dress. Simkhai
shoes. Tory Burch
Perry Mattfeld has built a career defined by versatility, curiosity, and an instinct for inhabiting characters worlds away from her own. Mentored by Debbie Allen as a young dancer, Mattfeld earned a BFA in acting from USC before making her mark as an actress, first capturing audiences’ attention as Murphy Mason in The CW’s ‘In the Dark’. Across four seasons, she brought a fierce, unfiltered complexity to the role, earning a devoted international following and establishing herself as a compelling presence on screen.
Now, Mattfeld is embracing a new kind of intensity in Hulu’s comedy series ‘Chad Powers’, starring opposite Glen Powell as Ricky, the determined daughter of Powell’s enigmatic football player. Blending sharp comedy with unexpected emotional depth, her performance has drawn critical acclaim, with critics praising her quiet intensity and standout work in the series’ most surprising moments. As Season 2 raises the stakes for Ricky, Mattfeld continues to demonstrate a remarkable range, moving effortlessly between humour, vulnerability, and drama.
Beyond ‘Chad Powers’, Mattfeld will appear in Netflix’s upcoming feature ‘The 99’ers’, a celebration of the trailblazing 1999 U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, whose historic World Cup victory helped reshape women’s sports. With credits spanning ‘The Idea of You’ and ‘Long Bright River’, Mattfeld remains drawn to immersive roles and stories that leave a lasting impression. For Schön!, she reflects on her journey from dance to acting, the transformative experience of playing Murphy Mason, finding Ricky’s quiet intensity, and the many worlds she hopes to explore next.
dress. Simkhai
opposite
top + skirt. Tibi
shoes. Toteme
bracelet. Shannon Bond
You began your career as a ballet dancer under the mentorship of Debbie Allen. What did those early years teach you about discipline, performance, and connecting with an audience?
Dance, specifically at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, exposed me to diversity of experience and art. I trained in ballet, hip hop, tap, flamenco, African dance, modern dance, and more. I’m a big believer that the more you’re exposed to as an actor, the more you familiarize yourself with people from different walks of life, the more you observe, the more you have to offer to these characters.
You eventually transitioned from ballet into acting and went on to earn a BFA in acting from USC. Was there a particular moment when you realized acting was going to become your primary creative path?
I was actually training in all three – dancing, singing, and acting. But something kept drawing me to acting class. At age 12, I was hired by Mattel to perform as an American Girl Doll in the west coast theatrical tour. I did over 160 live performances over the next couple years. That’s when acting started to move to the forefront, even while I kept up dance & voice lessons.
Looking back at your earliest acting roles, what do you remember most about being a young actor learning how to navigate auditions, sets, and the business?
I’ll never forget calling my acting professor from USC, Mr. Hacker, the night before I was expected on set for my first day filming Shameless in 2017. I was so nervous! I was really lucky to have my professors, my peers, and my manager, Josiah Akinyele, to help guide me in the beginning. I’m still navigating the business! I think I always will be, especially as it continues to evolve and change. I’m never afraid to call some of my veteran actor costars for advice.
opposite
top + trousers. Max Mara
boots. Loeffler Randall
earrings. Shannon Bond
Your breakthrough came with In the Dark, where you played Murphy Mason for four seasons. What did that character demand from you that you hadn’t experienced in your earlier work?
“Murphy Mason” was a role that required a mental, emotional, and physical commitment unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I was up for the challenge & am forever grateful to the creators who believed in me. Carrying a show is a lot of work. Each season was a demanding 7-8 month grind, and as the lead character, I needed to set an example of professionalism, dedication, and a strong work ethic. It’s why I have so much respect for Glen, who’s leading us on Chad Powers. He’s the first one at work and the last one to leave. And he does it all with a smile.
Murphy became such a complicated and unconventional character, and the series developed a passionate international audience through Netflix. How did it feel watching the character resonate with viewers around the world?
Many people don’t know that In The Dark was inspired by a real woman, my dear friend, Lorri Bernson. I fell in love with her raw, unfiltered, wit and charm, the same way audiences around the world fell in love with Murphy’s. I love how passionately people feel about Murphy. She changed my life, and she changed many other peoples’ lives, too.
You’ve since taken on very different projects, from The Idea of You to Long Bright River. What draws you to a role now, and has that changed as you’ve gained more experience?
I love a research project. I’m always drawn to a role that allows me to fully immerse myself in a different world. There are multiple roles I’ve played where I am unrecognizable. I’d also say that I’m never chasing the size of a role, I’m chasing good stories being made by and with special people.
