When an actor hits their flow, you notice. You feel it. Iris Apatow is there right now, enjoying roles that push her endurance and sharpen her instincts. In Pretty Lethal, she and her ballerina troupe – Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Maddie Ziegler, Uma Thurman – trade pirouettes for punches when a road trip turns feral, while this winter, in the highly-anticipated The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping prequel, Apatow dives into one of cinema’s most iconic universes – and lives out an ultimate childhood dream. You’ll have also seen her in the latest season of high-heat, high-thrill drama Tell Me Lies, exuding the kind of energy that signals an actor in the midst of an empowering evolution. In-conversation, from friends to co-stars, Apatow and Ziegler have been running parallel tracks since forever: on stage and set from as early as they can remember, obsessed with what they do, and defining a new wave of actors approaching the industry with exhilarating energy.

Maddie Ziegler: Hello, I miss you!
Iris Apatow: I miss you! How are you?

MZ: I’m good. How are you?
IA: I guess I’m not that good. I got attacked by a cat yesterday. I broke up a fight and my arm is completely swollen. It’s so bad.

MZ: By a cat that was attacking your cat?
IA: So – my parents’ cats and my cat met for the first time in like, two years, and he was like, “I’m gonna murder these cats.” And so he started running, and I picked him up, and he just turned on me. [laughs] I was like, “Not my best friend betraying me!” It was so sad. He didn’t mean it though, we’re still friends, we’ll get through it together. [both laugh]

MZ: When were you last in LA? I feel like it’s been a minute, right?
IA: I haven’t been here in a while. I’ve been in Germany for the past couple months. I came back because I wanted to see my family – at the end, I was like, “I need to see my mom.”

MZ: It’s crazy that we haven’t seen each other since we wrapped [Pretty Lethal]?
IA: Yeah, because I moved away. That’s so sad. Time has gone by in such a weird way, it’s freaking me out.

MZ: I feel like we filmed not that long ago, and it’s already been a year.
IA: I know, it felt like a very formative experience. And then things just started going by really fast. I immediately moved to New York and moved in with Sam [Nivola], and life flies by in such a weird way. We have a lot of catching up to do.

MZ: Are you liking New York?
IA: I’m liking it. I’m starting to miss LA. I think I needed to leave LA for enough time to want to come back. I went to school here, I went to college here, and then I was like, it’s time to go. I want you to move – I’m trying to gather all my friends. [laughs]

MZ: The goal is to be bi-coastal at some point, because obviously I love New York as well. I’m also just a homebody. When I feel comfortable in my space, I’m chilling.
IA: If you feel comfortable and safe, that’s all I’m trying to find – a great apartment or house to settle in, decorate it, make it my own. Nothing would make me happier.

MZ: Definitely. I do get slightly worried when I hear – and obviously everyone’s on their own thing – but people who try to find things to do so they don’t have to go home. I’m like the opposite. I value being home so much that it has to be something that would really pull me out of my house.
IA: Oh yeah, that’s what I’m saying. It needs to be a great enough place for me, because I’m gonna always be there. I’m such a homebody too. It’s funny, because when we were shooting together, all of the girls were kind of the same in that way. We had our planned events and our drinks and our dinner party, but we would stay home and we would rest. We were a good, healthy group of girls in that way.

MZ: We were also so tired. We were fighting, dancing – I’m so excited for it.
IA: It’s funny because you have such an athletic background. Going into that experience, I was so freaked out by the training we had to do. Do you remember? They called it a boot camp and everyone kept laughing at me because I was like, “It is a boot camp!” It was twelve hours of fight and dance training. Like, my brain exploded. And there was no AC in that building, remember?

MZ: Yes I do, we were like, “We need fans!” [both laugh] I admire you pushing yourself into something new and pushing your limits in that way. Obviously I didn’t grow up doing fight training, but I grew up dancing eight to ten hours every day. And I was even still scared, because I haven’t really danced in that way for a few years. It’s the pressure to get it right and to make a movie that we feel really proud of. Honestly, seeing the end result, I felt really happy.
IA: I know, I did too. We worked so hard and it was so stressful. I mean, it was so much fun, and the fact that we had each other was a game changer. We were all trying different things out. If some dance or fight didn’t work, we would change it. It did feel like things would happen unpredictably sometimes. And having each other was very important, because it’s intimidating. You and Lana [Condor] were proper dancers – not to come for the other girls, [laughs] but we were all more new to it. Having you guys was like, “Oh, we’re going to be fine.” And that’s also kind of what the movie is about.

