It’s been a really great year for TV and film so far—ahem, Adolescence, The White Lotus, Sinners, Materialists, and Overcompensating—but it also feels like things are just starting to heat up, figuratively and literally speaking. (These rising temps are no joke!) The Bear is back, we have the final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty just around the corner (we’re not crying—you’re crying), a sweeping new Outlander series is landing in August, and major blockbusters, like Jurassic World Rebirth, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Superman, are hitting theaters soon.
Our entertainment dance card is filling up quickly—not that we’re complaining. The best part about all these offerings is that they are also introducing us to a slew of compelling performances, which means we are due for another installment of our Ones to Watch portfolio. We’ve culled through the summer slate to bring you six standout actresses, from rising comedy stars to international breakouts, to have on your radar right now, plus their seasonal fashion picks.
Read on to meet the women we can’t stop raving about.
WHO: Mary Beth Barone
WHAT: If you’ve watched the hilarious Prime Video series Overcompensating or are a regular listener of the podcast Ride, then this one needs no explanation. Mary Beth Barone is that girl. Truthfully, we’ve been following the comedian since she was the deadpan darling of NYC’s comedy scene helping men and women get rid of their F-boy tendencies with her popular showcase Drag His Ass, and her appreciation for creating a major fashion moment onstage—like when she wore an archival Versace dress for her comedy special Thought Provoking—is not lost on us. Together with creative partner Benito Skinner, Barone has been delivering some serious comedy magic lately. Overcompensating, Skinner’s semi-autobiographical coming-of-age and coming-out college comedy, is a 10 out of 10, and Barone flexes her acting chops and signature dry humor as Grace, the protagonist’s bitchy older sister and reigning cool girl of school. With the recent season 3 of Ride, she and Skinner muse on everything from Labubus to bald guys. Barone is seemingly everywhere in our world right now, and we’re here for it.
You and Benito Skinner have done comedy tours together, host a podcast together, and now star in Overcompensating together. What makes Skinner a great creative partner for you?
Benito is the most magnetic person I have ever met. Having a creative partner I am genuinely excited to see and spend time with and laugh with is such a gift. I also think we are very different and challenge each other creatively. He’s pushed me to places as a performer I never thought I could go, and I pushed him to explain “Grandpa Terry” to our podcast listeners.
When Skinner came to you about playing Grace in the show, what was your first reaction?
I don’t think we have an English word for it. The French probably do.
What is a memory from filming Overcompensating that lives rent-free in your head?
Benny, Grace, and Peter outside the liquor store in the first episode. It was one of the audition scenes and the first scene I got to film with Benny. I just couldn’t believe we were actually there, together, making a television show. It was exactly as I had imagined and then somehow better.
Who have you been most excited to see slide into your DMs to share that they are a fan of the show?
My ex-boyfriend’s sisters. I miss them!
What is an invaluable lesson you learned doing stand-up comedy?
Mental illness can manifest in many, many different ways, and some of those ways can be really beautiful.
You are someone who has a real appreciation for fashion. What has been a particularly special look you’ve worn recently, and why?
I got to wear this incredible Roberto Cavalli dress to the Gotham Awards a few weeks ago. I love the silhouette and the sexy cutouts. My stylist Kat Typaldos really understands me, and I feel lucky I get to work with her. Wearing Joker glam (done by Alexandra French) with a hyper-femme white Cavalli dress was very special. Fashion should be fun! I just thought of that.
