Skip Intro
221 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 162 ratingsSkip Intro with Krista Smith is an award-winning weekly show bringing you dynamic conversations with the exceptional people behind your favorite shows, films, specials, and documentaries on Netflix.
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Episodes
Zack Snyder
April 19, 2024 10:00 - 24 minutesKrista takes a deep dive into the career of filmmaker Zack Snyder and shares how that journey led to his latest undertaking, Rebel Moon - Part 2: The Scargiver. This second film in the Rebel Moon franchise continues to expand the sci-fi universe that was introduced to audiences with Rebel Moon - Part 1: A Child of Fire. The pair talk about Snyder's life-long love of photography, examine the films that inspired him growing up, and discuss his experience attending ArtCenter College of Design, i...
Gillian Anderson
April 12, 2024 10:00 - 27 minutesGillian Anderson returns to Skip Intro to talk about her new film, Scoop. Inspired by real events, Scoop is the inside account of the tenacious journalism that landed an earth shattering interview - Prince Andrew's BBC Newsnight appearance. Anderson portrays Emily Maitlis, the journalist who conducted that infamous interview. Anderson speaks candidly about why she was hesitant to play Maitlis at first, shares what finally made her say yes to the challenge, explains what that transformation ul...
Dakota Fanning
April 06, 2024 10:00 - 33 minutesDakota Fanning joins the show to talk about her role in the limited series, Ripley. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s bestselling novels, the series follows Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott), a grifter scraping by in early 1960s New York, who is hired by a wealthy man to travel to Italy to try to convince his vagabond son to return home. Tom's acceptance of the job is the first step into a complex life of deceit, fraud, and murder. Fanning recounts the exciting moment when she was offered the role of Mar...
Andrew Scott
April 05, 2024 10:00 - 38 minutesAndrew Scott joins the show to talk about his role in the limited series, Ripley. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s bestselling novels, the series follows Tom Ripley (Scott), a grifter scraping by in early 1960s New York, who is hired by a wealthy man to travel to Italy to try to convince his vagabond son to return home. Tom's acceptance of the job is the first step into a complex life of deceit, fraud and murder. Scott looks back on his initial reaction to the scripts, speaks openly about the ch...
Regina & Reina King
March 29, 2024 10:00 - 28 minutesRegina and Reina King join the show to talk about their film Shirley, which follows the first Black congresswoman and political icon Shirley Chisholm, and her trailblazing run in 1972 for president of the United States. Regina and Reina produced the film for their company Royal Ties, and acted opposite each other (Regina as Chisholm and Reina as her sister, Muriel St. Hill). Regina and Reina reflect on the film's 15 year journey, talk about the process of bringing Oscar-winner John Ridley onb...
Bonus: 3 Body Podcast
March 23, 2024 10:00 - 51 minutesOver the last five years, Game of Thrones creators David Benioff & D.B. Weiss and True Blood writer and producer Alexander Woo have been hard at work developing 3 Body Problem -- an epic sci-fi series based on the books by Liu Cixin. In celebration of the series release, we’re hosting the first episode of the 3 Body Podcast, the official companion podcast for the series. To follow along with the rest of the 3 Body Podcast, search it on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen. I...
Eiza González
March 22, 2024 10:00 - 24 minutesEiza González joins the show to talk about 3 Body Problem, the latest series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss and True Blood writer and producer, Alexander Woo. Based on the books by science fiction author Liu Cixin, the series follows a group of scientists as they confront the greatest threat in humanity's history. González shares her initial reaction to the scripts, digs into her experience playing Auggie Salazar (a visionary nanotech trailblazer), and describes ...
From The Archive: Tyler Perry
March 15, 2024 10:00 - 13 minutesThis week, Krista takes a look back at her 2022 conversation with Tyler Perry. Perry currently sits atop an empire built on 26 feature films, 20 stage plays, 18 television shows, and his 330-acre studio located in the heart of Atlanta. However, once upon a time, Perry was a struggling playwright. He initially began writing after watching an Oprah segment on its therapeutic benefits, which then led to his first play, "I Know I've Been Changed." Although the play failed to attract an audience, ...
