Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

1. S01E01Episode 1December 21, 2014—Benedict Cumberbatch and Edward Norton, Jake Gyllenhaal and Patricia Arquette, Hilary Swank and Tilda Swinton, Oscar Isaac and Gugu Mbatha-R
2. S01E02Episode 2December 28, 2014—Jessica Chastain and Mark Ruffalo, Eddie Redmayne and Laura Dern, Josh Brolin and J.K. Simmons, Kevin Costner and James Corden.
3. S01E03Episode 3December 28, 2014—Reese Witherspoon and Michael Keaton, Keira Knightley and Ethan Hawke, David Oyelowo and Jack O'Connell, Jenny Slate and Felicity Jones.
4. S01E04Episode 4January 4, 2015—Jennifer Aniston and Emily Blunt, Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes, Marion Cotillard and Timothy Spall, Chadwick Boseman and Logan Lerman.

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

1. S02E01Episode 1June 14, 2015—Conversations with actors Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jeffrey Tambor, Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson, Jessica Lange, Taylor Schilling, Liev Shrieb
2. S02E02Episode 2June 21, 2015—Featuring Claire Danes with Don Cheadle, Matt LeBlanc with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Clive Owen with Julianna Margulies, Viola Davis with Jane F

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

1. S03E01Episode 1December 27, 2015—This episode features Cate Blanchett (Carol/Truth) with Ian McKellen (Mr. Holmes), Will Smith (Concussion) with Benicio Del Toro (Sicario),
2. S03E02Episode 2December 27, 2015—This episode features Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs) with Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn), Carey Mulligan (Suffragette) with Elizabeth Banks (Love & Mer
3. S03E03Episode 3January 3, 2016—This episode features Seth Rogen (Steve Jobs) with Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight), Amy Schumer (Trainwreck) with Lily Tomlin (Gran

Season 3 ranked & reviewed

1. S04E01Episode 1June 12, 2016—This episode features Lady Gaga (American Horror Story) with Jamie Lee Curtis (Scream Queens), Courtney B. Vance (American Crime Story) with
2. S04E02Episode 2June 19, 2016—This episode features Rob Lowe (The Grinder) with John Travolta (American Crime Story), Sarah Paulson (American Crime Story) with Bobby Cann

Season 4 ranked & reviewed

1. S05E01Episode 1January 3, 2017—This episode features Viola Davis (Fences) and Tom Hanks (Sully), Emma Stone (La La Land) and Molly Shannon (Other People), Nicole Kidman (L
2. S05E02Episode 2January 4, 2017—This episode features Natalie Portman (Jackie) and Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea), Amy Adams (Arrival, Nocturnal Animals) and And
3. S05E03Episode 3January 4, 2017—This episode features Colin Farrell (The Lobster) with Hugh Grant (Florence Foster Jenkins), Dev Patel (Lion) with Octavia Spencer (Hidden F

Season 5 ranked & reviewed

1. S06E01Episode 1June 13, 2017—This episode features Thandie Newton (Westworld) and Oprah Winfrey (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks), Kevin Bacon (I Love Dick) and Joh
2. S06E02Episode 2June 13, 2017—Featuring Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies) with Ewan McGregor (Fargo), Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) and Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld),

Season 6 ranked & reviewed

1. S07E01Episode 1January 2, 2018—Featuring Jennifer Lawrence (mother!) with Adam Sandler (The Meyerowitz Stories), Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour) with Kate Winslet (Wonder Wheel
2. S07E02Episode 2January 3, 2018—Featuring Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) with Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick), Hugh Jackman (Logan) with Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project), Mary J
3. S07E03Episode 3January 4, 2018—Featuring Jessica Chastain (Molly's Game) with Holly Hunter (The Big Sick), Diane Kruger (In The Fade) with Hong Chau (Downsizing), Richard

Season 7 ranked & reviewed

1. S08E01Episode 1June 19, 2018—Featuring Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose) with Claire Foy (The Crown) Angela Bassett (9-1-1) with Laura Dern (The Tale) Darren Criss
2. S08E02Episode 2June 21, 2018—Featuring Debra Messing (Will & Grace) with Sharon Stone (Mosaic), Michael B. Jordan (Fahrenheit 451) with Issa Rae (Insecure), Jeff Daniels

