Or you arent speaking directly to the camera. Merritt Wever stars in the TV series Run, which premieres Sunday on HBO. I truly had to wrap my head around how someone is fine. Umthank you so much! WGA Officially On Strike After Studio Talks Fail; Picket Lines Start Tuesday, Peyton Manning Exec Producing Las Vegas Sports Book Comedy What Are The Odds? In Works At NBC From Sam Sklaver & Kevin Hench, Human Resources Gets Premiere Date For 2nd & Final Season; Florence Pugh, Miley Cyrus, Eugene Levy Among Guest Stars; Watch Teaser, Reacher, Wheel Of Time, League Of Their Own Among Prime Video Titles To Stream On Amazon Freevee. [13], Wever was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2012 and 2013 for her role in Nurse Jackie, winning the award in 2013 and delivering a memorable speech that consisted only of her stunned reaction: "Thanks so much. It was his characters second-ever rape case. I really have a strong suspicion that appreciation of Karen is a result of how much people care about Marie. I learned how common this all is and thats horrifying. Along with Colette's character, the pair work together to link their Colorado case to Marie's. The actor is best known for. "I'm watching #Unbelievable and the differences of approach in questioning rape victims by male and female cops is incredibly alarming. Danielle Macdonald Rich Fury Getty Images She has also delivered memorable performances in popular shows such as The Walking Dead and New Girl. I didnt know anything about my role. Shouldnt everyones reaction to trauma just automatically make sense? And it doesnt. And I tried to embrace that permission. Shes not fine, but she seems finehow do I figure out whats going through her head that is making her react this way? I feel like the. Is it just this cop? Part of it is how we deal with things as a human being and part of it is how its handled. I dont mean at all that you shouldnt. Danielle Macdonald, left, and Merritt Wever in Unbelievable on Netflix. Bye. Thats terrifying and changes the course of your reaction. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. AD: That was so interesting because we dont get to see a lot of moments between survivors and the partners that they choose to be with. I looked at all different types of trauma. So, the first thing I did was read the ProPublica article and then listened to the podcast. Then Merritt comes in," Danielle says. Steve Rider, the commander of Lynnwoods Criminal Investigations Division, also called Maries case a major failing. Still, no one in the Lynnwood Police Department faced disciplinary action. AD: That reminds of the first time that Amber speaks to Karen Duvall. Were there conversations with Lisa, or with Susannah? Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. DM: Its strange. For that reason, the only thing I knew was what I read or heard in the podcast. She was raised by her mother as a single parent. And that was actually the biggest change for me, because I have worked with a lot of female directors and I love it, but that was a new experience for me working with a female DP and I really was so incredibly grateful for it during the really tough scenes, during the flashback actual rape. When it came to what was going on inside, it was strange I had recently said to someone that I wanted to play a detective. And that probably has to do with the kind of parts that I was getting. I think after people watch that first episode they are very relieved to see someone show up who might do her justice. I just remember that was my first day on set shooting that scene, and it was like 105 degrees in the valley. .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}'NCIS' Fans, Mark Harmon Made a Huge Career Move, See Iam Tongi's Journey on 'American Idol', Kelly Clarkson's See-Through Look Is Going Viral, Read 'Jeopardy! Merritt most recently won an Emmy Award for her role in Netflix's 2018 western Godless, and Toni recently starred in raunchy BBC One drama Wanderlust. And thats so heartbreaking if you think about it, because being worried that someones going to see you differently because of something that happened to you against your will is horrifying. You know this actually happened to people and I instantly wanted to see where this was going. Since Netflix first premiered the limited series, both critics and curious streamers alike have been raving about the central performances. Patti Cake$ star Danielle Macdonald has been cast opposite Toni Collette, Merritt Wever and Kaitlyn Dever in Unbelievable, an eight-episode Netflix limited series from Erin Brockovich writer Susannah Grant, CBS TV Studios, studio-based producers Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly (Masters of Sex, Elementary) and Katie Couric. She was born as Merritt Carmen Wever to mother Georgia Wever and was conceived via a sperm donor. However, it has been proved to be a false claim. Related: Unbelievable True Story: How Marie's Foster Mothers Reacted Netflix's Unbelievable features one of the most promising American actresses in the lead role, and the main female detectives will be immediately recognized by many viewers. Im spending days like I normally would and then Im called on set for three or so days. Watch all you want. Aidan! You can also visit