Millie Bobby Brown
March 08, 2024 11:00 - 20 minutesMillie Bobby Brown returns to Skip Intro to talk about her new film, Damsel, which she stars in and executive produced. Brown describes what drew her to the role of Elodie, digs into the physical and emotional challenges that the film presented, and reflects on her growth as a producer over the past few years. She also explains why it is essential that young actors feel encouraged to grow and evolve, gives an update on her beloved pets, and shares what it has been like to reunite with the ca...
Welcome to Season 8!
March 01, 2024 11:00 - 2 minutesKrista kicks off the 8th season of Skip Intro! Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.
Farewell to Season 7
February 02, 2024 11:00 - 10 minutesKrista bids farewell to season 7 with a few of her favorite quotes. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.
Annette Bening
January 26, 2024 11:00 - 34 minutesAnnette Bening joins the show to talk about her performance in Nyad. Based on real events, the film follows the story of sixty-four-year-old marathon swimmer Diana Nyad (Bening) as she attempts to become the first person ever to swim from Cuba to Florida. Bening recounts her initial reaction to the script, describes her experience meeting and working with Jodie Foster (who plays Diana's best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll), shares what it was like to be directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Cha...
From The Archive: Jennifer Garner
January 19, 2024 19:38 - 25 minutesToday, Krista brings back her 2021 conversation with Jennifer Garner. Over the years, Garner has traversed nearly every genre – from Alias, to Dallas Buyers Club, to 13 Going on 30 (which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in April). In this interview, she reflects on her career arc, discusses the genius that is her instagram, shares how she’s stayed grounded amid paparazzi madness, and digs into her passion for causes and projects far beyond Hollywood (including Save the Children and her or...
Natalie Portman
January 12, 2024 11:00 - 27 minutesNatalie Portman joins the show to talk about her role as a producer and actor on Todd Haynes' latest film, May December. The film follows Gracie (Julianne Moore) and her husband Joe (Charles Melton), whose notorious romance gripped the nation when it made tabloid news twenty years ago. When a Hollywood actress (Natalie Portman) meets them to do research for a film about their past, the couple buckles under the pressure. Portman explains her initial reaction to the script, why she thought Hay...
Charles Melton
January 05, 2024 11:00 - 20 minutesCharles Melton joins the show to talk about his role in Todd Haynes' May December. The film follows Gracie (Julianne Moore) and her husband Joe (Melton), whose notorious romance gripped the nation when it made tabloid news twenty years ago. When a Hollywood actress (Natalie Portman) meets them to do research for a film about their past, the couple buckles under the pressure. Melton recounts the chemistry read with Moore that led to his casting, explains how he and Haynes developed Joe's char...
Carey Mulligan
December 29, 2023 11:00 - 36 minutesCarey Mulligan joins the show to talk about her role in Maestro, Bradley Cooper’s chronicling of the lifelong relationship between composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and his wife Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Mulligan). Mulligan takes us back six years to when Cooper first approached her to play Felicia, describes how she pushed through her fear of failure and fully immersed herself in the role, and breaks down what it was like to shoot the Thanksgiving Day "argument" sce...
Maestro: Behind the Craft
December 23, 2023 11:00 - 34 minutesToday, we're going behind the scenes of Brady Cooper's film, Maestro, to hear from a few of the incredible people who helped bring his vision to life – prosthetic makeup designer Kazu Hiro, production designer Kevin Thompson, costume designer Mark Bridges, and editor Michelle Tesoro. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.
Bradley Cooper
December 22, 2023 11:00 - 33 minutesBradley Cooper joins the show to talk about Maestro, which he directed, co-wrote, co-produced, and stars in as conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. The film is a towering love story -- tracing the lifelong relationship between Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Carey Mulligan). Cooper describes the film's genesis and why he and co-writer Josh Singer decided to focus the story around both Leonard and Felicia, digs into the extensive research process he went throu...
May December
December 15, 2023 11:00 - 33 minutesOver the past few months, Krista has sat down with many of the incredible creatives behind Todd Hanes' May December. The film follows Gracie and her husband Joe whose relationship began as a shocking underage affair. 20 years later, they lead a seemingly picturesque suburban life. But that’s disrupted when Elizabeth, a famous actress, arrives in their tight-knit community to research her upcoming role as Gracie. In this episode, we’ll dig into the making of the film by hearing from writer S...
