Sydney Sweeney Says ‘I Wish You Were My Dad’ As Ethan Hawke Praises Her For Bold ‘Euphoria’ Role

Sydney Sweeney and Ethan Hawke’s first-ever meeting turned unexpectedly heartfelt during their sit-down for Variety and CNN’s Actors on Actors. The conversation brought together the 28-year-old Euphoria breakout star and the 55-year-old Hollywood veteran, a pairing that instantly revealed a warm, fatherly dynamic.

Hawke, a proud father of four, was quick to acknowledge Sweeney’s evolution as a performer. Sweeney, whose portrayal of Cassie Howard propelled her into global stardom, reflected on the role that reshaped her creative instincts.

“Euphoria was the beginning of everything for me,” she said, explaining how Cassie’s raw emotional depth pushed her into uncharted acting territory.

“Cassie is a very emotional and heart-driven character, so I

had to be very free with every choice that I made,” she shared. “I had to not question myself. I had to just dive in, make crazy decisions and not judge what I was doing.” Sweeney added that wrapping Season 3 left her even more grateful for the experience. According to her, creator Sam Levinson would often encourage her to lean into Cassie’s extremes: “All right, let’s just do a Cassie crazy take.”

Those unrestrained moments, she said, became some of her favourite creative breakthroughs.

Hawke, captivated by her commitment, praised her willingness to push boundaries. “It’s exciting to see somebody lay it all out there,” he told her. “The world loves it when you take a dare. And you took a dare. You’re throwing yourself at your work, and you’re doing a great job.”

A Sweet, Surprising Moment Between the Two Actors

Hawke’s admiration — delivered with genuine warmth — prompted Sweeney to respond with unexpected candor. Smiling shyly, she quipped, “Man, I wish you were my dad.” The remark immediately softened the exchange, drawing attention to Hawke’s reputation as a nurturing mentor on and off set. His eldest daughter, Stranger Things star Maya Hawke, is close in age to Sweeney, underscoring the touching, almost familial tone of their interaction.