Jennifer Garner speaks exclusively to Remix Magazine
From navigating loss to finding joy in connection, The Five-Star Weekend captures the intricate layers of female friendship. To mark the release of the series, Jennifer Garner speaks exclusively to Remix about stepping into the shoes of food blogger Hollis, the art of grief, and why women need each other now more than ever.
Congratulations on the show! As both star and executive producer, what was it about The Five-Star Weekend and Hollis’s journey that made you want to bring the book to screen?
Elin Hilderbrand’s books are so alive and full of relatable characters that surprise you at every turn. The emotions are really big on either end of the spectrum—grounded, but deep. Hollis is grieving the loss of her husband, which is a massive emotion, yet she’s also partying in her pyjamas with her friends and exploring a relationship with her first love. There was just so much to play with and discover.
There are quite a few similarities between you and Hollis, from being a mother to your shared love of cooking. How much did you relate to her, and how do you differ?
I loved cooking on screen! I’d never been asked to cook for a character before, so using a skill I already felt comfortable with—having fun with dough or deglazing a pan—felt so good. We’re different because I live in a world of communicating my emotions and expressing my thoughts. Hollis is much more closed off; she’s holding on tightly and trying to make things look beautiful instead of really living that truth.
At its heart, this is a story about loss and healing. What do you hope audiences take away from the show?
I hope we’re reminded that there’s no right way to grieve, whether it’s losing a relationship or a loved one. If someone needs to be distracted, host, or laugh, that is perfectly okay. It will all come out in the long run. I also hope people take away that it’s never too late to pick up the phone and reignite a friendship or go deeper with one you already have.
Female friendship sits at the heart of the series. Why do you think stories about mid-life female friendships resonate so strongly with audiences?
Female friendships are the breath of life, and women know that. But it’s hard to bring that to screen—it’s difficult to fit all the history, the complexity, the little hurts, and the victories of a long-standing friendship into a story. Luckily, we had amazing source material and a brilliant showrunner who brought those nuances to life so authentically.
What was it like filming alongside such an incredible ensemble cast of women? Any behind-the-scenes moments you can share?
We had a beautiful ease with each other right away. When we fought in a scene, we really fought; when we cried, we went there. But between takes, nobody went back to their trailers. We’d sit in a back room with blankets over our knees like a little knitting circle, chatting about everything in our lives—just like the women in the show.
Stream all episodes of The Five Star Weekend only on Hayu now.
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