Film Name: Bannister Doll Heist
Director: MJ Dixon
Writers: MJ Dixon
Starring: Angelique Taylor, Philip Andrew Rogers, Petrina Richardson, Jack Granville, Christopher Morley, William Marshall, Tiana Rogers
The Bannister Doll has spent years locked away in an old evidence locker, tonight 4 thieves are about to find they just stole the wrong package.
In a new exclusive interview on Blazing Minds, I got a chance to ask actress Tiana Rogers a few questions about the film ‘Bannister Doll Heist ‘, which will have its World Premiere at Horror-on-Sea on Sunday, 18th January at 12:30hrs.
Q. You play Molly Bannister in the upcoming horror ‘Bannister Doll Heist’ which has been selected to play at Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. What can we expect from the film?
A. If you’ve followed Molly Bannister’s journey in the previous films, you can expect the same intense, killer scenes—only darker and more dangerous. Bannister Doll Heist centres on a group of thieves who get their hands on the Bannister Doll, which has spent years locked away, unaware that what they’re really in possession of is a possessed object tied to pure evil. The doll is a corrupt force, and once it’s unleashed, nothing but chaos and bloodshed lies ahead for the thieves.
Q. This will be the 5th time playing the character in the Mycho Universe, having previously played the character in Slasher House 2, Molly, The Haunting of Molly Bannister and Slasher House 3. What first attracted you to the character and what made you decide to return Bannister Doll Heist?
A. It was hard not to be attracted to a character who has so much power and control. There’s something undeniably appealing about stepping into a role that’s more powerful than the average human—let’s be honest, dispatching victims is far more fun than being one.
Returning for Bannister Doll Heist was never really a question. Playing such an evil, formidable presence is difficult to turn down, and the character still has plenty of dark places left to explore. On top of that, being part of the Mycho Universe means working with a wonderfully creative team. It’s always a pleasure to come back, see familiar faces, meet new ones, and create something wonderful.
Q. What sort of preparation did you have to do for the role?
A. Personally, it was having an evil look that could convey so many things—from the twisted happiness after a victim has been dispatched to the slow enjoyment of stalking the next prey. I’m naturally such a smiley person that I actually had to work at it, learning how to turn a smile into something unsettling. An evil smile is a very different thing altogether and finding that balance became one of the most enjoyable challenges of the role.
Q. Are there any elements of the character which you feel reflect some of your own personality?
A. A hard character to related to my own personality.
Q. How do you feel the character has evolved since the previous instalments and did you make any changes to the character from how it was written?
A. The character has definitely evolved since the previous instalments. She’s older now, so I’ve adapted her to reflect that—while you can still see the original Molly evilness, this is a more mature, even more sinister version, and you certainly haven’t seen the last of her.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. There were many memorable moments, but one in particular stands out for its sheer wow factor and creativity. A highlight for me was when MJ revealed his incredible creation of the doll puppet, built on a much larger scale than expected. MJ is tall, yet the puppet towered in front of him, looming with a haunting and unsettling presence.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. Nothing really comes to mind, because on this set, where there were challenges, there were only solutions. There’s a moment in the film where a mannequin’s head turns as someone walks past it. Sadly, we didn’t have a robot or mechanical rig to make that happen, so I quite literally became one with the mannequin, carefully moving its head to hit the mark. The mannequin and I became good friends very quickly. I don’t know if that counts as an issue, but it was a great solution in my eyes. Moray and I also had to keep dressing the mannequin throughout the shoot, as you can see in the image below, which only added to the fun and creativity of the moment.
Q. What makes Bannister Doll Heist stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. What makes Bannister Doll Heist stand out is the incredible creativity behind its making—from the meticulously crafted props and puppets to the special makeup effects, and, of course, the brilliant minds who brought it all together—giving it a unique edge in the horror genre.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. I hope people come away checking over their shoulder—and maybe thinking twice before picking up any creepy dolls!
Q. Do you have any other projects you are working on?
A. I’ve also recently finished performing in a stage play titled The Snow Queen, adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen story. I had the pleasure of playing Gerda, and the production wrapped in November. For now, I’m enjoying a bit of well-earned respite before getting back out there for the next project.
Q. If someone was looking to get into acting is there any advice you would give them?
A. I wouldn’t pretend to have all the answers, as acting isn’t something I do full-time, so I’m grateful for every opportunity I get. My advice would be to enjoy the process, but more importantly, to appreciate the people you meet along the way—being surrounded by others who share the same passion and creativity is truly inspiring and makes the experience even more rewarding.
Bannister Doll Heist will have its World Premiere at Horror-on-Sea on Sunday 18th January at 12:30hrs.
You can find out more about Bannister Doll Heist and purchase tickets for the film here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
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