The Better Sister: Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks Talk Sisterhood and Mystery on Prime Video

Jessica Biel shared with Gold Derby her excitement upon learning who would play her sister in the new Prime Video limited series The Better Sister. Elizabeth Banks, who plays her estranged sister alongside Biel, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Me, too!” Both actresses not only star as Chloe (Biel) and Nicky (Banks), but also serve as executive producers under showrunner Regina Corrado. The murder-mystery series is based on Alafair Burke’s 2019 novel.

“These characters are challenging and complex,” Biel explains. “You need a partner you trust, someone who will bring their best every day.” Banks adds with a laugh, “I truly believed we were sisters. It felt so right, especially since I’m the older sister in real life. Being well-cast made the partnership fun and authentic.”

All eight episodes of The Better Sister premiered on May 29. When asked about their binge-watching habits, Biel admits, “I’m a binger, though sometimes I watch in chunks because of time constraints. If I had the chance, I’d binge all night until 5 or 6 a.m.” Banks shares a slightly different view: “I love weekly releases for the industry and culture, but if I miss episodes, I binge them later.”

They believe the surge in popularity of murder mysteries lies in the audience’s active engagement: “We’re all mysteries to ourselves, and viewers enjoy piecing together the story as it unfolds,” Banks explains.

Biel admits she was “shocked” by the identity of the killer, while Banks found it satisfying. “It could’ve been anyone, but the chosen person felt exactly right,” she says.

Working with Kim Dickens, who plays the detective, was “a dream,” Banks raves. “We’re in love—platonically, since we’re both married—but our real-life chemistry mirrored the show’s dynamic. Summer in New York felt like a fling, filled with carpools, dinners, and Broadway nights.” Biel jokingly responds, “I was a bit jealous—I want an invite to that fling!”

Corey Stoll, playing Adam (Chloe’s current husband and Nicky’s ex), contrasts his sophisticated, academic on-screen personality with a “fun dad” vibe off camera, as Biel recently experienced while their kids hung out together.

Biel’s iconic white dress soaked in blood was deliberately chosen for its dramatic contrast. “There’s something fascinating about being covered in blood, which happens a lot in my work,” she laughs.

In the exclusive interview, Biel and Banks also discuss portraying characters haunted by trauma, the physical fight scene in the courtroom hallway, and what recognition from Emmy voters would mean for The Better Sister. Biel is a former Emmy nominee for The Sinner (2018), while Banks received nominations for 30 Rock and Modern Family.