Play It Again: Actor Rose Byrne is a Woman on the Verge

Play It Again: Actor Rose Byrne is a Woman on the Verge

From Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso by Higher Ground

March 8, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

Rose Byrne discusses her career, maternal roles, and influences in Hollywood.

Rose Byrne has taken many forms on-screen. In Mary Bronstein’s film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You , she delivers a career-defining performance as a Long Island therapist and mother slowly unraveling under the weight of her child’s mysterious illness. Watch our conversation on YouTube . In the lead-up to Oscar Sunday, we return to our talk with Byrne, discussing the maternal madness at the heart of this film (6:30), the long, collaborative road to shaping the character (10:00), and what it was like to have Conan O’Brien as a scene partner (13:30). Then, Byrne reflects on her debut performance in Dallas Doll (19:45), the plays and poems that inspired her as a teenager (22:30), and a formative role in the cult classic Two Hands, opposite the late Heath Ledger (26:00).  In the back half, we unpack the sexism she faced in Hollywood in the aughts (32:40), her unexpected comedic breakthrough in Bridesmaids and Neighbors (37:15), and the fruitful collaborations with Seth Rogen that followed (39:50). To close, Byrne pays tribute to two of her enduring artistic influences—filmmaker David Lynch (45:00) and playwright Arthur Miller (47:00). Original air date: October 12, 2025 As always…

People in this episode

Host: Sam Fragoso

Guest: Rose Byrne

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Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Dallas Doll, Two Hands, Bridesmaids, Neighbors

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