Talking With Cecile Cubiló from ‘Neighborhood Watch’

This edition of Talking With focuses on Cecile Cubiló, who appears as Detective Glover, chasing after Jack Quaid and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, in the new crime thriller film ‘Neighborhood Watch’.

Prior to this, Cecile landed a recurring role as Flight Attendant Rene alongside Angela Bassett on Ryan Murphy’s FOX drama show ‘9-1-1’. Audiences have also seen her on hit shows ‘Westworld,’ ‘Truth Be Told,’ and ‘NCIS’.

And if this isn’t impressive enough, Cecile also produces projects and is a professional stunt driver for television shows and commercials.

To learn more, we are Talking With Cecile Cubiló:

What can you tell us about 'Neighborhood Watch' and Detective Glover?

Cecile Cubiló: Neighborhood Watch, directed by genre filmmaker Duncan Skiles, follows a mentally ill young man who believes he’s witnessed an abduction. When the police refuse to believe him, he reluctantly teams up with his reclusive next-door neighbor—a bitter, retired security guard—to help him find the missing woman.

I might be a little biased—but I’m also my own toughest critic when it comes to film—and I can attest that Neighborhood Watch is a beautiful, soulful, heartfelt, exciting and important film to watch. It’s a slow burn—in the best sense—building tension and emotion with purpose. Bringing Glover to life and working alongside such talented actors as Jack Quaid and Jeffrey Dean Morgan elevated my craft as an actor and my passion as a producer. Making impactful films that bring humans closer is one of the main reasons I got into this business, and Neighborhood Watch does exactly that.

Glover is the detective on Simon and Ed’s trail—a single mother juggling the pressures of parenthood with the demands of a high-stakes job, who happens to develop a soft spot for the young man she's pursuing. She was originally written with a slightly bigger arc, shown over short phone calls with her daughter. The child aspect was meant to show the audience a glimpse of Glover's softer side, making her more prone to sympathize with Simon at the end. But as it turns out, that happened organically, which made her connection to Simon all the more authentic.

As an actor, what helped you the most in bringing Detective Glover to life?

Cecile Cubiló: Taking on the role of Glover was a last-minute decision, so let’s just say my prep time was... brisk. Because I was already involved as an Executive Producer, I was very familiar with the script and character, which gave me a solid head start.

Now, as an individual, I’m a little rough around the edges—I’ve got what you’d call a natural Resting B*tch Face (wink)—and I usually play authoritative roles, so Glover’s toughness came naturally. But what really drew me to her was the emotional shift she undergoes. As the story unfolds, she develops a soft spot for Simon. To tap into that vulnerability, I pulled from my own childhood (as I often do) and my constant need to fight for the little guy. And honestly, watching and interacting with the ever-so lovable Simon that Jack Quaid had created made my job that much easier. He's impossible to stay mad at.

There seems to be great chemistry with the cast. Was the film as fun in-between takes and it appears on-screen?

Cecile Cubiló: Yes, it truly was. The chemistry between Jack Quaid and Jeffrey Dean Morgan was electric—and it’s no surprise, given their existing friendship before coming onto this project. Watching them work together, both on and off screen, was pure magic. Their dynamic brought so much energy to the set and made the entire shoot a joy. Malin Akerman was also amazing. Considering that all three are used to the pace and scale of much bigger productions, their enthusiasm, professionalism, and good humor—despite the limitations that come with indie filmmaking—were inspiring. They laughed through the long days, embraced the scrappy nature of the process, and kept spirits high. We were all in the trenches together, cast and crew alike, and that kind of shared experience really bonds people. When wrap day came, it was genuinely bittersweet—we didn’t just make a film, we built a little family.

One moment that really deepened my respect for both Jack and Jeffrey came during the filming of our final scene—when Glover arrests them. We shot their coverage first, then turned around to get mine. Now, it’s pretty standard on set to send high-profile talent back to their trailers at that point, and have a stand-in—or even just a piece of tape on the wall—for the other actor to play off of. But when given the option, they both chose to stay. They stood right there with me, off-camera, giving their all so I could give mine. It might seem like a small gesture, but to me, it meant everything. Moments like that remind you what real collaboration looks like.