MZ: We sort of mirrored… Not into the extreme lengths, but the overall theme is so much about coming together, working together, and friendship. We really harnessed those things.
IA: It was so sweet. I will always cherish [that experience]. It’s so weird because I’m 23 now, but we were 21 [when we filmed] and we were nervous and scared in a different country. We got so lucky that we had such a nice group of girls and we really learned from each other. I don’t think I’ll ever come across anything like that, where you’re with a group of your friends every day in ballet costumes. [both laugh]

MZ: It’ll be hard to compare that experience. I love you all so much. We’re sisters for life.
IA: The fact that it went so great, and all we learned from it – I’m glad I got that as a young woman, working with a great female director [Vicky Jewson] who’s protective, kind and cares about us. That changes your outlook on the industry for years and years to come.

MZ: It really does. It sets the bar for what you want in future projects. Obviously you can’t predict that we’ll continue to have those incredible, one-of-a-kind experiences. But to at least have that as a reference – that set the tone for me.
IA: It’s a big deal.

MZ: Doing that experience, I’m like, “I look to all of these girls as inspiration.”
IA: Exactly, that’s how I felt too. Watching all of you girls, all of your different acting styles, your physical resilience – all those things were all really good lessons. I remember one time they gave you one chance to do the most emotional part of the movie. And you were so freaked out, but you killed it. I remember seeing it and thinking, “Oh, fuck yeah. She did it!” It was so impressive. Not to just hype you up, [laughs] but it is true. And watching the women around us, like watching Uma [Thurman] come in and do that. She’s somebody I really look up to, her kindness and how well she treated us. She just came in and went for it. I was like, “Oh, that’s so sick.IhopeonedayIgettobehalfascoolasUma Thurman.” She’s so fabulous.

MZ: Growing up and seeing Kill Bill, seeing this badass woman dominate the screen – it blows your mind.
IA: I watched that when I was, like, thirteen, and I was like, “There is nothing greater in this world.”

MZ: When we all found out that she was coming in to do that role…
IA: I freaked out. Because we had already been in pre-production, it all felt like it fell into place so wonderfully.

MZ: You were attached way longer than I was.
IA: Not that much longer – maybe like a year. It took the right people to believe in it. I read it a while ago, but unfortunately those things don’t always go [as planned], so I didn’t know if it would ever be made. Then one day it was just so quick. I texted you like, “Just read it, and I promise you’ll like it. You’ll get the idea. You have to do it.” And I’m so glad you did.

MZ: It was the best decision I could have made, truly.
IA: What was it like reading that, being a dancer yourself?

MZ: It was funny because two days prior to me reading it, I was saying to my manager that I felt really emotional, feeling like I really just wanted to be reconnected to my dance life. Figuring out, like, “How am I going to find a way to dance again in a way that feels…” Then literally two days later, that script came in, and I was like, “What?!”
IA: That’s insane. I’m so glad it came into your lap, because I feel like it was such a good outlet for you to do everything you are passionate about. Look, [Iris’ cat walks into the shot] it’s the evil creature who attacked me, the villain. [laughs] It’s cool watching you get to do something like that – and you were so good. I hope you’re very pleased with it, because you did such a good job.

“I hope one day I get to be half as cool as Uma Thurman.”

MZ: Thank you. I hope you are too, because I truly felt like everyone was really strong.
IA: I hope people see it how we do. I think that people will get it. There’s something so fun about it, and smart. People will get a kick out of it, for sure.

MZ: Speaking of people that we admire. I feel like probably for both of us, growing up watching Hunger Games and watching Jennifer Lawrence was…
IA: The most insane thing.

MZ: I don’t even know how old I was when I watched that, but I remember – so embarrassingly – I think it was the third film, I was invited to the premiere, and I wore a freaking Katniss braid to the premiere. [both laugh]
IA: But what else would you wear?! That would be the look for the premiere. [both laugh] I remember – this is such a weird conversation [laughs] – I went to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire premiere in a long copper gown. [Maddie laughs] So I’ll have you know that I was also fitted up at The Hunger Games.

