When you’re the face of one of the most anticipated sci-fi series of the year, you’d think your presence during press events would be a given.
But Sydney Chandler, the breakout lead in FX’s upcoming Alien: Earth, has made headlines — and not just for her role.
Her press tour behavior has raised eyebrows, leading to an awkward rift with entertainment giant Variety and even disappointment from her showrunner.
Who Is Sydney Chandler and Why Is Everyone Talking?
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Sydney is the daughter of Emmy-winning actor Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights, Argo, Bloodline).
While she’s still relatively new in Hollywood, she’s already taken on high-profile roles, including a part in Don’t Worry Darling and a leading role in FX’s Pistol.
Now, she’s stepping into the sci-fi spotlight as the android Wendy in Alien: Earth, a prequel to Ridley Scott’s legendary 1979 film Alien.
Drama Unfolds Over Press Interview Game
The trouble began during the press tour for Alien: Earth when Sydney reportedly backed out of a Variety cover shoot.
Initially, she had agreed to a feature that included a playful Q&A video segment titled “How Well Do They Know Each Other?” — a lighthearted quiz alongside co-star Timothy Olyphant and series creator Noah Hawley.
However, just a day before the shoot, Chandler’s team contacted Variety to say she wouldn’t participate in the video portion, citing discomfort doing the game with “two older men” (Olyphant is 57, Hawley is 58).
Though Variety tried to accommodate her by offering sample questions, Chandler instead sent her own list and eventually pulled out of the video entirely.
A No-Show That Left Her Team Scrambling
Although Chandler agreed to proceed with a phone interview and still do the photo shoot, she canceled on the day of the shoot itself, leaving Olyphant and Hawley to take the spotlight alone.
This last-minute decision prompted Variety’s Editor-in-Chief to pull her from the cover altogether.
The fallout led to further back-and-forth between Chandler’s reps and Variety, with Chandler ultimately bowing out completely, reportedly due to illness.
By then, her glam team had already canceled their services, making a quick turnaround impossible.
Noah Hawley Shares Disappointment Over Absence
Speaking to Variety, Noah Hawley — best known for his work on Fargo — expressed clear frustration.
“The show is built around Sydney’s character,” he said. “Her professional work was tremendous.
But it was awkward being at the shoot without her, especially since this is a female-led story rooted in a female-centered franchise.”
Chandler Explains Her Side of the Story
In a later phone interview, Chandler addressed the situation, saying, “I’m just a private person.
I’m new to press — it’s not my comfort zone.”
She emphasized her excitement about the show and her willingness to talk about the project, but the Q&A-style game just didn’t sit right with her.
Emails reviewed by DailyMail.com confirmed her discomfort with the segment, though her team did offer alternatives, such as a solo video breaking down the trailer.
These options were reportedly declined.
Alien: Earth Comes With Big Expectations
FX has poured a massive budget into Alien: Earth — reportedly even more than their $250 million spend on Shōgun.
Given the weight of the Alien franchise and comparisons to hit series like The Last of Us, the pressure is on for the show to deliver.
Set in 2120, the story follows Wendy (played by Chandler), an android who crash-lands on Earth with a group of tactical soldiers.
Together, they face terrifying alien creatures, including fan-favorite monsters like Facehuggers and Xenomorphs.
Director Dana Gonzales promises visually stunning and intense scenes featuring the creatures in action like never before.
Premiere Details and What’s Next
Despite the off-camera drama, Alien: Earth is still on track for its premiere on August 12 on FX, and will also stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
Whether Sydney Chandler’s absence from the press spotlight will impact the series’ success remains to be seen — but there’s no denying the buzz is only growing.