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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67 episodes
Updated Friday
Explicit

Episodes67

Newest first

April 1 · 2 hr 11 min
Nocturnal Animals with DeVaughn Taylor (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 42)
Amy Adams' action-packed 2016 culminated with the release of Tom Ford's psychological thriller Nocturnal Animals, where she plays emotionally detached art gallery owner Susan. We're joined by podcast host DeVaughn Taylor to talk about Amy finding humanity in an empty shell, and why this movie is cologne commercial cinema. Plus: predicting the Oscar winners after the fact, juggling multiple nemeses, and the year of Jena Malone. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow DeVaughn on social: @_daddydisco Follow Specter Cinema Club on social: @spectercinema Follow Tainted Love on social: @taintedlove Follow The Pod and the Pendulum on social: @pod_and_the_pendulum
March 25 · 2 hr 1 min
Arrival with Tori Dunlap (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 41)
Amid a very busy year, Amy Adams delivered one of her most celebrated performances as linguist Louise Banks in the 2016 sci-fi drama Arrival. We're joined by Financial Feminist host and author Tori Dunlap to talk about how Amy's deliberate restraint might have cost her an Oscar nomination, and what this movie has to say about the meaning of life. Plus: spoiling the ending of Pay It Forward, Lisa Rinna's Meisner training, and seeing Elle with your parents. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Tori on social: @torikdunlap Follow Her First $100K on social: @herfirst100k
March 18 · 1 hr 55 min
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice with Hannah Aaron Brown (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 40)
Whether by choice or contractual obligation, Amy Adams returned to the DCEU in the 2016 superhero movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where she once again plays Lois Lane to Henry Cavill's Superman. We're joined by actor, writer, and Not Aspirational host Hannah Aaron Brown to talk about Amy's impressively committed press tour performance, and how this movie led directly to the infamous "Imagine" video. Plus: generalizing about Australians, the importance of waiting out trends, and giving Razzie Awards to war criminals. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Hannah on social: @hannahaaronbrown
March 16 · 1 hr 15 min
BONUS: 2025 Oscar Reactions
In today's special bonus episode, we're breaking down our reactions to the 98th Academy Awards—the winners, the losers, and the sound quality issues. Plus: doing Kirsten Dunst proud, Fred Savage jump scares, and being cool enough to go to a K-pop concert. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
March 11 · 1 hr 53 min
Big Eyes with Mara Wilson (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 39)
Amy Adams won her second consecutive Golden Globe for playing real-life painter Margaret Keane in Tim Burton's 2014 biopic Big Eyes. We're joined by writer and actor Mara Wilson to talk about Amy acting opposite a larger-than-life Christoph Waltz, and how this movie could benefit from a little more magical realism. Plus: Danny DeVito's cottagecore streak, doing yoga with Laura Dern, and the sluttiest Pink Lady. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Mara on social: @marawilson
March 4 · 1 hr 40 min
Lullaby with Mitchell Beaupre (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 38)
For reasons known only to her, Amy Adams appeared in the forgotten 2014 drama Lullaby, where she plays Emily, the one that got away from Garrett Hedlund's Jonathan. We're joined by film writer and Letterboxd head of editorial Mitchell Beaupre to talk about Amy wearing pajamas on a New York City street, and why this movie might be a spiritual sequel to American Hustle. Plus: the importance of nebbish casting, smuggling DVDs across state lines, and using fake movies to win Cinematrix. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Mitchell on social: @mitchellbeaupre
February 25 · 2 hr 8 min
American Hustle with Angelique Jackson (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 37)
Amy Adams nabbed her fifth Academy Award nomination (and first Golden Globe win) for the 2013 crime movie American Hustle, where she plays con artist Sydney Prosser AKA Lady Edith Greensly. We're joined by Variety senior entertainment writer Angelique Jackson to talk about Amy's egregious experience behind the scenes, and why we will never forgive David O. Russell. Plus: the long shadow of Fast & Furious 6, Bradley Cooper's silly goose status, and Amy's fake feud with Tom Hanks. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Angelique on social: @angeliquejackson
February 18 · 2 hr 15 min
Her with Phil Iscove (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 36)
Amy Adams' very busy 2013 continued with Spike Jonze's sci-fi romance Her, where she plays Theodore Twombly's video game designer friend, Amy. We're joined by Podcast Like It's… co-host Phil Iscove to talk about Amy killing Joaquin Phoenix with kindness, and the way this movie's AI love story has aged well and poorly. Plus: crushing on Joan Cusack, embracing Tumblrcore, and Sean Young's public audition for Catwoman. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Phil on social: @pmiscove Follow Podcast Like It's… on social: @podcastlikeits
February 11 · 1 hr 51 min
Man of Steel with Ryan Marker (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 35)
Amy Adams was there at the beginning of the DC Extended Universe, becoming Lois Lane to Henry Cavill's Superman in 2013's Man of Steel. We're joined by Screen Drafts co-host Ryan Marker to talk about where Amy ranks in the pantheon of Loises, and why Man of Steel is secretly a faith-based film. Plus: Navy SEAL torture endurance training, Sandra Bullock hogging awards, and the cultural impact of Dr. Chase Meridian. 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
February 8 · 1 hr 15 min
BONUS: Game Day 2026
In today's special bonus episode, we're offering some Big Game counterprogramming by challenging each other with brand new trivia games. Louis tests Dane's knowledge of the 2025 Oscar-nominated films and other actresses named Amy, while Dane forces Louis to remember the deep-cut co-stars of movies we've covered on the podcast. Plus: the bomb episode of "Grey's Anatomy," honoring Babu Frik, and anti-Patriots bias. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
February 4 · 2 hr 15 min
