Here’s how much Kate Winslet made for each episode of Mare of Easttown. Winslet played the title character in the HBO limited series, starring as a detective who tries to keep her life from falling apart while also investigating the murder of a local teenage girl. The murder mystery, from writer Brad Ingelsby and director Craig Zobel, gradually gained traction during its run before its finale earned the distinction of becoming HBO Max’s most-watched episode ever.

The show’s impact has continued beyond the finale as Mare of Easttown is nominated for 16 Emmys in total. That includes a nod for Winslet in the Lead Actress in a Limited Series category. Many viewers are also wondering what to expect if Mare of Easttown returns for season 2. Winslet has said she would love to return as Mare and, thanks to her committed performance as the character, talks have continued at HBO about the show coming back once a story is cracked for a potential follow-up.

Related: Mare of Easttown Ending & Real Killer Identity Explained

According to Variety, which revealed the salaries of some of TV’s biggest stars, Winslet earned $650,000 per episode for Mare of Easttown. That adds up to a total of more than $4.5 million for the seven-episode run of the series. These numbers place Winslet in league with Steve Martin and Martin Short, each of whom reportedly earns $600,000 per episode for Only Murders in the Building. It’s also in line with what Sarah Jessica Parker is getting for her return in the Sex and the City reboot, which is between the range of $650,000 to $750,000.

Mare Sheehan stepping outside a car looking worried in Mare of Easttown.

These big paydays serve as a clear indication of how television has moved, over the past decade or so, from being viewed as the lesser alternative to film to a competitive field in its own right that’s capable of luring the most recognizable actors with the promise of a big role. It also makes clear that, as with the majority of big movies, network executives and top-level producers will continue to court familiar faces to headline their projects. The trend is hardly limited to HBO, as Hulu, AppleTV+, and Netflix have all made recent efforts to fill their casts with popular performers. Even in the case of Disney+, which is already bolstered by Marvel and Star Wars, those franchises have recruited several award winners and well-known rising talent for their upcoming projects and spinoffs. Secret Invasion serves as a prime example, as it will feature both Emilia Clarke and Olivia Colman.

At least in Mare of Easttown’s case, the approach of filling the ensemble with familiar faces paid off. From a narrative perspective, it kept the viewers guessing as to who the real killer might be and added to the suspense. But from a different lens, it was the performances of Winslet and her co-star, Evan Peters, that kept fans invested. Even a known actor like Peters surprised critics and audiences with a performance that brimmed with vulnerability and authenticity. With the calls for Mare to return for a second season, it’s clear that HBO got the positive response they’d hoped for by bringing formidable talent onboard.

More: What Accent Is Kate Winslet Doing In Mare Of Easttown? Delco Accent Explained

Source: Variety