How do you build an acting career you’re proud of? Well, for Myha’la Herrold, breakout star of HBO’s Industry and the standout in Netflix’s latest apocalyptic drama Leave the World Behind, it starts with saying no.
“Honestly, I have sort of been the same bitch from like the beginning of time,” she tells Rolling Stone. “If there was something that I don’t want to do, I just don’t do it.”
It may seem like a flippant approach to entering an already crowded entertainment industry, but for the Carnegie Mellon Graduate, patience has paid off with an ever-growing repertoire (Modern Love, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Dumb Money). If the uniqueness of a mononymous calling card wasn’t enough — she’s often credited these days as just Myha’la — the actress’ all-in presence in each project often draws attention, even when she’s a supporting character. Give her the lead, and people can’t look away.
It’s an energy that’s present in Leave The World Behind, director Sam Esmail’s Netflix adaptation of the 2020 novel by Rumaan Alam. When Amanda (Julia Roberts) and Clay (Ethan Hawke) surprise their kids with a Long Island getaway, their idyllic weekend turns sinister when the owners of the house G.H Scott (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruther (Myha’la) return from the city with confusing news. There’s no Wi-Fi, Amanda’s daughter can’t finish Friends, oh, and the world might be ending.
As Ruth, a character made up entirely for the film, Myha’la is a caustic teenage foil to Amanda’s city-honed racism, delivering pointed barbs while sipping coffee and hitting her vape.
For Myha’la, the script made it easy. But even as as she’s desperate for more projects, she says she always has to think about whether or not it’s a role she can be passionate about— and give her all.
“My natural instinct is to go to drama,” Myha’la says. “But I’m down for damn near anything. I just want the quality and the integrity of the thing to be solid. Life is too short. You know what I mean? This is a wonderful, fun fucking industry that I have the privilege of being in. I want to enjoy it. I’m not sitting at a desk on purpose. I want to have a good time. I want to do my best work.”
Rolling Stone spoke with Myha’la all about it.
What connected you to Ruth? And what made you interested in the role?
The first thing that was the most attractive obviously was the cast and the director. I’ve been a fan of Sam Esmail’s work for a long time. I’m a huge fan of Mr. Robot and I loved Homecoming. So I was already like, “Boom, I’m in.” But I didn’t know that the role had been changed because I wasn’t familiar with the book. So when I was cast, Sam explained [he] decided to change the character from G.H’s wife to his daughter so that we can add this sort of millennial/Gen Z age perspective that was missing. He was like, because it’s a real switch from the book, feel free to bring whatever of yourself to this that you’d like to. But I mean, Ruth was pretty clear on the page. She was obviously opinionated and strong-willed and hard-headed and outspoken.
Myha’la, Mahershala Ali, and Julia Roberts in ‘Leave the World Behind.’
Netflix
How does your mom feel about your career? What does she represent in your support system?
She’s everything to me. It’s just us. Like, that’s my girl. And she’s the best. And she’s always been supportive of me. Actually, it was funny: We were literally on the way to the premiere of Leave the World Behind on Monday night and I was like, “Mom, did you ever imagine you would see me doing this?” And she was like, “I mean, you always did whatever you said you were gonna do, so I’m not surprised.” She’s very proud and she’s excited for me and she’s happy that I’m living the life I said I was going to live. So yeah, she’s everything to me.
What work did you and Mahershala do to develop your on-screen relationship of father and daughter?
In terms of chemistry-building, Mahershala and I got on from the get. The only thing in terms of script or character that we had to work out between us that Sam allowed us to do on our own was to decide who Ruth’s mom is, because that is a secret that we both share. We discussed a lot about who that person is. It was like these characters have something that only they know about in any sort of intimate way and that really connects them. But in terms of how Mahershala and I did it, we got lucky and we bonded on family and friends and why we love doing what we do.
What was your time like on set, not just with Mahershala but with the rest of the cast?
I think Julia said it in some interview recently. We spent so much time around that kitchen table, We spent so much time there filming or between shots. So it was great. Everyone was so nice and friendly. On some days, because the setups were quite long, Ethan would bring out his guitar and play out on the lot. It was pretty chill.
Do you think that camaraderie added to the final product?
For sure. I mean, you can tell when the people involved in a project all have a common goal. And all of us came in with respect to the story and a deep commitment and respect for what we were about to make. We all had a common goal like cast, crew, producers, etc. We were committed to the integrity of that thing. And I think that really bonds a project, when everybody’s eyes are on the same prize.
With your casting, you said it was Sam’s intention to bring another generation’s perspective to the chaos. What aspect of the Gen Z/ millennial age group do you think you brought to the film, especially because Gen Z in particular has strong opinions about world-ending things like climate change, war, violence.
Sam’s script was super strong in terms of that. Some of the strongest indicators of that age group are that they are very opinionated, well-spoken, well-researched, and unafraid to have a debate. And quite no bullshit. And Ruth was like that on the page before I even got there. So that was just fun to do. I wouldn’t say that I’m not opinionated or can’t be outspoken, but I certainly under those circumstances would not be so bold. So it was really fun to be able to do that with Julia Roberts! Like, in what scenario would I ever be like, “So white lady…” You know what I mean? I would never do that ever. So it was just a lot of fun to get to play.
As a classically trained actor, you obviously have a lot of background not just in television but also theater. But what are some big stretches for you as an actor that you’ve had to work on?
This isn’t true anymore, but when I first started being angry was really difficult. Because I don’t go to anger at all. I will cry at the drop of a hat. I’m a crier. So playing angry, I was always like, “Oh, I’m gonna have to work myself up a lot.” That was hard coming into it. But I think it’s because there’s so much pressure when you get something and you’re like, “Oh, I’m gonna have to cry in this scene, and I already know it.” Like your body doesn’t want to cry if you don’t have to cry. You know, it doesn’t feel good. So I feel like my body definitely fought me for the first year and it took a little more effort to get to a place where I could be angry freely, or cry freely.
Myha’la Herrold in ‘Industry.’
Nick Strasburg/HBO
You’re still growing in your career, but as you get more name recognition, do you feel like you have more say in the roles you’re getting approached for or accepting?
Well, I always have a say. If I don’t want to do something, I just won’t do it. (Which doesn’t happen that often because I still need a paycheck like everyone.) But I think it’s important to be specific about the type of work that you choose to do. I haven’t had an offer that was like, “Oh, I gotta take this even though it’s wack.” What’s that quote? I don’t want to be in a room for five minutes where I’m not enjoying myself. Who’s that, Kim Cattrall? So I’m really giving that. If it’s something that I don’t think I’m the right person for, or I don’t think I can actually do it justice, or I think I’m not going to enjoy myself while I’m doing it, I won’t. When I think of my repertoire or the career that I’m building, when people look back at all my work, I want them to see the sort of stuff that I am called to. It want it to paint a picture of who I am as an artist and as a person.
Obviously, you can’t tell me much, but what are you looking forward to with the new season of Industry?
We’re really just excited for it to come out. Every time we do a season it’s like, “Hurry up.” It takes so long to come out. I feel so grateful that we even have our audience. I’m like, “How have you not forgotten about us?” Like, we take so damn long. So I’m just excited for it to come back so people can enjoy it. Because I’ve been enjoying it in my life for, it’ll be a year, so I’m just excited for it to be back.
You’ve had such a busy year, but are you already in talks for more things or are you taking a bit of a break?
I would like everyone to know that I am available. I am very available. I’m funemployed through the holidays and very ready for whatever’s next.