online.rainn.org to receive support via confidential online chat. With a medium like television, you want people to understand what people are going through, but you also want them to be engaged and rooting for a sense of hope. Im lucky in that I got to be a working actor for many years and didnt have to do a lot of this. Unbelievable is streaming now on Netflix. Edna Hendershot (Grace Rasmussen in the show), had investigated more than 100 rapes by 2011. Was it the script or was it something to do with the amazing team of women behind it? Theres less time with television than with film, I feel like. Timberman & Beverly and Couric had been independently pursuing the rights to An Unbelievable Story of Rape and decided to join forces on the project. I knew instantly that I wanted to be a part of it after talking to them, because they knew exactly what they were doing. "[14], In 2016, Wever had a recurring role on AMC's The Walking Dead as Denise Cloyd. I can only speak to my own experience, which has been one of incredible emotional, mental and physical disorientation and grief and anger. Then I spoke to them about it because my characters not even in the pilot script. Im also a bit of an introvert in an extroverts profession. [21][22], In 2020, Wever began starring in the HBO black comedy thriller series Run opposite Domhnall Gleeson. She is known for starring as a perennially upbeat young nurse in Nurse Jackie (20092015), an intrepid widow in the Netflix period miniseries Godless (2017), and a detective investigating a serial rapist in the Netflix crime mini-series Unbelievable (2019). As much as this is a return to Billy, I wanted it to also be a return to herself. I feel like its probably one of the biggest shapers of who I am. I might regret saying, but I told someone that being in this business, doing this job meant that I had to agree to get hit over the head with a hammer and I had said, Thats OK. I was like, Wait, why doesnt this make sense? He is a proud member of GALECA, Critics Choice, and HCA. DM: I also looked up a lot of statistics when I was doing research. I heard the rest of the series would be more about the investigation. [19] In 2018, she won an Emmy for the role. DEADLINE: I know Kaitlyn Dever, who plays the lead role of Marie Adler, heard Marie got some closure from seeing the show. And then when the relationship ends, it feels like you dont have access to it anymore. Starring: Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, Kaitlyn Dever. I think that really broke my heart. Timberman & Beverly and Couric had been independently pursuing the rights to An Unbelievable Story of Rape and decided to join forces on the project. I know that Amber is not her real name. Danielle Macdonald 's portrayal of key witness Amber Stevenson expertly conveys the unexpected aspects of trauma response, in that many people dissociate and are apparently fine instead of. DEADLINE: Next you have Falling for Figaro opposite Joanna Lumley coming up, and French Exit with Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges. Unbelievable remains one of the best limited series of the year, and it has a real shot at being a major contender at this years Emmy Awards. By contrast, Jeffrey had only taken on two rape cases before Marie's, while Jerry worked as a technician in the aerospace industry before becoming a detective. AD: There is that moment where Erics character gets a call from another detective and the way that he says, Theres no victim here really hit me hard. His battles with the church arent over, How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! I was definitely thinking about her honestly, throughout filming. Merritt Wever - IMDb Merritt Wever was supposed to be on the promotional circuit for her HBO comedy Run this month, hitting the red carpet and dutifully fielding questions at press junkets. Listen to what they have to say. Merritt Carmen Wever[1] (born August 11, 1980)[2][3] is an American actress. If you or someone you know needs help or has been affected by sexual assault, call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. Joey is a writer currently living in Columbus, OH. Awards Daily: What drew you to this show? DM: I didnt get to meet the person that my character is based off of. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. Macdonald is repped by CAA, Justice and Ponder and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson. Deadline Launches Contenders Television: Documentary + Unscripted Streaming Site, WGA Officially On Strike After Studio Talks Fail; Picket Lines Start Tuesday, 20 Questions On Deadline Podcast: Sheryl Lee Ralph Talks Abbott Elementary Season 3, Her Secrets To Happiness & Best Life Advice, 20 Questions On Deadline Podcast: Wild Author Cheryl Strayed On New Hulu Series Tiny Beautiful Things, Her New Janis Joplin Project & Life Advice, Jennifer Garner On The Last Thing He Told Me: I Didnt Think I Could Survive If Somebody Else Played The Role; Author Laura Dave Hints Season 2 Contenders TV, What Went Wrong? Did Amber feel like she needed to react in a certain way? 