Actress Kaitlyn Bernard recently sat down to talk about her powerful performance as Rachel Jeffs in the Lifetime film Surviving My Father, The Rachel Jeffs Story, based on Jeffs’ memoir Breaking Free: How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs. The movie explores Rachel’s harrowing journey of survival and resilience after escaping from the control of her father, the notorious FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, and the trauma of growing up in a world built on fear and manipulation.
Bernard shared that she first became aware of the FLDS community when Warren Jeffs was on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, but it wasn’t until she read Rachel’s memoir and the film’s script that she began to understand the depth of what Jeffs endured. “My eyes were completely opened to this world that not a lot of people know about,” she said. “It’s really rooted in trauma, control, and manipulation. I was blown away by Rachel’s story because despite what happened to her, she was able to, as her memoir says, break free and rewrite her own story.”
Before filming began, Bernard had the opportunity to speak directly with Rachel Jeffs alongside director Ali Liebert and producer Amelia. She described the experience as deeply emotional and inspiring. “Even when she talks about her trauma, she has this quiet strength to her, which I really wanted to portray throughout the film,” Bernard said. “She’s such a beautiful human being, and she was so kind and open with us. That conversation gave me even more perspective and helped shape how I approached the role.”
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Bernard explained that the quality she most wanted to capture was Rachel’s resilience. “She’s built this incredible life for herself after having nothing when she left the FLDS,” she said. “Despite everything she went through, she came through it with this grace and courage that’s really inspiring.” Bernard recalled an especially moving moment from their call, when Jeffs told her, “I know you’re going to do an amazing job, and I’m just going to pray for you tomorrow.” “We were all in tears after she said that,” Bernard added.
Taking on the role of a real person who has experienced so much pain was both challenging and emotional for Bernard. She admitted that she felt pressure to tell the story authentically. “I’d never played a real person before, and I wanted to tell her story properly,” she said. “It was an emotionally charged role—the kind I love—but it was definitely demanding. I had to find ways to take care of myself and separate Kaitlyn from Rachel once filming was done each day.”
One of the most challenging scenes for Bernard was the opening of the film, where Rachel confides in her husband about what her father did to her as a child. “There were so many layers to that scene,” she explained. “There’s shame, relief, and this heartbreaking understanding between them. It was one of those scenes that stayed with me.”
Despite the dark material, Bernard said the cast and crew created a safe, supportive environment on set. “Michael Eklund, who plays Warren Jeffs, made all the difference,” she said. “He’s terrifying on screen but one of the kindest people off it, which made everything feel so much safer. You really need that kind of support when filming something this heavy.” She also praised director Ali Liebert, calling her “one of the best directors I’ve ever worked with.” Bernard said Liebert and producer Amelia’s backgrounds as actors helped them understand how to create a collaborative and emotionally safe space. “They had such a strong vision for the story, and it all came together so beautifully,” she said.
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| © 2025 Corus Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. Corus Television. |
The project, Bernard noted, changed her both as an actor and as a person. “Rachel’s courage to make a change and leave everything she knew behind really stuck with me,” she said. “It reminded me how important it is to choose your own path, no matter how hard it is.” She hopes audiences come away from the film feeling not just moved by the story but inspired by Rachel’s resilience. “This isn’t just a story about survival,” Bernard said. “It’s about overcoming trauma and creating a beautiful life for yourself despite it all. I hope people feel inspired after watching.”
Surviving My Father, The Rachel Jeffs Story is an unflinching look at the cost of control and the power of reclaiming one’s freedom, and Kaitlyn Bernard’s performance captures that struggle with grace, sensitivity, and truth. Her portrayal honors Rachel Jeffs’ courage and humanity, reminding viewers that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is always hope and strength to be found.
Watch the full interview with Kaitlyn Bernard here: