Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dave, and The Cast of The Last Thing He Told Me Spill Season 2 Secrets

Summary

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Podcast Summary: “Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dave, and The Cast of The Last Thing He Told Me Spill Season 2 Secrets”

Podcast: Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Host: Danielle Robay
Date: February 17, 2026
Guests: Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, Laura Dave, Angourie Rice, Judy Greer, Rita Wilson

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Episode Overview

This episode gathers the powerhouse women behind The Last Thing He Told Me, bringing together executive producers, the author, and principal cast to celebrate both Laura Dave’s new novel (The First Time I Saw Him) and the highly anticipated premiere of Season 2 on Apple TV. The conversation is a candid, funny, and intimate look into creative collaboration, portraying nuanced women, and the strength of chosen family on and off-screen. The group dives into literary inspiration, on-set dynamics, their favorite quotes, intergenerational stories, and the evolving bond between Hannah and Bailey.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introductions and Season Two in One Word

(02:20 – 04:26)

• Each guest shares their name, role, and a single word (or two) for Season 2:
  • Reese Witherspoon: "Thrill ride" (02:54)
  • Jennifer Garner: "Intergenerational family trauma" (03:05)
  • Laura Dave: "Second chances" (03:23)
  • Angourie Rice: "Action packed" (03:44)
  • Judy Greer: "Suspense" (03:55)
  • Rita Wilson: "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (04:09)

2. The Book-to-Screen Journey & Why a Sequel

(04:26 – 06:51)

• The Last Thing He Told Me’s impact: 5 million+ copies sold, a record-breaking Reese’s Book Club pick.

• Laura Dave reveals she’d always had a sequel’s ending written, even before finishing Book 1.

  “The very first ending of The Last Thing He Told Me...was actually the last chapter of The First Time I Saw Him. So I think I was writing two books all along.” (05:42)

• Reese Witherspoon on championing the story:

  “It's that kind of every person experience in an extraordinary situation.” (06:10)

3. Jennifer Garner Finding Hannah and Stepping Into the Role

(06:51 – 08:54)

• Jennifer read the book aloud to her child, fell in love with Hannah, and humbly wrote Reese to express her desire to play the part.

  “I have a heartache for this character...I don't know why I feel so compelled to do this.” (07:29)

• Her connection: understanding the struggle and commitment of mothering, and relishing the physical, action-driven aspects.

4. On-Set Bookworm Culture

(08:54 – 10:56)

• The cast is full of book lovers, constantly sharing recommendations.
  • Jennifer Garner: “Everyone here I have read something that has recommended.” (09:17)
  • Angourie Rice shares the joy of her own book being a Reese’s Book Club pick, revealed via a heartfelt on-set surprise from Jennifer.

5. Balancing Book and Show: Staying True to Core Themes

(10:56 – 12:53)

• Laura Dave anchored both book and series around themes of “redemption, salvation, and forgiveness.”

  “It was a real exercise in trust...these beautiful things started to happen...a line I wrote in the book, someone had written as a line of dialogue for Quinn.” (11:18–12:36)

6. Bailey’s Journey & Forgiveness

(12:53 – 14:11)

• Angourie Rice: Bailey is shaped by watching adults unable to forgive and must decide how to break that pattern.

  “She’s surrounded by grownups who have been unable to forgive...what is she going to do to try and break that cycle?” (13:29)

7. Shooting in Paris: On and Off-Screen Friendships

(14:11 – 16:41)

• Cast joyfully recounts filming in Paris, both as friends and as rivals on screen.
  • Judy Greer: “We had so much fun on our one day off...it was so fun.”
  • Jennifer Garner: “Yes, there were times where we had to be separated because we would giggle. And then when things really got serious...all bets were off.” (16:09–16:29)
• Tease of “scene-stealing moments” in Episode 8.

8. Favorite Quotes and Principles

(16:46 – 23:26)

• Rita Wilson: Michelangelo—“I see the angel in the marble and carve until I set him free.” (17:27)
• Angourie Rice: Samuel Beckett—“Try again, fail again, fail better.” (18:31)
• Judy Greer: The importance of “seeing the wonder in everything.” (19:19)
• Laura Dave: Adam Grant—“Success is about the distance from the start that you're willing to go.” (21:00)
  • She also recommends Heartburn by Nora Ephron for comfort reading.
• Jennifer Garner: “Happiness is your own responsibility. Or don't marry a man thinking you can change him. So those are Pat Garnerisms.” (22:15)
• Reese Witherspoon: Percival Everett—“The most subversive thing you can do nowadays is be in a book club.” (22:45)

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Deep Dives: Relationships, Motherhood & Agency

1. Hannah and Bailey’s Evolution

(25:34 – 28:49)

• Jennifer Garner: Hannah, five years later, is “a step ahead of every single thing that could possibly be happening...the locks are falling into place.” (26:06)
• Angourie Rice: A loving, chosen stepmother-stepdaughter bond—“They're listening to each other...they're in it together...they've chosen each other as family.” (27:32–28:25)

2. Portraying Quinn and Carol

(28:49 – 31:42)

• Judy Greer on Quinn: Rare to play a power broker, “battling opposing ideas—protecting family, wanting to connect with Bailey, wanting Hannah to just go away.” (29:17–30:26)
• Rita Wilson on Carol (Hannah’s mother): “It was a character who made choices...to give up her daughter. And...the character understood that there may not be reconciliation...but if it's a matter of life or death, you probably will choose life, even if the choice...might be very expensive.” (30:36–31:35)

3. What Makes a Book "Screen-Worthy" to Reese

(31:42 – 33:40)

• “Do I want to share this book with somebody?...That's a really important part of it, and that's what creates community.” (32:18–33:15)

4. Ensemble Chemistry and The Power of Familiarity

(33:40 – 35:39)

• Cast describes their off-screen bonds and how it enriches performance.
  • Jennifer Garner: “Each one of these women play a role in my life outside of this particular show...depth, ease, knowing, fun, mischief...when you know someone” (34:06–34:40)
  • Laura Dave tells a hilarious story of accidentally driving into a scene on her first day and Jennifer’s kindness:

