Stephanie Hsu and Zosia Mamet Discuss the “Wild & Unruly” Theme and Their Experiences Portraying Complex Characters

**Stephanie Hsu** portrays a woman entangled in deadly romantic dilemmas while **Zosia Mamet** steps in as her loyal friend, unraveling the mysteries of love and loss in the dark comedy series **Laid**. Despite Hsu’s steady rise to prominence since her Oscar-nominated role in A24’s *Everything Everywhere All at Once*, she has diversified her portfolio with projects ranging from the action-comedy *The Fall Guy* to the ensemble buddy comedy *Joy Ride*. On the other hand, Mamet became a familiar face through her leading role as Shoshanna in HBO’s *Girls*, later appearing in *Under the Silver Lake* and Netflix’s *The Decameron*.

In *Laid*, Hsu takes center stage as **Ruby**, a thirty-something party planner with a trail of unsuccessful relationships and a shocking twist—each of her former partners is dying in sequence to their romantic encounters. Mamet plays **AJ**, Ruby’s confidante and roommate, who joins her in piecing together the timeline of these tragic events, navigating the complexities of their friendship along the way.

The cast of *Laid* also features notable actors including **Michael Angarano** from *This Is Us*, **Tommy Martinez** from *Good Trouble*, along with **Andre Hyland**, **Elizabeth Bowen**, **Olivia Holt**, **Ryan Pinkston**, **David Denman**, and **Susan Berger**. The creative minds behind the show, **Nahnatchka Khan** (*Fresh Off the Boat*) and **Sally Bradford McKenna** (*Will & Grace*), craft a captivating narrative blend of dark humor, profound character development, and an intriguing storyline.

With the show anticipated to make waves, ScreenRant conducted interviews with Hsu and Mamet to delve into *Laid*, exploring the appeal of its unconventional premise, their dynamic as characters, and the excitement of portraying their respective roles.

Hsu & Mamet Found Laid To Be A “Really Rare”Exception

“…the pilot is just so hilarious…”

Zosia Mamet's AJ and Stephanie Hsu's Ruby looking disheartened in Laid

**Stephanie Hsu:** It’s evident from the script how hilarious the pilot is, coupled with the wild and chaotic premise. A woman in her 30s struggling to find love, only to discover that her past lovers are dying in bizarre ways—that’s a narrative I couldn’t resist. It’s an exciting opportunity to explore themes of love and relationships while tackling deeper existential questions.

**Zosia Mamet:** Today, we’ve discussed how rare it is to read something that feels complete and requires no adjustments. The script was a delightful blend of humor and emotion, making me want to jump right in and lend my voice to the words. And when I learned that Stephanie was cast as the lead, I knew I wanted to be part of this project; acting alongside her was simply irresistible.

**Both:** [In unison] We said so many words! [Laughs]

Hsu & Mamet Were Given “The Space To Find”Their Characters

“…it is fun to be flawed, and we are also flawed.”

Stephanie Hsu's Ruby looking intently at someone in Laid

For Stephanie: Ruby is a well-rounded character with relatable flaws, making it essential to portray both her strengths and weaknesses naturally. How do you navigate this balance in your performance?

**Stephanie Hsu:** It was crucial for our show’s creators, Natch and Sally, to present Ruby as a flawed character. Embracing her imperfections allows me to explore the reasons behind her choices while bringing authenticity to her journey. Failing and growing connects us all, and I find joy in portraying that.

Zosia, AJ is another character grappling with her identity and relationships. How do you express her complexity in your performance?

**Zosia Mamet:** The writers crafted such multi-dimensional characters, allowing us to find their essence as actors. This series blends outrageous humor with genuine human experiences. It’s refreshing to depict characters who haven’t necessarily resolved all their issues as they transition into their 30s. While we often see young people depicted in a state of chaos, the expectation of adulthood being figured out is unrealistic. Playing such characters who navigate their flaws within a romantic comedy framework is both engaging and truthful.