As Emmy season approaches, W is spotlighting the performers who have defined the year in television. From Hollywood veterans like DTF St. Louis’s Jason Bateman and The Pitt’s Katherine LaNasa to breakout stars including Love Story’s Sarah Pidgeon and Every Year After’s Sadie Soverall, 13 actors from the year’s most talked-about shows got candid with W editor at large Lynn Hirschberg about everything from their first kiss to the movies that always make them cry. See the lineup here, and check ba
As Emmy season approaches, W is spotlighting the performers who have defined the year in television. From Hollywood veterans like DTF St. Louis’s Jason Bateman and The Pitt’s Katherine LaNasa to breakout stars including Love Story’s Sarah Pidgeon and Every Year After’s Sadie Soverall, 13 actors from the year’s most talked-about shows got candid with W editor at large Lynn Hirschberg about everything from their first kiss to the movies that always make them cry. See the lineup here, and check back tomorrow for more.
Infiniti wears a Louis Vuitton dress.Chase Infiniti knows she had an unusually charmed introduction to Hollywood. The 26-year-old began her career on the AppleTV series Presumed Innocent, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga, before landing her breakout big-screen role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. The film went on to win six Oscars, including best picture and best director, and cemented Infiniti as one of the most exciting new faces of her generation.After working with
Chase Infiniti knows she had an unusually charmed introduction to Hollywood. The 26-year-old began her career on the AppleTV series Presumed Innocent,opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga, before landing her breakout big-screen role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. The film went on to win six Oscars, including best picture and best director, and cemented Infiniti as one of the most exciting new faces of her generation.
After working with some of the industry’s biggest names—Anderson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina King, and Benicio Del Toro—Infiniti welcomed the chance to perform alongside newcomers her own age in Hulu’s The Testaments, the prequel series to TheHandmaid’s Tale, based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name. Infiniti plays Agnes, a perfect daughter of Gilead—well-behaved, pious, and unaware of her complicated roots. The role is a long way from One Battle’s Willa, a feisty scion of the revolution. Still, Infiniti found lessons to carry from one project to the next, and wisdom to share with her fellow Gilead Plums, with whom she’ll reunite when the show returns for season 2.
How did The Testaments come into your life?
After I finished One Battle After Another at the end of 2024, I sent in an initial self-tape. I found out they wanted to meet with me for a callback, and then in January of 2025, I booked the role. It wasn’t hard going from Willa in One Battle After Another to Agnes in The Testaments because Agnes has so much love for her friends. That’s one of my favorite parts about her.
What were the Oscars like? One Battle won nearly everything.
It was insane. I'm still processing it, but it was nothing short of a dream. I felt like I was in the most perfect dress [by Louis Vuitton], and it was so special being with the cast and Paul Thomas Anderson. And then the fact that I got to present the award for best casting to Cassandra Kulukundis, our casting director, was so special. That's a moment I will never forget. The whole experience changed my life in so many ways.
Infiniti wears a Louis Vuitton jumpsuit and hat.
Onstage at the Academy Awards, when you all won for best picture, Paul Thomas Anderson singled you out, calling you “my American girl” and “the heart of this movie.”
What’s crazy is that I didn’t hear anything onstage. I just heard him say my name. I was getting text messages after the show, and I was like, “What did he say?” And then I watched it and thought, I love Paul so much.
Did you get any advice from Teyana Taylor on the set of One Battle?
I didn't really get advice from Teyana on set because I didn't film with her, but I did get a lot from Regina [King]. And then also, one of my previous costars, Ruth Negga, who I did Presumed Innocent with—I got a lot of advice from her. She's one of my close and personal friends.
What was the best thing Ruth told you?
Specifically, she’s told me not to be scared. That may sound pretty basic, but what she meant is to not be scared about what you can accomplish on a job. I carried that into The Testaments and tried to pass it along to my costars too, since I was working with a lot of girls my age, which I’ve never done before. I know that I’ve had a privileged entrance into Hollywood, so I wanted to help the other girls whenever I could.
