- 2 days ago
"I am very fortunate to be nominated for two Emmys," the actress says. She is nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for 'The Handmaid's Tale and outstanding guest actress in a drama series for 'The Leftovers.'
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00:00Hi, this is Mariah Gullow from The Hollywood Reporter, and I'm here with Ann Dowd, and this is Meet You.
00:05Thank you very much.
00:07I say that in a plural, but it's Meet Your Emmy nominees.
00:11Because you're nominated for two Emmys.
00:14I am very-
00:15Very fortunately nominated for two, yes.
00:17Congratulations.
00:19Thank you so much.
00:20You're nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress and then Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
00:25Yeah.
00:25Yes.
00:26For The Leftovers and Handmaid's Tale.
00:27Handmaid's Tale.
00:28So tell me about-
00:30When you got nominated, I've heard from other interviews that you've done that you were-
00:35very nervously rearranging furniture around-
00:38Oh, it's so pathetic.
00:40I can't believe I've told anyone this.
00:41Here we go.
00:42You forget when you talk to lovely people, you think, I've just said things-
00:45that possibly I should have kept to myself.
00:47Well, the whole way up to-
00:50You do it.
00:51You know, you just say, come on now, let's keep a balance here.
00:53You're working and that's the most wonderful thing.
00:55Meanwhile, Heart Racing.
00:56Uh, and I- I'm shooting something in North Carolina so-
01:00I was there.
01:01Good behavior, which is wonderful.
01:02Do you know it?
01:03Michelle Dockery and-
01:04Yes.
01:05Wanda-
01:05Okay.
01:06Anyway, so here I have this lovely little place to stay and I had-
01:10several days in which I wasn't shooting.
01:12So time alone, good and also, mm-mm.
01:15Yeah.
01:16How many times can you get in the vehicle and go to TJ Maxx?
01:19Do you know what I-
01:20I'm saying?
01:21Yes.
01:22Hey girl, get a life.
01:23Okay.
01:24So, but what it also did is children-
01:25life can get very interesting and full.
01:28So time alone is a good thing.
01:30So-
01:30So, that morning woke up, huh, wonder what today is?
01:33Joke.
01:34Um, I knew exactly what the day was.
01:35And I suddenly thought, oh, I think I'm gonna-
01:38I think I'm gonna move the furniture because-
01:40That bed would be so much nicer over there.
01:42Don't you think?
01:43I'm alone talking out loud.
01:45Not my home.
01:46I'll just say that.
01:47Bed over there.
01:48And I thought, oh, the pictures.
01:49Let's see what the artwork.
01:50Mwah.
01:50Let's try that.
01:51Well.
01:52Honey, you're in trouble.
01:53You need a little assistance.
01:55You need to calm down.
01:57So, uh, after I'd done that two-
02:00Three rooms.
02:01May I just say three rooms?
02:02Three bedrooms.
02:03Oh, the twin bed?
02:04No.
02:05Who wants to-
02:05Put it side by-
02:06No, no, it's gonna go here.
02:07Anyway, then I finally said, you need to lie down and get a grip.
02:10Get a hold of yourself.
02:11So that worked for about 30 seconds.
02:13Then eventually 11.30 came.
02:15Which is when the announcements happened.
02:17And I thought, okay, good.
02:18Well, it's all happening.
02:19It's out of your hands.
02:20It has nothing to be done.
02:21And then at 11.40, I thought, I gotta call Adam.
02:24I just, or text him.
02:25So I said, has it happened?
02:27Is it over?
02:28Can we-
02:29And-
02:30He called and said, you got both.
02:33And I somehow got from the-
02:35The bed to my knees.
02:36Not sure how that happened.
02:37I kind of slid.
02:38Oh.
02:39That's the-
02:40That's where I was.
02:41Oh, that's wonderful.
02:42It's probably way too much information, but it was pretty-
02:45Darn thrilling.
02:46I would tell you.
02:47Yeah.
02:48And then I said, are you sure, Adam?
02:49Do you think you should-
02:50Check in again about that.
02:51I do.
02:52That's really sweet.
02:53Peace, love.
02:55Exactly.
02:56That's so wonderful.
02:57Yeah.
02:58Just-
02:59I mean-
03:00Really.
03:01I-
03:02I-
03:03It just stunned me and thrilled me and all at once.
03:05So-
03:06Mm-hmm.
03:07Yeah.
03:08Um, so who did you-
03:10What did you speak to first?
03:11Did you do any celebrations after you got both?
03:14Well, uh-
03:15I don't think I left the bed for the afternoon, but I did have conversations-
03:20you see.
03:21My husband- my daughter called and said, my friend just, I guess, faced-
03:25Facebook or something, something.
03:26Mm-hmm.
03:27And I said, yeah.
03:28And then I talked to my husband-
03:30and then I talked to my mother.
03:32It was-
03:33It was kind of-
03:34kind of great.
03:35Yeah.
03:36And Adam a couple of times.
03:37That was lovely.
03:38Mm-hmm.
03:39I keep looking over here, but I'm not talking to-
03:40you lovely people.
