Kathryn Hahn has built a formidable career on her ability to bring nuance, intelligence, and wit to supporting roles in films ranging from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days to Revolutionary Road. Now, as the lead in the coming-of-age dramedy Mrs. Fletcher (HBO), Tom Perrotta’s follow-up to The Leftovers, Hahn is at the center of things, right where she belongs. As Eve Fletcher, a divorcée who faces an identity crisis when her only child leaves for college, she exudes sexiness and frailty in equal measure. The season finale airs tomorrow, but Hahn is already filming her next project in Atlanta. In between scenes, she jotted down her key components to the good life. —Bridget Arsenault
Alibi: Anything kid-related. Just try to give me shit for wanting to be with my kids.
Bedtime: When I’m tired.
Birthday: Breakfast in bed with kids. And then dinner in bed with kids. Or is that my alibi?
Boyfriend/girlfriend: Please. I’m married. With children.
Breakfast, weekday: Coffee with almond milk and … oh my God, I’m boring myself.
Breakfast, weekend: Sorry, I fell asleep.
Cocktail: Let’s get serious. Gin-and-tonic.
Couple: Manchego and figs
Date: The kind with shredded coconut all over them.
Disguise: In plain sight, which is almost always where I am hidden.
Dress: Simple. Structured. Architectural. Navy. Or black.
Drive: North on the Pacific Coast Highway, approaching Big Sur.
Enemy: My own demons.
Escape: My own demons!
Family: No such thing.
First Lady/First Man: This question fills me with an unspeakable sorrow and nostalgia.
Flaw:
The fatal ones. They make for good drama.
Foil: Tin
FriendS: The ones who love you for all your fatal flaws.
Piece of advice: “When in doubt, don’t.”
Neighbor: The ones to my right.
Piece of art: Anything by Agnes Martin
Last meal: I just ate some tacos.
Nonfiction book: Age of Fracture, by Daniel T. Rodgers
Storm: Thunder
PodcastS: The Wilderness and the second season of In the Dark
Novel: Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Saying: “This room’s so small, you’ve got to go outside to change your mind!” Courtesy of my late grandmother.
SHOES: Birkenstocks
Kathryn’s Essentials
