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Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
2014 - 2025 4.4 (8 votes) 21 Seasons
Official Website
Genres
Talk
Networks
PBS SoCal

Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

Overview

PBS SoCal and Variety take you inside the biggest movies and TV shows of the past year through candid conversations with today's hottest actors. Hosted by Variety Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis and Variety Chief Correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister, each episode brings together pairs of actors engaging in intimate one-on-one discussions about their craft and work.

Key Crew

Top Cast

Clayton Davis

Self - Host

Angelique Jackson

Self - Host

Seasons

Season 9 poster
Season 9 (2019)

No overview available.

5 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams and more
2019-01-08

Nicole Kidman (A Boy Erased/Destroyer) discusses her struggle with shyness, while Amy Adams (Vice) talks about her competition with co-star Christian Bale. Mahershala Ali (Green Book) discusses his unusual role with John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman) talks about working with director Spike Lee. Felicity Jones (On the Basis of Sex) and Constance Wu (Crazy Rich Asians) talk #MeToo and #TimesUp.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 2: Emily Blunt, Hugh Jackman and more
2019-01-08

Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) differentiates between dramatic and comedic roles, while Lupita Nyong’o (Black Panther) discusses the impact of international box office hits. Timothée Chalamet (Beautiful Boy) and Emma Stone (The Favourite) recall their earliest roles. Emily Blunt (Mary Poppins Returns/A Quiet Place) and Hugh Jackman (The Front Runner) discuss singing in public.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 3: Michael B. Jordan, John Krasinski and more
2019-01-10

John Krasinski (A Quiet Place) talks about how parenting influenced him. Rosamund Pike (A Private War) discusses playing a real-life American journalist. Michael B. Jordan (Creed II /Black Panther) and Charlize Theron (Tully) discuss how they prepare for roles. Finally, Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Kindergarten Teacher) and Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk) reflect on feminine filmmaking.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 4: Sam Elliot, Dakota Johnson and more
2019-01-10

Glenn Close (The Wife) talks with Sam Elliott (A Star Is Born). Find out the reason Armie Hammer (On the Basis of Sex/Sorry to Bother You) accepted the role of Marty Ginsburg, while Dakota Johnson (Suspiria) talks about why she chose to play a character trapped in a cult. Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) and Viggo Mortensen (Green Book) talk about the importance of listening when acting.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 5: Lady Gaga and Lin-Manuel Miranda
2019-01-10

This special half-hour episode features Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins Returns), both of whom are bringing musicals back to the big screen. Join Lady Gaga and Lin-Manuel Miranda as they talk about navigating the differences of film performance versus live concert and theatre performances and finding a new source of adrenaline when a live audience isn’t present.

Runtime: N/A min
Season 10 poster
Season 10 (2019)

No overview available.

4 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Julia Roberts, Amy Adams and more
2019-06-18

This episode features Julia Roberts (Homecoming) in conversation with Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora). Meanwhile, Amy Adams (Sharp Objects) and Richard Madden (Bodyguard) discuss how they handle the anxiety of playing difficult characters. Taraji P. Henson (Empire) with Ellen Pompeo (Grey’s Anatomy) talk about how playing strong characters affected their careers and paychecks.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 2: Emilia Clarke, Michael Douglas and more
2019-06-18

Watch veteran actors Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) and Benicio Del Toro (Escape at Dannemora) look back on their careers and choice of roles; Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Regina Hall (Black Monday) speak about how clothing and a character’s backstory; and Sam Rockwell (Fosse/Verdon) joins Renée Zellweger (What/If) to discuss how the quality of television programs.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 3: Chris Pine, Michelle Williams and more
2019-06-18

Robin Wright (House of Cards) and Chris Pine (I Am the Night) talk about playing morally ambiguous characters. Meanwhile, former co-stars Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon) and Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects) discuss why they made the jump from the big screen to television. Sacha Baron Cohen (Who is America?) and Don Cheadle (Black Monday) discuss how costumes can make or break a role.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 4: Sarah Paulson, Rachel Brosnahan and more
2019-06-18

Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Billy Porter (Pose) discuss how fashion can actually elicit social change; Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish) and Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story) speak about what it’s like to direct their own series. Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) and Maya Rudolph (Forever) talk about producing projects that deal with death and mortality.

Runtime: N/A min
Season 12 poster
Season 12 (2020)

No overview available.

