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Brooke Shields Embraces Joy and Humor in New Series “You’re Killing Me”
NEW YORK – At 60, Brooke Shields is shifting her approach to acting, prioritizing projects that bring her genuine happiness rather than those rooted in intensity and drama.
“I used to think being a good actress meant enduring pain and torture in my roles,” Shields reflected in a recent interview. “Nobody wanted to see me be funny, so I took on dramatic, heavier movies.” While that phase was “fine” at the time, she admits it never felt fully fulfilling.
Now, Shields is drawn to work that sparks joy, which led her to star in and executive produce the new six-episode mystery series You’re Killing Me, streaming on Acorn TV. She plays a best-selling novelist who teams up with a true-crime podcaster, portrayed by Amalia Williamson, to investigate the murder of a close friend.
Despite the dark premise, Shields highlights the show’s humor and character-driven storytelling. “We end up caring more about the relationships than the murder itself,” she says. “It made me appreciate great comedy and women who excel at it.”
Her passion for comedy dates back to appearances in the ’90s sitcom Suddenly Susan and a memorable guest spot on Friends. Shields describes sitcom work as a unique blend of theater and film, performed live before an audience weekly-a format that brought her newfound joy and creative energy.
Partnering once again with creator and writer Robin Bernheim, with whom she previously collaborated on Netflix films A Castle for Christmas and Mother of the Bride, Shields admits she doesn’t share her character’s novelist background. Though she’s authored memoirs and children’s books, Shields approaches the true-crime genre cautiously. “If it’s an unsolved case, I get paranoid-like the bad guy is under my bed or listening in,” she says with a laugh.
Filmed in Canada but set in a charming New England town, You’re Killing Me also reflects Shields’ commitment to fostering a positive environment on set-a value instilled by her late mother and manager, Teri Shields. “My mom taught me to treat everyone with the same respect, whether it’s the studio head or the craft services person,” Shields says. “Working hard doesn’t guarantee success, but it means you can be proud of how you showed up.”
Away from the cameras, Shields treasures her friendships with women like Beth Stern, Demi Moore, and Naomi Watts. Celebrating the series premiere in New York City, she described these relationships as “everything,” emphasizing the strength and support that come from genuine adult connections.
“At 60, feeling seen and valued by others makes me feel youthful and lucky,” Shields shared. “It’s a wonderful place to be.”