    “Jennifer very kindly turned to me and said, ‘You're going to want to park over there.’ That is who she is.” (35:05–35:33)

5. Mother-Daughter Complexity On and Off Set

(36:11 – 38:25)

• Angourie Rice paralleling Bailey’s search for her mother with her real-life journey to learn about her grandmothers:

  “Playing this character inspired me to...go on this journey in my personal life...Her investigation...doesn't negate her relationship with Hannah...they all exist at the same time, which I love.” (36:51–38:13)

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Season 2 Teasers & Insights

1. What to Watch For

(38:25 – 42:28)

• Season 2 weaves together two parallel yet interlinked stories—the show and the new book—a more “woven” tapestry than season one.
  • Jennifer Garner: “There are diversions, and I love the way one fills out the story of the other.” (38:43–39:41)
  • Laura Dave: “Every episode had, like, Easter eggs...things set up in episode three...come to fruition in episode eight in a way that brought me to tears...” (41:11–41:54)

2. Thriller Game: Collaborative Storytelling

(42:41 – 45:55)

• Guests collaboratively invent a mystery set in Ravello, Italy, featuring a haunted Airbnb, truffle-hunting dog, and a Florida wedding party.
  • Reese Witherspoon: “Somebody left an Apple Watch at the crime scene and we track it back to the dog...a truffle hunting dog who came from Florida...and murdered his owner in a fit of rage. Animal, canine rage.” (45:02–45:43)
  • Pure fun and infectious laughter.

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Notable Quotes

• Reese Witherspoon (22:45): “The most subversive thing you can do nowadays is be in a book club.”
• Jennifer Garner (07:29): “I have a heartache for this character...I understand that in a really deep way.”
• Laura Dave (11:18): "Redemption, salvation, and forgiveness...what does the effort say about how we love people?"
• Angourie Rice (13:29): “Bailey has to really think about, okay, what is the cost of that...She wasn’t there for any of this, and it’s changed everything for her.”
• Rita Wilson (30:36): “If it’s a matter of life or death, you probably will choose life, even if the choice...might be very expensive.”
• Judy Greer (29:17): “I don't get offered roles like this very often...I loved the...scene when Quinn sees Bailey...all of this past comes back at her.”
• Laura Dave (41:11): “Easter eggs that then down the road...come to fruition...in a way that brought me to tears...”

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Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Opening "Avengers" joke, cast introductions – 02:20–04:26
• Jennifer’s heartfelt story of getting the role – 06:51–08:54
• Book nerd banter and recommendations – 08:54–10:56
• On-set Paris memories, acting vs. fun – 14:11–16:41
• Sharing favorite (and meaningful) quotes – 16:46–23:26
• First day on set gone wrong (Laura Dave’s confession) – 34:45–35:39
• Season 2 “Easter eggs” and writing process – 38:25–42:28
• Build-a-thriller improv game – 42:41–45:55

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Tone and Takeaways

The episode is warm, witty, and honest, filled with the genuine affection and admiration among the guests. Themes of forgiveness, second chances, chosen family, the complexity of female relationships, and agency shine through. Viewers and readers are left with a sense of anticipation for Season 2—not only for its twists, but for the depth of love, connection, and resilience at its core.

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Transcript

[Jennifer Garner]

This is an I heart podcast.

[Danielle Robay]

Guaranteed human.

This time of year always gets me dreaming of my next trip. I love imagining the places I could visit, the friends I could travel with, and the memories that we'd make along the way. Right now, I'm picturing a girls trip. Okay, beach, sun, and books. It already sounds good, right? So if you're planning any trips over winter, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And now with the co host network, you could hire a local co host to handle everything like managing reservations, guest communication, and even styling your space. Find a co [e-mail] host bookmarked by Reese's Book Club is presented by Apple Books. Hi, I'm Danielle Robaix, and welcome to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club.

So I'm going to tell you a.

Short story, and it'll be brief, I promise.

So, a few days ago, on a.

Stage in Los Angeles, I had one of the best nights of my life.

Okay, here's what happened.

Apple Books, Apple tv, Reese's Book Club, and hello Sunshine brought together an incredible group of women for a conversation.

And there was so much to celebrate.

We had Laura Dave's new novel, the First Time I Saw him, which was January's Reese's Book Club pick.

And then we were celebrating season two.

Of the Last Thing He Told Me, which is premiering on Apple TV on February 20th. And beyond the book and the show, we were also celebrating something close to my heart.

And I know yours, too.

The magic that happens when women take agency in their lives and become the heroes of their own stories. That stage was filled with actors and producers, writers, friends, mothers, daughters. It was a room full of brilliant women. And the vibes, okay, the vibes were immaculate.

I'm not going to lie.

The energy in the room was electric today. I am so excited to share that conversation with you. You already know you are in the right place.

So let's turn the page with Reese.

Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, Laura Dave, Angauri Rice, Judy Greer, and Rita Wilson.

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I'm looking at all of you, and I want to congratulate you on season two. But also, I feel like I'm with the Avengers of TV and film right now. Everybody is so familiar with all of your voices, but because there are seven of us here, I'm wondering if you can help me out and share your name. Please share your role in bringing this story to life. And then thirdly, maybe just one word to describe season two and how it felt creating it. Reece, this is your book club. Can I start with you?

[Reese Witherspoon]

Sure. Hi, I'm Reese Witherspoon. I'm an executive producer, and one word to describe this show is thrill ride.

[Rita Wilson]

Ooh.

[Jennifer Garner]

Hi, I'm Jen Garner. I'm executive producer and I play Hannah Hall. And one word that is not one word is intergenerational family trauma.

[Laura Dave]

I like that. I'm Laura. Dave. I'm the author of the Last Thing He Told Me and the first time I saw him, and I'm lucky enough to get to work on the show with these wonderful people. My one word would be two words. Second chances.

[Danielle Robay]

You're the author, so you get two words.

