Sydney Sweeney Credits ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ for Her First Big Break
It’s a common saying in the entertainment industry that it takes 10 years to become an overnight celebrity. Sydney Sweeney certainly seems to fit the bill for this statement. Though the actor has been adding credits to her resume for over a decade, her performances on Euphoria and The White Lotus have helped her become a household name. And while Sweeney certainly recognizes the career boost she’s received in the last year, she actually thinks of The Handmaid’s Tale as her first big break.
Who did Sydney Sweeney play in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale?’
Before Sweeney was dominating on HBO shows, she was a part of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale. In the sophomore season of the critically acclaimed show, Sweeney portrayed Eden Blaine. Eden was a 15-year-old child bride who grew up as a true believer of Gilead. Her arc in the show was truly powerful for fans to witness and Sweeney’s performance in the show earned her a SAG award nomination.
‘The White Lotus’ alum credits ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ for her first big break
Though Sweeney had other TV and film roles prior to Eden, being on The Handmaid’s Tale was a huge deal for the actor. Sweeney and her mother were actually big fans of the show prior to her being cast. Sweeney was thrilled to be working with such a talented crew and have such compelling material to work with. Furthermore, Sweeney experienced a career shift after playing Eden. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Fifty-Fifty Films owner named the show as her first big break.
“I have two stages of it,” Sweeney shared about the moment she thought of as her big break. “I first felt it when I did Handmaid’s Tale; to be able to say I was a part of history in that way was definitely a breakthrough moment.” Certainly, the show allowed Sweeney to demonstrate her acting chops. And while she was sad to leave, her exit would ultimately lead her to Euphoria.
Sweeney gets candid about her dream career
Funnily enough, Sweeney recognizes Euphoria as a large part of her second big break. “Then, of course, the combination of White Lotus and Euphoria,” The Handmaid’s Tale alum claimed. “That’s when this started to feel like the career I’d always dreamt of.”
Certainly, Sweeney’s second big break has catapulted her to new heights. Her performances in the HBO shows have helped her grace magazines and secure brand partnerships. Furthermore, Sweeney has never been more booked or busier. She’s got a number of projects in the works including Marvel’s Madame Web, which begins filming soon and will take up six months of her time.
Sweeney isn’t just sticking with acting
But even though the opportunities seem to be rolling in for Sweeney, she’s taken even more agency over her career. In 2020, the Washington native founded her own production company, Fifty-Fifty Films. Through this company, Sweeney plans to bring women-led stories to life. She’s already secured funding for her first project, The Players Table, which she will also star in. Considering everything the actor has on her plate, we wouldn’t be surprised if her third “big break” was right around the corner.
