Anne Hathaway Explores Fears of Public Exposure in 'Mother Mary'

The actress stars alongside Michaela Coel in the upcoming A24 musical drama.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:35pm

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An extreme close-up of richly textured, shimmering fabric in deep red and gold hues, conveying the glamour and emotional weight of the film's narrative.The lavish, high-fashion textures of 'Mother Mary' reflect the emotional journey of its iconic pop star protagonist.NYC Today

At the New York premiere of the film 'Mother Mary', stars Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel discussed how the story explores the emotional spectrum of being a creative, especially as a woman and a person of color, and the pain of having one's contributions rendered invisible. Hathaway noted that the character of Mother Mary represents her own fears about being 'laid bare' in the public eye without any armor.

Why it matters

The film 'Mother Mary' delves into the challenges faced by high-profile artists, particularly women and people of color, in maintaining their creative identity and sense of self while navigating the pressures of fame and public scrutiny. Hathaway and Coel's insights shed light on the personal and professional struggles that can come with being in the public eye.

The details

The film follows iconic pop star Mother Mary, played by Hathaway, who reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, played by Coel, right before her comeback performance. Coel revealed that the relationship between the two characters evolves beyond a simple platonic friendship, exploring the emotional and creative complexities of their bond. Costume designer Bina Diageler also discussed how the fashion in the film was inspired by the characters' journeys and the themes of love, creativity, and self-discovery.

  • The film 'Mother Mary' is set to hit select theaters on Friday, April 14, 2026, before going wide on April 24, 2026.

The players

Anne Hathaway

An acclaimed American actress who stars as the iconic pop star Mother Mary in the upcoming film.

Michaela Coel

A British actress and writer who plays Mother Mary's estranged best friend and former costume designer in the film.

Bina Diageler

The costume designer for 'Mother Mary', who drew inspiration from various sources to create the fashion for the film's characters.

David Lowery

The director of 'Mother Mary', who is known for his work as an American auteur.

A24

The production company behind the upcoming musical drama 'Mother Mary'.

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What they’re saying

“The other day somebody said to me it's a horror movie and I said, 'I didn't design a horror movie. I designed a love story.'”

— Bina Diageler, Costume Designer

“There's so many ways to interpret this film. It's like a dress needs to be made. A friendship needs to be repaired; they need to make each other come.”

— Michaela Coel, Actress

“It's easy to understand these things as a woman, as a Black woman, as a person who is aware of Black history and the contributions that people in Black America have made to art and how they disappear.”

— Michaela Coel, Actress

“I've known pain like everybody, but I've never been as laid bare as Mother Mary. I've definitely had to go out when I wanted armor and I felt like I was more soft underbelly.”

— Anne Hathaway, Actress

“As I got deeper and deeper into the character, I realized that Mother Mary is what I fear the most, which is what happens if you have to get up in front of people and you have none of your armor left.”

— Anne Hathaway, Actress

What’s next

The film 'Mother Mary' is set to have its wide release on April 24, 2026, following its initial limited theatrical run starting on April 14, 2026.

The takeaway

The insights shared by Hathaway and Coel about the emotional and creative challenges faced by high-profile artists, particularly women and people of color, highlight the importance of stories that explore the personal toll of fame and public exposure. 'Mother Mary' promises to be a powerful exploration of these themes.