03:41You know, it's-
03:42You need to be led by the hand.
03:44We have some other-
03:45looking here.
03:46Yeah.
03:47Um, so, uh, what has been the-
03:50reaction of fans for both of the shows?
03:52Have you had any feedback from anyone?
03:54Oh-
03:55Oh, people have been lovely and generous.
03:57Mm-hmm.
03:58Um, you know-
03:59Nothing-
04:00Fans are-
04:00the greatest, really, aren't they?
04:01Mm-hmm.
04:02Uh, they're the reasons we have careers.
04:03I'll just say that straight out.
04:05But just their kindness.
04:06Mm-hmm.
04:07Um, and generosity.
04:08You know, I was very touched by-
04:10I didn't-
04:11a few times in New York, you know, you run into someone.
04:13Of course, it's always by foot in New York.
04:14Or not always by foot.
04:15But you're, you know-
04:16So there's been some of that.
04:18But people have just been very, very-
04:20generous and kind.
04:21It's lovely.
04:22Yeah.
04:23That's wonderful.
04:24Yeah.
04:25Um, and is there any-
04:25Anybody, uh, that you're rooting for at the Emmys?
04:28Any other nominees?
04:29Oh-
04:30So, you know-
04:31I still-
04:32You might have a few.
04:33I come from a large family, so I want all of them-
04:35Don't you win?
04:36Yeah.
04:37I see.
04:38Uh, it's just- but you know, um-
04:40It is true.
04:41Being nominated and being-
04:42Part of that.
04:45Conversation is pretty great.
04:46Mm-hmm.
04:47But I don't have anyone in particular.
04:49Mm-hmm.
04:50And you know-
04:51You think that so many are deserving, um-
04:53And you think that so many are deserving, um-
04:54Um-
04:56so many from the leftovers are deserving, you know.
04:58And handmaids, it's all love.
05:00Without each other, we don't have a show, so it's hard to pick.
05:05Who would you like to sit next to at the Emmys if you could?
05:10Well, aside from my husband, you mean.
05:15Yes.
05:16And my children and my mother and my siblings, you mean aside from them.
05:20Yes, aside from your plus ones.
05:21Well, for the leftovers, I would like to sit next to Justin.
05:25And Damon and Tom, you know.
05:30And handmaids, you know, just amongst my cast.
05:35That would be lovely.
05:36Yeah.
05:37They're family now, you know, when you've gone through a season.
05:40Or you spend time really in the trenches.
05:43By trenches, I mean the ladies.
05:45You're not late in tough hours.
05:46You just have a kind of closeness and respect.
05:50for your colleagues and the crew and all of that.
05:53So, any one of them.
05:55That would be lovely.
05:56Let's talk about the leftovers.
05:58So, the last season.
06:00What's this year?
06:01Yes.
06:02And you were nominated for Best Guest Actress.
06:04Um.
06:05And your episode is incredible.
06:08I mean the whole season.
06:10It's incredible.
06:11I mean, with a mind like Lindelof and Piranha and our writers.
06:15You know.
06:16Yes.
06:17Go ahead.
06:18Yeah.
06:19So, what was the timeline?
06:20And when you were working on both shows.
06:22Were you finishing up The Leftovers as you were starting Handmaid's Tale?
06:25Was there a lot of overlap?
06:26There was no overlap actually.
06:27Oh.
06:28Um.
06:29I took my daughter.
06:30I took my daughter to college.
06:31My husband and I.
06:32Uh-huh.
06:33And my youngest boy.
06:34Um.
06:35We.
06:35We wept.
06:36You know.
06:37We were crushed.
06:38Uh-huh.
06:39And you know.
06:40I mean we literally had to.
06:40Pull over twice.
06:41And see if.
06:42Whose idea was this?
06:43Why are we letting her go anywhere?
06:45What are we doing?
06:46I mentioned that because the next day I flew to Australia.
06:50This is August.
06:51Uh.
06:52And it worked out quite well.
06:54I was.
06:55I was there for maybe 10 days.
06:56Uh-huh.
06:57And then uh.
07:00Uh.
07:01Got home and had a little time there and then went to.
07:03To uh.
07:04Toronto.
07:05where we shoot.
07:06But there was no overlap.
07:07That was very.
07:08That was nice.
07:09That's nice.
07:10To have just a moment to breathe.
07:10Yeah.
07:11For sure.
07:12All three seasons have been so different.
07:14You know, you're a kid.
07:15You're this character, this very strong character in season one, and then you kind of...
07:20exist in another plane for the other two seasons.
07:23Yes.
07:24And then the third season is...
07:25It's just...
07:26Like you said, it's like you're 10 days, you're in, you're into that...
07:30That character again.
07:31Well, you know, each...
07:32Coming back for the second season...
07:35This season was a surprise for me.
07:37Yeah.
07:38I thought, well, that's...
07:39We've had, you know...
07:40She's gone, and that's that.
07:41I love, love that character.
07:43So I was thrilled to come back for the second season.
07:45And then I thought, that was it too.
07:47And then to come back for the third, you know, lovely surprise.