Have you learned any skills from playing Agnes in The Testaments?
“Learned” is a strong term, but I’ve struggled with embroidery and lace making. We all did. I’m at a point now where it’s convincing on camera.
You’re a Taurus, born on May 1. Would you say you’re a typical Taurus?
I always say Tauruses are very stubborn, and I fit that stereotype. They’re also very grounded people, and one with the Earth because it’s an earth sign. They like food and the luxuries of life. I can't deny those things. I love food, and I like nice things.
Hair by Mustafa Yanaz for L’Oréal Professionnel; Paris at Art + Commerce; Makeup by Sam Visser for YSL Beauty at Art Partner; Manicure by Eri Handa for Dior Le Baume at Home Agency; Set design by Mila Taylor-Young. Produced by Prodn; Production Team: Mitch Baker, Noah Conboy, Steven Dam, Torrance Hall, Parker Hanley, Taryn Kelly, Conor McIntyre, Wesley Torrance, Daniel Weiner, Jasmine Williams; Photo Assistants: Keegan Gay, Jeremy Gould, Carlos Vigil; Digital Technician: Kylie Coutts; Fashion Assistants: Lizzie Bowden, Tori López, Kayla Perno, Sofia Prochilo, Celeste Roh, Tyler VanVranken; Tailor: Lindsay Wright; Hair Assistants: Tiana Amani, Harley Beman, Kazuto Shimomura; Makeup Assistants: Elika Hilata, Juan Jaar, Meghan Nguyen, Yuui Vision; Set Assistant: Kate Atkinson.
Melton wears a Gucci T-shirt; stylist’s own pants.In the near decade since Charles Melton cemented his mainstream heartthrob status as Reggie Mantle on Riverdale, the 35-year-old actor has steadily gravitated more toward arthouse fare. First came his turn as a young father opposite Julianne Moore in Todd Haynes’s May December; now Melton stars in the second installment of Lee Sung Jin’s Beef as an aspiring physical therapist swept into the pressure-cooker class dynamics of an ultraexclusive coun
Melton wears a Gucci T-shirt; stylist’s own pants.
In the near decade since Charles Melton cemented his mainstream heartthrob status as Reggie Mantle on Riverdale, the 35-year-old actor has steadily gravitated more toward arthouse fare. First came his turn as a young father opposite Julianne Moore in Todd Haynes’s May December; now Melton stars in the second installment of Lee Sung Jin’s Beef as an aspiring physical therapist swept into the pressure-cooker class dynamics of an ultraexclusive country club. The role allowed Melton to tap into both his past as a college athlete and the easy charisma that has made him such a magnetic screen presence. For W’s annual TV portfolio, Melton spoke with W Editor at Large Lynn Hirschberg about how the Netflix series entered his life, his experience of new fatherhood, and his unwavering devotion to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Did you watch season 1 of Beef?
I did. I dreamt of being in season 2. I'm a huge fan of Steven Yeun. I knew that Lee Sung Jin, the creator of the series, had a mood board with me on it for season 2 of the show. We were at dinner, and he showed me a picture of myself and said, “This is our writers room. We’re writing it for you!” I was pinching myself because I didn’t want to be overly excited. I told him “Yes!” immediately.
How familiar were you with the whole country club experience?
I was not familiar with the world of country clubs. There's, like, an initiation fee, which Lee Sung Jin said was, I think, $300,000 per year. That’s a lot of money.
Melton wears a Bottega Veneta sweater and pants; Thistles sunglasses; Cartier watch.
You got to go back to Korea while filming.
I did. It was amazing. My whole family got to see me. We were there for, like, a month. So much skincare. Best skincare in the world.
Do you get starstruck?
