Olivia Munn Diagnosed With Aggressive Breast Cancer Despite Testing Negative for 90 Cancer Genes

Actress Olivia Munn has channeled the emotional weight of her recent cancer battle into her performance in Apple TV+’s new series, “Your Friends & Neighbors,” premiering April 11, 2025. The 44-year-old star, who appears opposite Jon Hamm, recently opened up about how facing mortality informed her portrayal of Sam, a character at risk of losing everything she values.

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

In April 2023, Munn received life-altering news: she had Luminal B breast cancer in both breasts. This aggressive form of cancer was discovered through a proactive approach to her health. Despite negative results from a comprehensive genetic test that checked for 90 different cancer genes, her doctor calculated her lifetime breast cancer risk score, which led to an MRI, biopsies, and eventually the diagnosis.

“I’ve been in places where I feel like everything I love has been stripped away from me. And I feel like I’m about to lose everything that I’ve worked hard for,” Munn told People magazine at the show’s New York premiere on April 8.

Within a year, she underwent five major surgeries, including:

• A lymph node dissection
• A double mastectomy
• A hysterectomy (to reduce risks related to hormone suppression therapy)
• Oophorectomy
• Nipple delay procedure

“I feel like life is unfair and feel like the earth is falling out from beneath me and never being able to catch your breath and just hoping that by waking up and walking forward that something’s going to click or something’s going to figure itself out for you,” she explained.

Support Through the Storm

Throughout her treatment, Munn’s husband, comedian John Mulaney (42), provided constant support. The couple, who married in 2024, parent two children: Malcolm (3) and Mei (6 months).

Munn publicly thanked Mulaney on Instagram: “I’m so thankful to John for the nights he spent researching what every operation and medication meant and what side effects and recovery I could expect. For being there before I went into each surgery and being there when I woke up, always placing framed photos of our little boy Malcolm so it would be the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes.”

Bringing Authenticity to ‘Your Friends & Neighbors’

In the new Apple TV+ series, Munn plays Sam, a character from a blue-collar background who has married into affluence. Sam is a mother of two who values the safety and stability her current life represents. However, viewers meet her “right at the precipice of her losing everything.”

Sam is involved in a secret affair with Andrew “Coop” Cooper (Jon Hamm), a recently divorced former hedge fund manager who was “fired in disgrace.” The physical relationship between these characters forms a crucial element of the storyline.

“My character wants something more from Jon’s character, but the only thing she’s getting from him at this point is this sexual relationship…so it’s really important that we really feel how much she’s leaning on this and trying to really connect with him through these moments,” Munn shared.

While Munn wasn’t experiencing her lowest point during filming, she drew from past difficulties: “I have [had] many times in my life felt like I was at the bottom of the world.”

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Behind the Scenes: Creating Intimate Moments

The series features numerous intimate scenes between Munn and Hamm. Munn highlighted the extensive preparation involved, comparing the role of intimacy coordinators to stunt coordinators in ensuring realism and safety.

“There’s a lot of choreography,” she noted, emphasizing the detailed discussions required to make the scenes believable.

She recalled one particularly intense scene requiring her to bite Hamm. Despite initial nervousness, Munn shared that Hamm encouraged her, saying, “‘It’s okay. Bite really hard.’ And then I did.” She added, with a laugh, that Hamm is “a pretty tough guy.”

About ‘Your Friends & Neighbors’

Set to premiere globally on Apple TV+ on April 11, 2025, the drama follows Jon Hamm’s character, Coop, as he navigates life after losing his prestigious job. Living in Westmont Village, an affluent community, he begins stealing from neighbors’ homes, uncovering dangerous secrets and hidden tensions beneath the polished surface.

Created by Jonathan Tropper, the series features a strong ensemble cast alongside Munn and Hamm:

• Amanda Peet
• Hoon Lee
• Mark Tallman
• Lena Hall
• Aimee Carrero
• Eunice Bae
• Isabel Gravitt
• Donovan Colan

Apple TV+ has already renewed “Your Friends & Neighbors” for a second season before its debut, showing strong confidence in the series.

Health Advocacy Impact

Munn’s openness about her cancer journey has raised awareness about the importance of comprehensive risk assessment. Her experience highlights that standard genetic testing might not predict every risk, emphasizing the value of additional screening methods.

Her decision to undergo a hysterectomy based on potential future risks associated with treatment also sheds light on the complex, long-term decisions patients face after a cancer diagnosis.

Munn’s public disclosure has reportedly led to significant increases in visits to breast cancer risk assessment tools. According to health experts, early detection is crucial – the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer approaches 99% compared to much lower rates with late detection.

Looking Forward

As of now, the primary focus remains on the upcoming premiere of “Your Friends & Neighbors.” Olivia Munn continues to advocate for proactive health screening and shares updates on her recovery journey via social media.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and risk awareness in breast cancer prevention, while her ability to transform personal struggle into artistic expression demonstrates the healing power of creative work.