07:50But what's amazing in my mind, and of course the credit goes to the writers, is...
07:55That it's the same character in all three.
07:59She evolved surely.
08:00And what happens in the final episode is I think she's there...
08:05She's let go of the burdens of her life, which happened first in season.
08:10One, her physical life, and then in season two, the emotional burden that she carried.
08:14And then...
08:15And then in season three, she's just there to help her friend move on into his life.
08:20And return the favor.
08:22So no matter that all of the...
08:24How do you...
08:25Even...
08:26Secretary of Defense, and where are we?
08:27And we're going to...
08:28So genius, you know.
08:29Yeah.
08:30And...
08:31But it's the same person, which I love, which is again, credit to the writers.
08:35And I want...
08:35Watch the last episode and that episode, so seven and eight, with Justin.
08:40In New York, on the same night.
08:42And we looked at each other several times throughout and we...
08:45We just said, who comes up with this?
08:47Who writes this?
08:48And because of the depth of...
08:50The material and the extraordinary nature of it.
08:53Mm-hmm.
08:54Uh...
08:55The...
08:56The relationship that I have with Justin, who is my very, very, very...
09:00dear friend.
09:01Mm-hmm.
09:02And he will be always in my life.
09:03And I would trust him with my life.
09:05Because of the...
09:06Um...
09:07The experiences we had working together.
09:09I...
09:10I don't know if that happens a lot in your life, but it's rare, I find...
09:13Mm-hmm.
09:14To achieve...
09:15That level of intimacy, both in the relationship...
09:18Um...
09:19In the story.
09:20In the story itself.
09:21Mm-hmm.
09:22And in our own friendship.
09:23You know, it's a beautiful gift.
09:25Yeah.
09:26Um...
09:27Yeah.
09:28Yeah.
09:29Mm-hmm.
09:30Uh...
09:30Um...
09:31Did you have...
09:32Was it kind of a...
09:33Did you have...
09:34Was it kind of a...
09:35A lighter experience, uh...
09:37Working on that last episode?
09:39Because there is...
09:40Some humor to it.
09:41Yeah.
09:42Well, you know what?
09:43I would...
09:44That's an interesting question.
09:45Um...
09:45Um...
09:46The fact that it was around the world somewhere.
09:47Mm-hmm.
09:48Do you know what I'm saying?
09:49And I didn't even...
09:50I left on a...
09:50On a Sunday.
09:51And I got there on a Tuesday.
09:52You know what I mean?
09:53You spend a fair amount of time saying,
09:54Okay, but where's Monday?
09:55Yeah.
09:56You know, so you're...
09:57You're not...
09:58You know, it's surreal.
09:59Yeah.
10:00I think you need to be there a while to get your bearings.
10:02Right.
10:03We didn't have that opportunity.
10:04We didn't have that.
10:05So it's like hit the ground running.
10:05Uh...
10:06But what was lovely about it is that it was not about her.
10:09Mm-hmm.
10:10Uh...
10:11By lovely I mean in terms of the emotional burden.
10:14Mm-hmm.
10:15That had passed and the focus was very clearly on Kevin.
10:19Mm-hmm.
10:20Come on now.
10:20We're gonna get this done.
10:21So in that respect, it was easier to step into.
10:25Uh...
10:26Her experience.
10:27Mm-hmm.
10:28Other times, and again, this is the thing.
10:30What was interesting about this show?
10:32Because of the writing.
10:35And the non-linear sense of the story.
10:38Mm-hmm.
10:39Uh...
10:40It hits us on so...
10:40It hits us on so many levels that you can't even identify.
10:43Like if you and I were to talk about what actually does happen...
10:45in that last episode of the series.
10:48Mm-hmm.
10:49Mm-hmm.
10:50Did that really happen for Nora?
10:52I wanted to ask you that.
10:53I wanted to ask because I know that Damon has...
10:55said that he didn't...
10:57uh...
10:58he wanted to leave it open.
11:00He didn't want to give direction one way or the other.
11:02Yeah.
11:03So what do you think, personally?
11:04Well, what...
11:05that's what I love about him, by the way.
11:06He does not...
11:07Damon does not offer information.
11:10Mm-hmm.
11:11He leaves the...
11:12and he answers any question you have, he will answer to the fullest.
11:14But he does not fall...
11:15to volunteer the information.
11:16Interesting.
11:17It's genius.
11:18You know, for an example...
11:20I was trying to think...
11:21why is she...
11:22what does she want in season two?
11:24Mm-hmm.
11:25What am I doing?
11:26Am I trying to help him with his relationship with...
11:29uh...
11:30Maura?
11:31Mm-hmm.
11:32Because I say to him, you know, I told you, don't tell her.
11:33But you told her.
11:34Mm.
11:35And...
11:35and he...
11:36and he said, oh no, she doesn't believe in relationships.
11:37Mm-hmm.
11:38And I thought, of course she doesn't believe in relationships.
11:39And I thought, of course she doesn't believe in relationships.
11:40He just keeps bringing it back to who she is, who she is.
11:43And then people would say...
11:44but what is she in season two?