I was at some sort of party. I was really starstruck when I saw LeBron James walk in, and behind him was Jalen Hurts, the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was wearing a white suit. I went up to him and said, “Mr. Jalen Hurts, my name is Charles Melton.” He dabbed me up and was like, “I know who you are.” My head exploded. I was so over the moon.
Are you a big football fan?
I’m a huge American football fan—Philadelphia Eagles, go Birds! I played at Kansas State University. I was good in high school, but I only played on special teams in college. I was pretty fast—I could run a 100-meter dash in 10.9 seconds.
That’s very fast! Can you still do that?
The last time I tried to run fast was when we were filming episode 8 of Beef in Korea, and I pulled my hamstring. It was bad, but I kept working.
Do you have any good scars?
I have a scar on my elbow from having MRSA—it’s kind of a gross thing to talk about. When I was 15, there was a lot of pain in my right elbow, and it was turning black. There’s only one cure for this flesh-eating disease. I had two surgeries, and they removed the part of the elbow called the weenus. I don’t have a weenus on my right elbow.
Do you have any favorite reality shows?
There’s this show where people date and they don’t know each other’s ages. Age of Attraction, on Netflix. I saw, like, half an episode. I think my reality TV is sports games.
What’s your zodiac sign?
I’m a Capricorn. I was born at 4:20 on January 4. Capricorns are stubborn, hardworking, very specific. My moon’s in Virgo, and I have some Gemini in there.
Do you have a go-to karaoke song?
“Halo,” by Beyoncé. I’m a dad now, and I sing it to my daughter all the time. I sing it very, very calmly, and by the end there are tears running down my face.
Grooming Tim Nolan; Manicure by Eri Handa for Dior Le Baume at Home Agency; Set design by Mila Taylor-Young. Produced by Prodn; Production Team: Mitch Baker, Noah Conboy, Steven Dam, Torrance Hall, Parker Hanley, Taryn Kelly, Conor McIntyre, Wesley Torrance, Daniel Weiner, Jasmine Williams; Photo Assistants: Keegan Gay, Jeremy Gould, Carlos Vigil; Digital Technician: Kylie Coutts; Fashion Assistants: Lizzie Bowden, Tori López, Kayla Perno, Sofia Prochilo, Celeste Roh, Tyler VanVranken; Tailor: Lindsay Wright; Hair Assistants: Tiana Amani, Harley Beman, Kazuto Shimomura; Makeup Assistants: Elika Hilata, Juan Jaar, Meghan Nguyen, Yuui Vision; Set Assistant: Kate Atkinson.
Hall wears a Tom Ford jacket, skirt, and belt; Graff earrings; Gianvito Rossi shoes.It’s been a busy year for Rebecca Hall. The 44-year-old actor starred opposite Evan Peters in Ryan Murphy’s body horror series, The Beauty; popped up for a guest spot on The Studio; and led Janicza Bravo’s psychological drama The Listeners (now available on Starz), playing a woman driven to madness by a low humming sound that no one else seems to notice. In many ways, Hall was born to perform: Her mother was the
Hall wears a Tom Ford jacket, skirt, and belt; Graff earrings; Gianvito Rossi shoes.
It’s been a busy year for Rebecca Hall. The 44-year-old actor starred opposite Evan Peters in Ryan Murphy’s body horror series, The Beauty; popped up for a guest spot on The Studio;and led Janicza Bravo’s psychological drama The Listeners (now available on Starz), playing a woman driven to madness by a low humming sound that no one else seems to notice.In many ways, Hall was born to perform: Her mother was the opera singer Maria Ewing, and her father was theater director Sir Peter Hall, the founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company. But despite growing up around—and on—the stage, Hall insists she was a quiet kid. For W’s TV portfolio, she discusses her early shyness, her go-to reality shows, and her celebrity crush—other than her husband, Morgan Spector, who chimes in during the interview.
How did The Listeners come into your life?