MZ: That was huge for us. First of all, congratulations on Hunger Games. It is so crazy to love something when you’re a kid, and then to be a part of it now. How did it feel when you got the part?
IA: OK – I have auditioned for different parts in different Hunger Games movies. So I was like, “I’m going to do this last one. I don’t know if I’m going to get it and I should probably stop trying after this one, because it’s been quite a few times.” [laughs] All the people were getting cast and I was like, “I’m so jealous. I really want to be in it.” Then finally I got an audition for Effie’s little sister, and I did it in a crazy pink dress and blue eyeshadow. Somehow, I got a callback, and I was freaking out before the audition. I was sobbing for some reason. I was like, “I’m gonna mess up. This is so embarrassing.” That’s how crazy I am. It was literally on Zoom.

MZ: Oh, I freak out over Zoom [auditions].
IA: You can never actually do a good job. Nobody’s like, “Oh wow, what a beautiful Zoom scene you just did.” It’s just so they can get the idea of it. But I come in and it was like twenty people. I mean, maybe somebody’s gonna call me on that and say that it wasn’t that many people…

MZ: For you it felt like that.
IA: Every square was filled. I did it and then I kind of got an, “Alright, thanks.” So I was like, “OK, so I didn’t get it.” My agents were calling me, and I didn’t want to answer, because I knew it was a no. Then somehow it was a yes. I was at a bar very late at night [when I got the call] – it was very, very exciting. It’s like a childhood dream. That’s probably how you felt when you did West Side Story. It’s something you watched as a kid and you’re like, “How did I get in this world?”

“Working with a great female director [Vicky Jewson] who’s protective, kind and cares about us. That changes your outlook on the industry for years.”

MZ: I saw the new Hunger Games teaser they put out. I had chills.
IA: When I see you I’m going to show you all the pictures. I’m going to show you secret selfies of my… Let me keep my mouth shut. [both laugh]

MZ: I’m picking up what you’re putting down. I’m so excited.
IA: It’s going to be really cool. I was rewatching them, and this one is going to be different, in a fun way.

MZ: You’ve been a busy girl this year. You did Tell Me Lies too.
IA: Yeah, I know. It was busy for a chunk of time, and now it’s all going to come out, which is really exciting.

MZ: I finally watched Tell Me Lies in the last few months. It’s so good! I don’t know why I waited so long to watch it.
IA: I’m shocked you waited, it’s so up your alley.

MZ: I know, and that’s very not like me, I watch everything that comes out. But I am so excited for you, it’s so good.
IA: Oh, you’ll get a kick out of what my storyline is. It’s quite something. That cast was the most kind-hearted people you’ve ever been around, like Grace Van Patten. Have you met her?

MZ: I haven’t met her, but I think she’s so talented and so beautiful.
IA: You guys would get along. She’s like a princess. She’s so kind, beautiful and talented, and it was really fun to be around her. Everybody on that set was just incredibly nice. So I had two great experiences in a row, which was really lucky.

MZ: It doesn’t always happen.
IA: I want to hear everything that you’ve been doing.

MZ: I didn’t shoot anything this year. I was supposed to shoot things that got pushed. That’s the other part of just the industry, especially indies – you could be set up and then a week before they’re like, “Oh, we’re pushing.”
IA: Exactly. It’s so unpredictable. It makes you  kind of go crazy. You’ll be attached to things and then they just fly into the wind – and then they’ll reappear one day and it’s happening in, like, a week.

MZ: It’s true, it’s insane.
IA: It’s crazy how unpredictable the ebbs and flows of being an actor are – it gives you whiplash. You’re sitting at home, and then suddenly you’re working for months – you just never know. That’s why you have to be so present, like, “Oh, I’m grateful for my resting time, because soon I will be tired.”

MZ: That’s been important for me, because basically the first half of this year is completely… I have two films that I’m doing back-to-back, and then we have press for our film. It’s that thing where I’m like, I am so incredibly lucky to even have the opportunity to be booked for that long because that’s the dream. But I have to remind myself to be grateful for the rest beforehand, because it’s so important.
IA: That’s why you should take this time in between to get really healthy and be very grounded, because then you’ll start working and you have to re-figure out how to calm down. As you know, you do start appreciating your personal time so much more, and it’s so much more exciting to go home, watch a show and, like, sit with your pets. That is kind of my favourite thing. That’s why I take my cat everywhere with me – maybe not now that he’s bitten me. [both laugh] It’s crazy that press [for Pretty Lethal] starts soon.

MZ: It’s going to be so much fun. You started doing projects when you were a baby, and that’s so interesting. I look back on stuff I did when I was even eight, and I’m like, I don’t remember doing that at all.
IA: Isn’t that weird? You just don’t remember. That’s the interesting part of being a child performer, of any kind. You’re like, “Wait, what happened? When did that happen? How was it? Do I remember? How did this traumatise me?” [laughs] Not really. It’s such an interesting childhood, and I feel very lucky to have grown up around so many incredible artists and watched them be great. Hopefully that had some good impact on me.

