Join Callum, James and Anne Hathaway expert Daisy for an in-depth discussion of one of the most versatile and accomplished actresses working today. Together, they examine the qualities that have made Hathaway such a distinctive screen presence, from her ability to move confidently between comedy and drama to the commitment she brings to every performance. With Hathaway appearing in five films this year—including two of the year’s biggest box-office releases, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Odyssey—the timing could not be better for a closer look at her career. The group considers why she continues to stand out, even when the films around her receive mixed or negative reviews, and asks what makes audiences return to her work. Rather than focusing only on awards or commercial success, they explore the range, energy and precision that Hathaway brings to roles of every size.
In part one, the conversation focuses on the early years of Hathaway’s career. Callum, James and Daisy look at the characters she plays, the range of genres she tackles and the level of commitment she brings to each role. They begin with the cult classic The Princess Diaries, the film that launched her career and introduced viewers to the warmth, humour and awkward charm that would become central to many of her early performances. From there, they compare her work in The Princess Diaries and Ella Enchanted, considering how she approaches two very different fairy-tale heroines and what those films reveal about her developing screen persona. The discussion then turns to The Devil Wears Prada and the challenge of performing opposite Meryl Streep. They consider how Hathaway holds her own, how her character changes over the course of the story and why the performance remains so memorable. Moving into more dramatic territory, they ask whether her work in Rachel Getting Married deserved an Oscar and discuss the intensity she brings to the role. They also revisit Becoming Jane, including the much-discussed accent, before celebrating her flair for physical comedy and sharp comic timing in Get Smart. Finally, they take on Bride Wars, debating whether the film has been judged too harshly and whether it deserves to be reclaimed as a cult classic. Across these films, the group traces Hathaway’s growing confidence and her willingness to take on contrasting material.
Whether you have followed Hathaway’s career from the beginning or are discovering these films for the first time, this opening instalment offers an accessible, enthusiastic guide to her early work. We hope you enjoy part one as we revisit the roles that established her career, shaped her public image and laid the foundation for the varied performances that followed.
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