Mattea Conforti on Learning the Power of Silence in The Testaments

Mattea Conforti’s performance in The Testaments is defined not by what Becka says, but by what she chooses not to say.

In her recent conversation with Once and Always a Fanboy, Mattea reflected on the challenge of stepping into the world of Gilead after growing up in theater and Broadway, where emotion is often externalized and projected outward. That contrast became especially visible after a behind-the-scenes clip of Mattea and co-star Chase Infiniti singing “What Is This Feeling?” from Wicked circulated online, reminding fans of her musical theater roots.

“My background is all from theater and Broadway, and I love theater so much,” Mattea shared. “Chase and I would sing that song every minute of every day. It got to a point where the crew was like, ‘Okay guys, we need a little bit of quiet on set today.’”

But inside Gilead, performance operates differently.

“In theater, everything needs to be enhanced,” she explained. “Everybody needs to feel the emotions and reactions you're having at the same level. But especially in Gilead, you can't be that explicit or verbal about your internal monologue.”

Instead, Mattea found herself learning how stillness and silence could carry emotional meaning on their own.

“It was really interesting to navigate that,” she said, “and how my elongated stare at Chase could mean so many different things at once.”

That restraint became one of the defining elements of Mattea’s performance throughout the season. Even in scenes where Becka is surrounded by people, she often appears emotionally isolated. Ironically, that loneliness was built within one of the warmest environments Mattea says she has ever worked in.

“We instantly bonded and clicked as a sisterhood,” she said about the cast. “So playing a character that's so confused about herself and her friendships was hard because we were all so close off set.”

That emotional contrast unexpectedly helped her performance.

“Trying to distance myself was upsetting a little bit,” Mattea admitted. “And I think that helped my performance a little bit.”

As The Testaments progressed, Mattea became increasingly interested in the quieter acting choices hidden beneath Becka’s dialogue, especially in scenes where silence says more than words ever could.

“I think the silence is what really contributes the most to the performance,” she said.

For a performer who grew up on Broadway stages built around projection and expression, The Testaments became an exploration of something far more restrained: the emotional weight of what remains unspoken.

Watch the full Mattea Conforti interview.

Photo courtesy of Disney+ Philippines.