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

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Dec 5, 2025 · 25 min
BONUS: Interview with Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
In today's special bonus episode, actor and writer Amber Benson joins us to talk about co-starring with Amy Adams in the 2000 Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Family." Plus: Cousin Beth as a proto-trad wife, the non-issue of floating lesbians, and sneaking into the carpool lane with a cast of Tara's head. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Amber on social: @rebma_nosneb
Dec 3, 2025 · 1 hr 49 min
Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Ian Carlos Crawford (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 26)
December is TV Month at Chasing Amy Adams, and we're going back in time to Amy's early television roles, starting with Cousin Beth in the 2000 Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Family." We're joined by Slayerfest 98 host Ian Carlos Crawford to talk about Amy's unique connection to Sarah Michelle Gellar, and why this episode is anything but filler. Plus: plumbing the depths of UPN lore, the non-evil version of The Secret, and getting Hugh Jackman on TikTok. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Ian on social: @ianxcarlos Follow Slayerfest 98 on social: @slayerfestx98 Follow My Bloody Judy on social: @mybloodyjudy
Nov 26, 2025 · 1 hr 47 min
Love & Distrust with Harmony Sandoval (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 25)
Amy Adams may have been doing a favor for her brother and acting coach when she starred in the 2006 short film Pennies, which was collected in the 2010 anthology Love & Distrust. We're joined by artist and podcaster Harmony Sandoval to talk about Amy's first time sharing the screen with her future husband, and why this movie may be an elaborate scam. Plus: the horror of seeing Remember Me on opening night, Google's shady "you visit often" reminders, and Lorraine Bracco's guerilla filmmaking. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Harmony on social: @honeyglazedhammy
Nov 19, 2025 · 1 hr 56 min
Leap Year with Jesse Hassenger (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 24)
Amy Adams tried her hand at being a romcom leading lady in 2010's Leap Year, where she plays Anna, a real estate stager capitalizing on an obscure Irish tradition to propose to her boyfriend. We're joined by AV Club contributor and New Flesh co-host Jesse Hassenger to talk about Amy being directed into her least charming performance, and whether or not Leap Year makes The Wedding Date look better in comparison. Plus: the difference between banter and open hostility, Matthew Goode's overly honest press tour, and firing shots at Hilary Swank. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Jesse on social: @rockmarooned
Nov 12, 2025 · 1 hr 34 min
Moonlight Serenade with Jesse Knight (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 23)
Before La La Land, there was the 2009 musical romance Moonlight Serenade—completed in 2005 and shelved for four years—in which Amy Adams stars as coat check girl and aspiring singer Chloe. We're joined by ShortFest Director of Programming Jesse Knight to talk about the problem with Amy's crisp enunciation, and why this movie's bad lighting is Lynchian. Plus: spoiling the plot of True Blood Season 1, the Harriet Sansom Harris fan club, and the worst time to bring up your mommy issues. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Jesse on social: @bctheknight
Nov 5, 2025 · 2 hr 30 min
Julie & Julia with Joe Reid (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 22)
Just one year after Doubt, Amy Adams reunited with Meryl Streep in the 2009 dramedy Julie & Julia—though the two actresses never share the screen. We're joined by Vulture writer and This Had Oscar Buzz co-host Joe Reid to talk about Amy fat-shaming Chris Messina, and why this movie provoked a stunning amount of vitriol toward its central character. Plus: how to poach an egg the easy way, Stanley Tucci being our gayest straight man, and the role Amy could have stolen from Jason Derulo. 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
Oct 29, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian with Demi Adejuyigbe (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 21)
Amy Adams was one of two actresses to play Amelia Earhart onscreen in 2009, but the fantasy comedy Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is almost certainly the better remembered film. We're joined by writer and comedian Demi Adejuyigbe to talk about Amy donning tight jodhpurs to play a screwball heroine, and this movie's tortured internal logic. Plus: questioning the integrity of the Teen Choice Awards, Crystal the Monkey's impressive filmography, and imagining the Katharine Hepburn action movie era we were denied. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Demi on social: @electrolemon
