Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino Reveal Why They Were ‘Nervous’ to Play Romy and Michele Again in the New Sequel (Exclusive)
Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino Reveal Why They Were ‘Nervous’ to Play Romy and Michele Again in the New Sequel (Exclusive)
Toria Sheffield, Julia MacCarySun, August 16, 2026 at 12:46 AM UTC
0
Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, Calif., on Aug. 14, 2026Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty -
Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino said they were initially nervous about reprising their characters for the upcoming Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion sequel
The longtime friends caught up with PEOPLE exclusively at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14
The upcoming sequel, directed by Tim Federle and written by original screenwriter Robin Schiff, is in production and will be released exclusively on Hulu
Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino revealed why it was nerve-wracking to reprise their iconic roles as Romy and Michelein the upcoming Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion sequel.
The stars caught up with PEOPLE exclusively during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14.
During the conversation, Kudrow, 63, shared that she was initially worried she would have trouble authentically recapturing her character.
“I was very nervous,” the star said. “[I was thinking], ‘Oh no — am I just doing an imitation of Michele? Because that’s the fear sometimes with revisiting [roles].”
Sorvino, 58, agreed.
“The first day it was like, ‘Wait, am I just imitating things Romy used to do or say? … And then eventually it was like, ‘Yeah, Romy’s back. She’s using my skin suit,’ ” Sorvino said.
Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino in ‘Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion’ (1997)Credit: Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock
The duo also dished on why they think they work so well together — both on- and off-screen.
“I mean, I have so many silly things. It’s like, well, we’re both tall,” Kudrow joked, adding, “I think Mira’s super smart.”
“I think she’s super smart,” Sorvino chimed in. “Oh, my gosh. She was going to the doctor. And she liked acting better.”
“And you speak Chinese and went to Harvard!” Kudrow replied, before adding that she and Sorvino have kept in touch “for real” over the years.
Advertisement
“I come to Lisa for advice,” Sorvino went on to say while reflecting on their connection. “She’s an incredibly sage, brilliant person. And she’s funny, thoughtful, and just a great person. And Lisa’s also the funniest woman. I mean, Lisa is our premier comedian. She really is.”
The pair debuted the now-iconic roles of Romy and Michele in 1997’s Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, in which they portray fashion-loving best friends who are desperate to impress their former classmates at their 10-year reunion.
Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino onstage at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, Calif., on Aug. 14, 2026Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty
The David Mirkin-directed, Robin Schiff-written film, which also features appearances by Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming and Justin Theroux, went on to achieve cult status and is widely considered a defining comedy of the era.
Sorvino reflected on the movie’s continued legacy while speaking to PEOPLE at the D23 event.
“People dress up as us for Pride, for Halloween … babies, dogs,” Sorvino said. “We’ve become part of the fixture of American life.”
“I’m really honored,” she continued. “I’m so happy that something we did together actually means something to a lot of people for a variety of reasons.”
Kudrow added: “I had a couple of women actually come up to me [when I was] having a lunch and just leave a piece of paper with a pink pen repeating 20 lines from the movie written all over front and back. I thought that was extraordinary.”
— sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
20th Century Studios announced on June 8 that the sequel, directed by Tim Federle and again scripted by Schiff, was in production.
The Romy and Michele sequel will be released exclusively on Hulu.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
