, showing that disability can be addressed effectively if people are willing to find the right solution.
It made her realize that disabled actors weren’t to blame for being overlooked by the industry, as directors and writers could tailor stories to fit the actors if they chose to.
Adding to her discovery, Best said, “As an artist, this role in 4400 really shifted what I thought was possible even a year ago with my condition.“
Additionally, Best has been a vocal advocate of discrimination against people in similar situations. When the 2020 film The Witches depicted a scary character with body deformities, Best responded through her Instagram and claimed that disability was a prop for horror movies.
She has urged for a better representation of physical condition in media and wrote, “If you are disabled: YOU ARE NOT A MONSTER. You are beautiful and powerful and HUMAN.” Best has received fans’ support as she helps others tackle their insecurities.
Additional Information
- Autumn Best has worked with Paradigm and SAKS& label and has been exploring a career as an aspiring screenwriter, director, and accomplished musician. She plans to create a safe community for disabled artists in the entertainment industry.
- The actress identifies as queer and has been vocal about her sexuality through Instagram. Best claimed that, due to her family background, she grew up with internalized homophobia.