'Unbelievable' Is A Searing Drama About Violence And Justice Toni Collette Merritt Wever Kaitlyn Dever Dale Dickey Scott Lawrence Danielle Macdonald Austin Hbert Eric Lange Elizabeth Marvel . I'm torn all over again . Danielle Macdonald - IMDb A lot of people think they are out to get them and they mistrust them. Why do I have bumps all over my head? Thats rare for me. "I was walking through base camp, going to a makeup trailer and Merritt comes out, sees me, and then rushes over and gives me a big hug. Last week, we at TVLine revealed our 20 finalists for Performer of the Year. Im struggling to feel appropriate taking up space right now you know what I mean? I read a lot of stories about how different women reacted to this. When her character was killed off in the 6th season of. Titles Unbelievable. [10], Wever is perhaps best known for her role as Zoey Barkow in the series Nurse Jackie, which premiered on Showtime in June 2009. As much as she wants Billy, I think that she also wants to feel like that person again. Amber is very calm and very courteous to her. I know everything this girl has gone through and I cant release it because she didnt. Coming into a show, youre snippets. And Merritt is so incredible. Jeffrey Mason and Jerry Rittgarn (known as Detective Parker and Detective Pruitt in the series) pointed out inconsistencies in her story and said if she failed a lie detector test, she'd be booked into jail. And honestly, it was one of those crazy moments where I had a conversation with a friend about her experience while I was in the middle of shooting this show. I agree. When they cast me, I wanted to make sure that they werent mistaking me for someone else. I am having to explain to someone how rape cases are handled so insensitivity by police in America," one viewer tweeted. Oh, my god, thank you sothanks so much! Merritt Wever and Danielle Macdonald in Unbelievable (2019) People Merritt Wever, Danielle Macdonald. The show finds the balance really beautifully. Promoting a show wasnt my responsibility. Anything thats like, Woe is me is, like, turning my stomach right now. And later there is a scene between Amber and Karen, but Eric is there and talking with Karen about the lack of probability that this guy will be caught. This was harder, in a way. I read the pilot scripts that they sent out because thats all they had at the time. I will add my thoughts about the DEI standards following these rule changes. All Rights Reserved. Why am I wrapped in bandages? And someone was like, Because youve been letting someone hit you over the head with a hammer for 25 years. But again, I dont think that that is unique to what I do for a living. A lot of it is really heavy and the next time Id have a scene, a lot of stuff has happened, and I had to figure out how Id go from being fine to being at a gun range and hooking up with random guys other than my boyfriend. Unlike most TV shows, Wever and Gleeson carry most of the screen time together. Jamie Bell and Danielle Macdonald pose together as they arrive at the premiere of Skin on Wednesday night (July 24) at The Roxy Cinema in New York City. Tell me about the decisions you made to play her that way? You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Thats really powerful. She grabbed the opportunity with both hands and went on to win an Emmy Award for her work on the show. She almost seems to be apologetic for making a fuss and it feels like such a thing thats been ingrained in women, to downplay their pain, to always be helpful. I remember getting uncomfortable with that because I think the truth is a little more complicated and a little sadder. When I read the pilot, and I thought it was incredibly well-written. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Grant, Chabon, Waldman, Timberman, Beverly and Couric executive produce. Merritt Wever plays Rasmussen's detective partner Karen Duvall. Did you have that thought? For example, theres a snippet where the real person that Merritt plays says that when she met Ambers charactershe was completely fine. "We have to treat these kind of cases more singularly.". I got to live in this sweet spot where I was able to pay my bills and get some really fulfilling, amazing jobs, but didnt really have to participate in this sidecar. Co-written by Grant, who will serve as showrunner, Michael Chabon (John Carter) & Ayelet Waldman (Applebaum), Unbelievable is based on The Marshall Project and ProPublica Pulitzer Prize-winning December 2015 article, An Unbelievable Story of Rape, written by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, and the This American Life radio episode about the same case, Anatomy of Doubt. It tells the true story of Marie, a teenager who was charged with lying about having been raped, and the two female detectives who followed a twisting path to arrive at the truth. . "I've never had the experience of going to work every day mostly being opposite one other actor, and I'm very . Part of my research made me think, Is this just how shes coping? And it felt almost like betraying that truth, if I were to present it that way. I think its a mix. its an absolute minefield. Kayla Keegan leads Good Housekeepings editorial growth strategies in the partnership, news, social, branded, membership and newsletter spaces. She had an understanding that everyone reacts differently, and that was the most important part. AD: I like how you said that trauma isnt a blanket experience for everyone. How