MZ: Anyone who figures out what they want to do at a young age and feels passionate about something – it’s something to be super fortunate and grateful for. We’re also really lucky that we both have sisters in the industry. Obviously having friends in the industry is incredible and something so important, but knowing that you have family, especially a sister – the bond of a sister is unlike anything else.
IA: We’re so lucky that we have such nice sisters who have our back. We both have very protective sisters.

MZ: Kenzie is twenty months younger than me, but she was so protective over me…
IA: She’s so sweet. I love her. You both are just, like, such nice girls. It’s good to have a sister – you bully each other…

MZ: Oh my god. The amount of times that girl has humbled me.
IA: The humbling is why we don’t embarrass ourselves in a lot of situations, because we know how bad it can be. Having Maude – when I was posting cringey Musical.lys, she was like, “You better take that shit down immediately.” And who else would have said it? Not my friends. Not you – you were doing it too! [both laugh]

MZ: Literally. And the industry has changed so much too. It’s so crazy now to know that social media is such a huge part of today’s film and TV industry. It’s our way to literally promote or share anything about any project we’re doing. Part of the process is literally making TikToks. It’s so funny that when we were younger, it was just a fun passion thing, and now it’s become a job, for real. I deleted it off my phone. I haven’t had Instagram or TikTok for, like, three or four months now.
IA: Good for you – you’re glowing! I need to get off of it. I was thinking, like, I’m miserable looking at this all day, I can’t stop.

MZ: If I’ve heard from other people that there’s an event going on, I’ll literally Google and go on Getty Images like, “Oh my gosh, she looks cute.”
IA: [laughs] That’s your new Instagram.

MZ: Or I’ll go on Instagram.com, but it doesn’t let you actually go on it.
IA: At this point, everyone’s on Instagram.com because we’re all having to delete the app because it’s ruining our brains. I get overwhelmed by that stuff, but it’s a big part of promoting everything. I can’t imagine being a musician – like Kenzie’s probably had to do it a bunch, where you have to post the song over and over for promotion. I’m like, how interesting, because it’s a totally new thing.

MZ: It’s really fascinating. Even watching documentaries about different actors – I don’t know if you’ve seen the new Martin Scorsese documentary. It was so cool to see the formula and the way things worked back in the day compared to now, it’s so completely different. There’s so many times where I’m like, “I was born in the wrong era.”
IA: I know! If we were just a few years older, we would have had a little bit of a different experience. I just watched Goodfellas for the first time. I’m so behind, obviously. But I was like, “Oh my God, this is the greatest thing ever. Why are more things like this not being made?”

MZ: What else have you seen recently?
IA: I saw Hamnet. Did you see that?

MZ: No, I haven’t seen it yet.
IA: Oh my God, it’s amazing.

MZ: Did you watch One Battle After Another?
IA: The performances were so good. They were insane. I’m obsessed with Chase Infiniti.

MZ: I watched that performance and was so incredibly inspired by her. I also watched Bugonia.
IA: Oh, I saw that. It was so intense. Emma Stone giving another Oscar performance, literally.

MZ: She is on my list of favourite performers and someone I want to work with.
IA: Since I was little, she will always be my favourite. She’s such an inspiration, because she’s just so free and able to act these insane parts.

MZ: I haven’t seen the second Wicked! I’m like – I don’t know how I haven’t seen it yet.
IA: Wait. I’ll see it with you! I literally want to see it again. I saw the first one five times in the theatre. I’m the number one Wicked fan.

MZ: If I met Cynthia and Ariana I would lose my mind.
IA: I actually saw Cynthia Erivo just out in public and it made me literally – I had to run away. She’s such a presence. I was just like, I don’t even want to have an interaction yet. It’s not the time. I need to be more prepared. With Ari [Ariana Grande], I would just disintegrate. I would float away.

Feature originally published in Heroine 24

hair KILEY FITZGERALD at A–FRAME AGENCY; make-up LOFTJET at FORWARD ARTISTS using HAUS LABS; nails NATALIA MINERVA at FORWARD ARTISTS for OPI; set design JAMES RENEE at JONES MGMT; fashion assistant SOPHIA FOSTER; producers BROOKE RAMIREZ, EPPY; production company RADISH