Lili Reinhart's New Series With Mark Ruffalo Is the Best TV Drama You're Not Watching—And Here's Why

Lili Reinhart's Bold Post-'Riverdale' Move

For six years, Lili Reinhart was Betty Cooper, the wholesome heart of The CW's juggernaut Riverdale. But since the final episode aired in 2023, the 28-year-old actress has been on a mission to prove her range—and her new limited series Hal & Harper does exactly that. Co-starring Mark Ruffalo and written-directed by Cooper Raiff, the show is quietly becoming the best drama of 2025.

In a recent conversation for Collider Ladies Night (documented in Screenshot (550).png), Reinhart opened up about her career strategy post-Riverdale, the challenges of the industry, and why she turned down nearly every offer in 2024 except for two projects. Hal & Harper is one of them—and it's a revelation.

The Art of Saying No

After wrapping 137 episodes of Riverdale, Reinhart had big plans: “I thought right when Riverdale ended all I would do was back-to-back movies.” But the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and lingering COVID effects threw a wrench in that schedule. She shot Hal & Harper in 2023, then did nothing else that year. In 2024, she said no to everything except American Sweatshop.

“I don't want to work just to work, ever,” she told Perri Nemiroff. “I'm not gonna film something just because I need a job. And I'm very fortunate to be in that position, and one day I could definitely not be in that position, but for right now… I only really want to do projects that make sense or speak to me in certain ways.”

That pickiness comes from privilege earned by Riverdale and earlier films like Hustlers, Look Both Ways, and Chemical Hearts. Reinhart acknowledges she has only 25% control over her career, and she's determined to milk that percentage. “I want to look back and be really proud of everything I've done.”

How 'Hal & Harper' Came to Be

The opportunity arrived during a vacation in Hawaii. Her manager wanted her to have a general meeting with Cooper Raiff, the writer and director of the 2022 indie darling Cha Cha Real Smooth. On the flight home, Reinhart watched that film and was immediately intrigued.

“We had a general meeting, and he told me broadly about this show… where I would be playing his sister,” she recalled. Raiff sent only the pilot at first. Reinhart devoured it. Then he sent the full 300-page script (originally 10 episodes, later condensed to eight). She read it on a flight from LA to Vancouver while still shooting Riverdale.

“I was so floored,” she said. “I was shocked because I don't get scripts like that.” The material was raw, grounded, and deeply human—a world away from the heightened reality of Riverdale. But Reinhart had doubts: “My body of work hadn't really pointed to, ‘Hey, she's the girl for this.’” Raiff reassured her: “No. You're my first choice.”

A Dream Role at the Perfect Time

The eight-episode limited series follows siblings Hal (Raiff) and Harper (Reinhart) as they navigate an impossibly close, codependent relationship. The show cuts between their adult lives and childhood, with Raiff and Reinhart playing the seven- and nine-year-old versions of themselves—a bold creative choice that pays off beautifully. Mark Ruffalo plays their father, and Betty Gilpin also stars.

Reinhart explains why the role was perfect for her post-Riverdale era: “I wanted to show people that I could do something else, and it was Hal & Harper.” The series premiered at Sundance 2025 and is now streaming on Mubi.

Lili Reinhart's 2025: A Two-for-Two Triumph

2025 has been a banner year for Reinhart. Alongside Hal & Harper, she starred in American Sweatshop, a chilling drama about a social media moderator. Both projects showcase her range—from dark psychological thriller to intimate family drama.

Looking ahead, 2026 brings Forbidden Fruits, where Reinhart plays Apple, the leader of a coven called The Fruits that operates out of a Free People-like mall store. The ensemble includes Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp, and Lola Tung. Early buzz suggests it could be a breakout hit.

Why You Should Stream 'Hal & Harper' Now

The series explores the push-pull of sibling love, the weight of past trauma, and the difficult choices that come with growing up. Reinhart's performance as Harper is a masterclass in nuance—she conveys conflicting desires: the comfort of her brother vs. the need for independence; the familiarity of a long-term relationship vs. the spark of a new one; the lingering pain of her relationship with her father (Ruffalo).

Critics are already praising her work. The series deserves to be in the awards conversation, and if you haven't watched it yet, you're missing one of the most soulful dramas of the year. All eight episodes are available on Mubi.

The Bigger Picture: Reinhart's Intentional Career

Reinhart's journey mirrors a larger trend in Hollywood: actors leaving long-running TV shows and carefully curating their next moves. For every Riverdale alum, the pressure is immense. But Reinhart's strategy—saying no, waiting for the right material, and trusting her instincts—is paying off.

“I think about my career as a whole and not as just these chapters,” she said. “I want to feel that I milked that percentage of what I could control, and that control comes from me being picky.” If Hal & Harper and American Sweatshop are any indication, she's on a winning streak.

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