4 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Jackman, and more
2020-07-17

Regina King (Watchmen) and Reese Witherspoon (Little Fires Everywhere) discuss how motherhood influences their acting choices. Anne Hathaway (Modern Love) and Hugh Jackman (Bad Education) talk about playing real life people. Kieran Culkin (Succession) and Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek) swap notes on portraying wealthy families.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 2: Sandra Oh, Kerry Washington, and more
2020-07-17

Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) and Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere) discuss not choosing roles based on race. Tessa Thompson (Westworld) and Ramy Youssef (Ramy) speak about bringing more diverse storytelling to the screen. Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies) and Russell Crowe (The Loudest Voice) talk about having time to explore their television characters.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 3: Jennifer Aniston, Patrick Stewart and more
2020-07-24

Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show) and Lisa Kudrow (Space Force) reminisce about the first meeting each other on the set of Friends. Daveed Diggs (Snowpiercer) and Anthony Mackie (Altered Carbon) compare notes on preparing for fight scenes in their new Sci-Fi series. Henry Cavill (The Witcher) and Patrick Stewart (Picard) reflect on the time they met at an audition.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 4: Zendaya, Paul Rudd and more
2020-07-24

Claire Danes (Homeland) and Damian Lewis (Billions) delve into playing complex characters. Zendaya (Euphoria) and Mj Rodriquez (Pose) discuss underlying themes in their shows. Chris Evans (Defending Jacob) and Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself) talk about moving on from the Avengers franchise to their television series.

Runtime: 27 min
Season 15 poster
Season 15 (2022)

No overview available.

4 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Lady Gaga, Jake Gyllenhaal and more
2022-02-18

Lady Gaga ("House of Gucci") and Jake Gyllenhaal ("The Guilty") discuss exploring the depths of characters. Jessica Chastain ("The Eyes of Tammy Faye") and Rita Moreno ("West Side Story") compare musical moments in their films. Javier Bardem ("Being the Ricardos") and Daniel Craig ("No Time to Die") catch up 10 years after starring together in "Skyfall."

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 2: Penélope Cruz, Benedict Cumberbatch and more
2022-02-18

Penélope Cruz ("Parallel Mothers") and Benedict Cumberbatch ("The Power of the Dog") compare their experiences working with experienced directors. Ariana DeBose ("West Side Story") and Simu Liu ("Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings") discuss their athletic performances. Oscar Isaac ("The Card Counter") and Jared Leto ("House of Gucci") talk about their transformational roles.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 3: Andrew Garfield, Rachel Zegler and more
2022-02-18

Andrew Garfield (tick, tick… BOOM!) and Rachel Zegler ("West Side Story") talk about starring in the biggest musicals of the year. Aunjanaue Ellis ("King Richard") and Regina King ("The Harder They Fall") reunite after sharing the screen twice before. Jamie Dornan ("Belfast") and Kirsten Dunst ("The Power of the Dog") discuss playing emotionally complex characters.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 4: Nicole Kidman, Kristen Stewart and more
2022-02-18

Nicole Kidman ("Being the Ricardos") and Kristen Stewart ("Spencer") discuss the challenges of taking on the roles of famous real-life people. Marlee Matlin ("CODA") and Bradley Whitford ("tick… tick…BOOM!") reminisce about working on the TV show "The West Wing." Mahershala Ali ("Swan Song") and Bradley Cooper ("Nightmare Alley") compare notes on being producers and leading men.

Runtime: 27 min
Season 16 poster
Season 16 (2022)

No overview available.

4 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Viola Davis, Samuel L. Jackson and more
2022-06-17

Viola Davis ("The First Lady") and Samuel L. Jackson ("The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey") share their advice for young actors; Jennifer Aniston ("The Morning Show") and Sebastian Stan ("Pam & Tommy") reveal how they spend their time in the makeup chair; and Jared Leto ("WeCrashed") and Amanda Seyfried ("The Dropout") discuss their responsibility in playing real people.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 2: Zendaya, Andrew Garfield and more
2022-06-17

Zendaya ("Euphoria") and Andrew Garfield ("Under the Banner of Heaven") discuss carrying the emotional weight of dark stories. Cynthia Nixon ("And Just Like That") and Bowen Yang ("Saturday Night Live") share stories of writing and directing for television. Courteney Cox ("Shining Vale") and Faith Hill ("1883") compare their process for finding good roles.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 3: Martin Short, Jean Smart and more
2022-06-17

Martin Short ("Only Murders in the Building") and Jean Smart ("Hacks") discuss the joys of generational humor. Jung Ho-yeon ("Squid Game") and Sandra Oh ("The Chair", "Killing Eve") compare experiences working as a native Korean and a Korean-American actor. Tom Hiddleston ("The Essex Serpent", "Loki") and Lily James ("Pam & Tommy) talk about using American accents both on, and off, the set.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 4: Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong and more
2022-06-17

Anne Hathaway ("WeCrashed") and Jeremy Strong ("Succession") share stories of playing characters in over their heads. Christina Ricci ("Yellowjackets") and Sydney Sweeney ("Euphoria") discuss changing opportunities for female actors. Quinta Brunson ("Abbott Elementary") and Adam Scott ("Severance") talk about their roots in comedy. And Josh Brolin ("Outer Range") interviews... himself.