The Official Rustin Podcast: Bringing Bayard to Life
December 09, 2023 04:54 - 42 minutesThis week, Skip Intro takes you behind the scenes of the original Netflix film, Rustin, by hosting the fourth episode of The Official Rustin Podcast! On this companion podcast, journalist and author Tre’vell Anderson builds a world of context by bringing you insights, anecdotes and behind-the-scenes perspectives through conversation with the artists who made the film. You'll also hear from scholars, journalists and activists as they wrestle with the legacy of Bayard Rustin, one of the civil ...
Julianne Moore
December 01, 2023 11:00 - 37 minutesJulianne Moore joins the show to talk about her role in Todd Haynes' May December. The film follows Gracie (Moore) and her husband Joe (Charles Melton), whose notorious romance gripped the nation when it made tabloid news twenty years ago. When a Hollywood actress (Natalie Portman) meets them to do research for a film about their past, the couple buckles under the pressure. Moore reflects on meeting Haynes while auditioning for his 1995 film Safe and explains how it led to their long-running...
200th Episode Celebration
November 24, 2023 11:00 - 14 minutesKrista commemorates Skip Intro's 200th episode by sharing a few special moments from over the years.
Todd Haynes
November 17, 2023 11:00 - 48 minutesTodd Haynes joins the show to talk about his latest film, May December. In addition to continuing Todd’s long-running creative relationships with Julianne Moore and independent film producer Christine Vachon, "May December" marks his first collaboration with Natalie Portman, who produced and stars in the film. "May December" follows Gracie (Julianne Moore) and her husband Joe (Charles Melton), whose notorious romance gripped the nation when it made tabloid news twenty years ago. When a Hollyw...
The Crown Finale (Pt. 1)
November 16, 2023 16:52 - 33 minutesSince its initial release in November of 2016, Peter Morgan’s The Crown has captivated audiences worldwide with its meticulously-crafted telling of the public and private lives of The Royal Family, and their impact on the 2nd half of the 20th century. Today, season 6 part 1, was released on Netflix. These first four episodes continue Princess Diana’s story, by exploring the events surrounding her tragic death in 1997. In honor of her character’s final chapter, and the beginning of The Crown’...
From The Archive: Dwayne Johnson
November 10, 2023 11:00 - 22 minutesThis week, Krista brings back her 2021 interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. In this conversation, Johnson shares the story behind the name of his company, Seven Bucks Productions, describes how he finds peace in his daily routine, and explains how he and his family navigate the demands of his job as a unit. He also speaks candidly about the fear and vulnerability he faced when transitioning from the world of WWE to Hollywood, shares the evolution of his journey through fatherhood, and o...
Shawn Levy
November 03, 2023 10:00 - 41 minutesShawn Levy joins the show to talk about his new limited series, All The Light We Cannot See. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, it follows Marie-Laure (Aria Mia Loberti), a blind French girl who has fled German-occupied Paris and taken refuge in St. Malo, where she transmits clandestine radio broadcasts as part of the Resistance. Marie-Laure's path collides with Werner (Louis Hofmann), a brilliant teenager enlisted by Hitler’s regime to track down illegal broadcasts. However, Werner s...
From The Archive: Naomi Watts
October 27, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutesThis week, Krista brings back her conversation with Naomi Watts. Watts got her big break when David Lynch cast her in his 2001 tour de force, Mulholland Drive. Her performance earned the world’s attention, and she became one of the most prominent actresses in Hollywood, often taking on roles that lean into dark themes. In this conversation, she shares her experience working on Ryan Murphy’s eerie drama, The Watcher. Inspired by the true story of the now infamous “Watcher” house in New Jersey...
Nicole Avant
October 18, 2023 10:00 - 52 minutesNicole Avant joins the show to talk about her book, "Think You'll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude." The memoir grapples with the tragic murder of her mother, the civil activist and philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, who was fatally shot during an attempted robbery at her home in 2021. Rather than becoming lost in the darkness, Nicole writes candidly about how she turned her pain into purpose, and moved forward through love and incredible resilience. In this con...
