After several years away from the screen, model and author Emily Ratajkowski has returned to acting with a significant role in the upcoming Netflix series Too Much. The show, created by Lena Dunham, marks Ratajkowski’s first major on-screen appearance since she paused her acting career in 2017. In Too Much, she plays Wendy Jones, an influencer who unexpectedly becomes central to the main character’s emotional journey.
Ratajkowski revealed that she didn’t initially plan to return to acting. However, after reading Dunham’s script and learning more about the project, she felt drawn to it. She said that the role gave her a chance to help shape a character that started off as “a beautiful blank slate” and turn it into someone with depth and emotional layers.
Filming the show reminded Ratajkowski of her love for acting — but this time, she returned with more control over how her character was portrayed. One key moment in the series finale features a raw, emotionally intense café scene that some critics have already described as the most powerful performance of her career. According to Ratajkowski, it was an unexpected moment of vulnerability that stood out even to her.
How Parasocial Relationships Connect to Her Role and Real Life
In interviews, Ratajkowski has also opened up about the growing impact of parasocial relationships — the one-sided emotional attachments fans form with celebrities and influencers. These relationships, common in the age of social media, have made Ratajkowski reflect on her own public identity and the way people project emotions onto her or her image.
The role of Wendy Jones gave her a space to explore that concept from both a personal and creative perspective. As an influencer in the show, Wendy serves as a kind of mirror for the main character, showing how people often obsess over others they don’t truly know. It’s a theme that connects closely with Ratajkowski’s own experience in the public eye, where her appearance and persona have often sparked strong feelings from fans and critics alike — whether or not those feelings match who she is in real life.
Beyond acting, Ratajkowski has focused in recent years on developing her voice through writing and producing. Her 2021 book of essays, My Body, addressed similar issues around fame, objectification, and identity. She also took a step toward creative independence by firing her management team and making her own career decisions — a move that helped her take back control of her image and future projects.
Looking ahead, Ratajkowski says she’s open to more acting roles — but only if they give her space to bring something honest and thoughtful to the screen. With Too Much, she not only makes a return to acting but also proves that she’s more than just a face in front of the camera.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): variety