[Angouri Rice]

Hi, I'm Angouri Rice. I play Bailey, and I think one word to describe it all is action packed.

[Judy Greer]

Judy Greer. I play Quinn. I'm new. One word. I was thinking suspense.

[Danielle Robay]

Ooh.

[Judy Greer]

But I want more words. But I'm going to stick with suspense.

[Rita Wilson]

Are you a rule follower? Yes. So am I. I'm Rita Wilson. I play Carol.

[Jennifer Garner]

Carol's my mom.

[Rita Wilson]

Yeah. I play Hannah's mom. And I'd say the one word would be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

[Reese Witherspoon]

Great word.

[Danielle Robay]

Yeah, great. Thank you for that. I got to interview Laura a few weeks ago, and I learned that she's absolutely hilarious. I also learned she's very humble, so she won't share these stats, but I'm going to. The Last Thing He Told Me became a phenomenon. It sold over 5 million copies after it was chosen as a Reese's Book Club hit. It became a New York Times number one bestseller. And you're breaking records again. Because the First Time I Saw him was the first sequel that Reese's Book Club chose, which was very exciting. What made you think that this story needed another chapter?

[Laura Dave]

Well, I have to just start by saying that before that first book even came out, I got an amazing call from Reese Witherspoon and Laura Neustadter, which is a call that as a writer, you don't think you're going to get, which is, we want to give this a second life. And so from day one, it has been a pretty unbelievable experience. What's funny is I worked on the first book for 10 years on and off, so I kept putting it down. I wrote two other novels in the process, but I couldn't let it go. And the very first ending of the Last Thing he told me, the first. Last chapter I wrote was actually the last chapter of the first time I saw him. So I think I was writing two books all along. I just wasn't aware of it when this whole journey began.

[Danielle Robay]

You just didn't know it. Reese, you read more books than anybody I know. I think more than anybody anybody knows. When you read the last thing he told me, what about it said to you, I want to bring this to the screen?

[Reese Witherspoon]

I think it's just the relatability of Hannah's character. The minute I picked it up and started getting into it, I immediately thought I could be this person and this could happen to me. This could happen to any of us. And it's that kind of every person experience in an extraordinary situation. We all think, God, if something terrible happened, I would know what to do. But you really thought about that so clearly. So I think you just let people love Hannah first in her complicated relationship with Bailey. Also, I thought was really the final chapter of that first novel is so beautiful that you, you just wanted more.

[Danielle Robay]

You mentioned loving Hannah. Jennifer, I heard you loved Hannah from the get go. You actually emailed Rhys to sort of pitch yourself for this role. And I know that there are so many scripts that come across your desk. Why could you not let Hannah go?

[Jennifer Garner]

I hadn't read the script, actually. I had read the book aloud to one of my kids and we kept staying up way too late. Just we couldn't stop reading, reading. And I loved it so much. And there was another actress att. I just thought, I can never think about this story again because I have a heartache for this character. And then when that actress fell out for scheduling reasons and I heard that Reese wasn't thinking that she would have time to play the role, I mean, there's. I entered into the conversation with a lot of humility because we have been friends for 25 years and I did not want to be like, hi, can you put me in this? But I just had to write to Reese and to Zach and to Lauren Neustadter, hello, sunshine. To everyone. And kind of say, I don't know why I feel so compelled to do this, but I have to tell you why I'm connected to Hannah, why I feel so connected to Hannah Hall. And it really was her, you know, Laura and I always say Hannah is the grownup in the room and she doesn't necessarily want to be, but she is. And I've had those moments that I just understood that in her so deeply and how committed she was to figuring out being a mom, which is such a complicated thing. And I've had those moments. I understand that in a really deep way. And then the action element or the thriller element is something that, for some reason, this nice old gal connects to. I don't know why I like to run and fight and, you know, hit the men, but I do, and that's something I get. So anyway, yeah, I stayed up all night, and then they had the audacity to write me back. And I did do it again the next night.

[Danielle Robay]

I was gonna say, it's so fun to see you boxing and kicking and all of that again because we saw you on screen doing that for so long. I know that we have a cast of book lovers, which is really special. Judy, you are such a book lover. Was there book recommendations happening on set? Were you guys trading Rex?

[Judy Greer]

Yes.

[Jennifer Garner]

I mean, if I think, like, if I just go down the line. Everyone here, I have read something that has recommended Laura. I'm reading right now. The cocktail hour by T.S. eliot. No, I actually. I finished that. Judy gave me the Alchemy.

[Judy Greer]

Oh, yeah. The Journal of Alchemy.

[Jennifer Garner]

No, the Alchemy Suleika. Yes. So I'm on number, like, 50.

[Judy Greer]

I numbered those.

[Jennifer Garner]

I know. I did it myself.

[Angouri Rice]

You did.

[Jennifer Garner]

And then Reese's Book and everything that you recommend in the world.

[Reese Witherspoon]

Yeah, and then Gary wrote.

[Jennifer Garner]

And Gary wrote her book, and she had the second one coming out with her mother.

[Angouri Rice]

Yes, yes. Thanks. Yes, yes. I wrote a book with my mom, which was so exciting and so, like, wonderful. And it was chosen as a Reese's Book Club pick, which was just, like, the most exciting thing ever. And I found out on set, Jen called me into the trailer, and they filmed my reaction, and my mom was on FaceTime. It was. It was so lovely. So, yes, we've got a very bookish cast, which is lovely.

[Danielle Robay]

Rita, did you have any recs that people gave you or any recs that you gave them in particular?

[Rita Wilson]

The ones that I loved recently were Trust by Hernan Diaz, which was fantastic. I read Ann Patchett's Bel Canto, which I had never read because I went on a big Ann Patchett phase this summer. I read Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton. Like, I had never read that either. I mean, there's just. It's endless. A lot.

[Laura Dave]

There's a lot of books.

[Judy Greer]

There's a lot of books.

[Rita Wilson]

In our house, we say bookie, book, books rule, because my granddaughter said it once.

