Grace Van Patten, star of the new Hulu series ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox,’ discusses the profound challenges and emotional depth required to portray Amanda Knox, highlighting the intensity of embodying a real-life figure whose story captivated global attention. In a recent interview, Van Patten shares her journey of preparation, collaboration with Knox herself, and the personal impact of taking on such a complex role.
Grace Van Patten is a 28-year-old actress known for her role in ‘Tell Me Lies,’ and she portrays Amanda Knox in the Hulu limited series. Amanda Knox is the American woman who was wrongfully convicted and later acquitted of the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Italy in 2007, a case that drew worldwide media scrutiny. The series, ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox,’ premiered on Hulu on August 20, 2025, with the first two episodes, and explores the events surrounding the crime and Knox’s experience.
Van Patten revealed that she had aspired to play Knox for nearly a decade, since the release of a Netflix documentary in 2016, and described landing the role as a ‘full circle moment.’ She undertook intensive preparation, including learning Italian in just two months to authentically portray Knox during her time in Perugia, Italy. This involved daily language practice, extensive research into the case, and direct conversations with Amanda Knox to understand her perspective and emotions.
The interview took place in the context of the series’ premiere, with Van Patten speaking to Variety about her experiences. The discussion occurred remotely, likely via video call, as part of promotional efforts for the Hulu release. Van Patten’s insights were shared to provide depth to the portrayal and to highlight the human aspects behind the sensationalized media narrative.
Van Patten emphasized the difficulty of capturing Knox’s unique personality and the scrutiny she faced, noting that the role required her to be fully present and impulsive, much like Knox herself. She described the emotional weight of scenes such as Knox’s first trial appearance, where extras portrayed angry crowds, making her acutely aware of the real-life trauma involved. The hardest parts, as implied, included the rapid preparation timeline and the pressure to do justice to Knox’s story, which Van Patten summarized as ‘all intense.’
The impact of this role on Van Patten’s career is significant, elevating her profile and demonstrating her range as an actress. It also sheds light on the broader issues of media sensationalism and public perception, encouraging viewers to reconsider how they judge public figures. For Amanda Knox, the series offers a platform to reclaim her narrative after years of being vilified.
Looking ahead, the remaining episodes of ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’ will be released weekly on Hulu through October 1, 2025. Van Patten’s performance is likely to generate further discussion and praise, potentially leading to more opportunities in dramatic roles. The series aims to provide a nuanced exploration of the case, contributing to ongoing conversations about justice and empathy in true crime storytelling.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/amanda-knox-hulu-grace-van-patten-1236494586/