Before stepping into the cape of Kara Zor-El, Milly Alcock was navigating a far less glamorous reality. The rising Hollywood star recently opened up about her early struggles in Sydney, revealing that she worked washing dishes at a restaurant long before becoming one of the most recognizable young faces in fantasy television.

In a new interview with Variety, Milly Alcock reflected on the years before her breakout role in House of the Dragon, sharing how she balanced acting ambitions with everyday work while living in cramped conditions at her family home. That grounded beginning now stands in sharp contrast to her meteoric rise in the new DC Universe.

Long before audiences knew her as young Rhaenyra Targaryen, Milly Alcock was juggling auditions with restaurant shifts in Sydney. The actress recalled that even after landing a major role in the Australian series Upright, her life was still far from glamorous. She described living in the attic of her family home because there was not enough space in the house, joking that she sounded “like a Roald Dahl character.” The actress also spoke candidly about working at a busy Sydney restaurant during that period.

“I was a stick of a thing. I was washing these dishes so proudly and so terribly, and it was an open kitchen so everyone could see me,” Milly Alcock revealed in a new Variety cover story. The then-rising star explained that despite the awkwardness of the job, she carried out the work with pride while continuing to chase her acting career.

At the time, Alcock was still trying to establish herself in the entertainment industry while balancing everyday responsibilities far removed from the glamour of Hollywood. Her comments offered a rare glimpse into the uncertainty of those early years, when even actors landing television roles often continued working regular jobs to support themselves while waiting for bigger opportunities.

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That determination eventually led Alcock from restaurant kitchens to one of the biggest superhero franchises in Hollywood.

While speaking to Variety, Milly Alcock revealed that one of the most emotional moments of filming happened the first time she appeared on set in the Supergirl costume. According to the actress, DC Studios executive vice president of production Chantal Nong became emotional the moment Alcock stepped out dressed as Kara Zor-El. Producer Peter Safran reportedly recalled how the entire set instantly felt that she perfectly embodied the character.

“Chantal just cried, and I hugged her, and I was like, ‘Are you OK?...That’s when I understood,” she says. “I’ve got a responsibility.” Only afterward did Nong explain that she had spent years trying to bring Supergirl to life on screen, Alcock told Variety. The emotional reaction reportedly helped the actress fully grasp the scale of the role she had taken on.

Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, Supergirl also stars Matthias Schoenaerts, David Krumholtz, and Emily Beecham. The project is part of James Gunn’s expanding DC Universe following Alcock’s introduction in Superman. The film is expected to play a major role in shaping the future of the franchise as DC Studios continues building its new interconnected storyline.

From washing dishes in Sydney to leading a major DC blockbuster, Milly Alcock’s journey reflects just how quickly life can change in Hollywood. Her story also highlights the years of persistence behind what now looks like an overnight success.

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Are you excited to see Milly Alcock take on Supergirl in the new DC Universe? Let us know in the comments!