Was this really a comedy, especially in this final season?
When we started it was definitely comedy. The tone has become really expansive. This season, especially in the second half, almost every episode has a different genre: thriller, horror, drama. I was amazed that this show could do that. I still laugh out loud while watching the show, but the word “comedy” doesn’t describe it.
How much of a say did you have in sculpting the saree?
I had a lot to say, but I never took it for granted because it happens so rarely. I always told Sally that she didn’t have to like her. you just need to know her. Do you like it? Do you hate it? It’s actually a barometer used only for women. I wanted her to be as morally bankrupt as the men on her show. I wanted her to leave her complex behind. I’ve been wanting it since season 1. I think it’s interesting to play a character who makes the wrong decisions. I’m not interested in playing the good guy.
Sally garnered a lot of hate online, but it reminded me of reactions to female characters in other series. Why do people hate these women so much?
I wish there was a logically meaningful answer. I feel that there is an undercurrent of cultural misogyny. The sexism in our view of these characters is very offensive to me. “Barry” was no exception. I was curious how it would turn out. I was right that we were encountering the same type of misogyny, but it made me pick myself up and try harder.
did you feel sick?
Only in that as a woman every day can feel nasty. As a child, I was taught that humans live in an equal world, and I believed it. When I was in drama school, my grade was 20 boys and 8 girls. We were told “This is the model for the industry. It represents what role you can play.” And we all just nodded, “Oh, that makes sense.” I have a lot of latent anger about those things. Some of that was successfully conveyed through Sally’s outburst, but as an actress I found it very frustrating when I started with what was available. Does she only ask questions? Does she say “I’m so worried about you baby”? Does she have a point of view? does she have a job