I was at a point in my career where I was looking for something off the beaten path. My agent said, “There’s this kind of crazy TV thing about a woman who starts to hear a buzzing in her ear and doesn’t know where it is coming from. And it’s being directed by Janicza Bravo.” I was like, “I’m in. Done.” I love Zola,and I got to know Janicza when I was promoting Passing, the film I directed. I instantly fell in love with her, and we became very good friends. It was so thrilling to get to do something with her. She's such a unique director.
How would you describe the show?
It’s about going mad quietly. I’ve done a lot of those roles, but this one was really interesting to me. It’s about losing connection with people and community in modern society, and what that means. After all, we’re all struggling with who gets to define what’s real and what’s true.
How important is costuming when it comes to embodying a character?
It's hugely important. I’m a person who loves clothes, and I love expressing myself through what I decide to wear. I love collaborating with costume designers. In The Listeners,a lot of my costumes were meant to evoke the films of Eric Rohmer: 1960s-style capris, bright colors, and cream shirts. It was girly, but I liked it.
Hall wears a Polo Ralph Lauren tuxedo jacket and shirt; Graff earrings. Morgan Spector wears a Ralph Lauren Purple Label tuxedo jacket and shirt.
Do you watch your husband in The Gilded Age?
Yes, I love it. I actively resent it if Morgan asks me to test him on lines because then the future shows will be spoiled. And if I hear little bits of things, I get mad. I’m like, “What are you talking about? That can’t happen!”
Were you a theatrical child?
No, I was very shy. I sat around and drew people, and I got upset if people spoke to me.
When did that change?
Has it? [Laughs] I am good at talking now, but when I was young there wasn’t much space for it. There were a lot of theatrics in my childhood. I decided to be quiet and observe, which I think was the beginning of my interest in acting. I started acting when I was 9, but it felt like it was years in the making.
Are you more like a dog or a cat?
I'm a cat. Have you seen children’s television? It’s so anti-cat biased. Cats are always selfish and a little obsessed. I love cats.
Who is your celebrity crush, besides Morgan?
Robert Mitchum, specifically in Out of the Past and The Night of the Hunter, which is so disturbing. He was very beautiful, and he had this interesting face. I like interesting, beautiful, manly men. Obviously, I have a type.
Do you and Morgan watch reality TV?
Constantly. For me, it’s relaxation. I never did The Real Housewives for a really long time, and then I did. I went deep, and now I’m grappling with the Beverly Hills ladies from the beginning. We also watch The Great British Bake Off.
Morgan Spector: That was how Rebecca introduced me to British culture.
RH: We were in danger of breaking up over the difference between a biscuit and a cookie.
MS: And then we go into the U.K. version of Love Island. It is so extreme: The music is awful, the colors are awful.
RH: It’s designed to give you a headache.
MS: But people on the show still fall in love. And I’m like, Oh humanity!
Hair by Mustafa Yanaz for L’Oréal Professionnel; Paris at Art + Commerce; Makeup by Sam Visser for YSL Beauty at Art Partner; Manicure by Eri Handa for Dior Le Baume at Home Agency; Set design by Mila Taylor-Young. Produced by Prodn; Production Team: Mitch Baker, Noah Conboy, Steven Dam, Torrance Hall, Parker Hanley, Taryn Kelly, Conor McIntyre, Wesley Torrance, Daniel Weiner, Jasmine Williams; Photo Assistants: Keegan Gay, Jeremy Gould, Carlos Vigil; Digital Technician: Kylie Coutts; Fashion Assistants: Lizzie Bowden, Tori López, Kayla Perno, Sofia Prochilo, Celeste Roh, Tyler VanVranken; Tailor: Lindsay Wright; Hair Assistants: Tiana Amani, Harley Beman, Kazuto Shimomura; Makeup Assistants: Elika Hilata, Juan Jaar, Meghan Nguyen, Yuui Vision; Set Assistant: Kate Atkinson.
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