It’s hard for actors to predict which of their characters will resonate with audiences, but Maya Hawke has had a lot of success in that area. Not only does she play the beloved Robin Buckley on Stranger Things, but she also voiced Anxiety in Pixar’s biggest hit film of 2025. She recently spoke with Amy Poehler about what it meant to her to play that character, reflecting on the experience over a year later.
Maya Hawke appeared on the podcast hosted by her Inside Out 2 co-star, Amy Poehler, called Good Hang with Amy Poehler. During the conversation, the 27-year-old actress discussed what it was like to voice a popular character in the animated film. She explained, “
It’s been a real privilege. My little sister recently asked me if I mind doing the ‘Anxiety’ voice when people request it, and I told her not at all – I actually enjoy it.
Last summer’s release of Inside Out 2 was a massive success, earning $1.67 billion globally and becoming the highest-grossing film of 2024. A standout character was Anxiety, who resonated with many viewers because of how realistically it portrayed the emotion. The actress playing the role explained further:
I’ve reached a point where I’m happy to move on from roles that feel limiting, like pretending to be someone who works at an ice cream shop. There was a time when I wasn’t so sure, but this movie and the character I played have really resonated with people. It’s been amazing how many individuals, especially children, have felt understood by it and have used it to better understand how their own minds work.
Maya Hawke jokes that she might be too old to wear her Scoops Ahoy uniform from Stranger Things again, since she first wore it in 2019. But she doesn’t feel that way about her character in Inside Out 2. Thankfully, the movie does a wonderful job of portraying anxiety in a way that will likely resonate with audiences for years to come, and people will probably be talking to Hawke about the role for the rest of her life.
Okay, so I was reading about the cast of Inside Out 2 chatting, and it’s cool to hear them talk about how special this movie was. They were all saying how rare it is to be part of something that just works on every level – and, hey, we definitely thought it was great in our review! Ethan Hawke even called the film’s success a “rainbow,” and he’s right – over a billion dollars and a movie that’s genuinely good? That’s amazing! He also talked about how interesting it was to be asked to voice Anxiety, which sounds like a really fun challenge for an actor.
Sometimes a friend whose child is struggling will ask me to record a message as Anxiety, one of my characters. They might say, ‘Could you record something for my kid who’s worried about a parent going to the doctor?’ I’m always happy to. I’ll record a message like, ‘Hi, I know it’s scary when parents go to the doctor, and it makes you nervous. Just remember to take deep breaths and trust that your dad will be okay, and the doctors will take good care of him.’ I genuinely enjoy doing that for them.
Disney+ offers access to all Pixar films, including both Inside Out movies. You can start a subscription for as low as $11.99 per month with ads. For an ad-free experience, it’s $18.99 monthly, or you can save 16% by paying $189.99 for an annual subscription. See the deal here.
It’s clear that portraying Anxiety in the movie has helped Maya Hawke connect with audiences and make a positive difference, encouraging her to fully embrace the role. She also shared that playing the character taught her to be kinder to her own anxieties, to acknowledge and accept them – almost like giving that part of herself a safe and comfortable space, just as Riley does in the film.
As a huge Pixar fan, I’m already dreaming about what a potential Inside Out 3 could be! While it’s not officially confirmed yet, it’s exciting to hear that both Amy Poehler and Ethan Hawke are keen to reprise their roles as Joy and Anxiety if they make another film. That definitely gives me hope!
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2025-11-05 06:09