Jessica Treska cements her name as one of Hollywood’s rising talents by starring in the series HYSTERIA!, alongside Julie Bowen (Modern Family) and Garret Dillahunt (High Potential, ABC). Now available on Peacock, the show, set in the 1980s, delves into the chaos of the “Satanic Panic” in a small American town. Jessica portrays Judith, a central character who embodies both intensity and vulnerability, showcasing her versatility as an actress in a career marked by standout roles in Sharp Objects (HBO), Good Girls (NBC), and Roswell, New Mexico (CW).
HYSTERIA! is already winning the audience with its mix of mystery, horror, and drama. What was it like for you to dive into the world of “Satanic Panic” from the 1980s and bring the complex character of Judith to life? Was there anything about the era or the theme of the series that surprised you as you prepared for the role?
It was incredibly exciting. The Satanic Panic of the 80s is already such a captivating setting for a project, let alone all of the dynamic characters it introduces. It was challenging to bring Judith to life, a character that perplexes the audience from beginning to end, but it was a very rewarding challenge. Even though the show tells of fictional characters, I was surprised by the accuracy of how the era is portrayed. Mass hysteria really occurred at the time, and it was fun diving into the history that inspired these fictional stories.
Judith seems to be a character full of layers, being both the love interest of the protagonist and a central figure in the plot. How do you see her evolution throughout the season and the impact of this journey on your perspective as an actress?
Judith is certainly a pivotal character and has a huge influence on our protagonist, Dylan. She evolves dramatically throughout the season, in ways that certainly challenged me as an actress. Even though many of her decisions become completely erratic and inexplicable, I needed to make sense of them, as the actress portraying her. This role strengthened my ability to analyze objectives, develop internal dialogues, and create motives. It was the perfect challenge, because if I can figure out Judith and make sense of her behavior, I can be more confident as an actress.

During the filming of HYSTERIA!, you went through a difficult time with your mother’s health. How did this experience shape your outlook on life and inspire your dedication to stroke awareness campaigns?
It completely changed my perspective on life for the better. Everything that mattered to me was reorganized with different priorities, and I cannot stress enough the importance of spending time with those you love. We are all so fragile. I could write an essay, but I’ve tried to encourage everyone in my life to not waste time, to not take anyone’s health for granted, and to recognize that there is always plenty to be grateful for. My mom is still here with us, and for that we are very lucky.
Your passion for supporting animal shelters is something that also resonates with many people. How did this connection to the cause come about? Do you have any memorable stories with adopted pets that you would like to share?
Like many people, I absolutely adore animals, especially dogs. Honestly, it came about because I had some free time on the weekends and wanted to help out. I started doing volunteer in my hometown. I will always feel connected to some of those dogs, especially the older ones that very few were interested in. All pets deserve wonderful homes, of course.

With so many notable roles on your resume, how do you choose projects that reflect your passions or present new challenges? Is there a specific moment in your career that you consider a turning point?
I’ll always choose roles that challenge me. Specifically through characters that are dimensional, and projects that are artfully made to elicit emotion. I think the turning point was becoming an adult and shifting from younger roles to adult roles. I started exploring more mature and established characters, as opposed to a more one-dimensional “mean girl” trope, for example. That shift has been incredibly rewarding as an actress.
Maintaining a balance between personal and professional life is a challenge for many, especially in Hollywood. How important are moments like your Pilates sessions or time spent with friends to recharge your creative energy?
Personal life and friends is paramount. I do Pilates once a week with my high school friends, and I always make an effort to catch up with the people I care about. It’s very easy to lose yourself in Hollywood, and I want to always stay very grounded.
By playing such different characters, like in Sharp Objects, Good Girls, and now HYSTERIA!, what lessons do you take into your personal life? Is there any role that has left a special mark on you as a person?
Something I think an actor can understand better than most, is that everyone has a reason for making the decisions they make. Understanding this helps me maintain relationships in my personal life. There are always external stressors and situations we can never understand, so we have to empathize and offer grace to the people in our lives. It’s not always personal, and it’s not always about us. Especially since portraying Judith, I’ve become really good at asking “why are they doing this?” And “what is this really about?”. Asking these questions in our personal lives can really help regulate the relationships we care about.
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