Why Amanda Peet Is Redefining the Sexy Free Spirit on ‘Togetherness’
She Plays Tina Morris, an overtly sexy, free-spirited fortysomething—and champion self-saboteur—on Togetherness, HBO’s dark comedy about a quartet of married and single folks grappling with early midlife tedium in East L.A. “She’s a train wreck, and I love it!” Peet says. In Season 2, Tina has been flirting with adulthood—helping out her previously more responsible sister, Michelle (Melanie Lynskey), and brother-in-law, Brett (Mark Duplass)—while grappling with unresolved feelings for her estranged buddy Alex (Steve Zissis).
Where You’ve Seen Her Before In scores of movie roles, including The Whole Nine Yards and Something’s Gotta Give, and TV gigs like The Good Wife. Since 2006, she’s been married to Game of Thrones cocreator David Benioff, and they have three kids. For the record, the couple is careful about swapping career input: “We try not to critique each other unless there’s a chance to change something,” Peet says. “We’re just supposed to watch and enjoy.”
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Why We Love Her Despite Tina’s truly cringe-worthy behavior—she did trample all over Alex’s heart—Peet manages to make her vulnerable and winning. “Her character could easily be a stereotype but instead is an enigma—a really fun, surprisingly brilliant hot mess of an enigma,” cocreator Jay Duplass says. And like us, Peet is rooting for an eventual pairing with Alex. “C’mon, I’m Team Alex!” she says. “I think what they have is the real deal.”
It’s Called “Acting” Peet has done such a convincing job of embodying Tina that it’s easy to forget how scarcely her real world (stable family, degree from Columbia University) resembles her fictional one. “In terms of their lives, there is almost no crossover,” Jay Duplass says. “But in terms of personality, Amanda is so funny and dynamic, and that is where Tina gets all of her juice.” Peet’s secret? “I relate to her, because I’ve been an actress for over 20 years, so I know what it feels like to be desperate all the time,” she says with a laugh. “Also, I don’t want to be 44. I mean, it’s a rude awakening. I wish I were 25, and Tina does too!”
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Togetherness, Sunday, March 13, 10:30/9:30c, HBO