11:46Is she a ghost?
11:47And...
11:48once you...
11:49work with Damon and, of course, Tom...
11:51at...
11:52at all.
11:53I don't want to exclude anyone.
11:54there.
11:55Uh...
11:56you don't ask for...
11:57answers.
11:58I mean...
11:59excuse me.
12:00That answer I didn't need.
12:02Mm-hmm.
12:03I knew she was present for him.
12:04Mm-hmm.
12:05So whether I'm a ghost or I'm a figment of his or whatever I am, I am present.
12:09Right.
12:10She is present, Patty.
12:11Uh...
12:12so that was always a pleasure.
12:14So you asked me about the last episode.
12:16Yeah.
12:17Here's what I...
12:18it took me several days thinking about it.
12:19and it may change next year.
12:22But this is what I thought was so brilliant.
12:24about it.
12:25Whatever happened...
12:26Mm-hmm.
12:27with Nora.
12:28she came to a place where she was able to...
12:32to...
12:33let go and to feel that they were safe and that they could proceed.
12:38Without her and she without them, that her time with that part of her life.
12:43It had ended and it was time to let go and however that came to be.
12:48I don't know.
12:53But as in the example I just gave you, I was-
12:58I wasn't curious about the facts, if you will.
13:00Right.
13:01I was curious about the process.
13:03Yeah.
13:04And I thought that was so beautiful because depending on who you talk to and-
13:08depending on where that individual is with their own grief or-
13:13loss, the story has a different relevance.
13:17It impacts them.
13:18It impacts them differently.
13:19That's what I think is so extraordinary.
13:20And what I learned from that show-
13:23And again, to receive something personally in terms of a shift in the way you-
13:28see the world.
13:29That's a great gift.
13:30But the notion of sit with grief, sit with-
13:33the loss, sit with the discomfort, just sit with it.
13:38Don't run.
13:39Don't distract yourself.
13:41Don't attach to everything under the sun.
13:43Don't keep yourself from that experience.
13:45The pain will take over for a while.
13:48And then it will let go.
13:50Because that is the nature of grief and of loss.
13:53And that's what that show kept doing.
13:57So now if I were to talk-
13:58about her for any great period, I would sob because I still don't know where she went.
14:03and what happened.
14:04I know the-
14:05I get the general idea because, hello, I was-
14:08there.
14:09But the depth of the material, as in any great writing-
14:12will be experienced differently depending on one's place in their-
14:17life.
14:18How do you interpret it?
14:19So you like the mystery-
14:20just being open and-
14:21Yes.
14:22just being about-
14:22the process.
14:23Very comfortable with it.
14:24Yeah.
14:25And I can't say beforehand-
14:26that I would have been.
14:29Mm-hmm.
14:30Oh.
14:31See, no.
14:31At the beginning of the-
14:32At the beginning of the-
14:33Before I had my experience, I would have said, okay, come on now.
14:35Yeah.
14:36Because when I first-
14:37I heard that you read the script.
14:38Yes.
14:39When I first read it, I was like, hmm, departure?
14:41No.
14:42Yeah.
14:43Don't think so.
14:44Oh, here we go.
14:45Somebody's-
14:46How could that happen?
14:47Yeah.
14:48And it doesn't happen.
14:49It didn't-
14:50I was a two-year-old at the time, and now I've come through puberty.
14:52Yeah.
14:53Wow.
14:54Amazing.
14:55That's the thing.
14:56Amazing.
14:55That's what I want to say to Linda Lough and Tom Parada, you know, and my Justin, of
15:00course.
15:01They're all-
15:03Yeah.
15:04That's wonderful.
15:05Well, let's talk about Handmaid's Tale.
15:07Um, did you bring over- I mean, obviously, it sounds like there was a-
15:12a growth period for you during the filming of Leftovers and-
15:14Yes, but sure.
15:15All of your other career-
15:17before that.
15:18Um, what did- what did you bring into Aunt Lydia?
15:20Like, what- what did-
15:22what did you bring over from your other- your other acting?
15:25Well, the-
15:27the-
15:27The more work you do, and this is the great thing about aging, underrated.
15:32Those of you who are concerned, I think, underrated, oh, for sure, because...
15:37Do you think I should grab your hand one more time?
15:38What do you think?
15:38I like it.
15:41Perspective.
15:42And you know that even though I'm scared to death, because when you jump on...
15:47a new character, you know, you can think about it all you like and prepare, as one should.
15:52And does, and everything, and then you've got to put it on its feet.
15:55Yeah.
15:57And, but, but what, as I was starting to say, age...
16:02What it gives you is, you'll be able to do it.
16:04Yeah.
16:05Just sit with this uncomfortable, it's going to be...
16:07You're going to be nervous, you're going to feel strange, you're going to want to run.
16:10Day one of filming, I literally...
16:12go home and say, what was I thinking?
16:14Oh, yeah.
16:15And it takes over.
16:16That...
16:17feeling of, what was I thinking?
16:18I just want to go home.
16:19Yeah.
16:20I don't want to do it again.
16:21I wasn't...
16:22I don't know what...
