Ana Huang of the Twisted and Kings of Sin Book Series

This week, Tommy is joined by one of the biggest romance writers in the world. Ana Huang is a #1 New York Times, Sunday Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author who has sold well over 5 million copies of her books. She is best known for her break-out “Twisted” series that is currently being adapted into a series on Netflix. That series alone has over one billion views on TikTok and is considered one of the bestselling romance books of all time. Ana’s fifth book in the “King of Sin” series, “King of Envy,” is out now, and it is taking the book community by storm. Today, Ana opens up about whether she's finally allowed her parents to read her steamy books, how she went from working a 9-to-5 to becoming one of the biggest authors in the world, the powerful moment when she realized she could turn writing into a career, why she thinks the Twisted series resonates with so many people, if she feels pressure over the casting of the TV series, if she has some people in mind for the cast, how social media has been such an important piece of her career, why she likes her fictional men slightly unhinged, what the most challenging part of writing "King of Envy" was, one of her favorite scenes in the book, if she cries when writing emotional scenes, her process for putting out two books a year, the same things she does every time she writes, how she protects herself from criticism and negativity, if there will ever be another "Twisted” book, which of her female main characters would be her best friends, if there is a character she would use in a spinoff, advice for aspiring authors, something very personal she has never said before, and so much more.   Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Michele Morrone who is currently starring in the long awaited movie ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR, with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick. Michele’s breakthrough performance in the hit 365 DAYS franchise on Netflix catapulted him into international fame. Now some of the biggest directors and actors are lining up to work with this rising star in Hollywood. Today, Michele opens up about the impact that 365 DAYS had on his life, if he would have signed on to do those very steamy movies now, how he had to get used to losing his privacy, playing a goofy mafia boss in ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR, becoming best friends with Blake Lively, the prank he played on her when they began working together, a piece of advice that Blake gave to him that changed his outlook, how he’s the only Italian in the world that can burn pasta when boiling water, what we can expect with his other upcoming movie THE HOUSEMAID, why he loves playing characters that are so completely different from who he is, how he gets into some pretty dark mindsets for his roles, the new music that he’s been working on, why being “drunk on life” is the only way for him to live, the importance of giving yourself the opportunity to do the things in life that truly fulfill you, something that happened on set that he wants to apologize for, and so much more.  Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Madeline Brewer who is currently starring in the Netflix series YOU, opposite Penn Badgley. YOU is back for its fifth and final season and Madeline’s character finds herself as the new object of Joe’s affection. You also know and love Madeline from her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Janine in Hulu’s THE HANDMAID’S TALE, which is also out right now in its sixth and final season. It’s safe to say she is delivering some of the most powerful performances this spring in all of television. Today, Madeline opens up about the intensity of working on two hit shows that involve traumatic storylines, if she’s ever spoken to a therapist about her characters, being a super-fan of YOU before joining the final season, why she loves playing characters with some loose screws, what working on those intimate scenes with Penn was like, three ways anyone can outsmart Joe Goldberg, how she learned to feel comfortable enough to use her voice after feeling like she couldn’t earlier in her career, what it’s like being on a show that is analyzed and talked about across social media non-stop, why she wants Penn to win an Emmy for his portrayal of Joe, the actress she once fan-girled over at an audition, the truth about that fire red hairstyle in YOU, that iconic surprising moment for her character during this final season, the very real and important message behind the show, a dream project she would want to do next (hint: Christmas), that one celebrity that was on her birthday cake when she was 15, how she ended up in the Jersey Shore house at 2am, why the final episode of THE HANDMAID’S TALE is the most extraordinary episode of the entire series, and so much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the brilliant Jason Isaacs, who is on everyone’s minds after the season finale of White Lotus dropped earlier this week. Jason plays Tim Ratliff, the southern patriarch (of what many would describe as a dysfunctional family), whose life begins to quickly unravel while on vacation in Thailand. His character Tim finds out that he is being investigated by the FBI after some of his questionable business dealings gets uncovered. He hides the truth from his family, but the secret eats him alive and sets him on a path of self destruction and depression. In