Season 8 ranked & reviewed

1. S09E01Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams and moreJanuary 8, 2019—Nicole Kidman (A Boy Erased/Destroyer) discusses her struggle with shyness, while Amy Adams (Vice) talks about her competition with co-star
2. S09E02Emily Blunt, Hugh Jackman and moreJanuary 8, 2019—Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) differentiates between dramatic and comedic roles, while Lupita Nyong’o (Black Panther) discusse
3. S09E03Michael B. Jordan, John Krasinski and moreJanuary 10, 2019—John Krasinski (A Quiet Place) talks about how parenting influenced him. Rosamund Pike (A Private War) discusses playing a real-life America
4. S09E04Sam Elliot, Dakota Johnson and moreJanuary 10, 2019—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) a
5. S09E05Lady Gaga and Lin-Manuel MirandaJanuary 10, 2019—This special half-hour episode features Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins Returns), both of whom are bringing

Season 9 ranked & reviewed

1. S10E01Julia Roberts, Amy Adams and moreJune 18, 2019—This episode features Julia Roberts (Homecoming) in conversation with Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora). Meanwhile, Amy Adams (Sharp O
2. S10E02Emilia Clarke, Michael Douglas and moreJune 18, 2019—Watch veteran actors Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) and Benicio Del Toro (Escape at Dannemora) look back on their careers and choice
3. S10E03Chris Pine, Michelle Williams and moreJune 18, 2019—Robin Wright (House of Cards) and Chris Pine (I Am the Night) talk about playing morally ambiguous characters. Meanwhile, former co-stars Mi
4. S10E04Sarah Paulson, Rachel Brosnahan and moreJune 18, 2019—Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Billy Porter (Pose) discuss how fashion can actually elicit social change; Tracee Ellis Ros

Season 10 ranked & reviewed

1. S11E01Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt and moreJanuary 2, 2020—Tom Hanks (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”) with Renée Zellweger (“Judy”); Brad Pitt (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) with Adam Sandl
2. S11E02Scarlett Johansson, Eddie Murphy and moreJanuary 2, 2020—Eddie Murphy (Dolemite is My Name) with Antonio Banderas (Pain & Glory), Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story) with Chris Evans (Knives Out) a
3. S11E03Charlize Theron, Alfre Woodard and moreJanuary 2, 2020—Adam Driver (“Marriage Story”) with Charlize Theron (“Bombshell”); Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”) with Alfre Woodard (“Clemency”); Shia LaBeouf (
4. S11E04Jennifer Lopez, Laura Dern and moreJanuary 2, 2020—Jennifer Lopez (“Hustlers”) with Robert Pattinson (“The Lighthouse”); Sterling K. Brown (“Waves”) with Laura Dern (“Marriage Story”); Beanie

Season 11 ranked & reviewed

1. S12E01Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Jackman, and moreJuly 17, 2020—Regina King (Watchmen) and Reese Witherspoon (Little Fires Everywhere) discuss how motherhood influences their acting choices. Anne Hathaway
2. S12E02Sandra Oh, Kerry Washington, and moreJuly 17, 2020—Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) and Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere) discuss not choosing roles based on race. Tessa Thompson (Westworld)
3. S12E03Jennifer Aniston, Patrick Stewart and moreJuly 24, 2020—Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show) and Lisa Kudrow (Space Force) reminisce about the first meeting each other on the set of Friends. Daveed
4. S12E04Zendaya, Paul Rudd and moreJuly 24, 2020—Claire Danes (Homeland) and Damian Lewis (Billions) delve into playing complex characters. Zendaya (Euphoria) and Mj Rodriquez (Pose) discus

