Supporting Actresses

Dane McDonald and Louis Peitzman

A movie-by-movie breakdown of the careers of our favorite actresses, from their first brushes with fame to their newest releases. Co-hosts Dane McDonald and Louis Peitzman are charting the ups, downs, obstacles, and triumphs in this chronological deep dive into actress filmographies.

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20 episodes
Updated Friday
Explicit

Episodes20

Newest first

Friday · 1 hr 37 min
BONUS: Cape Fear: Season Finale (Patreon Preview)
In today's special Patreon preview, we're recapping the season finale of Apple TV's Cape Fear, where Amy Adams plays Anna Bowden, a defense attorney with secrets. We also share our larger thoughts on the series, and discuss whether or not Cape Fear was a good choice for Amy. Plus: Leo season generosity, thirsting over Peter Benchley, and avoiding the Nicole Kidman trap. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
Wednesday · 1 hr 31 min
Se7en with Wynter Mitchell (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 7)
Gwyneth Paltrow makes the most of her limited screentime in the hit 1995 crime thriller Se7en, where she plays Tracy, the doomed wife of Brad Pitt's Detective Mills. We're joined by podcaster and digital strategist Wynter Mitchell to talk about Gwyneth's performance getting overshadowed by her first tabloid relationship, and the feel-bad vibes of this massively influential film. Plus: suing Jigsaw, catching the Night Stalker, and where Madonna gets her handbags. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Wynter on social: @wyntermitchell
July 22 · 1 hr 40 min
Jefferson in Paris with Drea Clark (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 6)
Gwyneth Paltrow's busy 1995 began with the historical drama Jefferson in Paris, where she plays Thomas Jefferson's daughter, Patsy. We're joined by producer and Maximum Film! co-host Drea Clark to talk about Gwyneth's crash course in harpsichord, and why this movie should never have been a Merchant Ivory production. Plus: wife on phone Oscar noms, planting the seeds of Goop, and making Dave Matthews sign random books. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Drea on social: @dreaclark Follow Maximum Film! on social: @maximumfilmpodcast
July 15 · 2 hr 2 min
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle with Chris Feil (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 5)
Gwyneth Paltrow took a trip back to the 1920s in the 1994 biopic Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, where she plays fictional actress Paula Hunt alongside the real members of the Algonquin Round Table. We're joined by This Had Oscar Buzz co-host Chris Feil to talk about Gwyneth's lack of Tallulah Bankhead vibes, and why this movie is nepo baby "Avengers, assemble." Plus: B-minus accent work, spoiling Dying Young, and the resurrection of Ian Holm. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Chris on social: @chrisvfeil Follow This Had Oscar Buzz on social: @thishadoscarbuzz
July 8 · 1 hr 56 min
Flesh and Bone with Amy Odell (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 4)
Gwyneth Paltrow got her most substantial role—and her first taste of awards buzz—in the 1993 thriller Flesh and Bone, where she plays a petty criminal named Ginnie. We're joined by Gwyneth: The Biography author Amy Odell to talk about Gwyneth having her hair thinned with a razor to look poor, and why this movie feels like Sam Shepard for dummies. Plus: the Best Supporting Actress kiss of death, loving seed oils, and chasing Apple Martin. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Amy on social: @instamyodell Follow Back Row on social: @backrow
July 4 · 1 hr 33 min
BONUS: 1776
In today's special July 4th bonus episode, we're covering the 1972 historical musical 1776, which features Blythe Danner—pregnant with Gwyneth Paltrow—as Martha Jefferson. We talk about the striking resemblance between Blythe and her now much more famous daughter, and how this movie subverts popular perception of the Founding Fathers. Plus: spoiling Hadestown, relitigating Hamilton, and being raised by Jack McCoy. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
July 1 · 2 hr 5 min
Malice with Clay Keller (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 3)
Gwyneth Paltrow has a brief part in the 1993 thriller Malice, where she plays doomed college student Paula. We're joined by Screen Drafts host Clay Keller to talk about Gwyneth's first experience as a cadaver, and why this movie makes us deeply nostalgic for an era of high-quality trash. Plus: Bartlett pear Easter eggs, meeting the real Fockers, and being horny for Billy Zane. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Clay on social: @claykeller Follow Screen Drafts on social: @screendrafts
June 23 · 2 hr
Hook with Roxana Hadadi (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 2)
Gwyneth Paltrow's godfather Steven Spielberg helped her earn her SAG card by casting her in his 1991 fantasy Hook, where she plays the younger version of Maggie Smith's Wendy Darling. We're joined by Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi to talk about Gwyneth's early accent work, and why this movie is divisive even among the millennials who grew up with it. Plus: daddy issues, cozying up to the Saudis, and choosing Miles Teller over Callum Turner. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Roxana on social: @roxana_hadadi
June 17 · 1 hr 40 min
Shout (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Season Premiere)
Gwyneth Paltrow made her feature film debut in the 1991 drama Shout, where she plays Rebecca, who gets a single one-word line ("Rebecca"). We talk about Gwyneth pulling focus from Heather Graham in her brief appearances, and why this movie fails as a musical and a romance. Plus: resting your head on pancakes, finding Linda Fiorentino, and a defense of arugula in meatballs. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
June 5 · 1 hr 32 min
BONUS: Cape Fear: Episodes 1-2 (Patreon Preview)
In today's special Patreon preview, we're recapping the first two episodes of Apple TV's Cape Fear, where Amy Adams plays Anna Bowden, a defense attorney with secrets. Plus: deadnaming streaming services, Chekhov's home renovation, and why we're pro-Ted Levine. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
