Ghostface Returns: Mikey Madison Apologizes for Dewey‘s Demise in Scream V
Mikey Madison’s foray into the slasher world saw her take on the iconic role of Ghostface in 2022’s “Scream,” the franchise’s fifth installment. But her killer performance came with a hefty emotional price tag.
Madison, who was a mere infant when the original “Scream” graced the silver screen in 1996, confessed to a certain naiveté about the hugely devoted fanbase that surrounds the film series.
“I have to be honest, when I did the film, it sounds naive, but I wasn’t so aware of the huge fan base that the franchise has, that I’ve now been able to discover,” she said. “‘Scream’ and horror fans and people who love horror films are the best people ever, but I really naively went into it.”
The Weight of a Scream
Madison’s Ghostface wasn’t just another masked killer; this iteration infamously ended the run of one of the franchise’s original heroes, the beloved Sheriff Dewey Riley, portrayed by David Arquette. While the scene was scripted, its impact was far-reaching.
“And so I remember being kind of sad because I was like, ‘Oh, such a great character. It’ll be sad to see him go,’” Madison recalled. “
Then I realized afterward the heartbreak that so many people felt.”
Since the film’s release, Madison has had close encounters with fans who were deeply affected by Dewey’s demise, making it impossible to ignore the weight of her character’s actions.
“People have come up to me, and they’re like, ‘I hate that this happened. I’m mad at you,’” she shared. “And I’m like, ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t write the script!’ I didn’t want to do it.”
Slipping Into the Mask
For Madison, her audition process was an unexpectedly lengthy one. After sending in an audition tape, she waited for months before finally getting the good news.
“Then they came back, and they were like, ‘Hey, would you want to be in this film? The character would be the ‘Scream’ Ghostface character,’ ” she recalled. “I was like, ‘Yeah, that sounds really fun. I would absolutely like to do that, and I specifically would love to play this Ghostface character,’ because it’s such an interesting, fun reveal , and it’s such a crazy, unpredictable arc for a character, as well.”
Madison was drawn to the quixotic nature of playing the masked killer and the unique experience it would bring.
“I think what I like about the ‘Scream’ franchise is that the characters are so self-aware in a way where all the actors know exactly what kind of movie they’re in, and you’re able to have fun with it.”
Scream VII and Beyond
The “Scream” franchise shows no signs of slowing down. The next installment, “Scream VII,” is set to hit theaters on February 27, 2026. The film will see the return of Neve Campbell and “ScreamI’s” Kevin Williamson back at the helm. While Madison might have a bone to pick with stabbing iconic characters, her Ghostface stands as a memorable part of the franchise’s enduring legacy.
What were some of the reactions Mikey Madison received from fans about Dewey’s death in the Scream movie?
## Interview: Mikey Madison on the Emotional Toll of Playing Ghostface
**Host:** Welcome back to the show, everyone. Today we have a very special guest, Mikey Madison, who played the iconic Ghostface in the 2022 “Scream” installment. Mikey, thanks for joining us.
**Mikey Madison:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** You were quite young when the original “Scream” came out. Did you have any idea what you were getting into by joining this beloved franchise?
**Mikey Madison:** *Laughs* To be honest, I wasn’t fully aware of the immense fanbase. I mean, I knew “Scream” was a big deal, but I had no idea how passionate and dedicated the fans are. It’s been amazing to discover that [1].
**Host:** You played a Ghostface that infamously ended the legendary Sheriff Dewey’s run. How did you feel about that storyline unfolding?
**Mikey Madison:** I remember being a little sad when reading the script, thinking “oh, such a great character. It’s sad to see him go.” But after the film came out, I realized the deep emotional impact it had on so many people.
**Host:** Fans really took Dewey’s death hard. Have you encountered any particularly strong reactions?
**Mikey Madison:** Oh, definitely! People come up to me all the time and say “I hate that this happened. I’m mad at you!” And I have to tell them, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t write the script!” [Laughs].
**Host:** It just goes to show how powerful Scream is and how invested people are in these characters.
**Mikey Madison:** Absolutely. It’s been a wild ride and a real learning experience.[[[[
**Host:** Well, Mikey, thank you so much for sharing your insights. It’s been fascinating to hear about your experience.
**Mikey Madison:** It was my pleasure. Thanks for having me.