[Danielle Robay]

No, you can make it into a meme, too, Rita. Laura, you had this totally surreal experience as an author. Season two of the Last Thing He Told Me was filming at the same time that you were writing the sequel novel, the first time I saw him. I've never interviewed anybody who has done that. What elements did you feel were so important to stay the same between the book and the show?

[Laura Dave]

Well, you know, when I was working the book, and it started with three words over my desk, and they were redemption, salvation, and forgiveness. And I knew that everything in the book was moving toward this idea of, what are we willing to do to be forgiving? Which is a very different thing than, do you believe in forgiveness? Do you not? What does the effort say about how we love people and what we need to do to get to a better place? And so I sat down with the showrunners, one of whom I'm married to, and said, this is where the book is going. These are the first hundred pages. These are sort of my bright lines of what's really, really important. It was a real exercise in trust. And one of the reasons that I felt so comfortable is the people sitting on this stage all care so deeply about these characters, and they all are bringing something new. And the thing is that I think you can get to those words, to those ideas in a variety of different ways. But these beautiful things started to happen when I finished the book, and then I got to start reading the scripts and see everything. They were still on episode six or seven. They were writing those at that moment. And a line that I wrote in the book about what a woman is willing to do to protect her family, someone had written a line of dialogue that Quinn says that, like, matched it, and we hadn't even shared that yet. So there were these, like, sort of spellbinding, incredible moments.

[Danielle Robay]

And Gauri, did you think about forgiveness in this season? Because Bailey is a very different person.

[Angouri Rice]

Yeah, she is. I mean, it's five years later, and so they've really. Hannah and Bailey have worked so hard to become a team and a family. And Those years from 16 to 21, so much happens in that time. And to have one missing parent in that time, I think would have really been felt by Bailey. I think when that family dynamic of one parent and one child suddenly becomes a trio, as it did in. With Hannah coming in, that changes everything. And then in season two, that dynamic changes again. And I think I was thinking a lot about forgiveness and letting go. And I think something Bailey struggles with in this season is that she's surrounded by grownups who have been unable to forgive, and they're still holding on to old grudges and old wounds, and they cannot let that go. And Bailey has to really think about, okay, what is the cost of that it's affecting her life. She wasn't there for any of this, and it's changed everything for her. So what is she going to do to try and, I don't know, help the grownups around her kind of break that cycle?

[Danielle Robay]

Absolutely. That was so well said. I think everyone on stage was like.

Yeah.

Okay, so part of this season was filmed in Paris. And. And I know that the fictional reason is a bit tense, but in real life, that seems so much fun. I'm wondering if you have any Parisian memories. I see JG and JG eyeing each other because we were all sort of looking on Instagram at your amazing photos together. Can I start with you, Judy? Do you have any Parisian memories you loved?

[Judy Greer]

Yes. We had so much fun. We had so much fun on our one day off. But also at lunch, we would sneak away, go to lunch, have an omelet, go back to set. It's very civilized. It was kind of magical just being there and be there with my friends. Like, when would we ever get to take a vacation like that? Holy buckets. It was so fun. Yeah. I have a million memories. I'm not going to keep talking, but it was so fun.

[Jennifer Garner]

We got to do some very dramatic scenes.

[Judy Greer]

Oh, the acting.

[Jennifer Garner]

Yeah. We also acted there.

[Judy Greer]

We acted so hard in Paris.

[Jennifer Garner]

You guys are gonna die.

[Judy Greer]

When you see how much we acted.

[Laura Dave]

I can say this. Cause I wasn't responsible for it in any way. When you see them acting in Paris. Whoa. In episode eight. So everyone stick around for episode eight. There is two scenes that are just gonna. If they don't blow your socks off, they will blow your socks off.

[Danielle Robay]

How was it for you guys? Because you're such good friends and you have all this history in real life, but your characters are actually. They have a lot of friction in the show.

What's that?

[Jennifer Garner]

Like we're never gonna play friends.

[Judy Greer]

No.

[Jennifer Garner]

Nobody wants to see that. Yes, there were times where we had to be separated because we would giggle. And then when we really. When things really got serious and our little Bailey was at stake, all bets were off.

[Rita Wilson]

We just.

[Jennifer Garner]

We didn't look at each other. We didn't deal with each other.

[Judy Greer]

And then, yeah, we had to be separated sometimes. Sometimes because we were being awful and we weren't paying attention and we were goofing off. And sometimes. Cause we just really needed to, like, focus.

[Reese Witherspoon]

I can fully see the dynamics in these two. Isn't it all just coming to life for you?

[Danielle Robay]

I'm surprised the show even got made. When I interviewed Laura a few weeks ago, I learned that you love quotes, and that's something that we share. And so usually every week, I ask our guests to share something that they've bookmarked, and it can be a fun quote or something that they've saved on social media. But this week, because of your love of quotes, I'd love for everybody to share a quote that they've bookmarked this week. And if it's not this week, it could be maybe something that you live by, something that sticks with you because she's laughing. I'll start with you, Rita.

[Jennifer Garner]

Okay.

[Rita Wilson]

There's a quote that I had on my bulletin board for a really long time, and it's from the sculptor Michelangelo. And someone had asked him, how do you make these beautiful, beautiful sculptures? And he's from these massive blocks of marble. And he said, I see the angel in the marble, and I carve until I set him free. And for me, that is a metaphor of what it's like to be a woman. We start at a very young age, and we then develop these other identities that are either imposed on us or we think we have to choose. And at a certain point in your life, hopefully, it starts to shift, and you start carving away and chipping away at the things that are extraneous, that don't matter, so that you can arrive at the essence of who you are.

[Danielle Robay]

That was so beautiful.

[Rita Wilson]

Thank you. Deep thoughts, Deep thoughts.

[Judy Greer]

Judy, not going next.

[Danielle Robay]

Angari, can I put you on the spot? I'll come back.