Season 12 ranked & reviewed

1. S13E01Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins and moreMarch 5, 2021—Jodie Foster (“The Mauritanian”) with Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”) and Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”) in conversation with Steven Yeun (“Min
2. S13E02George Clooney, Michelle Pfeiffer and moreMarch 5, 2021—George Clooney (“The Midnight Sky”) with Michelle Pfeiffer (“French Exit”); Zendaya (“Malcolm & Marie”) with Carey Mulligan (“Promising Youn
3. S13E03Ben Affleck, Sacha Baron Cohen and moreMarch 5, 2021—Ben Affleck (“The Way Back”) with Sacha Baron Cohen (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7”); Andra Day (“The United Sta
4. S13E04Jamie Dornan, Eddie Redmayne and moreMarch 5, 2021—Jamie Dornan (“Wild Mountain Thyme”) with Eddie Redmayne (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”); Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”) with Amanda Sey

Season 13 ranked & reviewed

1. S14E01Nicole Kidman, Chris Rock and moreJune 18, 2021—Nicole Kidman ("The Undoing") and Chris Rock ("Fargo") discuss acting in dramas, and Josh O'Connor ("The Crown") and Anya Taylor-Joy ("The Q
2. S14E02Ewan McGregor, Pedro Pascal and moreJune 18, 2021—Ewan McGregor ("Halston") and Pedro Pascal ("The Mandalorian") talk about their roles in the "Star Wars" universe, and Kathryn Hahn ("WandaV
3. S14E03Kaley Cuoco, Elizabeth Olsen and moreJune 18, 2021 1.0Kaley Cuoco ("The Flight Attendant") and Elizabeth Olsen ("WandaVision") discuss their new roles as producers, and Emma Corrin ("The Crown")
4. S14E04Uzo Aduba, Billy Porter and moreJune 18, 2021 8.0Gillian Anderson ("The Crown") and Elisabeth Moss ("The Handmaid's Tale") talk about stepping into the director's chair, and Uzo Aduba ("In

Season 14 ranked & reviewed

1. S15E01Lady Gaga, Jake Gyllenhaal and moreFebruary 18, 2022 4.0Lady Gaga ("House of Gucci") and Jake Gyllenhaal ("The Guilty") discuss exploring the depths of characters. Jessica Chastain ("The Eyes of T
2. S15E02Penélope Cruz, Benedict Cumberbatch and moreFebruary 18, 2022—Penélope Cruz ("Parallel Mothers") and Benedict Cumberbatch ("The Power of the Dog") compare their experiences working with experienced dire
3. S15E03Andrew Garfield, Rachel Zegler and moreFebruary 18, 2022—Andrew Garfield (tick, tick… BOOM!) and Rachel Zegler ("West Side Story") talk about starring in the biggest musicals of the year. Aunjanaue
4. S15E04Nicole Kidman, Kristen Stewart and moreFebruary 18, 2022—Nicole Kidman ("Being the Ricardos") and Kristen Stewart ("Spencer") discuss the challenges of taking on the roles of famous real-life peopl

Season 15 ranked & reviewed

1. S16E01Viola Davis, Samuel L. Jackson and moreJune 17, 2022—Viola Davis ("The First Lady") and Samuel L. Jackson ("The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey") share their advice for young actors; Jennifer Aniston
2. S16E02Zendaya, Andrew Garfield and moreJune 17, 2022—Zendaya ("Euphoria") and Andrew Garfield ("Under the Banner of Heaven") discuss carrying the emotional weight of dark stories. Cynthia Nixon
3. S16E03Martin Short, Jean Smart and moreJune 17, 2022—Martin Short ("Only Murders in the Building") and Jean Smart ("Hacks") discuss the joys of generational humor. Jung Ho-yeon ("Squid Game") a
4. S16E04Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong and moreJune 17, 2022—Anne Hathaway ("WeCrashed") and Jeremy Strong ("Succession") share stories of playing characters in over their heads. Christina Ricci ("Yell