Runtime: 27 min
Season 17 (2023)

No overview available.

4 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Cate Blanchett, Michelle Yeoh, Kate Hudson
2023-01-12

Cate Blanchett ("Tár") and Michelle Yeoh ("Everything Everywhere All at Once") discuss portraying characters originally written for men; Kate Hudson ("Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery") and Glen Powell ("Top Gun: Maverick") share the importance of chemistry with co-stars; and Laura Dern ("The Son") and Michelle Williams ("The Fabelmans") exchange their thoughts on working with young co-stars.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 2: Carey Mulligan, Margot Robbie, John Boyega
2023-01-12

Carey Mulligan ("She Said") and Margot Robbie ("Babylon") discuss the range of female portrayals in film; Austin Butler ("Elvis") and Janelle Monáe ("Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery") reveal how acting takes a toll on a personal life; and John Boyega ("The Woman King") and Letitia Wright ("Black Panther: Wakanda Forever") discuss the importance of black stories in Hollywood blockbusters.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 3: Viola Davis, Jennifer Lawrence, Adam Sandler
2023-01-12

Viola Davis ("The Woman King") and Jennifer Lawrence ("Causeway") get honest about female action heroes; Jamie Lee Curtis ("Everything Everywhere All at Once") and Colin Farrell ("The Banshees of Inisherin") discuss their recent complex roles; and Brendan Fraser ("The Whale") and Adam Sandler ("Hustle") share their movie history and special connection.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 4: Ana de Armas, Eddie Redmayne, Brian Tyree Henry
2023-01-12

Ana de Armas ("Blonde") and Eddie Redmayne ("The Good Nurse") disscuss playing infamous real people; Paul Dano ("The Fabelmans") and Brian Tyree Henry ("Causeway") compare working with talented writers and directors; and Joe Alwyn ("Stars at Noon") and Paul Mescal ("Aftersun") share stories of working with female directors.

Runtime: 27 min
Season 18 poster
Season 18 (2023)

No overview available.

4 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Emily Blunt, Brian Cox, Rachel Weisz, Jenna Ortega and more
2023-06-15

Emily Blunt ("The English") and Brian Cox ("Succession") bond over fascination with new characters; Taron Egerton ("Black Bird") and Rachel Weisz ("Dead Ringers") confess the enjoyment they found in harrowing roles; Elle Fanning ("The Great") and Jenna Ortega ("Wednesday") deliberate bringing old characters to life in new contexts.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 2: Pedro Pascal, Steven Yeun, Claire Danes and more
2023-06-15

Pedro Pascal ("The Last of Us") and Steven Yeun ("Beef") gush about each other- and their experiences acting in post-apocalyptic worlds; Melanie Lynskey ("Yellowjackets") and Natasha Lyonne ("Poker Face") reconnect to discuss the benchmarks in their careers; Kieran Culkin ("Succession") and Claire Danes ("Fleishman in Trouble") delve into embodying their characters' specific psychologies.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 3: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo and more
2023-06-15

Jennifer Garner ("The Last Thing He Told Me") and Sheryl Lee Ralph ("Abbott Elementary") reflect on their approaches to characters and motivations; Theo James ("The White Lotus) and Brett Goldstein ("Ted Lasso") on what it's like to have multiple roles on a production; Katherine Heigl ("Firefly Lane") and Ellen Pompeo ("Grey's Anatomy") reunite to discuss their shared pasts and divergent futures.

Runtime: 27 min
Episode 4: Jennifer Coolidge, Ali Wong, Diego Luna and more
2023-06-15

Jennifer Coolidge ("The White Lotus") and Jeremy Allen White ("The Bear") talk insecurity and finding confidence in their roles; Jason Segel ("Shrinking") and Ali Wong ("Beef") debate the compexities of navigating both comedy and drama; Hayden Christensen ("Obi-Wan Kenobi") and Diego Luna ("Andor") discuss their dynamic roles within the Star Wars universe over the decades.

Runtime: 27 min

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