Written By: Jayme Face
Clarissa Thibeaux is making her mark in her role as Xavin in the Runaways. She portrays one of the few black LGBTQ+ characters in the Marvel Universe; she’s told us about what that means to her and much more!
Photo Credit: Storm Santos
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about Runaways and your character Xavin?
Clarissa Thibeaux: Runaways is such a fun, fantastic, and diverse show. Walking onto set each day, you never really knew what you were going to see (in the best way!). Xavin is an interstellar warrior who is just looking for love. In the show, Xavin comes into a lot of chaos surrounding the Runaways. They are inquisitive and direct but also willing to learn more about the humans they are now surrounded by. A lot of things are new to Xavin and they adjust how they navigate the world as they learn from observation and trial/error. Xavin is such a fun character to play and I’m so grateful that they were my introduction to the MCU.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about what we can expect from this current season and how it is different from the previous two?
Clarissa Thibeaux: Season 3 is the biggest one yet. I think a lot of the first two seasons centered around more discovery for a lot of characters, but this season actively challenges what each character thinks they know about themselves. You can expect tears, laughter, and some really cool VFX.
upfrontNY: You are portraying one of the few black LGBTQ+ characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, do you feel a certain responsibility playing this character?
Clarissa Thibeaux: Absolutely! This character is so important in so many ways. I did a ton of google searches, looking for forums and other fan based sites to really understand the scope that a character like Xavin has in this fandom and it’s incredibly humbling. I tried my best to always honor the aspects of Xavin that fans fell in love with in the comics. I hope they like it lol.
upfrontNY: How does it feel to be able to have such a groundbreaking role?
Clarissa Thibeaux: It’s an honor. I never could’ve guessed I would get this lucky.
upfrontNY: Were you familiar with the comic books before getting the role?
Clarissa Thibeaux: Before I got the role I had watched a few episodes of the show but hadn’t read the comics. I never read many comics as a kid, but now I have become obsessed with online comics. The show has really opened up an entirely new world of reading for me.
upfrontNY: Although the Runaways is coming to an end fans are talking about seeing Xavin in other parts of the Marvel Universe, do you think that’s possible and where do you think she may fit?
Clarissa Thibeaux: Guardians of the Galaxy! Captain Marvel! If anyone is reading this with the power to make it happen, I AM DOWN. Haha! The great thing about Xavin is that they are cosmic being… so any space trips should hit a girl up.
upfrontNY: Growing up who was your favorite Marvel Universe Character?
Clarissa Thibeaux: Growing up it was definitely Peter Parker. Tobey Maguire will always be my Spiderman.
upfrontNY: Did you grow up always having an interest in acting?
Clarissa Thibeaux: I always had an interest in performing. Acting came into my life when I was 13. I don’t come from a family with any ties to the industry so I got to have a whole journey of discovery only own.
upfrontNY: What do you like to do for fun?
Clarissa Thibeaux: I love to ice skate, when I was 16 I became obsessed haha. I enjoy doing crosswords, hanging with my dog Elphia, and checking out small businesses in and around LA.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you have?
Clarissa Thibeaux: RxR is a new project that a good friend (Karisa Tate) and I wrote together. It’s all about two women forming an unlikely friendship in a cancer support group. We’ve been working on the concept for a long time so it’s really excited that we are officially in pre-production! We’re set to film this February. There’s more info on the RxR instagram: @therxrseries.
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