Hayes Warner, a 27-year-old singer-songwriter who built a profile with electro-pop singles, has made her professional acting debut in The Shards the FX adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ fictionalized account of high school life in Bel-Air during the early ’80s. Warner read the novel before an adaptation was confirmed and became convinced she understood the enigmatic figure of Debbie Schaffer long before casting settled on the part. Her dedication to the role extended into a six-month audition campaign and a dramatic move to Los Angeles once she was cast.
Warner describes Debbie as mysterious and underestimated: a character who may seem one-dimensional through the protagonist’s eyes but contains hidden layers. The series adds a serial-killer thread—the Trawler—that overtakes the students’ lives and forces everyone into suspicion. Warner embraced the show’s tonal shift, admitting on camera that eventually “sh*t hits the fan” and that her director sometimes asked her to play scenes as if Debbie were the killer. “I was genuinely playing it like I was involved in killings.“
The audition journey and commitment
Warner’s pursuit of Debbie began with self-taped auditions and continued through callbacks in New York City and screen tests in Los Angeles. She has characterized the process as relentless: a six-month stretch of submissions, meetings and personal appeals. When initial screen tests seemed to go cold, Warner wrote a frank letter to the series’ producer explaining her attachment to the material and offering to re-audition. That persistence paid off after a second self-tape; she was eventually invited to join the cast and relocate to Los Angeles with limited notice.
Collaboration with cast and on-set chemistry
Once filming started, Warner says the ensemble chemistry shaped how scenes were shot. Her character’s inner life is explored alongside Bret, played by Igby Rigney (23), and their circle includes Susan and Thom, portrayed by Kaia Gerber (24) and Graham Campbell (24). Warner recalls the cast’s initial bonding at a dive bar and believes that informal friendships made group scenes easier to perform. The series’ creator allowed improvisation in group moments, keeping much of the spontaneous work in the final episodes because the actors felt comfortable enough to take risks together.
Warner singles out Gerber as a particularly important ally during filming. Having recently moved to Los Angeles herself, Warner found a friend who helped her settle in and offered personal support. “She is just my ideal friend.” Gerber’s family even hosted Warner for holidays, reinforcing a connection that, Warner says, translated into authentic on-screen rapport.
Mentorship and influence from senior cast
On set Warner looked to veteran performers for guidance, especially to her on-screen mother, Evan Rachel Wood (38). Wood’s presence, both as a performer and as a mentor, helped Warner navigate set dynamics and press responsibilities. Warner describes Wood as a protective, knowledgeable figure who shared practical advice about how to present herself during production and media appearances.
Music, creative crossover and what comes next
Warner’s background is rooted in music; before acting she lived in New York City and released singles that channel a Y2K-influenced pop sensibility. For the series, she wrote two songs from Debbie’s perspective that appear in later episodes, and she continues to work on a music project she describes as influenced by the show. Warner says that songwriting has always been a form of personal expression and therapy, and that the opportunity to merge her musical voice with a fictional character felt organic—Murphy reportedly encouraged her to contribute music where appropriate.
Warner emphasizes that despite the crossover into acting, music remains a priority: she spent long stretches in the studio after filming wrapped, finishing material that she calls some of her favorite work to date. She also names several contemporary pop artists she admires and draws inspiration from, signaling that her career will likely continue to straddle both worlds.
Throughout her casting story and creative contributions, Warner’s refrain about Debbie reveals her motivation: a desire for “Justice for Debbie.” It’s a simple rallying cry for an actress who refused to let a role slip away and who now brings both musical and dramatic instincts to a project rooted in one author’s dark, nostalgic vision.
