Sarah Jayne Rothkopf's Journey from Theater Training to Vertical Drama Villainess

From New York acting classes to theater stages in London, Sarah Jayne Rothkopf built her career through years of training and performance. She has since become a familiar face in vertical dramas as one of the genre's memorable villains.

Before vertical dramas, Sarah Jayne Rothkopf had already spent years building her craft on stages in New York, London, Los Angeles, and beyond. With training from some of the industry's most respected institutions and a lifelong love of performance, she eventually found a new audience through the fast-growing world of vertical dramas.

A Lifelong Love of Acting

Rothkopf's acting journey began early. During a June 2025 interview, she shared that she started acting at age seven after being recruited from a children's scene study class at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.

Growing up in New York, she developed a passion for performance that stayed with her through childhood and into adulthood. While acting remained central to her life, she also cultivated interests in music, travel, and wellness that would continue alongside her creative work.

From New York to London

As her commitment to acting grew, Rothkopf pursued formal training at several respected institutions. Her studies included Sarah Lawrence College, the Neighborhood Playhouse, and a master's degree from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

Theater became a major part of her artistic development. Her career has taken her to New York City, Los Angeles, London, and the Hudson Valley, where she has appeared in both independent films and theatrical productions.

Reflecting on her love of acting during the June 2025 interview, Rothkopf explained that performing has always been about connection and storytelling. She also credits her training and stage experience with helping her approach a wide range of characters throughout her career.

Discovering Vertical Dramas

Unlike many actors now working in the space, Rothkopf had never heard of vertical dramas before 2024.

She recalled learning about the format after receiving an audition. At the time, she and many of the people working in the industry were still figuring out exactly what vertical storytelling could be.

What began as an unfamiliar opportunity quickly became a significant part of her career. In 2024 and 2025, she appeared in a growing number of vertical productions, including "Move Aside! I'm the Final Boss," "Kidnapped by the Devil," "The Deaf Heiress's Secret," "Feast of Power," and "The Beggar King Returns."

The rapid growth of the format also introduced her work to viewers around the world, creating a connection with audiences she had not previously experienced.

Embracing the Villain Role

Among Rothkopf's vertical drama roles, one of the most notable was Mia Vaughn in "The Beggar King Returns." The performance earned her a nomination for Villainess of the Year at the 2025 Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards.

While she has played a variety of characters throughout her career, Rothkopf admitted that villain roles can be especially entertaining:

She explained that villains often get to make the boldest choices and create some of the most memorable moments in a story.

When discussing the types of characters she enjoys playing, she noted that antagonists are often allowed a level of unpredictability that can be exciting for an actor.

That willingness to embrace larger-than-life characters has made her a familiar face in a genre known for dramatic twists, emotional confrontations, and unforgettable villains.

Life Beyond the Camera

Acting remains Rothkopf's primary creative outlet, but it is far from her only interest.

She also spoke about her love of music, particularly jazz and blues, as well as her interest in travel and exploring new places.

She has also expressed interest in writing and directing her own projects in the future, expanding her creative work beyond acting alone.

Continuing the Journey

Rothkopf's career has already taken her from childhood acting classes in New York to theater stages in multiple cities and, more recently, to audiences discovering her through vertical dramas.

Whether portraying a villain, tackling a dramatic role, or exploring new creative opportunities behind the camera, she continues to draw on the training and experiences that first sparked her love of performance. As vertical dramas continue to grow, Rothkopf remains one of the many actors helping shape the genre's next chapter.