Trump Era’s Terrifying TV Villain Reveals Her True Self episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 30, 2026 · 39 MIN

Trump Era’s Terrifying TV Villain Reveals Her True Self

from Obsessed: The Podcast · host The Daily Beast

Emmy-winning actress, Ann Dowd joins Matt Wilstein for a fascinating, funny, and revealing conversation about returning as Aunt Lydia in The Testaments, the highly anticipated sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. She opens up about finally learning Lydia’s backstory, why she never sees the character as a villain, and what it’s been like playing one of television’s most unforgettable roles for nearly a decade. Dowd also reflects on the eerie real-world parallels between The Handmaid’s Tale and today’s politics, winning the Emmy for her iconic performance, and stepping back into Gilead so soon after the original series ended. Plus, she shares behind-the-scenes memories from beloved projects like The Leftovers, Freaks and Geeks, Girls, Hacks, and more, making this a must-watch interview with one of the most talented actresses working today. Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram ⁠@kpfallon⁠ Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram ⁠@mattjwilstein⁠ New episodes every Thursday, and Saturday; ⁠early drops on YouTube⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 30, 2026

Embed this episode

Ready to play

Trump Era’s Terrifying TV Villain Reveals Her True Self

0:00 39:35

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Obsessed: The Podcast?

This episode is 39 minutes long.

When was this Obsessed: The Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on April 30, 2026.

Can I download this Obsessed: The Podcast episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!