[Angouri Rice]

I want to say it's a Samuel Beckett quote, and I think I had it on a postcard. I think my mum gave it to me on a postcard. That something like, try again, fail again, fail better. It's something like that about, like, it actually doesn't matter if you fail and fail again, you're just going to keep failing, and you'll fail better and you'll get better at not being good at something, which I think is. Which.

[Jennifer Garner]

Yeah, there's value in that.

[Danielle Robay]

There's value in that.

[Rita Wilson]

You have to fail in order to get good at something.

[Judy Greer]

Yes.

[Angouri Rice]

So I kind of like that. And I had that postcard up in my bedroom.

[Danielle Robay]

I like that, too. We're also scared of failure, and it kind of takes that away.

[Angouri Rice]

Yeah, we're all going to fail all the time, and then sometimes we succeed, and that's great, too.

[Danielle Robay]

Judy, can I.

Popcorn back?

[Judy Greer]

I don't remember an exact quote, but I was at a memorial recently for Don Misher. I don't know if any of you know him. He was Such a wonderful man.

[Jennifer Garner]

And.

[Judy Greer]

And I'm thinking about him a lot with the Olympics on, because he often produced Olympics opening ceremonies and things like that. And he. In his memorial, there was a quote, but I can't remember it exactly. But it's about seeing the wonder in everything. And so I have that written on a post it note above my desk, but I can't remember the exact quote, but that I think of a lot because you want to see the. The special in the quotidian, you know, and that's kind of what we do, is we take the everyday and make it come alive. So that. So something about seeing the wonder. So it's not really a quote at all. Sorry.

[Danielle Robay]

It's okay. It was still an idea. And also, I know that you read so much because you just said the word quotidian, so thank you for that.

[Judy Greer]

I also love Pan quotidien, the restaurant, and there's one in my neighborhood, so not taking credit for that big word.

[Reese Witherspoon]

And it's also French. And you went to Paris for the show and you were like, pain cotilienne.

[Danielle Robay]

S' il vous plait, Lorek, may I go to you?

[Laura Dave]

Well, I have two, because the first one's not from a book, which feels sacrilege to, like, not be quoting from a book. But Adam Grant talked about Lindsey Vaughn's fall, and he said something which I thought, well, first he told everyone to shut up, which I appreciated if they had a note about her choosing to take a risk and be brave. But the last sentence of what he wrote was, success is about the distance from the start that you're willing to go. And that really stuck with me. It's not about the result, it's about the distance to the distance to the start. So that was something. And then Jennifer here knows. I reread Heartburn by Nora Ephron far too often. It's my cozy book, even though it's about the end of a marriage. And if you want a really great listen, Meryl Streep does the audiobook of it. So that's pretty special too. On the idea of starting. I just got to the end of this reading, and one of the things she says in the second to last chapter, when she's getting to a point of forgiveness is, and she can't really get to anything wonderful yet, but she's able to remember something that was magical between them. And then she says, and this feels like the moment where we start. And I thought that was lovely.

[Danielle Robay]

That is lovely. Thank you for that.

[Jennifer Garner]

I only have Things my mom says in my mind, like, weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning. Or happiness is your own responsibility. Or don't marry a man thinking you can change him. So those are Pat Garnerisms. They come from the Bible or, you know, Ma Ingalls, but, yeah, same difference. They're all kind of mixed into one. Pat Garner Bible. Ma Ingalls.

[Danielle Robay]

Truly wise words. Reese, do you have a quote?

[Reese Witherspoon]

You know what? I read something this year I thought was great. This author, Percival Everett, who wrote this book, James, he won the Booker Prize. It was last year. But this quote really stuck with me. And it's apropos of being in a room talking about books. He said, the most subversive thing you can do nowadays is be in a book club. And to me, that means let's read books, let's discuss ideas. We need to stop listening to people's opinions and actually form our own opinions and create community with each other where we're socializing ideas. So every person in here who is an influencer, who deals with books and reads voraciously, you're part of the revolution.

[Danielle Robay]

Ooh, I love that. That got me excited. Lys. Yeah.

I recently went on a big family trip, reuniting with cousins, aunts, uncles, people I hadn't seen in years. And we all got together in a warm place where the weather was perfect, the food was good, and all we had to do was reconnect. It was so much fun. We're already planning our next trip. Trips like that are truly unforgettable. And what makes it even better is staying at a place on Airbnb. Now, if you're planning any trips over winter, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And with Airbnb Co Host Network, you could hire a local co host to handle everything, like creating your listing, managing reservations, guest communication on site support, and even styling your space. So while you're making your own memories, your home can be helping another family make theirs and earning extra cash. Right? Find a co [e-mail] host.

[Carmen (Listener)]

In the.

[Danielle Robay]

Middle of the night, Saskia awoke in a haze. Her husband Mike was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever.

[Carmen (Listener)]

I said, I need you to tell.

[Judy Greer]

Me exactly what you're doing.

[Reese Witherspoon]

And immediately, the mask came off.

[Judy Greer]

You're supposed to be safe.

[Laura Dave]

That's your home. That's your husband.

[Danielle Robay]

To keep this secret for so many years, he's like a seasoned pro.

This is a story about the end of a marriage, but it's also the story of one woman who was done living in the dark.

[Angouri Rice]

You're a dangerous person who preys on.

[Rita Wilson]

Vulnerable and trusting people.

[Danielle Robay]

You're a creditor.

[Carmen (Listener)]

Michael Levengood.

[Danielle Robay]

Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

So, Jennifer, in the second season and in the second book, we reunite with Hannah five years later, as Angari said. And at the end of season one, you are in survival mode. Where is Hannah? Season two.

[Jennifer Garner]

At the end of season one, there was no season two. So shout out to Lauren Neustadter and hello, sunshine. And Derise for calling Laura Dave and saying, we may need another book here. And to Laura for realizing that actually, yes, the story did continue and there was a ways to go in those five years. Hannah wanted Bailey to grow up and have her space, to become a young adult and go to college and feel safe. So Hannah has tried to put a bubble around her daughter while also preparing for the inevitable danger that would follow them. And as the first episode takes off, which is the only way to think of it, kind of a blast off, you see Hannah, like, you know, this idea of competency, competency porn. Like, somebody who's so good at what they do. She's this, hi, Mary Howard. She's a step ahead of every single thing that could possibly be happening. And she has it all planned out and is like, the locks are falling into place. Boom. Okay, if this happens, then this has got to happen. Then this has got to happen, and then this. And it was so satisfying to read, to shoot, to play, to watch. I love, love, love Hannah's brain. And then danger catches up with them.

