Lili Reinhart Embraces Discomfort in Indie Series 'Hal & Harper'

In November 2025, actress Lili Reinhart opened up about her experience developing a sibling dynamic with co-star Cooper Raiff and embracing the discomfort of playing a child version of her character in the indie series 'Hal & Harper'.

Reinhart, who had just wrapped up her seven-season run on the teen drama 'Riverdale', was searching for her next project when she received the script for 'Hal & Harper'. She was drawn to the "tone" of the series, which she describes as "exactly the type" she was hoping to pursue after 'Riverdale'. Reinhart was excited by the opportunity to play a "flawed woman" - a departure from the more one-dimensional roles she was often offered.

During the year-long preparation for the series, Reinhart worked closely with Raiff, who created, wrote and directed the eight-episode show. The two developed a strong "sibling energy" that Reinhart says she cherishes, even calling Raiff her "spiritual brother". This rapport helped Reinhart fully immerse herself in the complex relationship between the codependent siblings at the heart of the story.

One of the biggest challenges Reinhart faced was playing the younger version of her character, Harper, in flashback scenes set in elementary school. While initially uncomfortable with the idea of acting opposite a group of children, Reinhart embraced the discomfort, as it helped her capture the "emotionally stunted" nature of young Harper. The experience, she says, has stayed with her in her subsequent roles.

'Hal & Harper' premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and was later acquired by the streaming platform Mubi. Reinhart hopes the series will mark "the beginning of the next chapter" in her career, as she continues to seek out diverse and challenging roles that allow her to showcase her range as an actress.