Emma Roberts in a scene from ‘Space Cadet.’ AP

As one of Ryan Murphy’s go-to actors for his “American Horror Story” franchise, Emma Roberts has been sawed in half, played a ruthless witch and a final girl facing off against a serial killer. Most recently she was a pregnant actor targeted by a cult.  When the opportunity to play a college dropout-turned-NASA trainee in the rom-com “Space Cadet” came along, she jumped at the change in tone. “This movie kind of feels nostalgic, kind of early 2000s in a way, but also fresh and fun,” said Roberts in an interview.  Roberts executive produces and stars in the movie premiered on Prime Video. She’s Rex, a young woman who had big dreams growing up of becoming an astronaut but whose adult reality has taken a different path. Rex is working as a bartender when she gets accepted to a NASA trainee programme. The movie co-stars Tom Hopper, Poppy Liu of “Hacks” and Gabrielle Union. The script reminded Roberts of “Private Benjamin” and “Legally Blonde,” and she was excited to play “the underestimated female character who ends up surprising people in unexpected ways.”

With box office numbers down and an overall cut in new TV shows, have you noticed it’s a rough time getting things going in Hollywood?

Yeah, I feel like we’re feeling the effects of the strikes more so now than we did even last year, which is ironic. Between the strikes and COVID, we’ve just been living in such unprecedented, weird times. I’m so grateful for the TV show I executive produce, “Tell Me Lies,” which just wrapped filming its second season. With “Space Cadet,” I’m excited to put something out there that I think will make people smile and laugh and hopefully feel a little inspired.

You grew up in a household with your mom and sister. What’s it like being a boy mom?

My mom has a sister. I have a sister. Like, we’re all like sisters, mothers, daughters. There’s so many girls around. I was convinced I was having a girl. I was like, “I know it. It’s intuition. I’m having a girl.” They said it was a boy, and I was like, “Huh?” but I love it. I’ve definitely had to brush up on my basketball and soccer skills. I was a little rusty, so I’m trying to dig in. I will say I’ve saved a lot of money on clothes being a boy mom, because you just throw them in whatever. I see little girl stuff and I’m like, “Oh my God.” I’d be broke if I had a daughter because everything is so cute.

You recently co-starred with Kim Kardashian in ‘American Horror Story: Delicate’ and she got positive reviews. Were you surprised by her acting skills?

I was really impressed by her. I’m still impressed by her. I mean, everything she does is impressive. She’s a mom. She’s a businesswoman and now an actress. She also has “The Kardashians,” which I watch. My bodysuit under my dress is SKIMS, actually, if we’re being honest. I just love her. We’re making a show called “Calabasas” with (“Pretty Little Liars” creator) I.

Would you ever write a book?

You know, I would. I’ve thought about, like, maybe short stories or something. Maybe when I’m like 70, and don’t care what people think, I’ll write a memoir (laughs.) Yeah, I would love to do something. I want to write children’s books. My mom and I have talked about doing that together, and I think that would be really, really fun, especially now that I have a son who loves to read.

In the age of screen time, it’s so great that he appreciates books.

He can read “Goodnight Moon” cover to cover, and I’m so proud. My biggest accomplishment thus far is he likes to read. That makes me happy.

Associated Press