Michael Loccisano/Getty
Abigail Spenceris a dreamer.
TheTimelessandSuitsalum who just wrappeda dramatic guest arc on9-1-1 literally dreamed her Critics Choice-nominatedMad Menrole into existence.
I think you should call them,'" Spencer tellsEntertainment Weekly.
Abigail Spencer at Neon’s premiere of ‘The Actor’ at Village East Cinema in New York City on March 10, 2025.Credit:Michael Loccisano/Getty
Duke calls me the spiritual producer, because there isn’t logic involved.
AsThe Actorhits theaters, Spencer shares with EW the 10-year journey of bringing the film to life.
Neon
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You and Duke have a production company, Innerlight Films.
Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and Suzanne Farrell (Abigial Spencer) on season 3 of ‘Mad Men’ in 2009.Carin Baer/amc/courtesy everett
How did you even meet?
ABIGAIL SPENCER:Duke and I met on an airplane when I was 21 years old.
He was fresh out of NYU, and I was fresh off a soap opera.
André Holland and Gemma Chan in ‘The Actor’.Neon
It was a really great meet-cute.
And he really kind of became my film school.
We kept in touch over the years and became very deeply connected creatively.
André Holland in ‘The Actor’.Neon
How didMemorybecome something you wanted to adapt?
Charlie was readingMemoryand handed it to Duke and said, “You should turn this into a movie.”
So I did and called him back, “I love it.
André Holland, Fabian Frankel, and May Calamawy in ‘The Actor’.Neon
This is your next movie.”
And he goes, “Okay, go get the film rights, producer.”
What did you all love so much about the book?
It’s one man’s journey to find himself.
He loses his memory.
He wakes up and doesn’t know who he is.
So I think it’s how we all put on how we act in our lives.
I loved the literal metaphor.
Was getting the rights an easy task?
What was the development process like?
The first draft of the script was too long.
When Ryan came on, we redeveloped the script for him for a year and a half.
What made Andre Holland the right lead for this film?
My best friend from high school went to FSU with him.
Being able to call him and say, “Would you be the lead of our movie?”
So it’s very interesting how all this constellation came together.
Why did you feel like Duke had to be the one to make this movie?
Now thatThe Actoris out in the world, whats next for you as a producer?
Duke is such a unique and dare I say, auteur filmmaker.
I know hes going to have a long career.
Want more movie news?
The Actoris now in theaters.