a sea of stand out performances, Jason is certainly at the top. He created a character that is able to say so much without saying anything at all. Today, Jason opens up about that epic season finale, what it feels like leaving The White Lotus and adjusting back to the real world, how he stepped into the extreme darkness required to play his character, why seeing himself in some of those moments even surprises him when watching them back, what he thinks about a Ratliff spin-off series, how he thinks his character’s family would have reacted to hearing that everything they own is now gone, how he went about discovering his accent for the show, what really happened between Victoria and Kate at that breakfast scene, who he would want on an all-star season of The White Lotus, what project of his he gets stopped for the most, what the real pronunciation of Lucius Malfoy is, his thoughts on the new Harry Potter series, why he never gets stopped for playing that iconic role, why he doesn’t love to answer very personal questions, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the very talented actor Milo Manheim, who became a household name for his staring role as Zed in Disney’s hit movie musical franchise ZOMBIES, which just wrapped production on its 4th installment. He is currently starring as Wally in the young adult drama series SCHOOL SPIRITS which just released its second season. It has become a wildly beloved show that landed in the Top 10 on Netflix for multiple weeks. And because Milo isn’t busy enough, he is currently making his Off-Broadway debut starring as Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS alongside Elizabeth Gillies, which is getting rave reviews. It’s safe to say that everything Milo touches turns to gold. Today, Milo opens up about what playing the iconic role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors has meant to him, why he was a bit intimated by co-star Liz Gillies before meeting her, the beautiful moment that he knew he could put all of his trust in her, the quirky thing they do during the show that no one knows about (until now), if stage fright ever creeps in before a performance, what living in NYC has taught him about himself, why he opening about his ADHD and anxiety for the first time, his message for people struggling with their own anxiety, his dream storyline in Season 3 of School Spirits, his love for reading comments and fan theories on Reddit, why the Zombies franchise will forever mean so much to him, how many more Zombies movies he wants to do, what his transition from working as an actor on the Disney Channel to stepping into adulthood was like, getting killed in a Sabrina Carpenter music video and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Luke Macfarlane! Luke has tackled scripted TV, film, Broadway, and now the unscripted world. He is currently hosting and starring in Hallmark+’s home renovation series, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, where he is using his impressive wood-working skills to make dreams come true. He recently completed production on the second season of Apple’s PLATONIC, returning in the fan favorite, third-wheel role of Charlie. You also know and love Luke from his breakout role in BROTHERS & SISTERS, starring opposite Billy Eichner in Universal’s romcom BROS, and from 15 beloved Hallmark movies… just to name a few of his credits. Today, Luke opens up about his career highs, why working in television holds a special place in his heart, how he’s now showing the world his passion for wood work, why he wants to keep growing in all different aspects of his career, which superhero he would want to play in a movie, a role he auditioned for that led him to an incredible opportunity he never could have imagined, a franchise that he would jump at the chance to be in, what his relationship with rejection is like, one of the best pieces of advice Seth Rogen ever gave him, why the 40s have given him a new wave of confidence and peace, his journey being an out actor in Hollywood, why he doesn’t mind being asked about being gay, why he is allowing for surprises in life rather than trying to plan everything out, the one thing he hopes his daughter learns at an early age,  and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Melissa Peterman, who you most likely fell in love with from her role in the smash hit television series Reba, where she worked alongside the one and only Reba McEntire. All is right in the world because she is teaming up with her friend once again in NBC’s comedy, Happy’s Place, which just got renewed for a second season. Happy’s Place is about a tough and lovable woman who inherits her late father’s Tennessee tavern, only to discover that her new co-owner is also the half sister she never knew she had. Melissa plays Gabby who has worked at the tavern for quite some time, and her character is a total vibe. It’s a series about 3 women in totally different places in their lives. On paper they seem so opposite one another, but in reality, they all have much to learn from each other. Today, Melissa opens up about that emotional moment she found out Happy’s Place got picked up for a second season, why she thinks the show is connecting with so many people, if she was a bit anxious to tell a different kind of story after the massive success she had with the Reba series, why she wants to continue working with Reba, how their friendship has formed over the years, what vacationing together is like, what it was like reuniting