Then came Chad Powers, where you play Ricky, Jake’s daughter. What was your first reaction when you read the role and learned what the series was going to be? I could not put the Chad Powers script down. I was cracking up laughing while reading it. I was obsessed! I felt an immediate connection to Ricky, and felt like I could tap into the football world so naturally, since I am a football fan in real life. I had seen Eli Manning’s original skit, and couldn’t believe how Michael Waldron & Glen Powell had created a full fledged, brilliant, comedy, inspired by such a simple prank.
top. Nordstrom
skirt. Calvin Klein Vintage
Ricky has a toughness and determination beneath the surface, and critics have described your performance as “quietly intense.” How did you approach finding that balance between what Ricky says and what she keeps inside?
With the guidance of our excellent directors, it’s been fun to figure out when things should be said with my eyes only. This is especially relevant in Ricky’s storyline as she’s carrying such a big secret. Glen & I have to communicate so much between each other without saying anything out loud – serving that “quiet intensity.”
You’re working opposite Glen Powell, who is also carrying a lot of the comedy and physical transformation of the show. What was your chemistry like when you first started working together?
I couldn’t draw up a better costar if I tried. Glen is a comedic GENIUS. So much of what you get on screen is improvised. That’s what makes working with him so fun. We are just playing as we go, feeding off of our chemistry, trusting that the other is completely open to whatever comes up. I love him!
The series can be broad and very funny, but Ricky also gets some surprisingly emotional and dramatic material. How did you navigate moving between those two tones without losing the character?
My job is to ground our show and bring believability – not to try to be funny. I’m surrounded by incredible, veteran actors (Steve Zahn? Are you kidding me?!). I do my best to be present, listen, and respond in the moment, whether I’m in a dramatic scene or a comedic one.
coat. Calvin Klein Vintage
shoes. Khaite
opposite
top + skirt. Tibi
bracelet. Shannon Bond
Critics have singled out your work in the season finale and described it as one of the show’s biggest surprises. Without spoiling anything, was there a particular scene or sequence in Season 2 that challenged you the most?
The final episode of Chad Powers Season 2 is another epic masterpiece, brilliantly directed by Michael Waldron. This episode is an emotional rollercoaster for Ricky – especially the last very last scene. There’s relief, excitement, hope, heartbreak, romance, thrill, and panic, all at the same time.
What have you discovered about yourself as an actor through playing Ricky that you didn’t necessarily expect when you first got the part?
Ricky definitely evolves from Season 1 to Season 2. She starts very stiff and reserved – still finding her voice and her footing. I wasn’t expecting Michael to encourage me into the physical comedy. Ricky becomes more and more disjointed, flailing through life as the stakes raise & her situation becomes unhinged. It’s really fun and spontaneous.
top. Nordstrom
skirt. Calvin Klein Vintage
shoes. Simkhai
earrings. Alexis Bittar
Your next project, The 99’ers, takes you into the story of the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup team. What was it like stepping into a real-world story with such a significant place in women’s sports history?
The Netflix movie about the 1999 Women’s US National Soccer Team is an extremely empowering story I get to tell with a really special group of girls. It’s iconic, it’s historic, and I can’t wait for the world to know about the strength of these trailblazing women.
You’ve moved from ballet to television drama, comedy, film, and now a sports story. Do you see those different disciplines as connected somehow, or does each project require you to start from scratch?
There will always be some sort of through line with my characters, even if they are from different worlds. Because with every character I play, there is going to be a personal touch that makes it “Perry’s version.” Something that draws from my personal life, as a former athlete, dancer, student, and now, mom. And believe it or not, many of these characters often have more in common than you’d think.
When you look at where you are now—from your beginnings as a dancer to In the Dark, Chad Powers, and The 99’ers—what kind of roles or stories are you hoping to explore next?
There are so many kinds of roles I want to try. I want to do a western, I want to be in an action movie, I want to do a Victorian period piece, I want to play a southern belle, I want to learn another language for a role – I could go on and on! I want to tell stories that stick with people. And as long as I keep getting lucky, there are so many more to tell.
dress. Simkhai
opposite
dress. Simkhai
photography. Emily Pinto
fashion. Ariana Velazquez
talent. Perry Mattfeld
hair. Craig Gangi for Exclusive Artists using ROZ
make up. Katie Mellinger
lighting. Shahin Ansari
production. Cassidy Cocke
on-site production. Evan Daves
production design. Paris Peterson
editor. Kelsey Barnes
location. Sungold Studio