Oct 22, 2025 · 2 hr 18 min
Doubt with Drea Clark (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 20)
Amy Adams earned her second Academy Award nomination for the 2008 drama Doubt, where she plays kindhearted nun Sister James in John Patrick Shanley's adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play. We're joined by producer and Maximum Film co-host Drea Clark to talk about Amy and Viola Davis going head-to-head in the same category, and how this movie embraces the horror of Dutch angles. Plus: spicing up communion wafers, the moment Amy became offer-only, and Kirk Douglas shilling for Casa Zeta-Jones. 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
Oct 15, 2025 · 1 hr 52 min
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day with Cody Dericks (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 19)
Amy Adams is something of a co-lead alongside Frances McDormand in the 2008 romantic comedy Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, where she plays flighty American actress Delysia Lafosse. We're joined by writer and podcaster Cody Dericks to talk about Amy juggling three very handsome men, and why British critics were so sour on this London-set period piece. Plus: our Lee Pace crush origin stories, accidentally buying straight guy sheets, and the most heartbreaking moment in the Katy Perry documentary. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Cody on social: @codymonster91 Follow Halloweeners on social: @halloweenerspod
Oct 8, 2025 · 1 hr 41 min
Sunshine Cleaning with George Civeris (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 18)
Amy Adams and Emily Blunt appeared in one more movie together after Charlie Wilson's War. In the 2008 dramedy Sunshine Cleaning, Amy plays Rose Lorkowski, a single mom who decides to start a crime scene cleanup business. We're joined by comedian and StraightioLab co-host George Civeris to talk about Amy and Emily's sisterly bond, and how badly Sunshine Cleaning wants to be Little Miss Sunshine. Plus: Jennifer Aniston's depressing indies, gay dates at the Cheesecake Factory, and what we really mean when we talk about "Sundance slop." Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow George on social: @georgeciveris Follow StraightioLab on social: @straightiolab
Oct 1, 2025 · 1 hr 56 min
Charlie Wilson's War with Oriana Nudo (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 17)
Amy Adams wasn't going to turn down the opportunity to work with Mike Nichols, who cast her as executive administrative assistant Bonnie Bach (not a real person) in the 2007 biographical dramedy Charlie Wilson's War. We're joined by Hollywood-ography co-host Oriana Nudo to talk about Amy's mastery of the Aaron Sorkin walk-and-talk, and why this movie is overly generous to its central figure. Plus: how streaming ruined sleepover culture, nature documentaries lying to you, and the thrill of great ponytail acting. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Oriana on social: @oriananudo Follow Hollywood-ography on social: @hllywdography
Sep 24, 2025 · 2 hr 21 min
Enchanted with Brooke Solomon and Jordan Gustafson (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 16)
In 2007, Amy Adams took on her first starring role as Disney Princess Giselle in the musical comedy Enchanted, and nothing was ever the same. We're joined by The Queer Quadrant hosts Brooke Solomon and Jordan Gustafson to talk about Amy beating out 300 other actresses for this role, and how sexism might have kept Enchanted from the awards recognition it deserved. Plus: defending the honor of New York City rats, Disney's exclusively gay moments, and why James Marsden is always getting cucked. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Brooke on social: @brookebsolomon Follow Jordan on social: @jordanhgus Follow The Queer Quadrant on social: @queerquadrant
Sep 17, 2025 · 1 hr 40 min
Underdog with Ben Mekler (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 15)
Years before she played Lois Lane, Amy Adams took on the role of a different superhero love interest in the 2007 comedy Underdog, where she voices a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Polly Purebred. We're joined by writer and director Ben Mekler to talk about Amy delivering the filthiest line of her career in a Disney movie, and why Underdog's missteps are Christopher Nolan's fault. Plus: the dauntingly expansive Air Bud universe, Jim Belushi's dog-centric career, and being the Amy Adams of the furry awards. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Ben on social: @benmekler
Sep 10, 2025 · 1 hr 24 min
The Ex with Patrick Cotnoir (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 14)
