Meet Sivan Alyra Rose: San Carlos Apache Woman Who Becomes First Native Woman to Have Lead in Netflix Series

“Chambers” premieres on Netflix on April 28, 2019

Published April 14, 2019

Five Things Sivan Aylra Rose Wants Native News Online Readers to Know about “Chambers”

LOS ANGELES — Sivan Alyra Rose, a tribal citizen of the San Carlos Apache, plays the lead role of Sasha Yazzie, a 17-year-old Navajo/Mexican teen who receives a donor heart and begins to feel a darkness inside of her in Netflix’s “Chambers” which premieres in New York on Monday, April 15, 2019.

Netflix will air the hour-long first episode of “Chambers” on April 28, 2019.

“Chambers” is billed as a supernatural horror show that follows a teenager, Sasha Yazzie, who is obsessed with the death of her organ donor after receiving a heart transplant. She wants to discover the truth about the person who died so that she may live.

In addition to newcomer Rose, the cast of “Chambers” includes Oscar-nominated actress Uma Thurman and actor Tony Goldwyn. Filmed in New Mexico, “Chambers” is based on a fictional Arizona town.

With the lead role, Rose becomes the first American Indian to play a lead role in a series.

Sivan Alyra Rose – Photo courtesy of Netflix

Rose, 19, who grew up on the San Carlos Indian Reservation near Globe, Arizona, where her uncle, Terry Rambler, serves as the current tribal chairman, is excited about her future. She was inspired to be a model because she has always been interested in fashion because her mother was a cosmetologist.

She was modeling at the Santa Fe Indian Art Market when she received a business card from casting director Rene Haynes. Rose attended the Institute of the American Indian Art in Santa Fe, but decided leave school and move to Los Angeles to live with her boyfriend when the cost to attend the art institute became prohibiitive.

“I did not move to Los Angeles to chase my dream, but once there, I emailed Rene to see about getting some audtions. I failed at some, but within six months, I got the role to play Sasha,” Rose told Native News Online on Friday.

The first season of ten episodes has already been filmed. Filming took place last year and Rose was impressed with how the episodes came out.

“They are spooky good,” Rose says with laughter in her voice.

Strong viewership results during the first couple episodes may determine whether or not there will be a second season.

Rose reflected on working with big named Hollywood stars was. “Uma is amazing to work with. She is so grounded and a realist. She was so nice to me. During the scenes together, she would throw out nuggets on how to be a better actress,” says Rose.

“Working with Tony Goldwyn is a treat. He is so humble,” Rose comments.

Rose says working on “Chambers” is a nice break-through for American Indians in the industry. She says “Chambers” has American Indians working on ensuring accuracy of portrayal of contemporary Native people.

“The series attempts to show realsitic lives of Native Americans. We have a writer who is Native American and Native Americans in casting. I hope we can make some real changes within the next five years in Hollywood for Native Americans,” Rose says.

“I don’t want to be alone here. I want other Native American teens to go and do this.”

Photo Credit: Brendan Cuny

Five Things Sivan Aylra Rose Wants Native News Online Readers to Know about “Chambers”

1. “Chambers” is a contemporary Native American horror story. The series is not about  war ponies and tomahawks. Native Americans are real people and we’re just like you.  In my opinion, maybe even a little cooler than you?
2. Sasha Yazzie is so cute and gentle, but has more bite than a rez dog. Don’t be fooled!
3. “Chambers” showcases young indigenous love in such a tender and realistic way that’s going to make you feel butterflies.
4. Netflix is fore-fronting a very important conversation on Native American representation in Hollywood and I am humbled and honored to have my part in making Indigenous history.
5. Uma Thurman as Nancy LeFevre is a powerful and emotional role that brings a very realistic perspective to contemporary “spirituality” and indigenous culture/spirituality.