Trouble with the Curve with Jeremy Marder (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 34)
Amy Adams learned how to play baseball for her role in the 2012 sports drama Trouble with the Curve, where she stars as Mickey, the semi-estranged daughter of Clint Eastwood's Gus Lobel. We're joined by Four Stars co-host Jeremy Marder to talk about Amy's love for Paint Your Wagon, and why Trouble with the Curve feels like a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Plus: the appeal of an internet diet, the Anne Hathawaying of Jennifer Lawrence, and holding space for Amy's Glinda. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Jeremy on social: @mardergolem Follow Four Stars on social: @chicagopodfilm
January 28 · 1 hr 53 min
The Master with Bryan Cogman (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 33)
Amy Adams earned an impressive fourth Oscar nomination for her role as Peggy Dodd, wife of probable cult leader Lancaster Dodd, in Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 drama The Master. We're joined by writer and producer Bryan Cogman to talk about Amy taking on a part that lets her play into and against type, and the thrill of a film that refuses to hold its audience's hand. Plus: the Blue Moon extended universe, being a third-party voter for Sally Field, and the worst Game of Thrones episode to watch on a first date. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Bryan on social: @bryancogman
January 23 · 1 hr 27 min
BONUS: 2025 Oscar Nomination Reactions
In today's special bonus episode, we're sharing our reactions to the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards—what we loved, what we hated, what we wish could have miraculously broken through. Plus: the power of active listening, the Predator: Badlands bump, and dad texts about Joel Edgerton. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
January 21 · 1 hr 52 min
On the Road with Katey Rich (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 32)
Amy Adams stepped back into cameo-plus territory with Walter Salles' 2012 adaptation of On the Road, in which she plays Jane Lee, a stand-in for real-life Beat Generation figure Joan Vollmer. We're joined by The Ankler awards editor and Prestige Junkie host Katey Rich to talk about Amy slipping into another star-studded ensemble, and how this movie benefits from turning the homoerotic subtext into text. Plus: mourning the Hollywood Film Awards, Viggo Mortensen's insistence on taking his pants off, and announcing our forthcoming podcast on Georgia Rule. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Katey on social: @kateyrich Follow The Ankler on social: @theankler
January 14 · 2 hr
The Muppets with Darren Franich (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 31)
Following her edgier turn in The Fighter, Amy Adams returned to Disney and to musical comedy in 2011's The Muppets, where she plays kind-hearted elementary school teacher and amateur mechanic Mary. We're joined by writer and critic Darren Franich to talk about Amy's special relationship with Rowlf, and why this movie is the Force Awakens of the Muppet franchise. Plus: pandering to Gen X, beefing with remote-controlled Christoph Waltz, and the alternate universe where Amy bought a zoo. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
January 7 · 2 hr 11 min
The Fighter with Katie Walsh (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 30)
Amy Adams officially ended her princess era in 2010's sports drama The Fighter, where she earned her third Academy Award nomination for playing Charlene, Micky Ward's fiercely loyal and foul-mouthed girlfriend. We're joined by Tribune News Service film critic Katie Walsh to talk about Amy working hard to break type, and why this movie is less conventional than it's given credit for. Plus: when bad people are good actors, Christian Bale's unconventional diet tips, and considering Melissa Leo's impact on the Marty Supreme Oscar campaign. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Katie on social: @katiewalshstx
Dec 31, 2025 · 1 hr 22 min
BONUS: 2026 New Year's Resolutions (and Game!)
In today's special bonus episode, we're sharing our 2026 New Year's resolutions for Amy Adams—and for the podcast. Then Louis ambushes Dane with a surprisingly tricky game. Plus: breaking the Bond villain glass ceiling, the difference between actors and stars, and chasing Gal Gadot. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman
Dec 24, 2025 · 1 hr 46 min
The Office with Tori Dunlap (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 29)
We're closing out TV Month with Amy Adams' arc on The Office as Jim's love interest Katy, a role she played over the course of three episodes from 2005 to 2006. We're joined by Financial Feminist host and author Tori Dunlap to talk about Amy as the perfect foil to Pam, and the hidden meaning of the show's talking heads. Plus: the death of monoculture, comparing credit scores, and defending the honor of Legally Blonde. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Tori on social: @torikdunlap Follow Her First $100K on social: @herfirst100k
Dec 17, 2025 · 1 hr 41 min
The West Wing with Clay Keller and Adam B. Vary (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 28)
A few months before Catch Me If You Can hit theaters, Amy Adams shared the screen with Martin Sheen in the 2002 Season 4 premiere of The West Wing, "20 Hours in America," where she plays a farmer's daughter named Cathy. We're joined by Screen Drafts host Clay Keller and entertainment writer Adam B. Vary to talk about Amy as a stand-in for Middle America, and all the ways this episode made us cry. Plus: the comfort of liberal cringe, when TV characters become family, and a walk and talk with the QAnon Shaman. 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 Adam on social: @adambvary Follow Screen Drafts on social: @screendrafts
Dec 10, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min
Smallville with Chancellor Agard (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 27)
A year after her appearance on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Amy Adams donned a deeply unfortunate fat suit to play freak of the week Jodi Melville on the 2001 Smallville episode "Craving." We're joined by entertainment writer Chancellor Agard to talk about Amy's first entry into the DC universe, and how this episode's early 2000s fatphobia could be a lot worse. Plus: Smallville's infamous sex cult, making tough choices in a pre-DVR world, and who deserves the blame for Brendan Fraser's Oscar. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Chancellor on social: @chancelloragard