Why did you want to be part of 'Neighborhood Watch' as an actor and executive producer?

Cecile Cubiló: I was first introduced to the project by our lead producer, Luke Daniels, who brought me on board as an executive producer to help secure some of the financing. The moment I read the script, I fell in love—it was an easy yes. I remember thinking, “Man, I’d love to play Glover,” but I’ve always been cautious about blending my roles as actor and producer. I never want to force my way onto a project, so I didn’t even entertain the idea. Then I met Duncan, our director. We shook hands, had a conversation, and later he told me, “Something just clicked.” After speaking with the team and realizing I’d played a number of law enforcement roles before, he decided to offer me the part. It was a totally unexpected and serendipitous moment, and I’m so grateful it happened the way it did.

Do you have a favorite scene in the movie? And, was it also your favorite to shoot?

Cecile Cubiló: There are so many beautiful moments in this film, it’s hard to choose a favorite. But if I had to pick one… I’d pick two (sorry).

The first is the final scene of the film: that silent exchange between Simon and Ed. No words, just steady eye contact (for the first time). You can feel the weight of everything they’ve been through. It’s raw, honest, and filled with unspoken understanding. That moment hits me straight in the heart—every single time. And believe me, I’ve seen it a lot. Still makes me cry.

The second is the pen-clicking scene at the end, right before Simon collapses. It’s such a small gesture on the surface, but it carries so much emotional weight. That moment shook me to my core. And, yes, it also makes me cry. Of course.

As for my favorite scene to shoot, it has to be the final moment between Simon and me—when he’s handcuffed in the back of the police car and I lean in to whisper, “Good job.” On paper, I wasn’t meant to get emotional there—just show a softer side of Glover than we’d seen up to that point. But in the moment, I couldn’t help myself.

Jack Quaid is one of the most endearing and captivating actors I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and the look on his face when I whispered those words… it broke me a little. His portrayal of Simon hit me on such a deep level. You just want to hug him and tell him everything’s going to be okay—even though, technically, you’re arresting him.

When we turned around for my coverage, I was trying (and failing) to pull myself together. It took everything I had to walk away from him on that final take. That scene will stay with me for a long time.

What do you hope moviegoers to take away from the film?

Cecile Cubiló: My hope is that the audience feels every emotion I experience when watching the relationship between Ed and Simon unfold and grow. Mental illness can be incredibly isolating, and if this film helps even one person better understand or empathize with what someone battling it goes through, then it’s all worth it. Take the scene in the car, for instance—when Simon gradually cranks up the volume of the radio until it’s unbearable. That’s a small but powerful example of how mental struggles can quietly, but relentlessly, take over a person’s world. Or even the pen-clicking element of the story—so simple, yet so meaningful.

If someone like Ed Deerman can fall in love with this kid after truly getting to know him, then I believe anyone can. My hope is that this film inspires people to be more kind, more accepting, and more patient with others. You never know what someone might be going through, and sometimes, just a little empathy can make all the difference.

Where do you start when preparing for a role?

Cecile Cubiló: I start with the story as a whole. I read the script multiple times to fully immerse myself in the world and understand where my character fits within it—and what her purpose is. Only after I’ve dissected the world do I dive into the scene work. Then, I focus on my character’s overarching goals, wants, and needs, before narrowing that down to each individual scene.

I’ve lived a—let’s say—colorful life, so I have a well of emotions and real-life experiences to draw from when I need inspiration. That’s probably why I became an actor; acting is my therapy. Once I have a solid grasp on who my character is, I finally turn my attention to learning my lines.

The more experience I gain, the more comfortable I become with allowing myself to feel things, be in the moment, and let the magic happen on set. That's why I try not to over-prepare; I want to organically be affected by my scene partners and the world we're creating together.

We know you’re also a talented stunt driver. How did that come about?