[Danielle Robay]

And it gets really exciting at that point.

[Jennifer Garner]

Yeah. And they're a team at this point. As Ann Gowrie said, they've become a family. They've become a team. And it only gets screwed up when, you know, when Daddy comes back into the picture.

[Danielle Robay]

Do you feel that teamwork? Do you feel the shift in your character this year?

[Angouri Rice]

Oh, absolutely. I mean, it's so great because I think both Hannah and Bailey have committed to their relations, and there are moments in season two where they disagree and they have a different idea about how to kind of solve the next problem or go about the next adventure. But their conversations are not arguments anymore. They're listening to each other. They're having a discussion, and they know that they love each other no matter what, and they're in it together. So I loved getting to play that. And also that they're a stepmother And a stepdaughter, and that's kind of. They've chosen each other as family as well. And Bailey is on a mission to discover more about her biological mother as well. But that's a journey that Hannah has, like, respects, and she gives her the space to kind of explore that. So it's just great seeing a mature relationship and a healthy one, too. I have a great relationship with my mum, and so getting to play a really good mother daughter relationship is kind of. It's kind of a relief in a way. It feels normal and natural.

[Danielle Robay]

I didn't realize until you just said.

That about the choosing. That's part of what makes the relationship so exciting to watch, I think, to see you two come together, it's a choice. Judy, it is so fun to see your character in the show. I've never really seen you play this type. You're kind of this power broker.

[Judy Greer]

Oh, yeah. Thank you.

[Danielle Robay]

What made you want to sign on, aside from your best friend?

[Laura Dave]

No reason.

[Judy Greer]

I really. I don't get offered roles like this very often. I mean, just, like, looking at the rack of clothes at my costume fitting, I'm like, I am in a different league. I loved the. I mean, Quinn, she's torn. I think it's really. I love the scene when I see. When Quinn sees Bailey for the first time because she sees her best friend for the first time in how many years? And it is so overwhelming for her. And all of this past comes back at her. And it is so hard for Quinn to not just, like, I think just crush Bailey and want to be with her best friend again in the version of her daughter. And so she has to really, like, separate herself from that. And I think it's also fun to play someone who's battling with, you know, two opposing ideas in her head, like protecting her family, wanting to connect with Bailey, wanting Hannah to just go away.

[Danielle Robay]

Rita, your character is new to season two. You play Carol. Excuse me, which is Hannah's mom. What excited you about Carol?

[Rita Wilson]

Well, it was a character who made choices when she was a young woman to. Can I say all this? Okay. To give up her daughter. And I was eager to explore that. And also that there wasn't a. That the character understood that there may not be reconciliation and that she couldn't claim anything to that reconciliation. But I think she had a reason for doing it, which people can judge or not judge. But I think if it's a matter of life or death, you probably will choose life, even if the choice to do that might be very expensive. In what you give up?

[Danielle Robay]

What is it like to prepare for a role that sort of doesn't exist in the book?

[Rita Wilson]

You trust the writer. You trust the amazing producers that you have. And it was those discussions with Laura and with Josh Singer and Jennifer that we were able to understand her in a more realistic way.

[Danielle Robay]

Yeah. Reese, people so often talk about feeling seen by the material that you champion and bring to life. I see it on award show stages. I hear about it all the time. When you are reading a book, are there three things you could point to that say, yeah, this is gonna translate to screen really well?

[Reese Witherspoon]

I think the main thing, the main. Other than being written by a woman, because I felt like when I started the company, it was really important to champion female authors. Also that a woman at the center of it is the hero of her own story. Cause I truly believe women save themselves every single day. And we need to see more of that on film. But the most important metric for me is do I want to share this book with somebody? Because sometimes you read a book and it makes you seem smarty pants at a dinner party, but you don't necessarily want to share it. So I think that's a really important part of it, and that's what creates community. And that's sort of the main thesis of our book club and why we started it was just to connect people together.

[Danielle Robay]

I was so not expecting that.

That's a very cool way of looking at it. It seems like it would be so much more complicated.

And you're saying, no, I just noticed.

[Reese Witherspoon]

Yeah, it's pretty easy.

[Danielle Robay]

It's pretty simple.

[Reese Witherspoon]

It's like, oh, I love this book. I want to share it with somebody. I read one last night. I was like, oh, I can't wait to talk about this with somebody. And there's so few things that you get to connect over now because things are streaming and you don't know when they're watching it. And there's not like, must see TV on one night of the week. So books can be like that. Especially if you have a monthly cadence where you get together with a group of people. It's really nice.

[Danielle Robay]

There's so much history and so many connections on this stage. That doesn't always happen. I'm really curious from an actor, producer perspective, what goes right when you have this shorthand with people. I've never been on a set, so if you could, like, bring me in and just sort of explain it, I.

Would love to understand.

[Reese Witherspoon]

First of all, come to set anytime you want to.

[Angouri Rice]

Danielle.

[Reese Witherspoon]

Thank you, Reese, you Need to come. It's magical to be on a set.

[Jennifer Garner]

You know, I mean, I've been sitting up here reflecting on the very specific, very intimate relationships I have with all of the women up here. And you, including you. And they are very. Each one of these women play a role in my life outside of this particular show. And there's a depth that comes in and an ease and a knowing and a feeling. Fun. A mischief that comes in when you know someone and you get to do a scene with them.

[Danielle Robay]

I love that word, mischief. I really see that between you two.

[Rita Wilson]

J.