16:22I don't know what happened there, but it wasn't what I was hoping for.
16:27And that's...
16:27that's the thing.
16:28And then you get up the next morning and it's another day.
16:30Mm-hmm.
16:31And another chance.
16:32So I would say that over the years of working, it's...
16:37just that awareness.
16:38Okay.
16:39This is scary.
16:40And yep.
16:41How are we going to do it?
16:42Well, we are...
16:42you're not going to do it.
16:43And you don't have to get it on the first take.
16:45And you're not going to know her fully in the first...
16:47episode.
16:48This is going to be a relationship that will grow over time.
16:51Take your hands off...
16:52take your hands off the controls.
16:53That's the big difference.
16:54Mm-hmm.
16:55Before I'd be like...
16:56.
16:57I have to decide before I even get there.
16:59That's my job.
17:00I've got to plan it all out.
17:01Right.
17:02It's got to be...
17:02Perfect.
17:03It's got to be right.
17:04I mean, make the decision now.
17:05Because in theater, of course, you have...
17:07not that many weeks.
17:08Like in Russia, you have three months to rehearse a play.
17:11Mm-hmm.
17:12.
17:12In America, we have three weeks.
17:13Do you know what I'm saying?
17:14Wow.
17:15I worked with a Russian director once, who directed the same...
17:17play in Russia and had spent three months rehearsing.
17:20Wow.
17:21And he came here...
17:22.
17:22to direct for the first time in America.
17:24Three weeks.
17:25So anyway, what's my...
17:27.
17:27.
17:28Oh.
17:29He couldn't believe it.
17:30He said it was, do you think you can do it?
17:31It's like, well, whether we think...
17:32.
17:32we can or not, we are doing it.
17:33We're doing it.
17:34We're going up.
17:35That's it.
17:36We're doing it as we go.
17:37Yeah.
17:38But it's...
17:37It's letting go of the control.
17:38It's letting go of needing it to be a certain way and knowing it will take its own shape.
17:42Right.
17:43When it's ready.
17:44Right.
17:45And you've put a lot of humanistic...
17:47touches into Aunt Lydia, she comes out through the season you see...
17:51.
17:52.
17:53.
17:54.
17:55.
17:56.
17:57.
17:58.
17:59.
18:00.
18:01.
18:02.
18:03.
18:04.
18:05.
18:06.
18:07.
18:08.
18:09.
18:10.
18:11.
18:12.
18:13.
18:14.
18:15.
18:16.
18:17.
18:18.
18:19.
18:21.
18:22.
18:21that she just said, how did I misread this room?
18:23So how could I not have seen this?
18:26I mean, there are a few loose cannons in there.
18:29Usually she can touch, she can pinpoint.
18:31Okay, that one needs to have a little damage done
18:33because she's not gonna get the drill.
18:35But the-
18:36The scary ones are Offred, of course Lizzie's character,
18:40and this is so wonderful.
18:41And Moira, I can't, she can't read those two.
18:46Something about them, they're gonna do what they're told.
18:48Of course, they try to escape and then they learn a little lesson.
18:51There, Lizzie does.
18:52But the point is, I think she has to assess, reassess.
18:55Yeah.
18:56Um, and whether she'll open up.
19:01And let go of some of the rigidity, I don't know, we'll see.
19:06Um, it's so lovely, they don't tell actors anything?
19:08No.
19:08It's kind of wise, I suspect, because-
19:10Yeah.
19:11You might just be tempted to tell.
19:12Right, yeah.
19:13It might come out right now.
19:14Especially if you look at someone lovely like you as very-
19:16warm, I say, oh let me tell you, you know what, they said don't, but it won't be so bad, right?
19:19Yeah, right.
19:21Exactly.
19:22Um, so, you know, this, this show-
19:26Handmaid's Tale, it kind of burst forth during the, uh, the changeover in the election, so-
19:31Oh, God.
19:32You, as a cat, all the cast and crew members had to answer a lot of-
19:36political questions.
19:37Mm.
19:38Um, you know, how does that sit with you?
19:40How does that sit with you?
19:41To have to, like, kind of dive into the politics of today when you're talking about your-
19:46your television show?
19:47Yeah, it's a very good question.
19:49Um, I have-
19:51I happened to not be shooting on the day he was elected.
19:53I was home in New York and I stayed in bed for the day.
19:56Because I couldn't, I-
19:57It was just sickening.
19:58Uh, and I remember texting Lizzy, and how are you-
20:01she didn't even manage him.
20:02Of course, she was shooting.
20:02Um, but you asked me a different question.
20:03So, I didn't even manage him.
20:04Of course, she was shooting.
20:05Um, but you asked me a different question.
20:06Yes, I think it's certainly a different thing.
20:09Actors, I don't think our skill set
20:11especially is in articulating our political beliefs
20:15and our personal beliefs.
20:16Some are quite able.
20:18I have opinions.
20:21Certainly, we all do.
20:24But have I done my homework?
20:26Meaning, am I really prepared to answer
20:28that question intelligently?
20:31But I think it's important to do so
20:33because Handmaid's offers us that opportunity.
