It happens constantly. You’re sitting on the couch, watching a trailer for the latest blockbuster, and you turn to whoever is next to you and say, "Wait, is that the girl from Westworld?"
Usually, the answer is no. It’s actually the woman who played Midge Maisel.
Rachel Brosnahan and Evan Rachel Wood have spent years being the "Wait, which one is that?" of Hollywood. They don’t just share a first name. They share a specific, porcelain-skinned, classic-Hollywood-but-modern-edge vibe that breaks people's brains. Honestly, in 2026, the confusion has only peaked because their career paths are currently heading in completely opposite directions.
The Superman Factor and the Rachel Brosnahan Takeover
If you haven’t seen the new DCU Superman yet, you've probably at least seen the posters. Rachel Brosnahan is officially our Lois Lane. It’s a massive pivot from the fast-talking, 1950s stand-up comedy of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
James Gunn’s Superman (released back in 2025) basically cemented her as the new A-list "It Girl." She isn't just playing a damsel; she’s playing a Pulitzer-winning journalist who, quite frankly, is often smarter than the guy in the cape. Critics have been obsessed with her chemistry with David Corenswet. People love that she brings a "hopeful but sharp" energy to the screen.
But here’s the kicker: half the internet initially thought it was Evan Rachel Wood in the trailer.
The facial structure is remarkably similar. Both have that ability to look incredibly "period-accurate" in vintage clothes. But while Brosnahan is busy building a franchise empire—with rumors of her own Lois Lane spin-off or a heavy role in the 2027 sequel Man of Tomorrow—Evan Rachel Wood is doing something else entirely.
Where is Evan Rachel Wood?
Evan Rachel Wood is a veteran. That’s the thing people forget. She was the "it" girl of the mid-2000s, turning in haunting performances in Thirteen and later becoming the face of HBO’s Westworld.
But lately? She’s been a bit quieter on the big-budget front, and not always by choice.
There was a whole situation recently with Practical Magic 2. Fans were convinced she’d return as Kylie Owens (the daughter she played in the 1998 original). She even went on Instagram to say she offered to come back. "I offered my services, even if it was one scene," she told her followers.
The studio decided to recast.
It was a weird move that bummed out a lot of fans. Instead of Wood, we’re getting younger stars like Joey King for the 2026 release. It feels like Wood is leaning more into indie projects and her activism these days. She’s also been focused on the Marilyn Manson: Unmasked documentary and her music. She’s choosing roles that feel "heavier."
A Tale of Two Rachels: The Career Breakdown
- Rachel Brosnahan: Currently the "Queen of Hope." She’s the face of the new DC Universe. Between The Amateur with Rami Malek and the Superman franchise, she’s basically booked through 2028.
- Evan Rachel Wood: The "Queen of Edge." She’s historically drawn to darker, more complex roles. Think Kajillionaire or the Madonna role in the Weird Al biopic. She’s less about the "superhero" life and more about the "art-house" grind.
Why we can't stop comparing them
Kinda weirdly, they actually addressed the look-alike thing years ago. They even did a photo together once just to prove they are, in fact, two different humans.
Brosnahan is 35 now. Wood is 38. They are nearly the same age, they have the same piercing eyes, and they both have that "theatre-trained" precision in their acting. If you watch Brosnahan in House of Cards—where she played Rachel Posner—you can see why people got confused. She had that same vulnerability and grit that Wood brought to Thirteen.
But if you look closely, the vibes are totally different.
Brosnahan has this sort of "bubbly steel." She feels like someone who would be your smartest friend. Wood feels more like a mystery you’re trying to solve. She’s got a bit more of a rock-and-roll, "don't mess with me" aura.
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What’s next for the "Rachel" Dynasty?
If you're trying to keep track of them for your 2026 watchlist, here's the deal.
Rachel Brosnahan is currently filming Lear Rex alongside Al Pacino. Yeah, she's doing Shakespeare with the GOAT. That’s a big "prestige" move that shows she isn't just a comic book actor. She's also making her directorial debut with a documentary about her late aunt, Kate Spade. It’s a huge year for her.
Evan Rachel Wood, meanwhile, is likely going to stay in the news for her advocacy work while we wait for her next big indie "swing." Even though she’s not in the Practical Magic sequel, her influence on Gen X and Millennial cinema is massive.
So, how do you tell them apart? Basically, if they're in a cape or a 1950s hat and they're talking at 100 miles per hour, it's Brosnahan. If they're a robot, a witch, or a gritty survivor of a cult/bad relationship, it's probably Wood.
Both are powerhouse talents. It's just that right now, Hollywood has a "Main Character" slot, and Rachel Brosnahan is the one occupying it.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Superman 2027 production updates. Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is expected to have an even bigger arc as the DCU expands into the "Man of Tomorrow" storyline. For Wood, watch out for her upcoming musical collaborations—she’s been hinting at more live performances that lean into her Across the Universe roots.