The cast of Twilight: Robert Pattinson (Edward), Elizabeth Reaser (Esme), Kellan Lutz (Emmett), Peter Facinelli (Dr. Cullen), Nikki Reed (Rosalie), Kristen Stewart (Bella), Ashley Greene (Alice), Jackson Rathbone (Jasper), Cam Gigandet (James), Edi Gathegi (Laurent), Taylor Lautner (Jacob), Rachelle Lefevre (Victoria). Photograph by Peggy Sirota.
Elizabeth Reaser, 33, plays Esme Cullen, the wife of Dr. Carlisle Cullen and the adoptive mother to Edward and his vampire siblings. Carlisle turned her into a vampire when she tried to kill herself after losing her son. Reaser's breakout performance was as Jane Doe, the mystery patient in Grey's Anatomy, and she starred in the now defunct The Ex-List.
VF Daily: Had you read the "Twilight" books before getting the script?
Elizabeth Reaser: I had never heard of the books before the audition. In fact, Catherine Hardwicke [the director] told me in the audition that it was a book because I was like, "What the hell is going on here?"
What do you make of the books?
I think the books are insanely popular because Stephenie is a great storyteller. And it's romantic wish fulfillment.
Did you become friendly with your fellow castmates while filming?
I loved the vampires. They were fun. Also all the gals. Great gals.Hometown?
Milford, Michigan.
Current residence?
A hotel in La Jolla.
Favorite book?
A tie between In the Skin of a Lion, The End of the Affair, and A Million Little Pieces.
Do you have any actors or directors you would love to work with?
Mike Leigh, Lars von Trier, Woody Allen, Pedro Almodóvar.
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I love to lay in bed.
Celebrity crush?
No Hollywood crush.
More Twilight, only on VF.com:
Interviews: "Twilight Mania," featuring interviews with 12 cast members.
Article: "The Twilight Zone," by James Wolcott.
Article: "A Spotlight on Twilight at the Apple Store," by Andi Teran, featuring a video interview with Robert Pattinson and director Catherine Hardwicke.
Video: "Twilight Idols," behind the scenes at the Vanity Fair photo shoot.
