Olivia Munn Reveals She Nearly Quit Acting Before Landing Role In ‘Your Friends And Neighbors’

April 13, 2025: Actress Olivia Munn has shared a deeply personal story about a critical turning point in her career. In a recent interview, Munn revealed that she was on the verge of leaving acting before she was offered a role in the Apple TV Plus dark dramedy Your Friends and Neighbors.

Munn explained that the period leading up to her involvement in the show was challenging, as she navigated the complications of the pandemic, became a new mother, and dealt with postpartum anxiety. This tumultuous time led Munn to feel disconnected from her acting career, and she began to contemplate a transition behind the camera, expressing a desire to pursue writing, producing, or directing instead.

“I called my agents and my manager and said, ‘I’m done being in front of the camera, don’t put me up for anything,'” Munn recalled, as quoted by Deadline. However, her perspective shifted when she was offered the role of Samantha in Your Friends and Neighbors, a sharp satire created by Jonathan Tropper.

The series, which has already been confirmed for a second season, follows the story of Andrew “Coop” Cooper (played by Jon Hamm), a disgraced hedge fund manager who is trying to rebuild his life after a public divorce and financial scandal. Munn plays Samantha, a divorced mother who becomes romantically involved with Coop while navigating the pressures of maintaining her status in a privileged world.

“Samantha is a survivor, she’s going to do anything to maintain her place and take care of her children,” Munn shared about her character. She also expressed fascination with the portrayal of the ultra-wealthy in the show. “There’s a carelessness with which they live their life. They feel impervious to the world and it’s so fascinating to watch these people crumble,” Munn said.

Munn’s return to acting was also marked by a personal health battle. Months before filming, she underwent surgeries and treatments for breast cancer, and she is now in remission. Her journey through both personal and professional hardships made her performance in Your Friends and Neighbors all the more significant.

Creator Jonathan Tropper initially planned for Munn’s character to be a one-season arc, but her strong performance led to a change in direction for the show. “After working with her for a little while, I think we had consensus across the board, we wanted her to stay,” Tropper said.

Munn’s decision to continue with acting and take on this new role marked a pivotal moment in her career, as she found not only a renewed passion for her craft but also a deeper connection to her character and the industry itself. She is confirmed to reprise her role in the second season of the series, continuing her journey both as an actress and as a mother.