Elk Grove native debuts her first lead role in Lifetime original film, ‘Sins in the Suburbs’

After seven years of auditioning in Los Angeles, Monique Sypkens finally landed a lead role starring in a new movie.

It almost didn’t happen.

Last summer, she planned to move to Costa Rica, preparing to give up on her career dreams. Sypkens was at her wits’ end with acting and performing arts because she knew her worth, but felt unseen.

Her mother encouraged her to keep pursuing her goals, reminding her of the 4-year-old who always said she was going to be on the TV screen.

It paid off.

She’ll make her debut as a lead actress in an original Lifetime film “Sins in the Suburbs,” a mystery and suspenseful thriller premiering on Saturday at 5 p.m.

“I’ve seen my dreams realized,” said Sypkens. “I’m going to be on TV. This is something that I’ve been working toward for a very long time.”

The role clicked for Sypkens at her audition, she remembered. She felt a connection with the character she’d play, Heather, an artist in a quiet suburban neighborhood who’s waiting for something good to happen in her life.

When a new, young and successful neighbor moves in next door, Heather develops an affinity for him. But she becomes skeptical of her new neighbor, believing he doesn’t seem to fit in after causing an uproar throughout the neighborhood.

“I wholeheartedly believe this character was made for me,” said Sypkens. “She is a struggling artist trying to persevere and continue to believe in herself when the results aren’t happening, and that’s been me.”

Drawn to TV in Elk Grove youth

Through a path of hard work and resilience, Sypkens would get to the destination she tirelessly worked to achieve.

“My advice is to follow your heart. Don’t let any of that noise come and distract you if your heart is set on something,” said Sypkens. “Do it and find a way to orchestrate your life around making whatever you want to be possible.”

The actress and model grew up in Elk Grove watching Saturday TV shows, pointing at the screen, and claiming to her family that one day, she too, would be on television with everyone watching her.

Before landing her first lead role, Sypkens appeared in television series like Snowfall on FX and Fauk My Life on RevryTV. She also has been seen in advertisements for McDonald’s, Toyota, Merrel, Bowflex, and The North Face.

She performed overseas with the Pure Praxis Theatre troupe in workshops created to prevent sexual assault and retaliation in the military.

Sypkens also spent time as an educator for six years after college, teaching theater and improv in Los Angeles juvenile facilities through the Unusual Suspect Theatre Company.

Last March, she wrote and co-directed her first short film, which she plans to release this summer. As a writer and director, Sypkens incorporates topics like mental health and overcoming trauma as a way to bring healing to her audience.

“That is my advice because then you’re doing what you love anyway, it might not be at the level that you love yet. But you are still doing what you love and you’re learning along the way,” said Sypkens.

Joined Sacramento Theatre Company

Sypkens said that she fervently believes her culminating experiences in life have been “a boot camp” that prepared her for where she is now and for what is to come in the future.

Locally, she was a member of the Sacramento Theatre Company. She took drama and theater production classes at Toby Johnson Middle School and Franklin High School, performing in plays such as Les Miserables, Hairspray, Is He Dead, and Mulan.

She participated in her first play ever in the fourth grade, playing a grandma in Willy Wonka, at Elliott Ranch Elementary School.

Growing up, she developed qualities beyond acting, such as exemplifying leadership, having a good moral compass, and being a good person.

“I have to give a shout out to all the folks that you know have lifted me in Sacramento,” said Sypkens. “I’m just so grateful for the foundation that was set for me in Elk Grove specifically, and even the Sacramento Theatre Company.”

Sypkens expressed gratitude to God, her family and friends and said she looks forward to celebrating the Lifetime movie premiere of “Sins in the Suburbs” produced by GoodForm, in association with The Johnson Production Group.

You can watch “Sins in the Suburbs” on Lifetime, the Lifetime TV app, Sling TV, Philo TV, and it will also be available to stream online.

This story was originally published March 18, 2022 at 5:25 AM.