Kiernan Shipka goes from a 'Mad Men' to a witch in 'Sabrina'

Kiernan Shipka, best-known as Don and Betty Draper's daughter, Sally, on "Mad Men," is learning a lot as the star of the new Netflix series "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."

One of those lessons: She's allergic to cats, which can be a challenge if you portray a teenage witch whose black cat, Salem, is essentially her sidekick.

In a recent interview, Shipka mocked a cradling motion and said, "There's a still (photo) of me picking up Salem like this. That's the exact moment I truly learned that me and cats are not compatible. .. I feel like ants are crawling all over my face."

In this Oct. 15, 2018 photo, actress Kiernan Shipka poses for a portrait in New York to promote her new Netflix series "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." (Photo by Taylor JewellInvisionAP)

She said she first tried taking a Benadryl to combat the reaction and jokes it was so potent, she doesn't even remember filming that day.

Shipka is the latest in a number of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" iterations over the years. The most recent being a 1990s comedy with a laugh track starring Melissa Joan Hart.

Shipka said she's never seen the Hart version but does intend to watch it one day.

In this Oct. 15, 2018 photo, actress Kiernan Shipka poses for a portrait in New York to promote her new Netflix series "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." (Photo by Taylor JewellInvisionAP)

"I hadn't seen much or any of the 90s version just because it was a little bit before my time," laughed the 18-year-old. "I'm curious to see it. I definitely think one day I will go back and watch it. I sort of just wanted my own separate Sabrina."

In "The Chilling Adventures," this Sabrina is a teen struggling with her identity. In the first episode, we meet her on the eve of her 16th birthday when she's supposed to choose to go full-on witch or live a normal life.

"I think that a lot of her struggle is figuring out a way to balance her worlds in a way that isn't catastrophic, and that's a humongous undertaking because the witch world and the mortal world just don't mix really."

In this Oct. 15, 2018 photo, actress Kiernan Shipka poses for a portrait in New York to promote her new Netflix series "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." (Photo by Taylor JewellInvisionAP)

Shipka met with creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa last December to talk about the series, tested for it twice and waited what "felt like an eternity" to find if she got the part. "It was really Tuesday through Friday," she laughed.

She found out she got the role last December and shooting began in Vancouver in March. Filming is already underway for season two. "I didn't know about any of this a year ago. It's crazy how quickly it's all happened," she said.

Online: https://www.netflix.com/title/80223989

In this Oct. 15, 2018 photo, actress Kiernan Shipka poses for a portrait in New York to promote her new Netflix series "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." (Photo by Taylor JewellInvisionAP)

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ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV criticized prison overcrowding and insufficient inmate rehabilitation programs on Sunday as he celebrated a special Mass for detainees, guards and their families in the final event of the Vatican's 2025 Holy Year.

The Vatican said an estimated 6,000 people signed up to participate in the weekend pilgrimage, including representatives from big detention facilities in Italy and prison volunteers, wardens and prison chaplains from 90 countries.

Included were a few groups of inmates who received special permission to participate, according to the Italian penitentiary chaplain’s association.

In his homily, Leo acknowledged the oftentimes poor conditions prisoners face even in wealthier countries. He called for a sense of charity and forgiveness to prevail for prisoners and those responsible for guarding them.

“Here, we can mention overcrowding, insufficient commitment to guarantee stable educational programs for rehabilitation and job opportunities,” he said, adding that patience and forgiveness are needed.

“On a more personal level, let us not forget the weight of the past, the wounds to be healed in body and heart, the disappointments, the infinite patience that is needed with oneself and with others when embarking on paths of conversion, and the temptation to give up or to no longer forgive,” he said.

As the last big event of the 2025 Jubilee, the Mass in many ways closed out the Holy Year that Pope Francis inaugurated Christmas Eve 2024, which had as its main thrust transmitting a message of hope especially for those on society’s margins.

During his 12-year pontificate, Francis had prioritized ministering to prisoners to offer them hope for a better future. On Dec. 26 last year Francis travelled to Rome’s Rebibbia prison to open its Holy Door and include the inmates in the Jubilee celebrations.

Leo recalled that visit in Sunday's homily, as well as Francis’ Holy Year appeal for governments around the world to offer prison amnesties and pardons, which are a mainstay of the Catholic Church's Jubilee tradition.

In Italy, prison overcrowding is a longstanding problem that has been denounced by the European Court of Human Rights and humanitarian organizations.

Antigone, an Italian prisoner advocacy group, said Italian prisons are now at 135% overcapacity, with more than 63,000 people detained in facilities with fewer than 47,000 beds. Italian prison authorities received 5,837 complaints of inhuman or degrading treatment last year, 23.4% more than in the previous year, Antigone said.

The Mass was the final big Jubilee event of the 2025 Holy Year, which Leo will officially close out on Jan. 6 when he shuts the Holy Door of St. Peter's.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Pope Leo XIV arrives to celebrate a Mass on the occasion of the Jubilee of Prisoners in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV celebrates a Mass on the occasion of the Jubilee of Prisoners in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV celebrates a Mass on the occasion of the Jubilee of Prisoners in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV gestures as he celebrates a Mass on the occasion of the Jubilee of Prisoners in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV delivers his speech as he celebrates a Mass on the occasion of the Jubilee of Prisoners in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)