From The Archive: Gabrielle Union
October 13, 2023 10:00 - 31 minutesThis week, Krista brings back her interview with Gabrielle Union. In this conversation, Union talks about breaking ancestral trauma bonds and leaning into self-love, reflects on the evolution of her parenting strategy, discusses how she and her husband Dwyane Wade have navigated his retirement, and gives an update on the latest iteration of "Bring It On".
BECKHAM
October 06, 2023 10:00 - 24 minutesBeckham is a new docu-series that traces David Beckham’s rise from his humble beginnings in east London to international sports superstar. By examining the highs and lows of his life through conversations with those closest to him, it offers a personal and definitive story of one of the most recognizable and scrutinized athletes of all time. Today, Krista brings together interviews with David Beckham and director Fisher Stevens (Palmer, And We Go Green, The Cove) to find out what went into t...
From The Archive: Kate Hudson
September 29, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutesThis week, Krista brings back her 2022 interview with Kate Hudson. In this conversation, Hudson talks about what it was like being raised by her mom Goldie Hawn and stepdad Kurt Russell, takes a look back at the beginning of her acting career, and explains what she loves about the business world. She also discusses the joys of parenthood, digs into her life-long passion for singing and songwriting, and shares what she's learned from navigating love over the years.
From The Archive: Gillian Anderson
September 22, 2023 10:00 - 43 minutesIn celebration of the conclusion of "Sex Education," Krista brings back her 2020 interview with Gillian Anderson, who stars as Jean Milburn -- a sex therapist and mom to the show’s young lead Otis. At the time of recording, Anderson had just wrapped up the series' second season. Since then, she has won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in the fourth season of “The Crown,” starred in "The Pale Blue Eye" alongside Christian Bale, and announced an upcoming book – ...
Welcome to Season 7!
September 15, 2023 12:39 - 1 minuteKrista welcomes listeners back to Skip Intro, celebrates a major milestone, and introduces the question she'll be asking all of her guests this season.
From The Archive: Jennifer Lawrence
September 07, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutesThis week, Krista bringing back her 2022 conversation with Jennifer Lawrence, who at the time, had recently starred in Adam McKay's disaster comedy, "Don't Look Up." Lawrence shares why she was so quick to jump on board the film, how Adam McKay tricked her into improving on set, and what it was like to work with Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. She also describes how preparing to bring her first child into the world has shaped her relationship with fear, discusses her hiatus from Holl...
From The Archive: George Clooney
August 31, 2023 22:19 - 31 minutesThis week, Krista brings back her 2020 interview with George Clooney. The Academy Award winner reflects on the arc of his career, including the moment that ER made him a household name, the films that made him want to direct, and how becoming a family man has impacted his choices. He also shares his advice for young creatives who are trying to forge their own path through the entertainment industry.
Uzo Aduba
August 17, 2023 10:00 - 44 minutesThis episode was recorded prior to July 14th. Uzo Aduba joins the show to talk about her role in Painkiller – a fictionalized re-telling of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America. The limited series highlights the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives were forever altered by the invention of OxyContin. Aduba shares how her work on Painkiller helped her fully understand the detrimental impact OxyContin has had on countless lives across America, ...
Gal Gadot
August 11, 2023 10:00 - 31 minutesThis episode was recorded prior to July 14. Gal Gadot joins the show to discuss her latest film, Heart of Stone, which she stars in and produced with her husband Jaron Varsano through their company Pilot Wave. The film follows Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot) — an intelligence operative who stands between her powerful, global, peacekeeping organization and the loss of its most valuable (and dangerous) asset. Gadot talks about the process of building Stone's character and universe from the ground up, ...
From The Archive: Greta Gerwig
August 03, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutesThis week, Krista takes a look back at her 2022 conversation with Greta Gerwig, whose film “Barbie” has taken the internet and the box office by storm. It’s yet another massive achievement for Greta, who made waves in 2017 with her solo directorial debut Ladybird – a heart wrenching coming of age dramedy that earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. She followed that massive success with her star-studded adaptation of Little Women, which resulted in anoth...
