You might know Maddie Phillips as Sterling Wesley, one half of Netflix’s Teenage Bounty Hunters duo, or maybe you know her as Cate Dunlap—the misunderstood telepath from Gen V and The Boys. The Canadian actress has had the rare chance to portray the same beloved character across two buzzworthy franchises.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Maddie Phillips has built a career on characters who refuse to be forgotten. Whether she’s leading the chaos in Netflix’s cult favorite Teenage Bounty Hunters or stepping into the morally gray psyche of Cate Dunlap, Phillips brings a sharp mix of intensity and vulnerability to every role. With Gen V season two arriving this fall and her indie horror feature dATE on the horizon, Phillips is carving out space as one of the most compelling young actors.

With dreams of someday playing Harley Quinn, stepping into a period drama, or even a stage production, Phillips is building a career that feels as unpredictable and riveting as the characters she plays. Unlike her character Cate, Phillips doesn’t need to use telepathy to attract an audience; she spoke with us about her many lives on screen, giving a glimpse into what’s to come.

You’ve starred as Cate on both The Boys and Gen V. How has playing this character between two shows helped you to expand on this role?
It almost felt like I was playing a different character on The Boys. Season one ends with Cate being perceived as an ill intended double agent to the people she cares about. But, in The Boys, by being welcomed into Homelander’s inner circle, she experiences feeling valued and accepted. Being on The Boys allowed me to lean more into Cate’s layers which felt so expansive, and I’m so grateful for such a special and unique experience.

Cate has telepathic powers that she uses to manipulate others, alter emotions, and control minds. Has there been any real-life situation in which you wish you could use these powers without consequences?
Absolutely not. Navigating our free will and the free will of others is kinda the point of it all, I think.

TOP: THE MANNEI
SKIRT: THE MANNEI
SHOES : JEFFREY CAMPBELL
JEWELRY : KELLERY

If you had 24 hours with any superpower from Gen V, which power would you choose and what would you do with it?
I would choose Jordan’s powers. I’d love to experience myself as a man for a while and the perspectives it would inevitably gift me.

You recently wrapped up filming dATE, described as a horror pulp fairy tale. What drew you to this project and why are you most excited for fans to see it?
I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited about a script than this one. Reading it instantly ignited my spirit and felt like home in a way. I’m really excited for the audience to just have so much fun on the ride

Many fans still talk about and miss Teenage Bounty Hunters. What is the best memory you have from filming the show and what can you say to fans who are missing Sterling?Ugh! It is impossible to choose just one. But a very special one would be when Anjelica, Kathleen—the creator/showrunner—and I got matching tattoos together on one of our last days of filming.

TOP: THE MANNEI
SKIRT: THE MANNEI
SHOES : THE MANNEI
GLOVES : MANOKHI

If you could meet any of the characters you’ve brought to life, which one would it be and why?
I’d like to meet Cate and hook her up with my therapist.

Do you see yourself revisiting any of your past characters in the future?
If it feels right? If not, I’m happy to let them go even if there could be more to explore there.

On social media, you mention being a fan of Comic Con moments from a 2015 Hunger Games conference. How does it feel to be attending these events now as an actor yourself?
It feels completely surreal. About ten years ago I was going through a major Jennifer Lawerence moment, eating up everything she was in and every interview she did (including that 2015 Hunger Games panel). I didn’t really know much about Comic Con at the time, but for whatever reason it just felt like a powerful symbol for me. The visual felt really charged, so I set it as my laptop background and kept it that way for years, so yeah…incredibly surreal.

Last year you starred in a Diamond Cafe music video. Can we expect more appearances from you in the music world?
If my crazy, talented, and beautiful friends keep letting me.

What is something you hope to accomplish in your career in the next ten years?
Harley Quinn, at least one period piece, and a stage production. I also know that I’ve thought I really wanted things that I am now so grateful to have not experienced…and vice versa so…yes please, and also, who knows, whatever!

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Maddie Phillips
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Aaron Jay Young
Fashion Stylist: Raul Magdaleno
Hair + Makeup: Cooper HB
Videographer (BTS) by Nick Eastman-Pratt
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Sabine Obermoller, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

Maddie Phillips Moves Between Worlds