“Everybody Has an Opinion!”: Parker Posey, Kathy Bates, Niecy Nash-Betts Get Real on THR’s Drama Actress Roundtable

Niecy Nash-Betts was primarily known for her jokes until she called a meeting at her agency, which she describes as a “reintroduction,” to change the direction of her career. The Grotesquerie actress claims, “Comedy was all I ever did.”. Here is how I see myself, I told them. And we are not on the same page if you don’t see me the way I do. “.”.

Every woman who joined Nash-Betts for THR’s Drama Actress Roundtable could relate to her experience of repeatedly playing the same role, whether it was for high-profile roles like Helen Mirren from MobLand and 1923 (she has portrayed three queens and an empress) or more modest ones like Cristin Milioti, who steals scenes in The Penguin (“Sorority girls or a dead body in a trunk”). As Kathy Bates explains, “Our entire business is about imagination, and yet there’s such a lack of it in terms of how they see us.” Prior to her Matlock reboot, Bates was about to retire. “What is it?”.

During a boisterous hour-long conversation, six actresses at the top of their game, including Parker Posey (The White Lotus) and Keri Russell (The Diplomat), attempted to diagnose the problem. The topics ranged from their most memorable audition experiences to the comedy and embarrassment of filming a sex scene only to have it end up on the cutting room floor.

Do you know what a casting breakdown would look like if you saw “a Niecy Nash-Betts type,” “a Keri Russell type,” or any of your names listed?

KERI RUSSELL: There was a time when I was just a pleasant pregnant woman. Keri Russell was the type in question.

PARKER POSEY What was the number of times you were pregnant?

A lot of times, Russell. A great deal.

HELEN MIRREN I ruled as queen for a long time. To get out, you have to wriggle.

NIECY NASH-BETTS You slide all the way over and that pendulum hits Jeffrey Dahmer after you’ve performed a song as loud as Reno 911! I’ve lived a lot of lives as an actor. What it would say [today] depends on the version of me they’re searching for, so I’m not sure.

Which version of you do they currently seek?

KATHY BATES sexy.

NASH-BETTS (laughing) You could tell I was heading there. I’m not sure, but I enjoy making people laugh and cry. I take it very seriously.

POSEY In fact, I saw a movie that explained what a Parker Posey type is. I didn’t get [the part].

In your memoir, Parker, you state that actors in Hollywood are referred to as “talented” when they want to use the word “crazy.”.

POSEY Well, that’s a wise statement.

Is there anyone else who has experienced a backhanded compliment or euphemism during an audition or performance?

NASH-BETTS: I’m not familiar with backhanded. It was directly in front of my face. When I went to an audition early in my career, the two producers said, “She has a cute face,” after exchanging glances. I said, “Guys, she can hear you,” in response to your question about whether she could lose weight. Here she is. She can’t, of course. Will you all now offer me the position?

Did they, MIRREN?

NASH-BETTS Definitely, yes. (Smiling. They must have been extremely embarrassed, but I’m not even sure if I was the best.

MIRREN Did you lose the weight?

NASH-BETTS No, I had a cookie when I got home.

CRISTIN MILIOTI Men who truly go for it are particularly celebrated in the culture. Everyone will think, “Wow, he must take this so seriously,” after they do something crazy. I have mainly only heard about it, but I have seen some of that, and I have always believed that it would not go well if I ever did it. Additionally, that still occurs. That’s more than a backhanded compliment.

RUSSELL The truth.

POSEY Misogyny, indeed. I felt a little deflated when you asked that question because I believe misogyny is pervasive. It’s kind of ridiculous right now to be a dynamic character, a dynamic woman, or even a dynamic individual. Something strongly provincial has occurred. I feel compelled to be incredibly amusing and humorous.

I went up for BATES years ago; I believe it was Paradise Alley. A comprehensive list of every character was available. I promise you that it was “beautiful” before all of them. “”.

MIRREN “She isn’t aware that she is beautiful.”. “.”.

MILIOTI That couldn’t be worse!

BATES When I asked the casting guy, “Why must everyone be beautiful?” he responded, “If you want to go and create your own female version of Marty, come on over. So I went. I had a sincere question. It still enrages me.

During the first Matlock promotions, Kathy, you mentioned retirement and referred to this show as your “last dance.”. Since then, you’ve changed completely. What was altered?

