Categories: Lifestyle

Tessa Thompson on playing ‘Hedda’ and finding what you really want

Tessa Thompson’s latest role is sadly chaotic: Hedda Gabler. Adapted from Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, “Hedda,” in select theaters Oct. 22, features Thompson as a 1950s housewife who feels snubbed by an old lover and stifled in a new marriage. For Hedda, the only exit strategy is to punish those who harmed her and then destroy herself.

In this episode of Modern Love, Thompson explains why she identifies with female characters like Hedda and the desire to define life and love on her own terms. She also reads an essay on Modern Love about an unhappy marriage that helped the author find herself.

Here’s how to submit an essay on Modern Love to the New York Times.

Here’s how to submit a Tiny Love Story.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Links to episode transcripts typically appear on these pages within a week.


“Modern Love” is hosted by Anna Martin and produced by Reva Goldberg, Emily Lang, Davis Land, Amy Pearl, Sara Curtis and Elisa Gutierrez. The show is put together by Lynn Levy and Jen Poyant, our executive producer. Production direction is provided by Christina Djossa. The show is mixed by Daniel Ramirez and recorded by Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. It features original music by Pat McCusker, Elisheba Ittoop, Dan Powell, Marion Lozano and Diane Wong. Our theme music is by Dan Powell.

Special thanks to Daniel Jones, Miya Lee, Larissa Anderson, Dahlia Haddad, Lisa Tobin, Brooke Minters, Felice León, Dave Mayers, Eddie Costas, Sawyer Roque, Sophie Erickson, Mariya Abdulkaf, Mark Zemel, Pat Gunther, Mahima Chablani, Jeffrey Miranda, Isabella Anderson, Christine Nguyen, Reyna Desai, Jordan Cohen, Victoria Kim, Nina Lassam and Julia Simon.

Thoughts? Email us at modernlovepodcast@nytimes.com.

You want more Modern love? Read past stories. Watch the TV series and subscribe to the newsletter. We also have freebies at the NYT Store and two books, “Modern Love: True Stories of Love, Loss and Redemption” and “Tiny Love Stories: True Tales of Love in 100 Words or Less.”

Source link

Rachel Anderson

Rachel Anderson – Lifestyle & Travel Writer Produces engaging content on American lifestyle, travel, and food culture.

Recent Posts

NBA annual survey says Thunder will repeat, Nuggets’ Jokic as MVP

Tim BontempsOctober 9, 2025, 11:46 a.m. ETCloseTim Bontemps is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com who covers the league and…

3 weeks ago

Donald Trump to present Ben Carson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson, recently named National Nutrition Advisor at the U.S. Department of…

3 weeks ago

Federal health insurance premiums will see another significant increase in 2026

Federal employees and annuitants are heading into another year of sharp increases in their health insurance premiums, both under the…

3 weeks ago

Drake’s Lawsuit Against Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Dismissed by Judge

A federal judge on Thursday (Oct. 9) dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like…

3 weeks ago

10/9: CBS Morning News – CBS News

10/9: CBS Morning News - CBS News Watch CBS News Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of Gaza peace…

3 weeks ago

Letitia James, who sued Trump, indicted for alleged bank fraud: NPR

New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a news conference January 8, 2025 in New York. Michael M. Santiago/Getty…

3 weeks ago