Maude Apatow, from acting in ‘Euphoria’ to directing: ‘There are many films that you can tell weren’t written by someone young’

“She was an observer.” This is a quote uttered by the character that Zendaya plays in Euphoria. It’s meant to describe Lexi Howard, who is portrayed by Maude Apatow. The 27-year-old Los Angeles-born actress admits that she identifies with those words. One could add “shyness” and, above all, “humility” to a description of the young woman.

Last month, Apatow received the Women in Film (WIF) Max Mara Face of the Future Award, which recognizes “her impressive career as an actress and director in the audiovisual industry,” as well as her “style and grace.” She shrugs when asked about it. “I honestly can’t believe it. I feel so overwhelmed and so grateful to be honored among such incredible women.”

The actress and director was at the brand’s latest fashion show. “The show was so beautiful. I mean, I love Max Mara. My grandmother loves Max Mara [and] my mom [does, too]. I feel like they make such beautiful, elegant, timeless clothes for any generation,” she affirms.

The success of Euphoria caught the cast — which included then-unknown actors Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi — completely by surprise. The spotlight shifted to Apatow in the second season, when her character finds her voice by bringing her life into a captivating stage play. In fact, much of the show’s theatrical material stemmed from conversations between the actress and the director, Sam Levinson, about their own high school theater experiences. “All of that stuff about [performance art] that’s in Euphoria is kind of based on my experience in high school. I look back and I’m like, ‘well, maybe I should have calmed down a little bit,’” she says with a laugh. “But I took it really seriously because I cared so much.”

Far from missing the relative anonymity they enjoyed during the first two seasons, she revels in seeing her colleagues’ unstoppable rise: “It’s been so crazy getting to watch everyone become so successful and get to see, like, Jacob [Elordi] in Frankenstein (2025). Everyone is just living their dreams. I’m so proud. And I think we’re so lucky that we all kind of came up at the same time and have gone through so much together; we’re there to support each other.”

Returning to the role of the natural observer that was mentioned at the beginning of this article: Apatow acknowledges that, on the set of Euphoria — which will feature Sharon Stone and Rosalía in its third season — she closely observed the team. This was in preparation for her next step: directing. “I’m so grateful that I got to observe all of that… the show’s so good and [there are so] many talented, creative people. Just being in that environment is an amazing feeling.”

In her directorial debut, Poetic License (2025), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, she directs her mother. Before going any further, it’s worth noting that she’s the daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann… but let no one suspect favoritism or nepotism. Although her directorial debut features several well-known actors including Cooper Hoffman (son of Philip Seymour Hoffman), Nico Parker (daughter of Thandiwe Newton) and Jake Bongiovi (son of Jon Bon Jovi), she emphasizes that their talent, not their last names, is the reason they landed their roles.

What was it like directing her mother, who — almost by definition — is the one who directs her daughter’s life? “I guess I was the boss, but it felt like we were so in sync,” she explains. “Knowing someone so intimately was helpful in understanding what we’re both capable of.”

“My mother is my best friend. Throughout my life, I’ve witnessed her incredible performances, but seeing her work so closely has been amazing. She’s a brilliant, present, funny actress, capable of delivering hilarious and heartbreaking performances at the same time,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “I didn’t even think it was possible to [respect her more than I already do].”

She made her film debut in Funny People (2009), where she acted alongside her mother, under her father’s direction. They repeated the formula three years later in This Is 40 (2012). And now, Judd Apatow is a co-producer of the film that his daughter is directing.

“I’ve learned everything from him. I learned my work ethic from watching him. I’ve seen how hard he works and how much care he puts into everything and how that translates and leads to an amazing product,” she says.

“The main thing that he kind of taught me — or that I really wanted to incorporate into my set — was creating a space where everyone [feels] comfortable. That’s vital when you’re making a comedy, [so that the actors] aren’t afraid to try something [different]. He’s always done an amazing job at making actors feel safe and inspired and flexible. And that’s how I would want to be treated as an actor. And so, I tried to emulate that as best as I could.”

The screenplay of Poetic License is by Raffi Donatich, whom she admires for capturing a youthful voice. “There are a lot of movies and TV shows that are about young people that aren’t written by young people. You can feel, sometimes, that [a production] is sort of chasing what it’s like to be a young person. And so, when I read her writing, it just felt very honest and truthful… like how young people actually talk, versus trying to force it. And I think that’s what drew me to the script in the first place. It’s just so nice to read a story about young people that’s [actually] written by a young person,” she notes with admiration.

The interview is winding down, but showing that less and less of the insecurity and shyness of Maude Apatow P. E. (pre-Euphoria) remains, she makes sure to add a clarification: “I said earlier that I may resemble Lexi. I’m similar to her in that I’ve found my voice and my power through writing and directing.” She certainly has. And few things are more exhilarating than that.

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