Fresh off the global success of Netflix’s His and Hers, Astrid Rotenberry is stepping into the spotlight with a performance that quietly lingers long after the final twist. The Tennessee-born actor appears as Catherine Kelly, a character intricately tied to the past of Anna played by Tessa Thompson in the gripping murder mystery that has captivated audiences worldwide.
In conversation, Rotenberry reflects on a whirlwind casting process that ended with tears on a New York subway platform, the trust built among a young ensemble cast, and the path that led her from a town with limited arts opportunities to one of the most talked-about shows of the year.
Thoughtful and refreshingly candid, she speaks about her love of theatre, admiration for women-led storytelling, and the kind of work she hopes to keep pursuing as her career continues to unfold.
Congratulations on your role as Catherine Kelly in Netflix’s His and Hers. Can you tell me about the show and your role in it?
I can’t say too much. His and Hers is a murder mystery that revolves around two central characters who may or may not have more to do with the murder than they initially let on. It’s set in the small town of Dahlonega, Georgia, where both leads are heavily involved in the community.
I play Catherine, who is part of Anna’s Tessa Thompson’s character mysterious past. That’s about as much as I can give away without spoiling anything, but I loved the mystery of the role and how much is revealed in layers over time.
The show has been a worldwide hit. What was the audition process like for you?
What surprised me was how short the process was. I didn’t even have a callback, which felt kind of insane they had that much faith in me. I’m incredibly grateful for that and still honestly a little shocked by it.
It was a self-tape audition, and then about six weeks went by without me hearing anything. I completely put it out of my mind. That’s kind of the reality of being an actor you do the tape, enjoy the material, then move on. I had a lot of fun with it and really loved the writing, but you can’t hold onto every audition emotionally. When I finally heard back weeks later, it was a total shock.
Do you remember where you were when you found out you got the role?
I remember finding out that I’d been pinned basically put on hold and then when I actually got the call that I booked it, I was on the subway.
My manager called, but I had no service. I remember thinking, if it were bad news, he wouldn’t be calling. So, I jumped off the train at a random stop, called him back outside the station, and immediately started crying on the street. Which, honestly, is pretty normal in New York.
It felt completely surreal. I’d spent so much time auditioning and trying not to get my hopes up, and suddenly everything I’d been working toward felt real in that one moment.
Were you aware of your story arc, or was it revealed as filming progressed?
I read the book basically the day after I found out I’d been cast, so I knew my arc going into filming. I wanted to understand Catherine as deeply as possible before stepping on set.
Interestingly, the actor who played the killer no spoilers didn’t even know they were the killer until they got to set. On the call sheets, it just said “the killer” instead of a name, which we all thought was hilarious. It was fun knowing the twists when a lot of people working on the show didn’t, and it gave the whole experience an extra layer of excitement.
What was it like performing with your co-stars on such a large production?
It was really special. All of the teen girls filmed at the same time and stayed at the same hotel, so we spent a lot of time together off set. That made such a difference.
By the time we were filming, we had a real sense of ease with each other. When we were shooting heavier scenes, that comfort made the work feel safer. There was a lot of trust between us, and even on long days there was always something to laugh about. We were having fun even when the material was hard.
Did you get to meet Tessa Thompson?
Yes, I met both Tessa and John, and they were so lovely. Everyone absolutely loves them.
I was honestly struck by how beautiful and cool Tessa is. She was also a producer on the show, and on our first day of filming she came to watch us work. Knowing how deeply she believed in the project and how passionate she was about every part of it was really meaningful. It made the whole experience feel supported from the top down.
You were born in Tennessee. Were you surrounded by the performing arts growing up?
My father is a musician, but the town I grew up in wasn’t very arts focused. I definitely wasn’t surrounded by a big performing arts community.
That said, my family was pretty different from most around us. They were very musical, very physical, and they loved films. We watched a lot of serious movies when I was young, and I think that shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time.
My parents and grandparents were really into the performing arts, and I think that specifically influenced the way I ended up. You really had to seek opportunities out for yourself where I lived, which taught me persistence and trusting my own instincts. I did community theatre and theatre in high school, but it could be tough to feel supported creatively in that environment.
Would you like to return to theatre?
Absolutely. Theatre was my first love. Now that I really understand the differences between theatre, film, and television, I can physically feel how differently my body performs in each medium.
I haven’t done theatre in a few years, but I’m still deeply passionate about it. It would be really exciting to return to it now, having more life experience and a clearer understanding of my craft.
You moved to New York to pursue your career. How did that journey begin?
During my senior year of college, I decided to do an internship in New York because I knew I was interested in moving here. I’d only visited the city once and had never lived in a major city before, so it was definitely intimidating.
Living in university housing gave me a sense of safety and structure. It felt like I had goalposts and a safety net, which allowed me to really explore the city. I learned so much about the New York entertainment industry and was lucky to have friends who understood the business and supported me throughout that transition.
You started as an intern in a casting office. How did that experience help you as an actor?
I was very transparent that I was a performer. I wanted to understand what happens on the other side of the table the conversations casting directors are having and how decisions are made.
It gave me such an appreciation for how hard casting works and how essential they are to every production. I also learned that casting isn’t about perfection it’s about fit. That completely changed the way I approached auditions. The most powerful thing you can do as an actor is show up as yourself, and that’s what truly sets people apart.
Where do you think the entertainment industry is heading?
It’s a really interesting time. Short-form, vertical content is huge right now, and acting classes are really emphasizing that. At the same time, NBC is bringing back pilot season, which is incredibly exciting.
We moved away from that model for a while, and there’s been less new television content overall. It feels like we’re in a transitional moment uncertain, but also full of possibility. I’m really curious to see how it all balances out.
Your three favourite films?
Howl’s Moving Castle, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and Little Women. I love sad movies the more devastated I feel when I leave, the more meaningful the experience is for me.
Favourite play?
The Ferryman by Jez Butterworth.
Favourite musical?
The 2018 revival of Carousel or The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown.
Overrated musical?
Frozen.
Who are your heroes?
Natalie Portman was my childhood hero. I wanted to be her my entire life. I also love Meg Stalter; everything she does is so much fun and feels fearless.
Nicola Coughlan means everything to me. She uses her platform for so much good and works across so many different mediums. I really admire artists who create meaningful work while also being thoughtful about how they show up in the world.
As you build your career, what do you hope for the future?
I hope to keep working on meatier television projects, especially ones made by women. I’d love to work with more female directors and continue telling stories that feel layered and human.
I’d also love to return to theatre. Since that’s where I started, it would be really meaningful to come back to it now, having worked in television and understanding how differently those worlds live in my body. At this point in my career, I’m really focused on work that challenges me and aligns with my values, not just staying busy.
Any upcoming projects you can share?
Right now, everything’s in flux but I’m excited to see what’s next.
Fresh off the global success of Netflix’s His and Hers, Astrid Rotenberry is stepping into the spotlight with a performance that quietly lingers long after the final twist.
The Tennessee-born actor appears as Catherine Kelly, a character intricately tied to the past of Anna played by Tessa Thompson in the gripping murder mystery that has captivated audiences worldwide.
In conversation, Rotenberry reflects on a whirlwind casting process that ended with tears on a New York subway platform, the trust built among a young ensemble cast, and the path that led her from a town with limited arts opportunities to one of the most talked-about shows of the year.
Thoughtful and refreshingly candid, she speaks about her love of theatre, admiration for women-led storytelling, and the kind of work she hopes to keep pursuing as her career continues to unfold.