20:36Yeah.
20:37It's a form of activism and it's very necessary.
20:40And the big message in here...
20:41Handmaid's or one of them is...
20:43Stay awake.
20:44Stay alert.
20:46Don't let the little steps go by.
20:48Well, that's not so bad.
20:49We'll worry about it later.
20:50Because when they looked up from...
20:51their phones.
20:52Whew.
20:53Like that scene, it gives me goosebumps.
20:55When she...
20:56She can't get money out of the ATM.
20:57Yeah.
20:58Yeah.
20:59What?
21:00It's a very real moment.
21:01It's where you're like...
21:02It's so frightening.
21:03And then the guy who's been put in the place...
21:05It's just...
21:06allowed to treat her like dirt.
21:08And suddenly the new order is in place.
21:11Mm-hmm.
21:12Yeah.
21:13We all agree.
21:14So yeah, I think it's important to...
21:16make you late.
21:17And if you want to.
21:18You know, we were all up there.
21:19I don't know.
21:20Tribeca, we...
21:21Were you there by any chance?
21:22I wasn't there.
21:23When there was a premiere and then there were questions for the audience.
21:26And everybody was slightly deer in the headlights.
21:31Not every...
21:31Yeah.
21:32But I looked...
21:33I'm the oldest in the cast.
21:34I really think.
21:35I'm pretty sure I am.
21:36And so you look at those sweet handmaids and they're all smart as whips.
21:40Mm-hmm.
21:41And Lizzie...
21:41Lizzie, of course, is used to articulating her opinions and so on and so forth.
21:45But you suddenly feel...
21:46I have a certain responsibility to say something.
21:48Mm-hmm.
21:49And I happen to be overtired.
21:51That day helpful.
21:52Because when you're so tired, you know how it is?
21:54The judgment factor sort of kind of slips away.
21:56For better or for worse.
21:57Yeah.
21:58And that's where I was.
21:59I thought, oh.
22:01Just let it rip, whatever it's going to be.
22:04Um...
22:05And it was...
22:06It was still so shocking that he is the president.
22:08You know, you can still go back to that original...
22:11What?
22:12What happened?
22:13What happened?
22:14What happened?
22:15So...
22:16Everything changed.
22:16Everything changed in an instant.
22:17Mm-hmm.
22:18In an instant.
22:19Yeah.
22:20Um...
22:21So...
22:22To wrap...
22:21To wrap it up, I have a couple of questions that we've been asking all the Emmy nominees.
22:25It's called...
22:26The First Best, Last Worst.
22:28Oh.
22:29Um...
22:30So what was the first acting...
22:31The second job that made you think, I've made it.
22:33Oh, I've made it.
22:34Let's see.
22:35Um...
22:36Well, when I got my first job in the theater, and I got my equity card, I...
22:41I was sure they were going to call and ask for it back.
22:43I just waited by the phone and said, well, you know what, honey, you did get this equity...
22:46So when I was actually sure that I was in the union, I just thought, you're kidding me.
22:51This is the best.
22:52Mm-hmm.
22:53So I thought, once I had landed there, I was...
22:56I was in.
22:57Mm-hmm.
22:58You know?
22:59Yeah.
23:00Um...
23:01And whatever made it...
23:01In those days, what making it means is a job.
23:03Yeah.
23:04That you're being paid to do.
23:05Yeah.
23:06Yeah.
23:06You know?
23:07And no one's saying, honey, why don't you just go on home now?
23:09You know what I'm saying?
23:10That's just a great...
23:11Greatest.
23:12Yeah.
23:13Okay.
23:14So that's the first.
23:15Best story you have from the...
23:16Well, you can choose Handmaid's Tale or Leftovers.
23:19Um, by best story...
23:21I'm trying to think.
23:22Well, you know what I...
23:23Okay.
23:24I'll tell you.
23:26I'll tell you a story.
23:27I think it's...
23:28I don't know how funny it is, but I always get this, like, kick out of it.
23:30Mm-hmm.
23:31Um...
23:31We have wonderful back...
23:33They call them background actors, but of course they're essential to our story.
23:36Mm-hmm.
23:37But these are young women who come in to play Handmaids, and they're astonishing.
23:41Because their hours are brutal, and they haven't had the opportunity...
23:46to read the script.
23:47I don't think it's provided to them, you see.
23:49Mm-hmm.
23:50They get the general story.
23:51Mm-hmm.
23:52But when we're in a classroom, say, and Lydia's gonna do some teaching or whatever...
23:56she's gonna do...
23:57Um...
23:58I wanted to make sure we were all on the same page.
24:01So, between takes, we would do some improv, just...
24:05where I would sort of...
24:06terrify them.
24:07Mm-hmm.
24:08Because I wanted them to be afraid of me, because they're all afraid of Lydia.
24:11Right.
24:12And so, if I would see someone with this loud...
24:13You!
24:14And I would march over...
24:16And the sweet girl, they'd be like...
24:18Who are you?
24:19You know, just to be able to...
24:21truly, in the moment, scare them.
24:23Yeah.
24:24I mean, of course, afterwards.
