Netflix
Keri Russell’s Hollywood career began at age 15 when she attended a movie casting call in Colorado on a whim. The all-new Mickey Mouse Club. After standing in the audition line for hours, Russell read the script and performed the dance. There her executives asked her to sing, but Russell disapproved of her.
“He said, ‘Miss, can you see the line of kids waiting outside? Do you want to sing?’ And I said, ‘I won’t sing.
Nevertheless, I got a call back from Russell. She spent the next three years of her life after proving that she could actually perform her songs. All-New Mickey Mouse Club — She likens the experience to a small high school.
“I was one of 19 children. I didn’t see any adults,” Russell said. “It was a sweet, innocent version of acting.”
That was the beginning.She went on to play the title role in the drama FelicityIt aired from 1998 to 2002. Most recently, Russell starred as a Soviet spy infiltrating the United States in the acclaimed series. American.
In Netflix’s new political drama, the diplomat Russell plays Kate Wyler, a career diplomat who specializes in behind-the-scenes crisis management, but is thrown out of her comfort zone when she becomes the US ambassador to London.
“That’s what this show is about, to pull her out of the background as something of a number two and bring her to the forefront in a highly visible post,” says Russell.
Russell is able to empathize with his character’s discomfort. She was originally a nervous person, but her fame made it all the worse. “People will always recognize you and you’ll always feel more noticed that way,” she says. But Russell accepted it. “I think, ‘Oh, that’s part of me. You know, I get nervous, but I’m okay.'”
interview highlights
When I made the decision to stop acting Felicity Completed in 2002
We worked really long hours. In network shows, there are about two months a year when you don’t appear on the show. I’m doing about 20 to 24 episodes. And, for example, there are days when there are 16 hours a day, and sometimes 17, 18 hours. And I felt like I missed a little part of my childhood.
So I used the money I was saving to rent an apartment in New York to be closer to my girlfriend. I didn’t want to act. …when the show was being filmed, she would work until 10:30 at night, then wake up at 5 and go on set the next day. So I missed out on silly things like throwing a birthday party, going out dancing, getting drunk, and walking home drunk in the snow.
And I had to do all that during my years in New York. …wander around listening to her overly emotional teenage music or read a book all day. And taking that step back is the only way I can stay in this industry.
Going to awards ceremonies – not as fun as it looks
It’s so much fun to think about dressing up. It is very fun. everything is very clean. Oh my God And then imagine changing your color, doing your hair and makeup, and looking so much better than you actually are when school is over.
But the reality is that even with my hair and makeup done, I still look a little weird. As soon as I put the dress on, I start sweating and I think, ‘Oh, this is not what I expected. Hundreds of photographers stand in front of you while they take pictures of you and say, ‘Oh my God, I’m making the wrong face. I’m not standing right. Will they be able to do it?’ Can you see through this dress? Can you see my nipples?”
About the Marriage of Fictional Soviet Spies Philip and Elizabeth Jennings American
For me, it was just an impossible, painful marriage, a do-or-die struggle. And that’s all marriages and long term relationships. It’s very difficult.That is, there may be several people [find] Easy and great, but hard. And I think that’s what’s really great about this show. … literally for work, [Philip] I had to sleep with another person, or multiple people. you know what i mean? So the real fears and feelings in a long-term relationship have to be played out that way. And it was a very clever idea to explore and unravel the relationship.
On playing opposite real-life romantic partner Matthew Rhys American
We fell in love with this show, doing some ridiculous espionage. It was sexy and fun. But yes, it can also be a problem. I remember Matthew also directed some episodes. In one episode, I was really pregnant and he was trying to get me to do something. I didn’t even know what it was, but there was a huge monologue. …and he came over to give me something, a note, and I just said, “Please stop. I was.
About the charm of reading the script for the first time diplomat
It combines … political fun intrigue with almost … war journalism. … [showrunner] deborah [Cahn], she writes about the minutiae of life, so someone’s going to see the president, and then I find yogurt in my pants and I’m like, ‘How do I get rid of this? . Just great articles. And I couldn’t say no.
about her personality diplomat feel more comfortable working behind the scenes
She is a very good organizer and is very good at getting all the facts right and getting people where they need to be behind the scenes. And if you ask her to wear her dress in something other than the smart, tough black suit she really wears…she hates being seen. I think. she.
Heidi Saman and Thea Chaloner produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Bridget Benz, Susan Nyakundi and Beth Norvey adapted it for the web.