June 3 · 1 hr 29 min
Performance Rankings and Final Thoughts (Chasing Amy Adams: Season Finale)
It's the season finale of Chasing Amy Adams, and we're ranking our favorite Amy Adams film performances from the 46 movies we've covered. But before that, Dane and Louis ask each other questions about Amy's filmography, and what we've learned over the course of the last year. Plus: Frances McDormand dodging Oscars, Diane Warren's relentlessness, and the Hellraiser sequel we need. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
May 27 · 1 hr 50 min
Nightbitch with Sonia Saraiya (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 50)
Our journey through Amy Adams' filmography comes to an end (for now) with the 2024 dramedy Nightbitch, where she plays a mom who might be transforming into a dog. We're joined by TV critic Sonia Saraiya to talk about the way Amy's performance reflects the incredible arc of her career, and how this movie's restraint keeps it from greatness. Plus: Mister Rogers' nipples, hiring Etsy witches, and Merritt Wever's perfect Emmys speech. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Sonia on social: @soniasaraiya
May 22 · 31 min
BONUS: And the Next Season Is...
In today's special bonus episode, we're making big announcements about a podcast rebrand and what actress we'll be covering next season. Plus: the Thunderbolts* asterisk, fixing non-gendered acting awards, and loving Mickey Rourke. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
May 20 · 1 hr 52 min
Disenchanted with Jorge Molina (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 49)
Amy Adams returned to Disney Princess mode for the 2022 musical fantasy sequel Disenchanted, where she reprises her role as Giselle. We're joined by filmmaker and critic Jorge Molina to talk about Amy going full wicked stepmother, and why this movie arrived a decade too late. Plus: Charmed gays vs. Buffy gays, debating legacy sequels, and apologizing to Kenny Ortega. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Jorge on social: @colormejorge
May 13 · 1 hr 47 min
Dear Evan Hansen with Kevin T. Porter (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 48)
Amy Adams returned to her musical theater background with the 2021 musical Dear Evan Hansen, where she plays grieving mom Cynthia Murphy. We're joined by Good Christian Fun co-host Kevin T. Porter to talk about the culmination of Amy's regrettable year, and how this movie asks its audience to suspend way too much disbelief. Plus: gay ghosts, Hillsongcore, and putting James Corden's agent on trial. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Kevin on social: @kevintporter Follow Good Christian Fun on social: @christianfunpod
May 6 · 1 hr 54 min
The Woman in the Window with Maris Kreizman (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 47)
After a two-year delay, audiences finally got to see Amy Adams play agoraphobic child psychologist Dr. Anna Fox in the 2021 psychological thriller The Woman in the Window—but was the film's COVID-era release a blessing or a curse? We're joined by The Maris Review's Maris Kreizman to talk about Amy's first Razzie nomination, and the literary world grifter at the center of this story. Plus: twink Gregory Peck, wife TV, and defending Diana: The Musical. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Maris on social: @mariskreizman
April 29 · 1 hr 56 min
Zack Snyder's Justice League with Ryan Marker (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 46)
Amy Adams made her last appearance as Lois Lane in the 2021 director's cut Zack Snyder's Justice League AKA the Snyder Cut. We're joined by Screen Drafts co-host Ryan Marker to talk about Amy getting sidelined in a four-hour film, and whether or not this movie earns its self-importance. Plus: censoring duck boobs, the plague of superfluous chapter titles, and Lydia Tár's Oscars cheer moment. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Ryan on social: @markerryan625 Follow Screen Drafts on social: @screendrafts
April 22 · 2 hr 23 min
Hillbilly Elegy with Joe Reid (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 45)
Amy Adams completed her accidental vice president duology with the 2020 biopic Hillbilly Elegy, where she plays Bev, mother to future veep JD Vance. We're joined by This Had Oscar Buzz co-host Joe Reid to talk about the most cursed moment in Amy's filmography, and what we really mean when we call this movie Oscar bait. Plus: an all-Muppet Cabinet, Valerie Cherish's good wigs, and spoiling the Divergent series. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Joe on social: @joereid Follow This Had Oscar Buzz on social: @thishadoscarbuzz
April 16 · 1 hr 38 min
Vice with Emily St. James (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 44)
Amy Adams got her sixth and (to date) last Oscar nomination for her role as second lady Lynne Cheney, wife to Christian Bale's Dick Cheney in the 2018 biopic Vice. We're joined by writer and Podcast Like It's the 2000s co-host Emily St. James to talk about Amy doing Shakespeare by way of Adam McKay, and how this movie's smug condescension turned off audiences. Plus: fascists who love the musical Cats, a giant tap-dancing pig, and Timothée Chalamet playing Stephen Miller. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Emily on social: @emilystjams Follow Podcast Like It's… on social: @podcastlikeits
April 8 · 2 hr 4 min
Justice League with Henry Gilbert (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 43)
Director's cut aside, Amy Adams completed her DCEU trilogy with the 2017 superhero movie Justice League, where she plays Lois Lane to Henry Cavill's (spoiler alert) resurrected Superman. We're joined by Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon! co-host Henry Gilbert to talk about Amy phoning it in during reshoots, and Joss Whedon's disastrous attempt to brighten up Zack Snyder's vision. Plus: justice for Laurie Metcalf, demanding better slop, and the long-awaited sequel to Nyad. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Henry on social: @talkinghenry Follow Talking Simpsons on social: @talksimpsonspod