24:25Now, doll, you know I'm just...
24:26I'm just kidding, right?
24:27We're all good.
24:28But just to get...
24:29make sure they all understood.
24:30These are the stakes here.
24:31Mm-hmm.
24:32You can't look down.
24:33You can't be bored.
24:34If you're bored, you hide it with every bone...
24:36in your body.
24:37Mm-hmm.
24:38Because you will not survive.
24:39Yeah.
24:40If Lydia's talking to you, and you're going there...
24:41like this, it's over.
24:42Yeah.
24:43You're going to get slapped.
24:44It's going to happen.
24:45So it was trying to create that...
24:46atmosphere in which they would be terrified.
24:48You know, for at least a minute or two.
24:50So that I...
24:51I enjoyed in whatever circumstance would come up.
24:53Yeah.
24:54The last...
24:56time you were recognized in public.
25:01Well...
25:01I am at home.
25:02Leftovers.
25:03There are a few fans in the neighborhood.
25:05It's kind of lovely.
25:06Mm-hmm.
25:07And I don't wear makeup generally to my mother's chagrin.
25:10Honey...
25:11Couldn't you judge?
25:12I will, Mom.
25:13I promise.
25:14I will when I get to it.
25:16But...
25:16And so, of course, I don't wear makeup for Lydia.
25:18It's like a pretend makeup session.
25:19It's hysterical.
25:21It takes 30 seconds.
25:22Come on in, sit down.
25:23I think, yeah, we all know.
25:24Okay.
25:25Good.
25:26You're good.
25:26But...
25:27There's one story.
25:28It's not either Leftovers or...
25:30Or...
25:31Handmade.
25:32So, I don't know if it's relevant, but about recognition.
25:35Yeah.
25:36I was going to do something in Canada.
25:38And, of course, going through customs.
25:40And...
25:41Did you ever see True Detective by any chance the first season?
25:44Mm-hmm.
25:45Okay.
25:46So, this young...
25:46She said, oh, it's my first day.
25:47Behind the...
25:48She's working for customs.
25:49I thought, oh, God help us all.
25:51This day.
25:52Yeah.
25:53It's going to be a long afternoon.
25:55And so, she looked at my...
25:56Work paper.
25:57She said, oh, so you're an actress.
25:58Um...
25:59You know, it's going to be a long afternoon.
26:01And...
26:01And so, she looked at my...
26:02Work paper.
26:03She said, oh, so you're an actress.
26:04I said, yeah, I am.
26:05She said, well, what have you done?
26:06My favorite question, not.
26:07And so, I said, well, do you watch TV?
26:10I said...
26:11She said, yeah.
26:12Oh, yeah.
26:13I said, do you watch HBO or anything?
26:14She said, oh, yeah.
26:15I just...
26:16I just watched a series.
26:16It was so good.
26:17Called, uh, True Detective.
26:18Oh.
26:19It was amazing.
26:20I said, did you...
26:21You saw...
26:21You saw the whole thing, did you, Jen?
26:22She said, oh, yeah.
26:23Oh, I did.
26:24I said, the sister...
26:26Uh...
26:27Of the brother.
26:28And there...
26:29She went...
26:30Ah!
26:31And she...
26:31She put her head on.
26:32She, like, screamed.
26:33And she buried her face.
26:35And she turned...
26:36And she turned red.
26:37And I don't know when I've laughed that hard.
26:38It was the most delicious thing.
26:40Ah!
26:41And, you know, she could barely look at me after that.
26:44Here, here are your papers.
26:45Go over there.
26:46Go to Canada.
26:47Or, don't go to Canada.
26:48Ah!
26:49But, it was just the sweetest thing I ever...
26:50That's amazing.
26:51It was just the sweetest thing I ever...
26:51Oh, it was delicious.
26:52Because she kind of went...
26:53Yeah, I said...
26:54I thought...
26:55Ah!
26:56That was just very, very funny.
26:57Very sweet.
26:58Uh...
26:59Worst audition experience.
27:00Oh, thank you.
27:01Oh, God.
27:02Um...
27:03Okay, the worst.
27:04Uh...
27:05Yeah, I'll tell you the worst.
27:06Was meeting Jonathan Demme.
27:07Mm.
27:08To audition for Philadelphiacan for me.
27:10Mm.
27:11This was years ago.
27:12Like, seriously.
27:13My agent knocked herself out to get this audition.
27:16for me.
27:17Mm.
27:18This was years ago.
27:19Like, seriously.
27:2020...
27:2124...
27:21Four years ago.
27:22Mm-hmm.
27:23And, it was one of those days...
27:24You know when you can tell...
27:25Uh-oh.
27:27I can't really...
27:28I'm kind of...
27:29An introvert today.
27:30Not a good place for an after-
27:31Yeah.
27:31To be...
27:32Or, imagine it...
27:33When you're interviewing.
27:34You gotta be out there.
27:35Out of yourself.
27:36And, not in that cloud of...
27:36Oh, I'm gonna stay in bed.
27:37And, I couldn't shake it for the life of me.
27:39And, I'm heading to the audition.