Cecile Cubiló: Well, that wasn't planned, I can tell you that much! I’ve always been fascinated by motorsports—I'm a bit of a maniac behind the wheel and I ride motorcycles—but it was never something I imagined I’d do professionally. Growing up in Europe, I learned how to drive a stick shift, which prompted my acting agent to ask if I could do any stunts. “Umm, no?” But that question got me curious—how does one get trained to drive recklessly, yet “wrecklessly”?

I found a (very expensive) stunt driving school, used up all my savings to enroll, and in the process, found my new addiction. I absolutely fell in love with the sport. But I couldn’t afford more training, so the school offered me a deal: I’d help out during classes—picking up cones, shuttling cars—in exchange for seat time. I did that for almost three years, which allowed me to get proper (and consistent) training and meet some stunt coordinators and fellow drivers.

That was 10 years ago. My boss gave me my first stunt driving job, and I’m beyond grateful to say that the work hasn’t stopped since. It’s been one wild ride!

Out of all your projects, what do you consider your best stunt?

Cecile Cubiló: Gosh, I’ve done so many fun driving bits, it’s hard to pick a favorite—I guess there’s a pattern here, huh? I wouldn’t necessarily call it my best stunt, but the most fun I’ve ever had was on SWAT. I got to crash a (massive) armored truck into a warehouse full of cash. As far as adrenaline rushes go, it doesn’t get much better than that. It was actually super technical too—I only had a few inches of clearance on each side to squeeze through the door—but despite the precision it required, it was fun as hell. I’m pretty sure they could hear me yell “weehee” in post-production.

Now, the most technical—and probably most dangerous—stunt I’ve done was on Westworld. I was driving a custom-built tank made specifically for the show. It looked insanely cool but had very limited visibility. On my very first day on set, I was supposed to “come in hot” as they say—about 45 mph—and slide to a stop right on a mark, in the desert, on sand. Already tricky. But here’s the kicker: I had to stop inches from a real human—Jeffrey Wright’s stunt double.

Given the risk involved, the initial plan was to shoot it in front of a green screen and add Jeffrey Wright in post. But after successfully hitting my mark a few times, and I guess doing too good of a job (if that’s even a thing), they decided to go practical: ditch the green screen and place the stunt double inches from my end mark. That’s when the pressure really kicked in. This wasn’t the fun kind of adrenaline rush you’re after when getting into the business of sliding cars—this was the kind that makes you take a deep breath, lock in, and go full surgical. And sweat. Profusely. The 110-degree heat and lack of AC definitely helped with that last part.

And mind you, this guy didn’t know me. Now he had to trust me with his life. As I got into the tank, he grabbed my arm and joked, “Please don’t kill me. No pressure.” I had to summon my inner goddess to stay cool. White-knuckling the wheel, I kept reminding myself, You’ve done this a million times. You got this. They called "Action," and I went into tunnel vision. Everything slowed down. I hit my mark. We both exhaled.

That was just one of many high-pressure moments I’ve had working stunts, but honestly, that kind of pressure has helped me tremendously in my other jobs, acting and producing. It’s taught me how to stay calm under stress, make fast decisions, and be fully present in the moment. It’s all connected. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Finally, is there anything else you’re working on that we can watch for?

Cecile Cubiló: Yes, I’ve got a few exciting projects in the works:

I play Cara, a fixer, in the upcoming XYZ action-thriller He Bled Neon, directed by Drew Kirsch and starring Joe Cole, Rita Ora, Josh Holloway, and Marshawn Lynch.

We just wrapped the action-thriller Oscar Shaw, where I play Detective Nina Pérez, opposite Michael Jai White, Tyrese Gibson, and Isaiah Washington.

I'm also an Executive Producer on the upcoming gothic horror film The Dreadful, starring Sophie Turner, Kit Harington, and Marcia Gay Harden, directed by Natasha Kermani.

And as a producer, I’m excited that our LGBTQ+ dramedy God Save The Queens which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, is finally available on major streaming platforms.

Catch Cecile Cubiló in 'Neighborhood Watch' now in theaters and available On-Demand on major streaming platforms.