Grace Van Patten Has Never Been More Nervous Than She Was Shooting This Amanda Knox Scene

Grace Van Patten’s first experiences on set rank among contemporary film and television canon—she slipped into The Sopranos and Noah Baumbach dram-coms and cut her teeth in Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone-fronted projects. Last year, the 29-year-old landed a lead role in the infamous limited series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, a performance hailed by critics.

What’s the single greatest challenge of being a young actor today?

The inconsistency and the unpredictability. Trying to balance the intense contrast of going from being really stimulated on a job to having totally open-ended time. Wondering when the next project is going to come and maintaining a sense of purpose and productivity in the meantime.

Name one film that got you through an important moment in your life. Why does it stay with you?

It’s a Wonderful Life. My dad showed it to me when I was a kid. It’s probably one of the movies I’ve seen most. My dad and I still quote it, and it just reminds me of watching old movies with my family. As I’ve grown up, what I take away from it changes a little every time.

How do you manage rejection?

I don’t have a perfect system. When I get a “no,” it makes me think about things I really want.

When did you learn what it meant to be an actor?

I learn something new about acting every day from the characters I play and the people I’m working with.

Tell us one thing you regret about your career so far. Why?

I regret putting pressure on myself to have everything figured out early on. I wish I’d trusted that it’s okay to not know exactly where things are going, and accepted “the unknown” as an opportunity for growth and discovery as opposed to something scary and daunting.

When was the last time you surprised yourself on set?

In The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, I had to deliver a speech in Italian, and I honestly didn’t know if I could do it. I’ve never been more nervous for a scene. As we were getting ready to shoot, I imagined how nervous Amanda must’ve been, and all of a sudden, those nerves made me feel weirdly safe and connected to her, and everything just came out. Completely blacked out, but I did it!

This feature is part of CULTURED’s 2026 Young Hollywood portfolio. Read interviews with Odessa A’zion, Tyriq Withers, Iris Apatow, and more. Get your copy of the Entertainers issue here.