Amy Adams has a slightly bigger part (emphasis on slightly) in the 2006 comedy The Ex, where she plays crunchy granola mom Abby. We're joined by Hey, That's Me! And The George Lucas Talk Show co-host Patrick Cotnoir to talk about the star power that convinced Amy to take this role, and why the more offensive unrated cut might be a better movie. Plus: the dying art of commentary tracks, men who quote The Office on dating apps, and the homophobia of underutilizing Mia Farrow. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Patrick on social: @patrickcotnoir
Sep 3, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny with Brett Arnold (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 13)
Given Amy Adams' low level of fame at the time, it's hard to even call her brief, wordless appearance in the 2006 musical comedy Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny a cameo—but that won't stop us from covering it. We're joined by Roger & Me and New Flesh host Brett Arnold to talk about how Amy ended up playing Gorgeous Woman, and why this movie had to bomb for the sake of the bit. Plus: the prank call soundboards that raised us, trying to make sense of straight culture, and Meat Loaf's thoughts on climate change. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Brett on social: @brettredacted
Aug 27, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby with Ash Crossan (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 12)
Instead of following up Junebug with Oscar bait, Amy Adams returned to studio comedy in 2006's Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, where she plays Ricky's assistant-turned-love interest, Susan. We're joined by Emmy-winning reporter and Screen Rant host Ash Crossan to talk about Amy's iconic monologue, and whether or not this movie is funnier than Anchorman. Plus: Will Ferrell's kissing skills, the charm of aughts homophobia, and how the Netflix sheen is ruining comedies. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Ash on social: @ashcrossan
Aug 20, 2025 · 1 hr 42 min
Junebug with Chris Feil (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 11)
Amy Adams received her first of six Academy Award nominations for the 2005 dramedy Junebug, where she plays the very sweet (and very chatty) Ashley. We're joined by writer and This Had Oscar Buzz co-host Chris Feil to talk about how close Amy came to taking home the gold, and why movies like this don't get made anymore. Plus: running away from Mike Nichols, Ben McKenzie's second act as an anti-crypto crusader, and getting death threats over Letterboxd reviews. 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
Aug 13, 2025 · 1 hr 50 min
Standing Still with Phil Iscove (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 10)
As we approach Amy Adams' first Oscar nomination, we're forced to endure one more misguided indie. In the 2005 comedy Standing Still, she plays another bride-to-be, Elise, who is celebrating her upcoming nuptials with her friends, the worst people you've ever met. We're joined by writer and Podcast Like It's... co-host Phil Iscove to talk about Amy standing out in an ensemble, and how this movie defied our low expectations—in a bad way. Plus: the impact of the Crying Dawson meme, the most nonsensical way to prepare salad, and how Hollywood did Mena Suvari dirty. 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
Aug 6, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min
The Wedding Date with Wynter Mitchell (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 9)
In the no man's land between Catch Me If You Can and Junebug, Amy Adams did make one studio film: the 2005 romantic comedy The Wedding Date, in which she plays Amy, the bride whose titular wedding inspires her half-sister to hire a sex worker. We're joined by podcaster and digital strategist Wynter Mitchell to talk about Amy's fixation on English breakfast, and why Debra Messing's movie star era was over before it began. Plus: Richard Curtis ruining British romcoms for the rest of us, Dermot Mulroney's cello career, and the pleasure of schadenfreude. 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
Jul 30, 2025 · 1 hr 34 min
The Last Run with Gwynedd Stuart (Chasing Amy Adams: Episode 8)
It's not entirely clear when Amy Adams filmed the 2004 romantic dramedy The Last Run, where she takes on the thankless role of shrewish fiancée Alexis. By the time it was released, however, she got top billing to capitalize on her recent success. We're joined by Sporked writer and taste tester Gwynedd Stuart to talk about Amy phoning it in for a paycheck, and how a misogynistic sex comedy can also be a harrowing drama about addiction. Plus: why Fred Savage's cancellation has been memory holed, the best flavors of Olipop, and all the things you can learn from Lifetime movies. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Gwynedd on social: @gwyneddstuart