The former Disney Channel star is embracing mature roles and personal growth as her new thriller series arrives on Prime Video.
Dove Cameron is stepping into a new chapter of her life and career, and she is doing it with a sense of freedom she has never felt before. The 30-year-old actress and singer, who first became a household name on the Disney Channel series Liv and Maddie and the Descendants franchise, is now starring in a much darker, more adult role. Her latest project, the psychological thriller ’56 Days,’ premiered globally on Prime Video on February 18, 2026, and Cameron is using this moment to reflect on how much she has evolved since her teen star days.
In a recent interview, Cameron shared her excitement about finally being able to play the kinds of complex characters she always wanted to, a shift she credits to getting older and the public’s changing perception of her. “I think that I’m able to finally play roles that I wanted to play when I was younger because I am more experienced. I’m older now,” she explained. “People don’t see me in a light that was maybe very specific from when I was younger, very carved into the mind of the public because of childhood branding and things like that. So I’m really enjoying that kind of level of freedom. It feels like the floodgates are kind of open with what opportunities I have now, which is just something I’ve never had before these last two years” .
The Freedom of Turning 30 and Playing Ciara in ’56 Days’
This sense of liberation is perfectly timed with the release of ’56 Days.’ The eight-episode series, based on the bestselling novel by Catherine Ryan Howard, follows the intense and dangerous relationship between Ciara (Cameron) and Oliver (Avan Jogia). The story jumps between the passionate 56-day romance and a present-day police investigation into a decomposed body found in Oliver’s apartment. It is a role that allowed Cameron to explore a character with deep complexity, something she finds incredibly appealing.
“There’s this feeling that when I read a script, when I really love the character that is like, it’s not work-related. It’s almost as though they’re a real person to me and I feel this sense of responsibility,” Cameron said. “I think that she’s a deeply complex character. I’m always drawn to characters that need a little bit of defense” .
The show, developed by Lisa Zwerling and Karyn Usher and produced by horror master James Wan, has been a significant moment for Cameron. She revealed that the project felt like fate, or “kismet,” as she called it. She recalled getting a call about the show two years ago in New York, which reconnected her with creator Karyn Usher, a person she had first met a decade earlier when she was just 14 years old and auditioning for a different project that ultimately fell through. That early heartbreak in Hollywood made finally working with Usher on ’56 Days’ even more special .
From Disney Stardom to Complex Thrillers
For global audiences, the Dove Cameron in ’56 Days’ is a far cry from the character many grew up watching. The actress acknowledges this transformation is a result of personal work and time away from the spotlight. In a recent interview with Allure, she opened up about “excavating” herself through therapy, reading, and spending time alone. This period of self-discovery has directly impacted her acting .
“I’ve stepped into myself more as a human. I have subsequently stepped more into myself as an actor,” she stated. “I think it’s really aided my work” .
This maturity is on full display in ’56 Days.’ Reviews for the series have been mixed, with many critics pointing out that while the thriller aspect may have some shortcomings, Cameron’s performance alongside Avan Jogia is a standout. Critics have described her portrayal of Ciara as a performance rich with “feigned innocence and cold calculation,” noting that she “transitions effortlessly between a vulnerable romantic and a strategic manipulator” . Her chemistry with Jogia has also been highlighted as a major strength of the series.
A New Album Is Also on the Way
Cameron’s creative freedom isn’t limited to acting. After years of waiting, she is finally gearing up to release her debut album. The singer, who had a massive hit with the single ‘Boyfriend’ in 2022, confirmed that her label has given her the green light.
“I’m gonna hopefully be releasing my debut album this year. I’ve finally been given the green light by my label, which I was waiting on for a long time,” she shared in early February . She explained that the delay, which required three rewrites of the album, actually worked in her favor. “Now that I’m not 27 and I’m 30, it did end up being something that I am happy that these are the songs” .
Personal Happiness and Public Perception
On a personal level, Cameron is also experiencing a period of joy. She is engaged to Italian musician Damiano David, the frontman of the band Måneskin. While the couple prefers to keep their relationship private, Cameron has spoken about how finding love has been part of her broader journey toward happiness. However, she is careful to note that her current peace comes from within. “I feel like I was always treading towards this beautiful period in my life, and I just wasn’t ready—rejecting goodness, rejecting love—because I was in such a bad spot for so many years,” she explained to Allure .
The actress is now more resilient when it comes to public scrutiny and the rumors that circulate on social media, whether about her appearance or her relationships. She takes a philosophical approach, noting that the person people talk about online “is not actually me because it’s an idea of who I am” .
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Where to Watch ’56 Days’
All eight episodes of ’56 Days’ are now streaming exclusively on Prime Video. Viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India can watch the series, which runs for approximately 48 minutes per episode .
The show also features a soundtrack by Emmy-winning composer Nathan Barr, which was released digitally on February 18, the same day as the series premiere . Alongside Cameron and Jogia, the cast includes Karla Souza as Detective Lee Reardon and Dorian Missick as Detective Karl Connolly .
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