[Laura Dave]

Something that happened that I just also think speaks to the magic of the woman playing Hannah Hall. Here is my very first day on set because everyone up here has been on set a lot more than me. But my very first day of season one on set, I was late because I was me. And so I got confused and a little lost. And so I drove on to set past two police officers who I thought were real police officers. I waved at them. They were extras, which I was about to find out, because the very first thing I did was drive into the scene that Jennifer was shooting. Now, another actress might have reacted badly. Jennifer very kindly turned to me and said, you're going to want to park over there. And that is who she is. And that is.

[Jennifer Garner]

No one would be grumpy with you. I don't know a single actress who would get grumpy with you, but that's who she is.

[Laura Dave]

Always. Always.

[Danielle Robay]

That is so funny.

[Judy Greer]

Laura.

[Laura Dave]

We actually have it on tape.

[Danielle Robay]

Can you please release that on social media for us?

[Jennifer Garner]

She was like, hi.

[Judy Greer]

Hi.

[Jennifer Garner]

And we're like, okay, hang on. No one overreact. Don't scare her. She's an author.

[Danielle Robay]

I can speak for myself. I feel like with mother daughter relationships, if I'm very honest about my mom, I feel like it's a betrayal. And if I withhold, it feels like it's incomplete. And that is something that this show, I think, portrays so very uniquely. The good and the bad, the soft and the hard. Angauri, I know you're so close with your mom. I got to interview the two of you together. Did this show in any way change your relationship with her or the way you even think about her?

[Angouri Rice]

I don't know if it changed my relationship specifically with my mum, but something an interesting parallel is that while filming season two, you know, Bailey is going on this journey to discover more about her mother, and she's asking people about her mother. And while filming season two, I decided to interview some of my own family members about my two grandmothers, because I never knew them. And so I kind of was going on this parallel journey with Bailey. And it's very interesting and I think this is reflected in the show as well, that there's quite a kind of skirting around, talking about people who are no longer here with us and how do we want to represent those people? And Bailey is trying to kind of create this collage of her mother and who she thought she was. And she's hearing lots of different things and piecing that together and trying to find the truth of who her mother was is a challenge for her because everybody has a different idea. So that I think playing this character inspired me to kind of, yeah. Go on this journey in my. In my personal life as well. And I just love that we see that with Bailey, that, that her kind of investigation into who her mother was doesn't negate her relationship with Hannah. It doesn't negate her relationship with her father or her grandfather. It's like they all exist at the same time, which I love.

[Danielle Robay]

Jen and Laura, we have so many eagle eyed readers and viewers here. You're so close to the material. Is there anything that we should all be looking out for as season two approaches? Can you share anything special with us that we should really pay attention to?

[Jennifer Garner]

To me, because the book and the scripts were written by different people at the same time with the same kind of arcs, beginning, middle and end, but the middle is the middle. There are diversions and I love the way one fills out the story of the other. And I really hope you find that as satisfying as I do. The first, we hewed really extremely closely to Laur and I love doing that because, you know, I read the book every morning up to wherever we were shooting that day in hair and makeup. I read it every single day. Know that book like the back of my hand. In this one, it's more of a woven story between these two written. You know, one. One acted out and one is written, but they go back and forth and I think they are. Yeah, it is that. It's. It's in the whole. That you get the picture.

[Laura Dave]

I think that for me, I was. It was really the way that readers embraced the first book. And then the first season it was so I was nervous about writing the second book and I only really wanted to do it if I felt like I could get it right. And I feel a lot of relief now that readers are responding at least to me, in a way that suggests that they're happy with Hannah's Second chapter. But something else that was, I think, really unique to this experience, and I think it has to do with working with women and women who really care is I was given the freedom and the space to write that book. You know, my partners. Our partners at hello sunshine at 20th at Apple. I said, guys, I think to do justice to the second season, I. I need to sit down, and I need the time. And not one of these wonderful women I work with was like, well, you can't have it. They all wanted me to have it.

[Jennifer Garner]

Additionally, we had Josh and Aaron Zelman. Josh Singer and Aaron Zelman are showrunners, and they're such beautiful writers that you could trust your husband and we could trust him as well, that our story was in good hands, the best of hands, definitely.

[Laura Dave]

And they did, like, such a beautiful job. I mean, there are moments. Can I give, like, two spoilers? I mean, they won't be bad. They'll just be Luke Ish spoilers.

[Danielle Robay]

Laura, please.

[Laura Dave]

Well, there's so much that I love in the show, like, as the author, that I got to sort of watch and enjoy. But, like, the thing is that. And Rhys used this word, the fact that it's such a thrill ride. Like, you want to sit down, you want to watch all of them. And I think my experience of watching it is they get better and better as they go. And, like, that is really saying something, because often you watch the first one and then it sort of falls off. And for me, every episode had, like, Easter eggs that then down the road. One thing I was just thinking about is things that are set up in episode three among these three wonderful actresses come to fruition in episode eight in a way that brought me to tears, and I couldn't believe it. And then watch these three in episode eight on those scenes that I alluded to, which are some of my favorite scenes in the series, like, when you get there, you both breathe a sigh of relief and you're terrified. And that is sort of what you really want, or what I really want when I'm watching a show, which is that feeling of, I really want to know what happens next. And also that sort of the bright lines for the readers and the viewers, I think are going to be, they really speak to each other in these really beautiful ways.

[Danielle Robay]

To be brought to tears by words that you know so well must be an unbelievable feeling.

[Laura Dave]

It's really. It's a lot of pinch me moments.

[Danielle Robay]

Absolutely. How do you guys feel about playing.

A game with everybody? Yeah. Okay.

So to send us out on.

A high note, I want to create a thriller together.

So, Laura, I'm going to start with you. Where are we starting? Where is the mystery?

[Laura Dave]

So I always pick a mystery because I always do research, so I never pick, like, you know, we're not going to Siberia. So for this mystery, I would like to go to a town called Ravello in the Amalfi coast.

[Danielle Robay]

Oh, yeah, I know it's good when I've never heard of it.

[Laura Dave]

The hillside town above Postitano, Angauri.

