Amanda Seyfried, known for her iconic roles in Mean Girls and The Dropout, is taking on one of her most intense performances yet in Long Bright River, a crime drama series on Peacock. Stepping away from comedic roles, Seyfried plays a Philadelphia police officer investigating opioid-related murders, a role that challenged her in new ways.
Amanda Seyfried’s Shift from Comedy to Drama
For Seyfried, balancing comedy and drama has always been a rewarding challenge. “To be honest, there’s a great challenge in both,” she told Yahoo Entertainment. “They’re both hard. They’re both very rewarding.”
In Mean Girls, she played Karen, a lovable yet clueless high schooler. But in Long Bright River, she embodies Mickey, a single mother and street cop, dealing with crime, addiction, and personal struggles. Her latest role presents a more grounded, raw, and emotionally intense performance compared to her past work.
What is ‘Long Bright River’ About?
Premiering March 13 on Peacock, Long Bright River is based on Liz Moore’s bestselling novel. The limited series follows Mickey, a Philadelphia beat cop, investigating a string of murders targeting unhoused women in a city plagued by the opioid crisis. When she suspects her estranged sister could be among the victims, the case becomes deeply personal.
Seyfried, also an executive producer, wanted to bring authenticity to her character, choosing to avoid the typical Hollywood “tough cop” stereotype. Instead of intense fitness regimens, she focused on portraying a realistic single mother juggling parenthood, law enforcement, and emotional turmoil.
“She has no time for the gym at this point in her life,” Seyfried explained. “She’s a single mom, her kid’s dad is useless, and she works her ass off as a cop, which is a terrifying job. It just needed to be realistic.”
Seyfried’s Raw & Gritty Performance Praised by Creators
Both Liz Moore and showrunner Nikki Toscano applauded Seyfried’s interpretation of Mickey.
- Moore noted that although Seyfried physically differed from the book’s character, she brought fury, passion, and depth to the role.
- Toscano said Seyfried’s performance had a fire that wasn’t always on the page, elevating the character beyond expectations.
A Female-Led Crime Drama Breaking Industry Norms
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of Long Bright River is its all-female directing team. Co-star Nicholas Pinnock, who plays Mickey’s former partner, praised the production’s commitment to diversity.
“All episodes were directed by women—that’s a first in my 40 years of acting,” Pinnock shared on Instagram.
While he acknowledged the significance, he also emphasized that gender in directing shouldn’t be a discussion point—it should simply be the norm.
Seyfried wholeheartedly agreed: “F* yeah.”**
Amanda Seyfried on the Emotional Toll of the Role
Playing a tough yet vulnerable character like Mickey wasn’t just a physical challenge—it was an emotional marathon.
“It’s hard to cry, emote, scream, and be frustrated,” Seyfried admitted. “Sometimes you just don’t have the energy to keep going because it takes a lot of energy to cry hysterically.”
Despite the exhaustion, she finds both comedy and drama equally fulfilling, proving her versatility as an actress.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Watch Crime Drama on Peacock
With Amanda Seyfried leading a powerhouse cast, a gripping mystery, and a female-led creative team, Long Bright River is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated crime thrillers of 2024.
Stream it on Peacock starting March 13 and see Seyfried deliver one of her most powerful performances yet.