From The Archive: Brené Brown
July 27, 2023 10:00 - 40 minutesThis week, Krista takes a look back at her 2019 conversation with Brené Brown. It’s incredible to think that it’s been 13 years since Brené delivered her life changing TED talk “The Power of Vulnerability” on the TEDxHouston stage. The year after this episode was recorded, Brené launched two podcasts of her own which recently wrapped up – "Unlocking Us" and "Dare to Lead." In 2021, she published another best selling book, "Atlas of the Heart," which inspired a five-part docuseries. In this in...
Peyton Manning
July 12, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutesPeyton Manning joins the show to talk about Quarterback, an 8 episode docuseries series that follows the reigning Chiefs NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, Minnesota Vikings star Kirk Cousins and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota both on and off the field throughout the 2022 season. Manning is an executive producer on the series for his company Omaha Productions. Manning describes the process of getting Mahomes, Cousins, and Mariota onboard, gives his take on the unique challenges that being a...
Farewell to Season 6
June 23, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutesKrista bids farewell to the 6th season of Skip Intro and shares her guests' responses to the question: what do people say when they recognize you (or think they recognize you) on the street?
Gabrielle Union
June 22, 2023 10:00 - 40 minutesGabrielle Union joins the show to talk about her romantic comedy, The Perfect Find. Adapted from Tia Williams' book by the same name, The Perfect Find follows Jenna (Gabrielle Union) — a former fashion editor who is trying to make a career comeback after enduring a very public breakup and career implosion. However, her plan hits a snag when she falls for a charming, much younger coworker (Keith Powers) — who happens to be her boss’s son. As sparks fly, Jenna must decide if she'll risk it all ...
What & Why (Junior Bake Off)
June 16, 2023 10:00 - 2 minutesKrista and Isabel share this week's What & Why, Junior Bake Off. Curious what else the Queue team is watching? Head over to Netflix and search Queue’s Queue for more recommendations!
Sr.
June 15, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutesIn this episode, we're bringing you a conversation with the creatives behind "Sr." – a documentary that pays tribute to the life and career of the pioneering filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. Krista is joined by producers Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey, director, cinematographer, and editor Chris Smith, and producer, editor, and cinematographer Kevin Ford. Together, they discuss how the idea behind the documentary was formed, the creative dynamics between the group, and what it was like to wor...
What & Why (Emily in Paris)
June 09, 2023 10:00 - 2 minutesKrista and Maddie share this week's What & Why, Emily in Paris. Curious what else the Queue team is watching? Head over to Netflix and search Queue’s Queue for more recommendations!
Niecy Nash-Betts
June 08, 2023 10:00 - 35 minutesNiecy Nash-Betts joins the show to talk about her portrayal of Glenda Cleveland in Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Nash-Betts discusses her long running creative relationship with the series' creator Ryan Murphy, explains how she navigated such an emotionally taxing role (one which Murphy wrote specifically for her), and breaks down one of her most challenging scenes. Nash-Betts also reflects on her decision to go all in on her acting career after the birth of her third child, sh...
What & Why (The Law According to Lidia Poët)
June 02, 2023 10:00 - 2 minutesKrista shares this week's What & Why, The Law According to Lidia Poët. Curious what else the Queue team is watching? Head over to Netflix and search Queue’s Queue for more recommendations!
From The Archive: Eddie Murphy
June 01, 2023 10:00 - 41 minutesThis week, Krista takes a look back at her 2019 conversation with Eddie Murphy. At this year's Golden Globes, Murphy received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for "outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.” During his acceptance speech, Murphy mentioned that he’s been in show business for 46 years, and in the movie business for 41. It’s incredible to reckon with the legacy Murphy has created, and in this conversation, he reflects on his career path – from being inspired as a kid by M...
What & Why (Smiley)
May 26, 2023 10:00 - 3 minutesKrista and Chris share this week's What & Why, Smiley. Curious what else the Queue team is watching? Head over to Netflix and search Queue’s Queue for more recommendations!
From The Archive: Amanda Seyfried
May 25, 2023 10:00 - 41 minutesThis week, Krista takes a look back at her 2020 conversation with Amanda Seyfried. At the time, Seyfried had recently starred as Marion Davies in Mank, David Fincher’s film about the screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. Just a few months after this conversation was recorded, that performance earned Seyfried her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In the years since, Seyfried has hit a new stride in her career – earning wide-spread critical acclaim for her portrayal of Elizabeth ...