Catsuit by Norma Kamali
Mod Earrings + Devant Ring by Nicole Amato
Orchid Mule by Giuseppe Zanotti

After stunning turns in both The Handmaid’s Tale and You,
Madeline Brewer is here to take over the game. You ain’t ready.

By Richard Pérez-Feria / Photography by Mike Ruiz

Want to feel smart at your next cool crowd brunch or pool party with your perpetually unimpressed friends? Say this: “It’s exciting to be witnessing the indisputable ascension of Madeline Brewer into one of America’s best actors on par with the very best we’ve ever seen.” To say that all eyes will be on you is a near guarantee. Here’s the best part: You’d be 100 percent accurate in your assessment. And I’m pretty sure Madeline Brewer herself would giggle in delight.

Every role Brewer has been cast in she has embodied so completely, so intoxicatingly real that she either makes everyone in the scene with her step up their own acting chops to match hers, or she steamrolls right past them. As a viewer—and a lifelong lover of in-the-moment actors—it’s deeply satisfying to watch.

For the uninitiated, Brewer first made her eye-popping presence felt in Netflix’s breakout series, Orange Is The New Black, portraying Tricia Miller to mesmerizing effect. But it was her haunting and emotionally raw portrayal of Janine Lindo in Hulu’s seminal The Handmaid’s Tale that earned Brewer her well-deserved critical flowers—including an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress—as she brought layers of vulnerability, defiance and resilience to the grab-you-by-the-throat, dystopian drama. She recently reprised her role in The Handmaid’s Tale as the award-winning series concluded its run earlier this year and then pivoted to another beloved heart-rate altering series in its final season.

Brewer entered Netflix’s smash psychological drama, You, as Bronte (a/k/a Louise), an enigmatic and free-spirited playwright who began working at the Manhattan bookstore owned by Joe Goldberg, Penn Badgley’s homicidal character. So, yeah, 2025 was a lot and even the New York City thespian admits that she’s not above going down the rabbit hole that social media affords, in her case, how the fans of those two long admired series felt about her characters on the shows they love suddenly ending. Brewer admits that those closest to her advise her to refrain from doing that, especially as she prepared to get married to cinematographer Jack Thompson-Roylance.

Bright PurpleAnkle Length Crew Neck Dress by TOM FORD
Imagine Angel Wing Earrings by Nicole Amato
Necklace and Bracelets by Alexis Bittar
Diamond Crest Ring by Miraki Jewels

“I’d like to be the person who says I don’t read anything, but unfortunately, I’m not that person,” Brewer says. “I’m also not a liar, so I’m not just going to pretend that I’m that person. I do read comments. That’s the part of my brain that’s a little bit self-sabotaging and masochistic.” But for the first time in her life, really, Brewer had to confront the ugly side of being a female actor, even in 2025. “I had to process not being liked,” she says. “I had to process not being loved or admired or thought to be beautiful or whatever. I just came to terms with the fact that people aren’t going to like me, and that’s OK. It’s actually better that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m not, in fact, for everyone. You can’t be for everyone, which is something I’ve always known but never known. Until now.”

After graduating from the American Musical And Dramatic Academy, Brewer has been on a dizzying and well-earned career rocket ship locking down roles in myriad projects including last year when she captivated audiences as Sally Bowles in the Olivier Award-winning London production of Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre. Previously, Brewer delivered standout performances in Space Oddity, directed and produced by Kyra Sedgwick; and Where Are You, co-starring Anthony Hopkins and Angela Sarafyan. Brewer also appeared in Jennifer Lopez’s starring vehicle, the acclaimed film Hustlers, featuring an ensemble cast also featuring Constance Wu, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer and Julia Stiles.

But I keep going back to Brewer’s astounding Bronte in You. Her acting choices were so raw, so real that when we first discover her character’s backstory it makes you reconsider everything you had seen of Bronte and realize that Brewer’s colossal performance was, at a minimum, three-dimensional chess masquerading as breezy girlfriend. Her work in You is easily among the very best performances of the year. Easily.

Now, as I head into chatting with someone I consider preternaturally destined for genuine greatness, I, too, start thinking that I should perhaps tap into Bronte’s skillset and pretend to be casual when in fact I’m having a tornado of thoughts raging inside me. That’s what Madeline Brewer does to you. That’s her power. And that’s why you’ll win the brunch/cocktail party game with your know-it-all friends. It’s time: Aren’t you just a little curious what the actor of the hour has to say?