Season 16 ranked & reviewed

1. S17E01Cate Blanchett, Michelle Yeoh, Kate HudsonJanuary 12, 2023—Cate Blanchett ("Tár") and Michelle Yeoh ("Everything Everywhere All at Once") discuss portraying characters originally written for men; Kat
2. S17E02Carey Mulligan, Margot Robbie, John BoyegaJanuary 12, 2023 1.0Carey Mulligan ("She Said") and Margot Robbie ("Babylon") discuss the range of female portrayals in film; Austin Butler ("Elvis") and Janell
3. S17E03Viola Davis, Jennifer Lawrence, Adam SandlerJanuary 12, 2023—Viola Davis ("The Woman King") and Jennifer Lawrence ("Causeway") get honest about female action heroes; Jamie Lee Curtis ("Everything Every
4. S17E04Ana de Armas, Eddie Redmayne, Brian Tyree HenryJanuary 12, 2023—Ana de Armas ("Blonde") and Eddie Redmayne ("The Good Nurse") disscuss playing infamous real people; Paul Dano ("The Fabelmans") and Brian T

Season 17 ranked & reviewed

1. S18E01Emily Blunt, Brian Cox, Rachel Weisz, Jenna Ortega and moreJune 15, 2023—Emily Blunt ("The English") and Brian Cox ("Succession") bond over fascination with new characters; Taron Egerton ("Black Bird") and Rachel
2. S18E02Pedro Pascal, Steven Yeun, Claire Danes and moreJune 15, 2023—Pedro Pascal ("The Last of Us") and Steven Yeun ("Beef") gush about each other- and their experiences acting in post-apocalyptic worlds; Mel
3. S18E03Sheryl Lee Ralph, Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo and moreJune 15, 2023—Jennifer Garner ("The Last Thing He Told Me") and Sheryl Lee Ralph ("Abbott Elementary") reflect on their approaches to characters and motiv
4. S18E04Jennifer Coolidge, Ali Wong, Diego Luna and moreJune 15, 2023—Jennifer Coolidge ("The White Lotus") and Jeremy Allen White ("The Bear") talk insecurity and finding confidence in their roles; Jason Segel

Season 18 ranked & reviewed

1. S19E01Season's bestCillian Murphy, Margot Robbie, Emma Stone and moreJanuary 11, 2024 1.0Cillian Murphy ("Oppenheimer") with Margot Robbie ("Barbie"); Bradley Cooper ("Maestro") with Emma Stone ("Poor Things").
2. S19E02Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, and moreJanuary 11, 2024 1.0Robert Downey Jr. ("Oppenheimer") with Mark Ruffalo ("Poor Things"); Colman Domingo ("Rustin", "The Color Purple") with Jacob Elordi ("Prisc
3. S19E03Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, and moreJanuary 11, 2024—Michael Fassbender ("The Killer") with Carey Mulligan ("Maestro"); Greta Lee ("Past Lives") with Andrew Scott ("All of Us Strangers"); Halle
4. S19E04Emily Blunt, Paul Mescal, Natalie Portman and moreJanuary 11, 2024 1.0Emily Blunt ("Oppenheimer") with Anne Hathaway ("Eileen"); Taraji P. Henson ("The Color Purple") with Jeffrey Wright ("American Fiction"); P

Season 19 ranked & reviewed

1. S20E01Robert Downey Jr, Jodie Foster, and moreJune 13, 2024—Robert Downey Jr ("The Sympathizer") & Jodie Foster ("True Detective: Night Country"), Anthony Mackie ("Twisted Metal") & Tyler James Willia
2. S20E02Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Joey King, and moreJune 13, 2024 1.0With Jon Hamm ("Fargo", "The Morning Show") & Kristen Wiig ("Palm Royale"), Kim Kardashian ("American Horror Story: Delicate") & Chloë Sevig
3. S20E03Jennifer Aniston, Quinta Brunson, and moreJune 13, 2024—With Jennifer Aniston ("The Morning Show") & Quinta Brunson ("Abbott Elementary"), Nicholas Galitzine ("Mary & George") & Leo Woodall ("One
4. S20E04Brie Larson, Andrew Scott, Anna Sawai, and moreJune 13, 2024—With Brie Larson ("Lessons in Chemistry") & Andrew Scott ("Ripley"), Hannah Einbinder ("Hacks") & Chloe Fineman ("Saturday Night Live"), and

Season 20 ranked & reviewed