BATES I can firmly believe in this stuff. That has some significance. For me, things had been winding down until that point. I was landing parts in movies no one would ever see that truly spoke to me. The way things were edited left one feeling disappointed. It became unbearably painful. I simply had the idea that perhaps I should consider selling my house and relocating to France or something similar. All I wanted was genuine stimulation.

You make reference to the edit. You recently received some attention for complaining about something that Misery omitted. Does anyone else have a scene cut from a project that they wish they had kept?

BATES I recently completed this task for TCM with Rob Reiner. I was referring to what I found to be a humorous scene. She uses the lawnmower to run over the sheriff. I was joking about it, but then I saw in the news that “she wants more violence!” So let me tell you that.

The ingénue was never me, NASH-BETTS. It was like, “And now we want you to be naked,” when I turned forty-five. (laughing. You waited till now? I was okay playing the role, but it’s stressful on the days you have to film private scenes. And because they are put at night, I believe that men complete these call sheets. They find it attractive. No.

RUSSELL Finish it!

NASH-BETTS When this guy has just gotten out of the tub and isn’t smelling like a field mouse, let’s do it first thing in the morning. You experience every single one of the closed set heart palpitations. “I put myself out there to be that vulnerable, literally exposed, and you don’t use it? Now I got an attitude.” “Was my side meat a little too jiggly? Are my kibbles and bits covered?”. Somewhere, stuff it back there!

I can be a bit narrow-minded about it, Milioti. “Why did they cut that thing that she says that explains this, this, and this?” I ask myself when I become defensive of the character, failing to zoom out and consider the story as a whole. At the time, I understand why something was cut, but much later…

Regarding your career, Keri, your partner Matthew Rhys has stated: “She rarely shows enthusiasm for acting.”. It’s more of a discomfort than a dislike. Is that correct? If yes, what motivates you to set?

RUSSELL That is accurate. I didn’t have a strong desire to become an actress as a child. I have yet to decide if I want to be. However, at the moment, I truly enjoy my job. There are a lot of things that are still embarrassing to me. I’m not comfortable performing. For example, when I ask Matthew, “What are you doing this week?” he responds, “Oh, I’m just going to do this play reading.”. I just want to give it a try since I haven’t done a German or Russian accent in a long time. My worst nightmare is that I would fucking die. There is a strong pull for me to avoid doing that in front of strangers. Although I still have to get over my nervousness, I find that this particular type of TV works for me.

Additionally, you have never truly embraced the role of celebrity that comes with it. You moved out of L. a. when Felicity wrapped and never returned, for New York. How has that benefited or harmed your career, in your opinion?

RUSSELL: I enjoy my normal life. The sight of any large, well-known movie star is always hilarious. We have all collaborated with those individuals. I consider the fact that they are unable to go outside at all. What it’s like to be a real person is unknown to them. They are not provided with coffee. They don’t wash their own clothes. I don’t want to go into too much detail about acting, but how do they portray a real person? What I am in it for is the adventure, and I am totally married to it. I enjoy [shooting] in odd cities, like Paris or a small Southern town, to get to know the locals, make new friends, and discover my niche.

Although it may come as a bit of a surprise, Helen, you have mentioned Kurt Cobain and how you regret that he passed away before GPS in numerous interviews over the years.

MIRREN Certainly. I am.

What’s causing the obsession?

It’s not Kurt Cobain, MIRREN. It is dying young. I’m quite old. I didn’t die young, and Keri echoed her when she stated that she wanted to live as long as she could and work as long as she could. It’s all part of the adventure. I’m just using GPS and Cobain as a metaphor. Additionally, GPS is incredibly awesome in my opinion. (Giggles. ().

Like, directions, MILIOTI?

MIRREN The tiny blue speck, yes. The unknown and the future are what make life and work exciting.

BATES and staying put until you arrive.

Niecy, you were advised not to wed Jessica Betts, your current spouse, a few years ago. Your career prospects would be derailed, according to those around you. Although the opposite has occurred, how did you get something similar at the time?

NASH-BETTS Everyone has an opinion! Some people said, “You should stay put because your fan base knows you to be that way.”. Otherwise, you won’t return to this town for lunch. They think that way because some of that comes from family members and older generations. However, my personality has always been one of doing what I want to do. And I will see it through to the end. I don’t think much, if at all, about what other people may think. My life without Jessica is unthinkable. My life’s greatest love is this one. Without that kind of support, I wouldn’t even be able to enjoy my work to the same extent. As a result, I followed my desires. I don’t regret it. I would repeat it. In actuality, we will soon commemorate five years.

