‘Euphoria’ Breakout Anna Van Patten Felt Pressure To Make Kitty’s Dark Story “Hit Hard”

Season 3 of Euphoria will be remembered for a few highlight moments. Among them are Cassie’s (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate’s (Jacob Elordi) wedding dance, Nate’s brutal death, and the four-year wait between Season 2 and 3. But it also represents the breakout performance of Anna Van Patten, who plays Kitty, a dancer at the Silver Slipper. Van Patten isn’t a stranger to iconic television shows. Her father, Tim Van Patten, is an actor and director, known for his work on The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Touched by an Angel, and Game of Thrones. Anna grew up on many of those sets, soaking in the environment, gaining knowledge and experiences that would go on to help her succeed as an actress.

Along with her father, Tim, Anna’s uncle Dick Van Patten, and sister Grace Van Patten have also made an impact in the entertainment industry. Dick was an actor and comedian, featured in films and shows like Spaceballs, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and Eight Is Enough. Meanwhile, Grace has starred in the hit shows Nine Perfect Strangers, Tell Me Lies, and The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.

While Anna is grateful for her family’s entertainment expertise, she is paving her own path and staying authentic to who she is — not trying to fit into the public norm. In this exclusive interview with Collider, Van Patten explains the craft behind Kitty in Euphoria, working with Sam Levinson, and what she learned about herself while embodying a dark and sad character. Anna also dives into her fascination with storytelling, her appetite for learning, and what roles and projects excite her.

Van Patten Felt Pressure To Do Justice to Kitty’s Dark ‘Euphoria’ Story

“I felt a pressure to do a good job.”

Image via Eddy Chen/HBO

COLLIDER: Was there a realization moment for you that you were going to be part of a series in Euphoria that fans worldwide have been waiting four years for?

VAN PATTEN: It has really felt surreal the whole time. I think in order to do my job and to not feel crazy, I didn’t really let it hit me just so I can be as present as I could be. But I remember getting the call that I got the job and then just kind of being silent to be like, “Oh my gosh.” Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen.

Your character, Kitty, is dark, sad, and emotional. Did you do anything specific to help get yourself into such a deep headspace?

VAN PATTEN: I think I just stayed really present with her and kind of played with the scene that we’re dealing with, which it is very dark and it is sad. And just to be as present as I could and really focus on her truth.

What were those conversations like with Sam [Levinson]? How did you two shape Kitty together?

VAN PATTEN: Well, he gave me a lot of references on the first day on set that really helped me kind of expand the vision that I already had for her from when I first auditioned for her. So he was so helpful. We always approached things with her very delicately.

How much freedom did you have to try different things during takes and scenes? Was there enough room to play around and find that right tone?

VAN PATTEN: Yeah, definitely. There was always room to play. And I think when I had a question or if I felt like something, [Sam] and everyone would always listen. And there was a lot of room to collaborate, and it feels like a good place to be when you feel like you can speak on certain things.

Episode four is titled ‘Kitty Loves to Dance’. Did you know at the time of filming that episode that your character was going to have an episode named after her?

VAN PATTEN: I did, I did, and that was really exciting.

Did that sort of put any pressure on you at all, knowing that you were going to be the focal point of this episode?

VAN PATTEN: No, I think I understood that Kitty is important. What she goes through for the bigger story. And I felt a pressure to do a good job so that what’s being said feels authentic and hits hard. So I did feel pressure, but not because the title, the episode, is named after my character, but just because I wanted to really do justice to Kitty.

Did you learn anything about yourself stepping into the shoes of Kitty at all?

VAN PATTEN: I think I learned a lot about myself, and it challenged me. But what appeals to me with certain projects is that I am learning about myself throughout it.

What are some things that you’ve learned internally, let’s say, Kitty, or even throughout your entire career? What have you learned through the roles that you’ve played?

VAN PATTEN: Well, this one is a bit different, but I think I’ve learned to be more comfortable in my body. And I think playing a dancer made me feel okay to take up space. And I started doing pole dancing, and that too changed my relationship with my body, and how, first, others might perceive me, but then, realizing that it’s so much more than that.

Anna Van Patten’s Hands-On Education

“I thought I wanted to just have a more well-rounded view of the art.”

Image via Disney

You’ve spent a lot of time growing up on not only TV sets, but also some of the most iconic shows. What did you learn about acting from being able to explore sets at such a young age?

VAN PATTEN: I think because I grew up visiting my dad on those sets, and sometimes the camera wouldn’t be rolling, but we’d just be able to play in a back room or explore, I learned that storytelling has a lot more to do than just with words, and that there’s so much that goes into telling a story and there’s so many people involved, and it is a big puzzle.

You prepared yourself by not just jumping right into acting, but by studying performing arts and film in high school and college. Firstly, why did you want to get more education under your belt? And secondly, what did you learn that you might not have if you had gone a different route?

VAN PATTEN: It has always really interested me. Every actor, every person in film is, I assume, working in film because they love movies. After studying acting in high school, I thought I wanted to just have a more well-rounded view of the art. And I’m really glad that I did do that, because I think it kind of opened my eyes to the bigger picture.

In ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’, how did you and your sister lean on each other while working on such an intense story?

VAN PATTEN: I leaned on her fully. She’s such a great leader, and it taught me a lot about just being on set. All I had to do was watch her because she’s so amazing. And that would kind of affect me in ways that maybe I wasn’t trying to, but it was so nice just to be with her throughout that whole experience and watch her do her thing that she’s so good at. I felt very proud of her.

What’s Next for Anna Van Patten?

“That’s just kind of how I see life.”

Image via HBO

What sort of roles and projects are you attracted to? Are there any specific types that you open your eyes to?

VAN PATTEN: I do think I’ve always been interested in films that kind of explore the gray areas and that open conversation, so I was really excited to work on Euphoria because I think it really opens the doors for bigger conversations.

I know you’ve said you’re deeply connected with storytelling in so many different forms. What is it about telling stories that inspires you most?

VAN PATTEN: I just think that everything has a story. That’s just kind of how I see life, and I can’t really imagine it any other way. It’s how I connect with the world, and how I learn about myself. I think storytelling is just so important.

Looking back at your younger self that just got into acting, is there anything that you would tell that younger self that you’ve learned over the way that would be helpful at that time?

VAN PATTEN: I’d tell myself to lean into the things that make you authentic. My perception and how I see the world is what make me unique. And I think when we’re younger, we maybe try to fit into other boxes to feel like we’re normal. But I just tell myself to just be you and to expand on that and keep learning more about yourself and really focus on what interests you.

What do you like to do, whether it’s in between projects, maybe in between days of production, that you can kind of escape from?

VAN PATTEN: I’m a big believer in walking, so I’ll walk very long and very far away. And that’s kind of my way to ground myself. And then always looking for things that kind of inspire me. So watching a lot of movies, go to museums, and talk to my family. I’m a bit restless, so I always keep on moving, and keep learning, and exploring.

Looking forward, what excites you most about your future?

VAN PATTEN: I guess that there’s always room to grow personally and creatively, and that really excites me. And I hope I’m a part of more projects that allow me to do that.

Euphoria is now available to stream on HBO Max.

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Release Date

2019 – 2026-00-00

Network

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HBO

Showrunner

Sam Levinson

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Directors

Jennifer Morrison, Augustine Frizzell

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