Jessica Biel is heading to the Playboy Mansion! The actress landed a role in Searchlight Pictures’ upcoming film Playmates, and the news sent fans racing to find out exactly who she will be playing. The casting also drew a strong reaction from Hugh Hefner’s widow, Crystal Hefner, who publicly asked Jessica to reconsider the part.
Keep reading for everything we know about the movie, her character and the controversy.
Is Jessica Biel in ‘Playmates’?
“Yes,” Jessica officially joined the cast of Playmates, as Deadline first reported on October 6, 2026. She stars alongside Lily-Rose Depp and Bill Pullman, who takes on the role of the Playboy founder. Indiana Elle rounds out the main cast as the film’s young lead.
Who Does Jessica Biel Play in ‘Playmates’?
Jessica plays Hugh’s wife, but the role is not based on a real person. Her character is a fictional former Playmate who eventually marries the magazine mogul. She does not portray any of Hugh’s three real-life wives, Mildred Williams, Kimberley Conrad or Crystal. The part marks a bold new turn for Jessica, who has spent recent years leading dark dramas like The Sinner and Candy.
What Is ‘Playmates’ About?
Playmates is a coming-of-age comedy-drama from writer and director Lorraine Nicholson, the daughter of Jack Nicholson, and it marks her feature directorial debut. The story is loosely inspired by Lorraine’s own childhood visits to the Playboy Mansion. It follows Elle, a 13-year-old who considers the mansion her second home, as she befriends Anna, played by Lily-Rose, one of seven women competing to become Playmate of the Month. The two form an unlikely bond as they help each other chase what they want most. Searchlight has not announced a release date.
What Did Crystal Hefner Say About Jessica Biel?
Crystal, who was married to Hugh from 2012 until his death in 2017, took her concerns straight to Jessica in a message she shared on Instagram on October 8, 2026. She made her request clear, according to Variety.
“Please reconsider playing Hugh Hefner’s wife if this film intends to romanticize him or the Playboy world.”
Crystal also said she experienced sexual, emotional, financial and physical abuse during her marriage, and she pointed to allegations other women have made against Hugh. She has long been critical of the Playboy lifestyle and detailed her years at the mansion in her 2024 memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself. Jessica has not publicly responded to Crystal’s message.
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