Zoey Deutch didn't set out to become the queen of romantic comedies, but the crown fits her perfectly. In a candid new interview, the actress reflects on her latest Netflix film, Voicemails for Isabelle, and how she stumbled into a genre that now feels like second nature.
“Nobody told me I was becoming a rom-com star,” Deutch laughs. “It just sort of happened. One day I’m doing Set It Up, and the next I’m the go-to girl for love stories.” That 2018 Netflix hit, co-starring Glen Powell, became a streaming sensation and cemented Deutch as a fresh face in the genre. Now, she’s reuniting with Powell in Voicemails for Isabelle, a new rom-com that promises the same spark that made their first pairing so memorable.
In Voicemails for Isabelle, Deutch plays a woman who discovers a series of heartfelt voicemails left by her late mother, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected love. The film also stars Nick Offerman, who brings his signature warmth to the story. “Nick is a national treasure,” Deutch says. “He made every scene feel grounded and real.”
Deutch, who grew up in a Hollywood family (her mother is actress Lea Thompson and her father is director Howard Deutch), says she never felt pressured to follow in their footsteps. “I was always drawn to comedy because it’s where I feel most alive,” she explains. “Stupid comedies, smart comedies, rom-coms—they all feel like home to me.”
Beyond the screen, Deutch has been making waves on Broadway. She recently starred in the acclaimed revival of Merrily We Roll Along, a Stephen Sondheim musical that earned rave reviews. “Broadway is a different beast,” she says. “It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once. But it made me a better actor.” For fans who missed her stage turn, there’s good news: the production was filmed and is available to stream, joining a growing list of Broadway proshots you can watch from home.
Deutch also credits director Richard Linklater with shaping her approach to acting. She worked with him on the Netflix film Hit Man, which also starred Glen Powell. “Richard has this way of making everything feel improvisational and real,” she says. “He taught me to trust my instincts.” That film, which became a cult hit, is now getting a Netflix series adaptation produced by Powell himself.
As for her accidental rom-com reign, Deutch is embracing it. “I love making people laugh and fall in love,” she says. “If that’s my legacy, I’m okay with it.” With Voicemails for Isabelle set to charm audiences this June, it’s clear that Zoey Deutch is exactly where she’s meant to be.
