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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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  • 27 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr 45 min
  • English
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  • S2 · E14
    Wednesday · 2 hr 1 min

    Sliding Doors with Marya E. Gates (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 14)

    Gwyneth Paltrow went British again for the 1998 romantic dramedy Sliding Doors, where she plays a woman named Helen who is living two different timelines after missing (or not missing) her train. We're joined by writer and film historian Marya E. Gates to talk about Gwyneth embracing dual roles, and why this movie continues to linger in the cultural consciousness. Plus: the invention of stan culture, clashing with Carolyn Bessette, and explaining the musical If/Then. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Marya on social: @oldfilmsflicker

  • S2 · E13
    September 9 · 2 hr 15 min

    Hush with Phil Iscove (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 13)

    Gwyneth Paltrow's 1998 continued with the Jessica Lange-led thriller Hush, where she plays the terrorized pregnant daughter-in-law Helen. We're joined by writer and Podcast Like It's… co-host Phil Iscove to talk about Gwyneth pretending this movie doesn't exist, and how reshoots deprived us of the over-the-top ending we deserve. Plus: the ugliest house in America, death by bees, and Dakota Johnson's affability. 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

  • S2 · E12
    September 2 · 1 hr 33 min

    Great Expectations with Julieanne Smolinski (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 12)

    Gwyneth Paltrow began her jam-packed 1998 with the romantic drama Great Expectations, playing Estella in Alfonso Cuarón's modern-day adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic. We're joined by writer Julieanne Smolinski to talk about Gwyneth leaning into her coldness to play an icy female lead, and why this movie's failure can't really be blamed on Titanic. Plus: horny green dresses, non-committal Letterboxd reviews, and Bob Odenkirk's little women. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Julieanne on social: @julieanne.smolinski

  • S2 · E11
    August 28 · 1 hr 33 min

    BONUS: What We're Watching: The Odyssey, The End of Oak Street, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (Patreon Preview)

    In today's special Patreon preview, we're sharing the latest installment of our What We're Watching series. For August, we're celebrating Hot Anne Hathaway Summer and Hot Tom Holland Summer with our thoughts on The Odyssey, The End of Oak Street, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. We also discuss Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Insidious: Out of the Further, Buddy, House of the Dragon, The Shards, and Mary Beth Barone: Galaxy Brain. Plus: the importance of adjusting for inflation, forgiving Sadie Sink for The Whale, and William Petersen hanging dong. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman

  • S2 · E11
    August 26 · 2 hr 2 min

    Hard Eight with Adam B. Vary (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 11)

    In 1997, over a year after its Sundance debut, audiences finally got to see Gwyneth Paltrow as cocktail waitress-slash-sex worker Clementine in Paul Thomas Anderson's first feature, Hard Eight. We're joined by entertainment journalist Adam B. Vary to talk about Gwyneth giving her all to the kind of role she'd never play again, and how this unusually small PTA movie shows hints of the filmmaker he would become. Plus: Sex and the City slot machines, oversharing about Brad Pitt, and the Titanic alternate ending. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Adam on social: @adambvary

  • S2 · E10
    August 19 · 1 hr 44 min

    Emma with Jourdain Searles (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 10)

    Gwyneth Paltrow entered her leading lady era with the 1996 period romantic comedy Emma, where she plays snobbish yet well-intentioned matchmaker Emma Woodhouse. We're joined by film critic and programmer Jourdain Searles to talk about Gwyneth's lauded accent work, and how this movie attempted to do a silly one with Jane Austen. Plus: pretending to eat hot wings, explaining the plot of Jack, and Chris Pratt's lifeless eyes. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Jourdain on social: @judysquirrels

  • S2 · E9
    August 12 · 1 hr 34 min

    The Pallbearer with Fran Hoepfner (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 9)

    Gwyneth Paltrow was essentially bribed into doing the 1996 romantic comedy The Pallbearer, where she plays Julie, the former high school crush of David Schwimmer's Tom. We're joined by The Field Guide to Nepo Babies author Fran Hoepfner to talk about Gwyneth powering through this performance with Emma on her mind, and the eerie plot similarities between this movie and Dear Evan Hansen. Plus: the hanging Munchkin, an excuse to watch Marci X, and Scott Eastwood catching strays. Join the Patreon: patreon.com/supportingactresses Follow Supporting Actresses on social: @actressespod Follow Dane on social: @thedanemcdonald Follow Louis on social: @louispeitzman Follow Fran on social: @franhoepfner

  • S2 · E8
    August 5 · 1 hr 45 min

    Moonlight and Valentino with Joe Reid (Chasing Gwyneth Paltrow: Episode 8)

    Just one week after Se7en hit theaters, another Gwyneth Paltrow film was released to a lot less fanfare. In the 1995 dramedy Moonlight and Valentino, she plays Lucy, the virginal younger sister of Elizabeth Perkins' newly widowed Rebecca. We're joined by This Had Oscar Buzz co-host Joe Reid to talk about Gwyneth's exceptional onscreen smoking, and how this movie's incredible cast can't overcome its bad writing. Plus: the "Always" music video, spoiling Boys on the Side, and things you can't say at a crab shack. 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

  • S1 · E51
    July 31 · 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

  • S2 · E7
    July 29 · 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

  • S2 · E6
    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

  • S2 · E5
    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

  • S2 · E4
    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

  • S2 · E3
    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

  • S2 · E3
    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

  • S2 · E2
    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

  • S2 · E1
    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

  • S1 · E51
    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

  • S1 · E51
    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

  • S1 · E50
    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

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