[Danielle Robay]

Tell me what our mystery is.

[Angouri Rice]

Someone discovers the dead body and they don't know who it is.

[Danielle Robay]

Jennifer, what time period are we in tomorrow?

[Jennifer Garner]

Watch the news.

[Danielle Robay]

We're in the future. Okay, Rita, what does the main character do for work?

[Rita Wilson]

She's the owner of an Airbnb Italian villa known to be haunted with a sketchy caretaker.

[Danielle Robay]

Oh, that was so good. Judy, what's our twist?

[Jennifer Garner]

Yes.

[Judy Greer]

The twist is so good. The twist.

[Rita Wilson]

I love the twist.

[Judy Greer]

Is that. The Airbnb is fully booked by a wedding party from Florida. Because Floridians in Ravello is.

[Laura Dave]

I'm watching this show.

[Judy Greer]

So fun.

[Danielle Robay]

You make my cheek hurts. Cheeks hurt. You make me laugh so hard. Okay, Reese, what's our button? Do we get a happily ever after? What?

[Jennifer Garner]

It's a dead body.

[Reese Witherspoon]

We have to solve the crime, Danielle.

[Danielle Robay]

Okay. Okay, let's do that.

[Rita Wilson]

Okay.

[Reese Witherspoon]

I think to add on to this Florida party, somebody left an apple watch at the crime scene and we track it back to the dog.

[Judy Greer]

I knew there'd be an animal.

[Reese Witherspoon]

Yeah, it's gotta be the dog.

[Rita Wilson]

Is it a truffle hunting dog?

[Reese Witherspoon]

It's a truffle hunting dog. Yes. Okay, good. It's a trouble hunting dog who came from Florida to Ravello, Italy, stayed an Airbnb and murdered his owner.

[Jennifer Garner]

Darn it.

[Reese Witherspoon]

Yeah. In a fit of rage. Animal, canine rage.

[Laura Dave]

Yeah.

[Danielle Robay]

That was truly not the twist I was expecting. And good to know that not everything needs happily ever after.

[Reese Witherspoon]

Yeah. No, this one's going to have a sequel because we didn't figure out the first time.

[Danielle Robay]

Said like a true businesswoman. I love it. Thank you all so much. Congratulations on Susan.

[Reese Witherspoon]

Thank you, Danielle.

[Danielle Robay]

Thank you, everybody, for being here.

[Jennifer Garner]

Thank you, guys. Thank you, super readers.

[Danielle Robay]

Okay, friends, before we wrap today's episode, I'm bringing back our monthly comfort segment from Cotton. Called the Book Nook. This is where we explore the rituals that make reading feel just right. And as you know, cotton is at the heart of so many of those everyday comforts. Whether it's your softest worn in tee.

The cozy throw you curl up with.

Or the crisp cotton sheets you sink into after a long day. Cotton can ground us in comfort, which makes it the perfect companion in for a good book. Let's hear from another bookmark listener sharing their ideal reading setup.

[Carmen (Listener)]

Hi Bookmarked hi Danielle. This is Carmen, calling in from New York City. I've always been a lifetime nighttime reader, so as a kid, I was the one with, like the flashlight under the blanket after bedtime. Today, reading is still my favorite ritual before bed. I'm not really a morning person, so it's like a little pocket of time that's just for me in between coming home from work and sort of finishing all my chores at home and then starting the next day. And my setup is super simple, but it's got to be like, really quality, so comfy pajamas, usually a sweater as well. And I'm like all tucked up under the blankets and I'm propped up on a small fortress of pillows, which is really important. And it's also an added plus if my tiny terror of a dog calms down enough to curl up by my side because he's like a personal heater. Sometimes if I'm really moved by a part of the book or if I'm really confused and I need to say it out loud, I'll read it out to him. He doesn't tend to have very strong opinions, but it's like a little mental bookmark for me. And yes, very often I will nod off to sleep while reading, but that just means that I get to do a close reading of the same page a second time when I wake back up.

[Danielle Robay]

Carmen, I love this. That flashlight under the blanket energy never really leaves us, does it? That quiet moment at the end of the day, tucked into quality pajamas, layered in soft cotton and pillows just for you feels like such a sacred little pause before the world starts up again. And the idea of your dog as a personal heater and a very patient audience is perfection. That kind of simple, intentional comfort is exactly, exactly what makes bedtime reading feel like a ritual you want to return to night after night. So, friends, keep your ideal reading setups coming. What are you wearing? What's around you? Are you reading by sunlight or lamplight under a cotton throw or your coziest sweater? Take me right into your perfect reading ritual. Leave me a voicemail at 501-291-3379 or email a voice memo to bookmarkedesbookclub.com thanks to Cotton for bringing this segment to life and reminding us that comfort and style can go hand in hand. Don't forget to check the tag for cotton. And if you want to learn more, head to thefabricofourlives.com come hang with us on socials. We're at Reese's Book Club on Instagram serving up books, vibes and behind the scenes magic. And I'm Danielle Robay, R O B A Y Come say hi and DM me. And if you want to go 90s on us, call us. Okay, Our phone line is open so call now at 1-501291-3379. That's 1-501291-3379. Share your literary hot takes, book recommendations, questions about the monthly pick, or let us know what you think about the episode you just heard. And who knows, you might just hear yourself in our next episode. So don't be shy, give us a ring. And of course, make sure to follow Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your shows. Until then, see you in the next chapter. Bookmarked is a production of hello Sunshine and iheart Podcast. It's executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and me, Danielle Robe. Production is by Acast Creative Studios. Our producers are Maddie Foley, Brittany Martinez, Sarah Schlied and Darby Masters. Our production assistant is Avery Loftus. Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rutter are the executive producers for Acast Creative Studios. Maureen Polo and Reese Witherspoon are the executive producers for hello Sunshine. Olga Kaminwa, Kristin Perla and Ashley Rapoport are associate producers for Reese's Book Club. Ali Perry and Lauren Hansen are the executive producers for iHeart podcasts.

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.