Inverted Triangle Body – GCDS - www.gcds.com by GCDS
Crystal Beaded Top by Erickson Beamon
Dangling Emerald & Round Earrings by Miraki Jewels

What a year you’ve had: The Handmaid’s Tale and You in their final seasons and Planning your wedding. Have you recovered yet or are you still in it?
Still in it! Actually just taking a break from working on all the signage for the big day before heading the printer this afternoon! Getting into the minute details now. Very exciting!

Take us back to the genesis of your journey. What moment (or what actor) made you realize that make-believe was the right path for you?
I think it really began at home. My Dad has always had a performer in him as well as my grandmother, my Mom’s mom. I was so encouraged to follow this path. I did my first play in a local theater at 7 years old and haven’t really looked back.

**Left:**
Catsuit by Norma Kamali
Mod Earrings + Devant Ring by Nicole Amato
Orchid Mule by Giuseppe Zanotti
**Right:**
Long Sleeve Zipper Bodysuit by AREA
Skort by HELMUT LANG
Fortitude Power Kiss Earrings by Nicole Amato
Shoes by ALDO Shoes

When you got the call to play Tricia Miller in Orange Is The New Black, was she completely fleshed out or were you able to inject her with your own flourishes?
Tricia was a very small character at the start. The show was so new, as was the streaming formula, so I was only hired for one day or one episode at a time as the show and the character developed. There is much of me in Tricia, especially “me” at the time, very young and generally frightened.

What was your experience on that show? Did you love working with (lead) Taylor Schilling, or was the set very Method and you stayed in character?
I loved working on OITNB. It was my first professional experience on TV or on camera in any way, I feel very lucky to have been guided and embraced by so many of the other women on that set. Definitely not method, and I made friends that I have to this day.

When you first read The Handmaid’s Tale script, did you instantly know how you would play Janine?
I auditioned for Janine, yes. I don’t think I got the pilot script - actually, I think it was under wraps at the time. But from the moment I read the sides, I knew I loved her.

OK, what was more fun: Playing around with Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu on Hustlers or playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret in London? I know it’s not exactly apples to apples, but still…
Haha, while both had their incredibly fun and rewarding moments, playing Sally Bowles was the job of a lifetime. It was the role I had in me that I needed to get out!

**Left:**
Bodysuit by ZIMMERMANN
Gloves by Stylist Own
Imagine Eternal Earrings by Nicole Amato
**Right:**
Black Glitter Jacquard Jacket by Yawen Chen (Athena)
Shorts by Phillip Lim
Lyra Leather Boot in Black by RETROFÊTE
Earrings by Tania Claire Australia at Flying Solo

In the midst of all the incredible acting opportunities and tsunami attention that ensued, you somehow are planning a wedding to the love of your life, Jack Thompson-Roylance? What does he bring to your life that’s new for you?
Jack is the most fun, smart, interesting, interested, generous human being I’ve ever met. I feel like a mantis shrimp now seeing life in every extra color. He makes everything better.

Any upcoming projects you can tell us about? It’s just between us.
As of right now I am in full wedding mode. I’m lucky that I worked so much last year and am able to take a couple months off to focus on getting married! But there’s a few things I may be excited to get back to in the fall…

Is there a classic role, say Lady Macbeth, that you’ve always dreamed of playing?
Blanche Du Bois but really anything Tennessee Williams, and Lady Macbeth as I get older is definitely VERY appealing to me. I’m my best when I am inventing and experimenting with a character, and theater is calling me more than ever.

Finish this sentence: Madeline Brewer is…at the beginning.

Outfit by Alejandra Alonso Rojas
Raquel pump by Giuseppe Zanotti
Imagine Depths ring by Nicole Amato
Pave Diamond Long Triangle Earrings by Ali Weiss Jewelry

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Madeline Brewer
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Interview by Richard Pérez-Feria
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair: Ayumi Yamamoto at BRIDGE using Leonor Greyl
Makeup: Sasha Borax at BRIDGE using Prada Beauty
Tailor: Cole Sudduth
Photography Assistant: Dani Sax
Creative Assistant: Robin Chou
Fashion Stylist Intern: Aisling Forbes
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

The Next Big Thing Is Here: Madeline Brewer