Olivia Munn acting comeback: She’s officially back on screen and more empowered than ever.
After a three-year break from acting due to breast cancer treatment and the birth of her second child, Munn returns in Apple TV+’s new drama “Your Friends and Neighbors” (premiering April 11). In the Jon Hamm-led series, Munn plays Samantha Levitt, a woman navigating a messy divorce while secretly involved with her friend’s ex-husband.
A Brave Return to Intimacy on Screen
Munn shared that her return came with challenges — especially shooting a topless scene after undergoing a double mastectomy. Surprisingly, she revealed that she was more insecure about her body before surgery than she is now.
“I have a deeper appreciation for my body, because my body is the thing that got me through this,” Munn told NBC News. “I fought through this with everything that I have, so I was a lot less insecure.”
She was initially nervous that her surgical scars might distract from her character’s story, but the experience became one of acceptance and strength.
Balancing Career and Health Post-Recovery
Munn also opened up about how motherhood, mental well-being, and hormone-sensitive cancer have reshaped her approach to work.
“I often ask myself if this job or dynamic causes me stress… and if cancer came back, would it have been worth it? The answer is always no.”
With her diagnosis of luminal B breast cancer, she now chooses roles that align with her values and don’t compromise her physical or emotional health.
Exploring a Character in Chaos
Munn was drawn to Samantha’s story because it tackles ambition, betrayal, and the fragile facade of privilege. The series, set in wealthy Westmont Village, examines the darker side of power and desire.
“Greed doesn’t even describe it… there should be a new word for what this creates inside someone,” Munn said.
After initially signing on for one season, she chose to return for a second due to the positive experience working with Jon Hamm and Amanda Peet, and how well it fit her family life.
Source: NBC News