Congratulations to all!

NASH-BETTS. Many thanks. I want to say “in your face” to whoever told me not to get married, so we’re planning a large celebration and another vow renewal.

Who else among you has received unhelpful or problematic career guidance?

BATES My agent advised me to keep my ovarian cancer a secret in 2003. You don’t want to represent ovarian cancer as the poster child. I believe that some individuals might have benefited if I had come out at that time. Because speaking up helped people when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. It’s something I regret not doing [the first time]. because I went underground. “I am unable to attend any of the meetings,” I called the Academy’s board of directors. I simply hid for a full year. It was therefore poor career and personal advice. Oh, I just brought everyone down. Say something else! (To Nash) Laugh. ).

MIRREN I was advised to get a nose job when I was twenty.

RUSSELL You’re not serious.

MIRREN “If you don’t have a nose job, you’ll never get work,” someone once said. “No,” I said. In any case, I had no desire to become an attractive actress. I decided to be unattractive.

NASH-BETTS First, it’s too late. Because you are. However, I can theoretically understand what you mean. Being shiny in real life is something I adore. Never mind on camera. I wish to resemble a dog. Being invisible in some of those roles doesn’t bother me. I feel sorry for those who have always been beautiful. I’m not sure what I would do if you had to live your entire life doing what you’re known for.

BATES I’m not sure if you all have the same experience, but when you see a great performance, their appearance doesn’t matter—they’re gorgeous.

MILIOTI They’re lovely!

MIRREN None of us look pretty when we look at our faces around this table.

BATES I feel more beautiful than I have ever felt in my life, so I’m telling you to leave town.

We’re not, MIRREN. We’re all not pretty. Each of us has a unique and fascinating face.

What you mean, Russell, I understand. Like that model is gorgeous?

MIRREN Everyone is aware of what “beautiful” looks like.

RUSSELL Kathy says, “You have to speak for yourself. (laughing. ).

Who among you can explain how the opportunities that are forthcoming to you in this new chapter of your career differ from those that existed five or ten years ago?

MILIOTI If I go back ten years, I was frequently portraying “a girl of someone’s dreams.”. That didn’t feel like my life experience, which is okay, but as I get older, I feel like I’m pulling off a pair of tight pants more and more. I’m so much more liberated. It’s not meant as a jab at those projects. It’s the way people view you at 25. I was trying out for roles as a sorority girl, a person in love with a 40-year-old, or a dead body in a trunk, and they asked me if I had ever tried dancing in the rain. I laughed. It was a great feeling to get over that.

MIRREN A young actress I spoke with the other day stated, “I have to cry in everything that I [make].”. I asked, “Why must I cry all the time? You’ll reach a point in life where you won’t need to cry.”. But, in my opinion, women’s writing has gotten better. I’m afraid that everything will be pushed back down once more. Right now, there is a genuine risk of that overseas.

POSEY It seems to me like a roulette ball. It lands, sort of. You have no idea what the director has been thinking about you or how the script finds you. The commercial aspect of it makes me uneasy. I don’t fully comprehend it. I get really anxious about it. I felt out of place between the ages of 35 and 55.

NASH-BETTS I just called my team and said, “I think people forgot I’m funny.”. I cry whenever I get a role. I’m having a breakdown. I’m annoyed. I am out in the streets trying to remind people because I am also a funny girl.

It is well known that the White Lotus is a huge launchpad or relaunchpad. Parker, before the show even debuted, you secured a Gap campaign. Since this past season hit so hard, how have the offers looked?

Nothing has been read by me, POSEY. “This is amazing! They’re sending me all this,” you might think. But I haven’t read the next one yet. However, the excitement of my friends and family, as well as the memes, have been so beautiful. They are very happy. (To Bates) I’m sure you agree.

BATES Indeed!

Friends say things like, “We were so worried,” or “We’ve been stressed for you.”. They are happy to see that you are content, valued, and obtaining amusing and fulfilling work. And with her friends, my mom can feel amazing.

BATES My sister and mother, God rest her [soul], took a cruise years ago. He asked, “Well, what does your [other] daughter do?” while she was at the captain’s table, as they occasionally do for people. He then proceeded to go over all these sections, and these awful characters were shown.

RUSSELL Of course they were!

Following a period of silence, BATES asked my sister, “Why does she play all these afflicted people?” (Laughter). It’s unfortunate that my mother isn’t present at this time. She’d adore this.