Editorial: Ever Carradine on Navigating Hollywood, Family, and the Art of Reinvention
- Vingt Sept
- Apr 23
- 7 min read
Ever Carradine has a career that refuses to be boxed in. From playing a privileged yet precarious Naomi Putnam in Hulu’s Emmy-winning The Handmaid’s Tale to diving into the Marvel universe in Runaways, she has brought depth, nuance, and an undeniable presence to every role. But beyond her television work, she’s also navigated comedy (Lucky), political drama (Commander in Chief), and even cult-favorite genre films (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Dead & Breakfast).
Despite coming from one of Hollywood’s most legendary families, Ever initially tried to carve out a path away from acting—until she realised storytelling was in her blood. With a career spanning decades and an ability to effortlessly shift between TV and film, drama and comedy, she continues to surprise audiences. As she balances work, family, and new creative ventures, we catch up with Ever to talk about forging her own identity, the evolution of Hollywood, and what truly excites her at this stage in her career.
You’ve had such a rich and varied career—from political dramas to superhero series, dark comedies to psychological thrillers. Do you have a personal favourite genre to work in?
Honestly, I like bopping around from genre to genre, it keeps me on my toes. When I first started out, I found myself booking roles in comedies and I was SO confused… Honestly, I thought I was doing something wrong. Over the years, I found a nice balance of comedy and drama. But I think the best lesson I have ever learned is that nothing can be too funny. There is funny in drama and tragedy, and there is drama in comedy, it's just real life. So, whilst I do not think I am drawn to a particular genre, I do think I am drawn to stories and characters that feel truthful. That being said, I'd kill to do a western.
You initially pursued anthropology and sociology in college before switching to theatre. Do you find that background still informs your work as an actor?
I think maybe it did when I first started out, but my college days are pretty far in the rearview mirror at this point. I do think naturally actors have an interest in anthropology and sociology-taking in humans in their space and trying to exercise empathy and understanding with as little judgement as possible.
You’ve played characters who are deeply flawed but also fascinating—like Naomi Putnam in The Handmaid’s Tale and Janet Stein in Runaways. Do you find yourself drawn to morally complex roles?
I think humans are complex by nature, no one is who they appear to be, at least not all the time. What's been fun about playing Naomi, is that her life has completely turned upside down since we first met her in Season One. She went from being the envy of the wives, in a big house with a healthy newborn girl, to a widow whose husband was shot in front of her, to a wife who married her late husband's killer. It's been quite a ride! Playing Janet was fun because she was always the smartest person in the room, and she knew it.
You’ve had recurring roles on Shameless, Goliath, Code Black, Major Crimes—all of them with very distinct tones and audiences. Do you enjoy stepping into different worlds, or do you prefer staying in one long-term?
I love stepping into different worlds. Joining a show that's been on the air for a while can be a little daunting, because the actors and crew already have a long history. I always say that it's like being the new kid at school. But everyone is always so welcoming, and it's fun to be the new kid who is bringing in a fresh character to spice things up a little bit. I actually filmed Major Crimes and Goliath simultaneously, which meant some days I would start on one set and wrap on the other. It was wild. The beauty of being on a show long term is that you get to grow with your character, your writers and your crew. Writers learn how to write for you, the crew learns how you like to work, becoming a work family is one of my favourite parts of this job.
Hollywood has changed a lot since your early days on Party of Five and Once and Again. What’s been the most exciting shift in the industry, and what still needs work?
I think the most exciting thing that's happened is that so much more of what is made can be seen. We have so many platforms now, so many means to share our art, that there is almost always a home to share your project. The same goes for promotion. Social media has given us all the power to promote the projects that we care about.
You come from Hollywood royalty, but you’ve built your career on your own terms. Was there ever a moment when you felt you had truly stepped out of the Carradine shadow and into your own?
I think that anyone who you talk to who grew up with a family in the industry will tell you that you never really step out of that "shadow" and that's actually okay. I have been doing this for almost 30-years, and I don't think I have ever not had an interviewer ask me about my family. I am so proud to be in the same business as my dad, uncles, cousins and grandfather. We have a family rule when we go out to dinner: whoever worked last picks up the tab.
If you weren’t acting, what do you think you’d be doing today? Would you have pursued anthropology, or do you have another secret passion?
I love being in my garden and arranging flowers. I love throwing dinner parties and bringing people together. I love fashion. I think if I were not acting, I might do something in the party/event planning world. Or I might just spend my days planting and pruning in my home garden.
You’re married to a musician—does music play a big role in your life? Are there any artists or genres that inspire you creatively?
I'll sometimes use music or songs during gaps in filming to keep me in a place, emotionally. Jeff Buckley, Yo Yo Ma, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift - these artists are all on my set playlist.
You’ve been incredibly open about your husband's cancer battle in 2006 and how SAG-AFTRA’s healthcare played a crucial role in supporting your family during that time. As someone who’s experienced both the glitz of Hollywood and the personalstruggles that can often go unnoticed, what do you think audiences often misunderstand about the realities behind the camera, and how can we shift the narrative to better reflect the challenges actors face off-screen?
For one thing, I think everyone thinks that the actors they see on TV are all rich, which is far from true. I think there is also a lot of glamour associated with this business, that's just not really the day to day reality of being a working actor. Getting to a red carpet means years of acting professionally, countless auditions, endless jobs you did not book, and years of unemployment. My uncle David used to say that the only people that didn't make it in Hollywood are the ones that quit. This job is a marathon, not a sprint, and whilst I know that sounds cliche, it's the truth.
As far as speaking out about our healthcare and my union, I think it is so important for people to understand the value of both of those things. My union is my protector, and my union provides my family with our healthcare plan.
How do you balance the demands of acting with family life? Do you have any rituals or routines that keep you grounded?
Well, I could not go off and do my job if I did not have such a supportive husband at home. I began filming The Handmaid's Tale in 2016, and I cannot even begin to imagine how many flights I've taken or nights spent away in hotel rooms. It's hard leaving my family, but knowing that my kids have a great dad makes it a lot easier.
I have spoken with a lot of mom friends about this, and I feel we all sort of share our secrets. One friend always naps at lunch (as do I), another likes her kids to come to set and spend the days in her trailer so she can be with them during breaks. My favourite is the friend who often sleeps in her trailer after she wraps, so she can go home rested. Whilst being in Toronto is difficult, it is so much easier to do my job while I am out of town, because I am not watching the clock, trying to get to carpool or a baseball game, or home for dinner. Being away means I can just be present and do my job, which is a luxury.
One thing I really try to stress with my kids is that even though I don't like leaving them for work, I still love my job.
You’ve played so many different types of women—strong, flawed, vulnerable, powerful. What do you think makes a character truly compelling?
I think the best thing I can do as an actor is be truthful. If I can be present and honest (and know my lines) good writing will get me to the finish line and make me look like I am good at my job.
If you could tell your younger self one thing about navigating this industry, what would it be?
I'm often asked what advice my family gave me about being an actor, and they all told me the same thing: “save my money”. Financial independence means creative freedom, and who doesn't want that? Save your money, kids.
The Handmaid's Tale is out now on HULU in the US & 4th May 4th (UK) on Channel 4
Photographer Reto Sterchi
Fashion Monica Murillo
Hair Jonathan Hanousek for Exclusive Artists using Hair Rituel by Sisley Paris
MUA Fabiola for Exclusive Artists using Kosas
Producer Arabella Itani
Words by Jheanelle Feanny
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