Kiernan Shipka Reflects on How Mad Men Protected Her Innocence as a Young Star.
Kiernan Shipka, 25, who gained fame for her role as Sally Draper on Mad Men, has opened up about how the show’s cast and crew helped safeguard her innocence while navigating the mature themes of the series at a young age. In a recent appearance on Dinner’s On Me podcast with host Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Shipka shared heartfelt memories of her time on Mad Men, reflecting on how the team ensured she was shielded from the more adult elements of the show.
The photocall for "Red One" at Potters Fields Park in London, United Kingdom ( October 6, 2024)
Kiernan Shipka, 25, reflects on her Mad Men days, sharing how the cast and crew protected her innocence while handling the show’s mature themes. On the Dinner’s On Me podcast, she discussed how the team shielded her from adult content during her time as Sally Draper. Kiernan Shipka was only six years old when she first joined the iconic drama series, which aired for seven seasons and explored the complex world of 1960s advertising through the lens of the Draper family. Despite the mature subject matter, Shipka spoke candidly about how the show's creators, particularly Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, worked to protect her while allowing her to maintain a grasp on the emotional context of her scenes.
The Protective Measures of the Mad Men Team
Shipka expressed gratitude towards the Mad Men cast and crew for being "so protective" over her as a young actor, particularly when it came to the more adult content. She noted that they went to great lengths to ensure that she wasn’t exposed to anything that would jeopardize her emotional well-being or sense of innocence.
“I always knew what I was reacting to,” Shipka said on the podcast. “I always knew what I was walking in on. I just didn’t have to see it over and over again.” Although the show dealt with themes of infidelity, identity struggles, and the complexities of the advertising world, Shipka’s role as Sally Draper allowed her to observe rather than directly participate in these situations, which helped preserve her young perspective.
In fact, Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner once remarked that Sally Draper was a character who "observed everything, but Kiernan didn’t notice much." Shipka humorously recalled how she would often respond to on-set interactions without fully grasping the larger implications of what was happening around her. She remembered one instance where Jon Hamm, 53, who played her father Don Draper, would play Words with Friends on his phone instead of engaging directly in scenes, making it easier for Shipka to remain unaffected by the adult themes in her character's world.
Growing Up with Sally Draper: A Journey of Self-Discovery
As Shipka got older, she realized that the mature themes depicted on Mad Men were not as foreign to her as they may have seemed at the time. “I think at a certain point, I was like, ‘Guys, I know what this is. Like, I’m good. I’m fine.’ But I really admire and respect the way they handled it,” Shipka recalled, reflecting on how the Mad Men team treated her with great care.
Jon Hamm, and Kiernan Shipka starred as father and daughter Don and Sally Draper in Mad Men, when she was only 6 years old.
Despite her growing maturity, Shipka admits that the full emotional weight of her role was not immediately apparent to her. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Shipka neared her 21st birthday, she revisited Mad Men by binge-watching the entire series. This time, as an adult, Shipka gained a deeper understanding of her character’s emotional struggles and the complex psychological journey Sally Draper underwent over the course of the show.
“I was watching [Sally] go through stuff that at the time I was feeling in a really natural way,” Shipka explained. “But now as sort of an adult, I can psychoanalyze and go, ‘Oh, no, she was grieving there and acting out.’” Watching her younger self as an adult allowed Shipka to appreciate Sally’s growth in a way she hadn’t before, and she reflected on the deep emotional layers of her character that she didn’t fully understand as a child.
The Emotional Depth of Mad Men and Sally Draper’s Journey
The Emmy-winning series is known for its intricate character arcs and exploration of complex psychological themes. As the daughter of the enigmatic Don Draper, Sally Draper’s journey throughout the series was marked by personal growth, grief, and a search for identity in the turbulent 1960s. For Shipka, playing Sally provided her with valuable life lessons, many of which she didn't fully appreciate until revisiting the show as an adult.
Looking back on her time with Mad Men, Shipka reflected on how Sally was always one step ahead of her own emotional journey. “At the time, I think I understood her as much as she understood herself. And as I get older, I kind of understand her the way that I hope she, you know, would understand herself one day with therapy.”
“Dad showed up!!!,” Kiernan captioned the black-and-white shot of her and Jon Hamm, celebrating her 20th birthday.
(Photo: Shipka's Instagram)
Kiernan Shipka is an American actress best known for her role as Sally Draper on the critically acclaimed TV series Mad Men. Born on November 10, 1999, in Chicago, Illinois, Shipka began her acting career at a young age and quickly gained recognition for her mature portrayal of Don and Betty Draper's daughter. Her work on Mad Men earned her widespread praise, and she became a fan favorite, growing up in front of the camera as the series spanned seven seasons.
In addition to her role on Mad Men, Shipka has starred in a variety of other projects, most notably in the title role of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Netflix's darker reimagining of the Sabrina the Teenage Witch story. Her performances have earned her a loyal following and critical acclaim for her versatility across different genres, from drama to supernatural horror.
Shipka is also known for her work in film, including The Blackcoat's Daughter and The Silence, and has become a prominent figure in both Hollywood and fashion circles, known for her sharp sense of style. With her impressive body of work, Shipka continues to evolve as an actress, balancing diverse roles while staying true to her craft.
