Season 3 of Euphoria delivered plenty of unforgettable moments—Cassie and Nate's wedding dance, Nate's shocking death, and the long-awaited return after a four-year hiatus. But it also introduced audiences to a standout new face: Anna Van Patten as Kitty, a dancer at the Silver Slipper. While Van Patten comes from a family steeped in Hollywood—her father Tim Van Patten directed The Sopranos and Game of Thrones, her uncle Dick Van Patten was a comedy legend, and her sister Grace Van Patten stars in Tell Me Lies—she's carving her own lane with this emotionally demanding role.
In an exclusive interview, Van Patten opened up about the weight of bringing Kitty's tragic story to life, the collaborative process with creator Sam Levinson, and how the role transformed her relationship with her own body. She also reflected on growing up on iconic sets and why she chose to study performing arts before diving into acting.
Feeling the Pressure to Do Kitty Justice
Van Patten admitted that landing the role on Euphoria felt surreal. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen," she said. To stay grounded, she focused on being present rather than letting the enormity of the show sink in. When it came to portraying Kitty's darkness and sadness, she relied on staying "really present with her" and zeroing in on the character's truth.
Working with Sam Levinson was a key part of shaping Kitty. "He gave me a lot of references on the first day on set that really helped me expand the vision I already had for her," Van Patten explained. The collaboration was delicate, with Levinson encouraging her to play and experiment. "There was always room to play. When I had a question, everyone would listen."
Episode four, titled "Kitty Loves to Dance," put her character front and center. While Van Patten knew the episode would bear her character's name, she felt pressure not from the title but from a desire to do justice to Kitty's arc. "I wanted to really do justice to Kitty," she said.
What Playing a Dancer Taught Her About Herself
Stepping into Kitty's shoes proved to be a transformative experience. "I learned a lot about myself, and it challenged me," Van Patten shared. One of the biggest takeaways was learning to feel comfortable in her own body. "Playing a dancer made me feel okay to take up space. I started doing pole dancing, and that changed my relationship with my body—how others might perceive me, but then realizing it's so much more than that."
This role also deepened her appreciation for storytelling. Growing up on sets like The Sopranos and Sex and the City, she learned that "storytelling has a lot more to do than just with words. There's so much that goes into telling a story, and it's a big puzzle."
Before pursuing acting full-time, Van Patten studied performing arts and film in high school and college. She wanted a well-rounded view of the art form. "Every person in film is, I assume, working in film because they love movies," she said. That education gave her a broader perspective that she continues to draw on today.
For fans eager to see more of Van Patten, her performance in Euphoria is just the beginning. She's already looking for roles that challenge her and allow her to keep learning. As she put it, "What appeals to me with certain projects is that I am learning about myself throughout it."
For more on the darker side of storytelling, check out The Darkest James Bond Endings: From Heartbreak to Controversy. And if you're a fan of intense character work, don't miss Andrew Scott Opens Up About the 'Huge Amount of Pressure' of Playing Hamlet in 'Elsinore'.
