Bradley Whitford and Lauren Graham, who previously starred together, are teaming up again for a movie based on Colleen Hoover’s book, Reminders of Him.
Playing Grace and Patrick, the parents of 23-year-old Scotty, was deeply challenging for the actors. Their son, played by Rudy Pankow, tragically dies in a car accident on his birthday.
Kenna, his girlfriend and the driver, survives the accident but receives a seven-year prison sentence. As a result, Grace and Patrick take on the responsibility of raising Kenna and Scotty’s daughter, Diem, their granddaughter.
Whitford found it easier to tackle the difficult material because he worked with Graham, a longtime friend. They’ve known each other for over 25 years and often crossed paths while building their careers in the early 2000s.
Whitford explains to TopMob that he’s known Lauren Graham for a long time. When they both starred in popular shows – The West Wing and Gilmore Girls – both productions were known for their demanding schedules and late nights.
I recall a few instances, about twenty-five years ago, of running into her while we were both on the Warner Brothers studio lot, each of us learning our lines.
He also mentioned they worked together on Studio 60. He described her as a genuinely kind and talented actor, and he was very happy she was involved in the project.
Okay, so Colleen Hoover isn’t usually my thing – I’m a bit older, and I don’t typically reach for those kinds of books, especially not the super-popular romance ones. But honestly? I picked up ‘Reminders of Him’ right before we started filming, and it completely floored me. I was genuinely blown away by it.
The actor shared that their daughter, Lulu, is a huge fan of Colleen Hoover’s books, and they were surprised by how much they enjoyed them too. They described the books as emotional, passionate, and beautifully written.
I recall reading the book and being struck by how awful the situation was – a truly painful and complicated mess where everyone’s feelings made sense, yet there were no simple solutions.
Whitford also praised the realistic and genuine performances of his fellow actors, Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers.
Whitford described working with Maika and Tyriq as a wonderful experience. ‘Lauren and I were both struck by how amazing these kids are,’ she said. ‘They’re incredibly mature and genuine, and it was a joy to be around them.’
The actor, known for his role in The Handmaid’s Tale, also praised director Vanessa Caswill for fostering a supportive and comfortable atmosphere on set. He described it as a space where actors felt safe enough to be vulnerable and express themselves openly, even in front of people they didn’t know.
Colleen Hoover’s ‘Reminders of Him’ is a deeply emotional story, and at times quite painful to watch. However, director Ted Whitford prefers to keep a light atmosphere on set, believing actors perform best when they approach their work with playful energy rather than intense seriousness.
I’ve always believed the key to great acting isn’t about rigorous preparation, but about finding that playful, ‘recess’ mindset. It’s about letting go and enjoying the process. Think about it – watching the Olympics, the most incredible performances happen when athletes are clearly having fun, not stressed about the pressure. It’s that freedom that unlocks something special. I see it as similar to The Beatles – they were a band that clearly enjoyed themselves, and that joy is what fueled something like ‘Hey Jude.’ It’s when you’re not trying so hard that the real magic happens, regardless of the scene or the material.
The set had a really positive energy. Usually, there are two vibes on a film set: either excitement about what everyone will create, or a lot of pressure because of the money involved and fear of failure. Thankfully, this set wasn’t like that at all. It felt safe and encouraged the honest, genuine performances we were hoping for, which is a credit to our producers, Colleen, and Vanessa.
Reminders of Him will be released in cinemas on Friday 13 March 2026.
Authors
Jess Bacon is a freelance critic and interviewer who writes about film, TV, and pop culture. She’s passionate about everything from blockbuster franchises like Marvel and Star Wars to how women are portrayed in media. Her writing appears in many popular publications, including Rolling Stone, GQ, and The Guardian. She’s interviewed numerous stars, such as Zendaya and Brie Larson, and is currently working on her first non-fiction book while also keeping up with the latest TV shows and internet trends.
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2026-03-12 15:07