Mandy Moore on Hilary Duff’s Musical Comeback and Playing an ‘Absolute Bitch’ in Dan Fogelman’s NFL Family Drama ‘The Land’: It’s ‘”Friday Night Lights” and “Succession” All Rolled Into One’

Mandy Moore has mastered the art of traveling with young children, and her secret weapon is a familiar sight to many parents: a tablet. However, the actress isn’t handing over the devices for unrestricted browsing. Instead, she relies on ABCmouse, an educational platform designed for early learners, which she credits with keeping her sons engaged while simultaneously building their literacy skills. The app goes beyond reading, offering interactive content in subjects like mathematics, social studies, art, and music, making it a versatile tool for curious minds.

Recalling a recent family trip, Moore described a scenario where typical travel rules were thrown out the window. “I was just on a trip with my kids where there are really no rules. It’s like you could eat everything you want on the plane and have as much screen time as you want. Let’s just get from point A to point B as easily as possible,” she shared in an interview. The strategy proved effective, as both boys, Gus (5) and Ozzie (3), along with their younger sister Lou (2), were absorbed in the app for the entire two-hour flight home. “I feel safe sitting next to them. Like I don’t have to hover. I know they’re not going to go down some rabbit hole,” Moore explained. She finds joy in watching their reactions, noting, “It’s fun to see them look up after each level and be like, ‘I love this. I feel smart. I can do this.’ It’s very sweet.” Moore, who shares her children with musician husband Taylor Goldsmith—a member of the folk-rock band Dawes—admits her own digital habits are less disciplined.

“I don’t have any self-control when it comes to like limiting my digital time on my phone, so I’m a big fan of the Brick,” she said, referencing the popular device that blocks distracting apps. While she appreciates the convenience of modern technology, Moore acknowledges its pitfalls. “It also is really easy to get sucked into just life solely existing there. I am happy to try to find that delicate dance and balance.” Her vulnerability to targeted ads is a source of amusement, as she confessed to forgetting online purchases until they arrive at her doorstep. “I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, I ordered those weird packing cubes that you can suck all the air out of,’” she said with a laugh. “I’m definitely one to fall victim to getting targeted on Instagram.”

Looking ahead, Moore is preparing for the premiere of “The Land,” a new Hulu series that reunites her with Dan Fogelman, the creative force behind the hit drama “This Is Us.” The show, which features a stellar cast including Christopher Meloni, William H. Macy, Chloe Bennet, and Chace Crawford, centers on a family’s ownership of an NFL franchise. Moore portrays the daughter of the team owner, played by Macy, a character driven by an unyielding ambition to secure the top position. Describing the series, Moore said, “If you love football, if you love family drama, it’s like ‘Friday Night Lights’ and ‘Succession’ all kind of rolled into one.” Though she wasn’t a football enthusiast prior to the role, she dove into preparation, consulting with women in leadership positions across NFL organizations. “I joked I felt like Taylor Swift, where I was like, ‘Oh, I got to learn all about this,’” she added. The production, shot in Los Angeles—a rarity in today’s industry—allowed Moore to explore a character vastly different from her real-life persona. “I get to play an absolute bitch … I get to play this badass, a woman in a man’s world who her entire life she’s been gunning for this one job and will do absolutely anything,” she said, clearly relishing the challenge.

Despite her acting success, Moore has no plans to replicate the pop career resurgence of her close friend Hilary Duff. “I am not the superstar that Hilary is,” she admitted candidly. “I am so proud to watch her absolutely crush it on stage and performing around the country. She is such a role model to so many, myself included.” Instead, Moore envisions a future where she and Goldsmith collaborate musically, perhaps touring together once their children are older. “I want to play theaters across the country and have him in my band and write records with him and friends of mine,” she said. For now, she’s content with her path, adding with a smile, “I’m not going to have like a confetti cannon. I can’t do that. I can’t pull that off.” Her focus remains on family, new creative ventures, and finding that elusive balance between the digital and real worlds.