Among her many credits, Betsy Brandt is best known for her portrayal of “Marie” on the Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe award-winning series “Breaking Bad.” Following a buzzy return as “Marie” in the series finale of “Better Call Saul,” She appeared this spring in FOX’s anthology series, “Accused,” and in the feature film “The Grotto” from director Joanna Gleason. Hailing from Bay City, Michigan, Brandt earned her BFA in Acting at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and has appeared in theater, television, and film projects including AMC’s dystopian anthology series, “Soulmates,” for which she was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries; “The Valet,” opposite Eugenio Derbez, Samara Weaving, and Max Greenfield; “Love, Victor;” “Life in Pieces;” “Good Boys” for the Pasadena Playhouse; Geoffrey Nauffts Tony-nominated “Next Fall” at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles; and “The Michael J. Fox Show,” and other credits.

Betsy’s next role is as “Mia Thomas” in Hulu’s psychological drama series, “Saint X.” The series, which premieres with the first three episodes on April 26th, explores how a young woman's mysterious death creates a traumatic ripple effect that ultimately pulls her surviving sister into a dangerous pursuit of the truth.

Dress by Vintage Tom Ford from Clothed LA
Choker and earring (right) by Christina Caruso
Earring (left) by Kellery
Cuffs and spiral ring (left) by Armature
Ring (right) by Kellery

Your career spans across film, TV, and the stage. Did you always know you wanted to become an actor?
I think my love for acting was always there. I used to concoct these plays and shows when I was a kid and put my friends and neighbors in them, but if you asked me, I probably wouldn’t have said that I wanted to be an actor. I just don’t think it crossed my mind as being a viable career when I was younger. I grew up in Bay City, Michigan; it’s a great place to be from, but I wasn’t surrounded by professional theatre. I did have two really amazing drama teachers and a wonderful music teacher in high school who opened the door for me. Thank God for great teachers. Where would we be without them?

Was there a particular moment or project when you realized you wanted to make acting your career?
In my junior year of high school, I did a production of a play called “Exit the Body,” which sounds racy, but it’s not. I auditioned, got the lead, and that was it.

**Left:**
Dress by AKNVAS
Earrings and ring (left) by Mara Paris
Cuff by GERMAN KABIRSKI
Rings (right) by GERMAN KABIRSKI
**Right:**
Blazer and skirt: Vintage MUGLER from the Jennie Walker Archive @jenniewalkerarchive
Earrings and necklace by Mara Paris
Cuff by Kellery
Spiral rings by Armature
Cocktail ring (right)by GERMAN KABIRSKI

What was your first role? Did you learn anything from that experience that you’ve carried throughout your career?
I did do a play in third grade about a talking dinosaur, but it really was doing “Exit the Body” when I was 16. Something clicked. It was my time to find it. I still get that feeling when I put myself out there and I find something new, and something in you just clicks into place. I’m always telling my kids that it’s good to be the right amount of scared.

Looking back at your career, which character was the most challenging to play?
Probably “Marie,” but that could have been more about moving my family to New Mexico and giving birth to my son there during Season 2. I absolutely love New Mexico, but relocating every year definitely took a village. It was a challenge to have a baby in a different city, away from my doctor, friends, and family. The “Breaking Bad” cast and crew stepped in and became my family. Bryan and Dean were the first people outside of my immediate family to meet my son. Our camera operator Andy Vogeli and his wife Amanda took such good care of my daughter while I was in labor and brought me a pizza from the set. Best village a girl could ask for!

What advice would you give a person that wants to start working in the entertainment industry?
Know what you want and go for it but be open. Your dream job may be something you didn’t even know you wanted.

What is your dream role?
I’d like to get back to Chekov or Shakespeare. Beatrice in “Much Ado about Nothing” is high on my list.

**Left:**
Dress by Vintage Tom Ford from Clothed LA
Choker and earring (right) by Christina Caruso
Earring (left) by Kellery
Cuffs and spiral ring (left) by Armature
Ring (right) by Kellery
**Right:**
Dress by Z A I D A F F A S
Earrings and earcuffs by Mara Paris
Diamond bracelet by Anabela Chan
Open silver cuff by Kellery
Chain bracelet by DANGELO JOYERIA
Ring (right) by Kellery
Ring (left) by Mara Paris

Who inspires you the most?
I think I’m most inspired by the writers I get to work with. The talent you see in a really good writer just blows me away.

Which character was the most rewarding to play?
“Marie,” without a doubt. Having the privilege and experience of being on a show like “Breaking Bad” is indescribable, and I got to do it for six years. She’s so different from me, but I love her so much. “Marie” will always hold a special place in my heart, as both a person and an artist.

Tell us about “Saint X.” What drew you to the role of “Mia Thomas?”
When I read [the book] Saint X, I knew I wanted to do it. “Mia” just jumped off the page for me. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’m not going to share too much, but I could talk about “Mia” all day.

**Left:**
Dress by DENNIS BASSO
Earrings by ADIBA Official
Black bracelet (right) and gold cuff (left) by Christina Caruso
Gold chainlink bracelet (right) by IceLink
Silver open cuff (right) by Kellery
Ring (left) by Anabela Chan
**Right:**
Blazer and skirt: Vintage MUGLER from the Jennie Walker Archive @jenniewalkerarchive
Earrings and necklace by Mara Paris
Cuff by Kellery
Spiral rings by Armature
Cocktail ring (right)by GERMAN KABIRSKI

Since “Saint X” was adapted from a book, did you do anything differently in your research and preparation for the role?
Once I started reading Saint X I could not put it down, and there were moments that just wrecked me. There’s only so much you can squeeze into eight episodes, and our showrunner Leila Geurstein was great at only including material that moves our story forward. In my mind, it’s my responsibility to let all those scenes from the story that you don’t get to see find their way into the work and reflected into the scenes that you do get to see on screen. “Mia” is such a rich character so there was no shortage as to what I could draw from.

You recently got to reprise your role as “Marie” from “Breaking Bad” for the “Better Call Saul” series finale. What was it like to revisit such an iconic character years later?
Getting the chance to be “Marie” again was such a gift. Although post “Breaking Bad” I’ve focused on playing characters that are different, I’d missed her since the show ended. The way in which she returns is so perfect and it gave me the chance to be proud of her. Life made our girl grow up in a way we didn’t see from her all that much during “Breaking Bad.” I also just felt crazy lucky to be on set with a lot of our amazing crew from “Breaking Bad,” to work with Bob and Rhea, I love them both beyond words, and be directed again by my dear friend Peter Gould.

Dress by DENNIS BASSO
Earrings by ADIBA Official
Black bracelet (right) and gold cuff (left) by Christina Caruso
Gold chainlink bracelet (right) by IceLink
Silver open cuff (right) by Kellery
Ring (left) by Anabela Chan

What’s your favorite part about being on set?
Being inspired by the people around me is my favorite part of being on set. This is a team sport. There’s no way around it, and I just love that.

What advice would you want to give to your younger self as an actor?
Don’t sell yourself short.

Social Media.
@betsybrandt

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Sarah Krick at Exclusive Artists
Talent: Betsy Brandt
Fashion Stylist: Christina Pacelli at The Only Agency
Hair: Richard Collins at TMGLA
Makeup: Leah Rial for Exclusive Artists using Clé de Peau Beauté
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Marissa Perez
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Julieta Guerra, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine