Netflix breakout star Veronica Long has been captivating audiences worldwide with her bold comedic turn as Heather in the hit film ‘The Wrong Paris’ — a romantic comedy that recently skyrocketed to the No. 1 most-watched movie globally on the platform. But that’s not all. Veronica is also making waves on the small screen in the newly released third season of ‘Billy the Kid’, where she plays the poignant and quietly powerful Manuela Bowdre in a recurring role.
Season 3 of ‘Billy the Kid’ is currently airing weekly on MGM+, with new episodes dropping every Sunday, and fans are already talking about Manuela’s gripping storyline as the Lincoln County War intensifies. With one foot in comedy and the other in gritty historical drama, Veronica is proving her versatility and rising star power in Hollywood.
‘The Wrong Paris’ is a huge hit on Netflix! It reached the number one most watched movie in the world. That must feel pretty exciting.
It’s so wild. I’m so happy audiences are enjoying it! It’s been getting such a great response and I feel overwhelmed with joy and pride for what we created. It honestly hasn’t sunk in yet in some ways. I think it’s just what the world needs right now — something fun, light, and cheeky. It’s definitely a feel-good movie and I’m thrilled that the world is watching it and having a good time! That’s why we made it, you know — to let people kick back and enjoy this fun, romantic story and give people a laugh.
How did it feel to work on a comedy project, and do you see yourself taking on more comedy roles in the future?
Working on ‘The Wrong Paris’ was a dream. Everyone in front of and behind the camera was so fun to work with. I love watching rom-coms, so every day on that set was a joy. I’d love to take on more comedy roles! Bring it on! I’m ready to throw on the next wig and play another kooky character.
Your portrayal of Manuela Bowdre in ‘Billy the Kid’ brings such heartfelt depth, grounding the story with her sacrifices and quiet strength as Charlie’s wife. With Season 3 now airing on MGM+, what can audiences expect for Manuela’s journey this final season, especially as she navigates the dangers of the Lincoln County War?
Thank you so much for the kind words about my role as Manuela Bowdre in ‘Billy the Kid’. It means a lot to hear that her heart and strength resonate with you! In Season 3, Manuela’s journey gets even more intense. As Charlie’s wife and a new mom to our baby boy, Billy, Manuela’s caught in the chaos of the Lincoln County War. She and Charlie are outlaws now, so there’s a lot at stake.
She’s terrified of losing Charlie, our son, or even her own life as the violence ramps up with Murphy’s gang and the law closing in. You’ll see her wrestling between protecting her little family or continuing to support Charlie and Billy’s fight for justice against the corrupt “House” faction, who are crushing local farmers. Her bond with Dulcinea grows stronger this season, which I loved exploring, and the emotional stakes hit hard — without giving too much away, let’s just say it’s a rollercoaster of emotions this season.
Manuela’s not out there with a gun, but my hope is that her quiet resilience shows the real toll of the war on families.
I loved your performance as Heather in ‘The Wrong Paris’ — her bold, comedic energy was so vibrant and fun! It feels like such a contrast to the nuanced, grounded role of Manuela in ‘Billy the Kid’. Can you share what it was like to switch between these two very different characters and how you approached bringing their unique personalities to life?
You know, I’ve always really loved disappearing into characters. I have a lot of fun exploring the parts of me that can be brought to the forefront to play these vastly different people.
“I like the process of reading the scripts, seeing how my character can best serve the story, and then committing fully to creating a character that feels real in each respective world.”
With Manuela in ‘Billy the Kid’, there was so much to explore in terms of what her outlook on life would be as a woman in the late 1800s in New Mexico — how she felt about marrying an Anglo man, how she viewed the world through a Catholic lens, and so on. I really wanted to embody that era’s gender and cultural dynamics, but in a way that felt true to this specific woman. It was fun to explore her opinions on love and family, what she considered right and wrong, how she saw her role as a wife and mother, and how she felt about the powerful and wealthy men who were taking advantage of poor farmers like her and her husband.
She’s a woman caught in the middle of a war, having to grapple with either becoming involved and potentially losing her family, or staying out of it but risking not having a life to return to. She’s supporting the fight for the quality of her life and the lives of the people in her community. All of this played into how she carried herself, how she spoke, and how she moved.
“Approaching Heather in ‘The Wrong Paris’ was a completely different experience. She was such a fun character to create. Immediately from the script, I could tell she was the wild card of the bunch, and I really leaned into that and had fun with it.”
I leaned into her masculine edge, gave her a low voice and a low center of gravity. Before every scene, I’d get into character by getting into this fighting stance, slapping my thighs aggressively, and growling “Heather” in a low voice. (Laughs) Everyone’s got their process, right?
It was so fun to play around with how she carried herself, how she stood, how she walked, and how this particular character flirted with the bachelor. I wanted to go really bold with her and give her that no-f***s-given, swaggery cowboy energy. So yeah, it was a very different approach for the two characters — and that’s definitely part of the fun!
You’ve been part of several incredible TV projects recently. Where else can audiences look forward to seeing you, either now or in the near future?
I’m currently filming a series regular role on a TV show, but I can’t spill the beans quite yet! I’ll just say some juicy stuff is brewing!