27:41It was humid.
27:42In New York.
27:43I looked like a train wreck.
27:44Sweating and everything.
27:45And, I...
27:46I kept walking and talking to strangers.
27:47To see if I could get out of it.
27:48How are you?
27:49Hi.
27:50They'd be like...
27:51Ooh.
27:51Good.
27:52You know, New York was...
27:53Don't be...
27:54Don't do that.
27:55Because, I've got time in your heart.
27:56I can't talk now.
27:56So, I'm going to be walking ahead here.
27:58Yeah.
27:59So, finally, I got to the audition.
28:00I thought, okay...
28:01Well, I don't have it today.
28:03What can I tell you?
28:04Tried everything.
28:05Just then I...
28:06I said, well, there it is.
28:07So, I go in the room.
28:08There's Jonathan.
28:09Howard Fuhr is the casting director.
28:11Lovely.
28:11The old school.
28:12The producer.
28:14And, so, he said, hi.
28:16And, I said, hi.
28:18And, then that deadly silence.
28:21And, when you're in an audition, it's deadly.
28:24That thing where it just lands.
28:25You're like, don't tell me.
28:26I'm not saying anything.
28:27I'm not...
28:28Ann.
28:29Ann.
28:30So, then Howard...
28:31The viewer could see actor in trouble.
28:33Not going to provide conversation or anything that could be possible.
28:36possibly amusing or give them any sense of who she might be.
28:39None of it.
28:40So, Howard Fuhr...
28:41And, Howard Fuhr jumps in and he says, well, you know, Ann has a baby.
28:45Ann has a...
28:46A billion baby stories.
28:47I mean, there's zillions and they're cute and fun, right?
28:49Icebreaker.
28:50And, so, I said...
28:51Yes.
28:52I thought, no, Ann, you must provide an example.
28:56An example of something.
28:57So, I said...
28:58This is what I said.
28:59He stood up in the crib.
29:01Complete dead silence.
29:04Yeah.
29:05Yeah.
29:06And, I thought, no, no.
29:07It's a bit creepy.
29:08It's a bit creepy.
29:09And, I thought, that's all I said.
29:10He stood up in the...
29:11Of all the things you could say, he stood on his head.
29:13He, you know, he...
29:14Whatever you could say.
29:15I stood...
29:16He said...
29:17So, then there was a dead...
29:18Deadly silence.
29:19And, I could see how if you were going, I'm never gonna have her...
29:21In the room again.
29:22Never as long as he lives.
29:23So, he jumped.
29:24He said...
29:25Well, okay.
29:26Well, let's just do the scene.
29:26I thought, oh, God.
29:27Where's the noose?
29:28And, give it to me.
29:29Did the scene.
29:30Thank you, Mr. Downey.
29:31It's such a pleasure.
29:32And, so on.
29:33And, I went right to the pay phone.
29:34And, I called my manager.
29:35And, I said, Marcia.
29:36I am so sorry.
29:37I know you worked hard to get this audition.
29:40I blew it.
29:41And, I can just tell you I did the best I could.
29:43And, thank you.
29:44And, I'm sorry.
29:46I go home.
29:47Those were the days of phone machines.
29:49She's screaming, you guys!
29:51I got it!
29:52I think you got it!
29:53You have to go in tomorrow and meet Tom Hanks to see if you guys look like you're in
29:56the same family.
29:57Brother and sister.
29:58I said, no, no, no.
29:59What?
30:00What?
30:01What?
30:02Can you imagine?
30:01And, so then later, like a month later, I said, well, I still don't know.
30:05I loved doing it.
30:06It was such a .
30:06Well, you know.
30:07And, she said, the reason I got it, it's like .
30:11It's absolutely mortifying.
30:12It's because they couldn't imagine, by they I simply mean.
30:16And, the casting director, Jonathan Demme, that I could have been a lawyer.
30:21Or, a doctor.
30:22I was a stay-at-home mom who had the wits kind of knocked out her.
30:26What?
30:27She just had the baby.
30:29And, so she just.
30:30Wow.
30:31One of those.
30:32Which was, of course, the state I was in.
30:34You nailed it.
30:35And, I just.
30:36You know what?
30:37Here's a lesson.
30:38Never give up.
30:39I mean, you never darn know, do you?
30:40Yeah.
30:41Because, literally, I thought that's got to be one of the least effective auditions
30:45I've ever given.
30:46There you go.
30:47That's amazing.
30:48It was.
30:49Yeah.
30:50How wonderful.
30:51What a pleasure.
30:52You're such a doll.
30:54Thank you, everyone.
30:55Good luck.
30:56We'll see you on Emmy night.
30:56Oh, God.
30:57Are you going to be there?
30:58Uh, probably in spirit.
31:00Oh.
31:01Oh, I see.
31:02I was going to say, you have your dress.
31:03Might be.
31:04Might be.
31:05Yeah.
31:06Well, I hope if you enjoyed it.
31:06I hope you can come.
31:09Maybe some parties afterwards.
31:10Oh, there you go.
31:11Lovely.
31:12Thank you so much.
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