with Christopher Rich, what we can expect with the upcoming season finale, one of her secrets to longevity as a non-stop working actress, the importance of taking chances and showing up no matter how big or small the opportunity may seem, what she has learned through moments of rejection throughout her career, one of her greatest life lessons, the moment she realized she was funny and could create a career in comedy, her recent powerful revelation about being a mom, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who are currently starring in the smash-hit romantic comedy, Picture This. The movie is about a struggling photographer named Pia (Simone) who is told she'll find true love and career success within the next five dates she goes on. With her sister's wedding approaching and her family playing matchmaker, her ex Charlie (Hero) soon reappears, throwing her life into chaos. You know and love Simone from her role in the wildly popular series Sex Education, and of course from starring opposite Jonathan Bailey in the second season of Bridgerton. Hero has a special place in the hearts of many Harry Potter fans because he played a young Tom Riddle in the sixth Harry Potter Film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, before going on to star in the fan-favorite After franchise. Today, Simone and Hero open up about what it was about this story that made them want to be a part of it, if they can describe one another using only three emojis, if they are open to the idea of going on a blind date, the scene that they were most terrified to do in this film, if Hero prefers playing a darker character or a comedic role, the moment a bee stung Simone when she was filming with Hero and what she did next, if Simone keeps hearing about those steamy scenes between her and Jonathan Bailey, will we see Kate and Anthony as parents in season four, how it was for Simone producing a film for her first time, what’s to come with her new production company, if Hero wants to step into the Wizarding World again, a defining moment for them as artists, their relationships with social media and how they navigate protecting their peace, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Anthony Keyvan! Anthony has been portraying roles in both film and television since he was five years old, but he became a household name by playing Rahim, an unrestrained and hysterical queer student in the series Love Victor. Now you know and love him from his starring role in XO, Kitty on Netflix, playing the lovable character of Q who also explores themes of identity within the LGBTQ+ community. Anthony plays Kitty’s best friend and every line he delivers is comedic gold. XO, Kitty is a coming-of-age story that is often praised for unpacking issues that are top of mind for teens, but it’s a series that people of all ages can relate to. Today, Anthony opens up about how he’s adjusting to all of the success surrounding XO, Kitty, why telling stories where people feel seen and represented is so important to him, the recent news of the Season 3 pick up, why playing his character Q is therapeutic, his first in-person meeting with co-star Anna Cathcart, the beautiful friendship they quickly formed, what he hopes to see for his character in Season 3, if he is Team #Minho, why playing a character who is half-Iranian and half-Filipino is so meaningful, what growing up in front of the world has been like, hardships he’s overcome working in Hollywood, the decision he made to open up about his mental health journey, where he is today with his mental health, how he almost passed on the opportunity to be in XO, Kitty and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor, singer and songwriter Ben Barnes! On the acting side, Ben has become known as “the king of fantasy.” He starred as Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia franchise before going on to create iconic performances in Dorian Gray, Westworld, Marvel’s The Punisher, and of course, the fan-favorite villain in the wildly popular Netflix series, Shadow and Bone. Earlier this year Ben released his debut album, “Where The Light Gets In.”  Inspired by the soul and pop music he loves so much, the album is about the different stages of a relationship; beginnings, tension, sorrow, sex, love, endings, nostalgia. It’s about how our history and our scars configure to make us who we are in this moment. Today, Ben opens up about how he had to get used to feeling more exposed as he became a household name, why now was the right time in his life to put aside a wildly successful acting career to focus on his music, the fears and pressures that came with introducing a different side of himself to the world, going after his dreams at a point in his life that might feel like its too late to many, why age is just a number and shouldn’t dictate your dreams, what he was hoping to achieve with his beautiful debut album, how he reveals a much more personal side to himself for the first time through his music, if he has any interest in giving the fans what they want: a role in the Harry Potter world, his thoughts on reprising his villainous role in Shadow and Bone, how the most critical things ever said about him were said by himself, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation! Stream Ben’s album here: https://benbarnes.komi.io/ "One Minute More” video feat. Monica Martin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJM06N-naYA&ab_channel=BenBarnesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.