could you cast me as as this?. We want to hear from you! The truth is when the world was different and promoting a show like Run was going to involve talk shows and stuff like that, theres a a funny version of this story of how I got flustered and scared and tried to get out of the audition. I learned a lot about this show. I think I was prepared to come in every time, and it was just about creating what I could in my own life and coming in with that. You just have to work a little harder. Won the 2018 Emmy Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category for her role as Mary Agnes in. hide caption. Merritt Wever - Bio, Age, Parents, Siblings. Senior Editor, Editorial Business Development, 'Unbelievable' Star Kaitlyn Dever Speaks Out About the Portrayal of Police in the Netflix Series, The Heartbreaking True Story of Marie Adler, 'NCIS' Fans, Mark Harmon Made a Huge Career Move, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Netflix's 'Unbelievable' Retells a Confounding Story of Injustice They had a belief in doing something right and justice. I have had people reach out and say theyve gone through similar experiences, and they were incredibly moved or grateful for the show because it just felt like they understood it. We just collaborated on set and went from there. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. I think its really important to know that, if you want to come forwardand it has to be your choicepeople will listen. Speech. Because of her passion for the LGBT cause, she has been often assumed to be homosexual. Ive been having a hard time focusing. Stacy "often volunteered to take rape cases," and was "good at empathizing with the victims." Titles Unbelievable. It was very easy to read that story [about a young woman wrongfully accused of making a false rape accusation] and care very deeply about it. She was conceived via a sperm donor and raised by her mother, Georgia. That was an incredibly difficult scene to film. With a cast led by Merritt Wever, Toni Collette, and Kaitlyn Dever, Unbelievable also features performances of staggering realism from its supporting players like Annaleigh Ashford, Jayne Taini, and Danielle Macdonald. The sheer volume and the fact that nothing really happens. And even though this is happening all over the world, Im homesick and heartsick for my city., In Run, Wever stars as Ruby, a dissatisfied housewife who reunites with college boyfriend Billy (Domnhall Gleeson) for a spontaneous cross-country adventure. "Unbelievable" Actor Danielle Macdonald on How the Series Puts an [The entirety of Wever's acceptance speech after winning the 2013 Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series] Details of Macdonalds character are not being revealed. Everyone experiences very different reactions, and this show does that beautifully. Detective Stacey Galbraith in real life, is the detective who encountered another rape accusation from a . Is it the cop she has and how understanding she is? It was crazy because when youre filming on set, youre surrounded by the same people every day. And I think that that was really key in me wanting to do this. MACDONALD: Yes, theyre in post-production. She started her career by appearing in a number of low-budget short films. While growing up, she used to go to socialist summer camps. How did you convey that? Merritt Wever. With a cast led by Merritt Wever, Toni Collette, and Kaitlyn Dever, Unbelievable also features performances of staggering realism from its supporting players like Annaleigh Ashford, Jayne Taini, and Danielle Macdonald. And it truly, really did perplex me, and thats what actually spurred me on to do a lot of research into the effects of trauma, because I think thats the thing that I learned the most about from Unbelievable. Bye. It took a really long time because we were doing it in flashes, and she was just so incredible about explaining exactly was coming up in the shot for that segment of the scene I was like, Oh, this is a different experience. It goes back to really me hitting up against a wall during the audition process of realizing how much I was like, Are you mistaking me for someone else? Patti Cake$ star Danielle Macdonald has been cast opposite Toni Collette, Merritt Wever and Kaitlyn Dever in Unbelievable, an eight-episode Netflix limited series from Erin Brockovich writer Susannah Grant, CBS TV Studios, studio-based producers Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly (Masters of Sex, Elementary) and Katie Couric. Wever played a lead role in 2017's miniseries Godless as Mary Agnes McNue, a tough leader of a female-dominated town. Merritt Wever's birth took place on August 11, 1980, in Manhattan, New York City, USA. Its all important information, but you have to fill in all the blanks by yourself. 14 of 124. And Just Like Thatwill return to Max in June. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. Instead, she's at home. Unbelievable 's Detective Karen Duvall, a.k.a. Writers & Studios Talk What They Couldnt (And Could) Agree On, Late-Night Shows To Shut Down Immediately As Writers Guild Calls Strike, WGA Leadership Says AMPTP Refused To Bargain On Guilds Core Issues, Strike Explained: The Issues, The Stakes, Whats Affected & How Long It Might Last. In 'Unbelievable' Danielle Macdonald Gives Voice To - Deadline Unbelievable was so driven and relentless, the energy was so tight and contained, that when Run came along, something in my body and something in my psyche was craving room and space to play. And I think its incredible that she allowed that in the first place. That partly has to do with how Merritt [Wever] and Toni [Collette] respond to the victims. It's based on a true story about a . Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Obviously, its incredibly important subject matter, and with this kind of story, you have to do it right. Unbelievable (2019) - IMDb I loved it very much. 'Unbelievable': Toni Collette, Merritt Wever & Kaitlyn Dever To Star In Netflix Limited Series, Dozens Of 'Star Trek' Actors Converge For Snoop Dogg's Parody Pic 'Unbelievable' - Watch The Trailer, Refinery29 Unveils Season 2 Lineup For Female-Driven Film Series; Snoop Dogg Joins 'Unbelievable!!!!! '; - Film Briefs, Get more from Deadline.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter, Don't got live if you want it: 'The Voice' Season 23's frustratingly brief, previously taped Playoffs begin, 'American Idol' royal shakeup: Katy Perry, Lionel Richie to be (temporarily) dethroned by '90s queen, pop prince, Aaron Carter's ex-fiance says his 'downfall' was losing custody of son Prince: doc, Before 'Guardians,' Chris Pratt says he was crushed by rejections for 'Captain America' and 'Thor.' Should this make sense? Unbelievable (2019) - IMDb Merritt Wever is an American actress, who earned an Emmy Award for playing the character Zoey on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie. All Rights Reserved. And so, telling someone. Vicky is really lovely and really wonderful and she believed in me throughout all this, even when I truly didnt believe in myself. DM: Eric Lange plays the cop in the first case, and I think of how her case would have been different if he handled it. DM: That was what I took most from the show. Flash forward a few years later to the state of Colorado, where Detective Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) is interviewing a rape victim named Amber (Danielle Macdonald), whose story contains a myriad . But complaining now feels wrong", "Best. Her co-star Danielle Macdonald also revealed what she thought of Marie's investigation. She is someone who is very easy to feel joy with but this is such a carefully rendered portrayal of this young womans specific pain. She later took acting training in New York City. They dont know there are various kinds of trauma. However this excellent show doesn't have a bad performance - enjoyed the always excellent Annaleigh Ashford, Dale Dickey, Heartbreaking Danielle McDonald, a rather icy Elizabeth Marvel and a . Merritt Wever is managed by Santa Monica-based talent agency,Innovative Artists. It was difficult. Danielle Macdonald: It was sort of a combination of everything. Meredith Blake is an entertainment reporter for the Los Angeles Times based out of New York City, where she primarily covers television. Even though this was true, she recanted her claim soon after and said she made it all up. Netflix's Unbelievable: Cast and Character Guide In one scene where Karen and Grace look through photographs of victims . Its such an exceptional premise and was almost overburdened with possibility and potential. Wever was born in Manhattan, New York City, New York. I started doing this professionally when I was 15, and my first agent told me, Well, if you dont lose X amount of pounds, youll only ever play the best friend. And I remember thinking, Well, Id be lucky to play a best friend. Because I knew that stuff was bull and because I came from a community and an environment that didnt subscribe to those kinds of ideas, I thought that I could somehow participate in this business without having it affect me. 'Unbelievable' a credible, exceptional story of the system helping And we had briefly spoken about this before, but never in this kind of depth. She has also delivered memorable performances in popular shows such asThe Walking Dead and New Girl. UmI gotta go. That shouldnt be something that even crosses someones mind, but it does. Grant, Chabon, Waldman, Timberman, Beverly and Couric executive produce. He is a Rotten Tomatoes approved critic, and he has also appeared in Xtra Magazine. In times of stress, I tend to go towards getting things done. There are so many ways to do this wrong, in my opinion. Thats how I found Amber. And there was something about making Run that brought into focus how I had internalized those messages more than I realized. People cope differently, react differently," Kaitlyn says. It was one of those strange things where you put something out and it comes back to you. I loved seeing that aspect of it, because evidence might not be apparent and handed to youyou can still find what youre looking for. It affected my personal life. with anything other than the big thing, she says. She appeared as a guest on the following television shows: Conviction, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Wire. I cant be that thing. She wrote back at length and what I took from it was, she can be all the things. Merritt Wever is an American actress, who earned an Emmy Award for playing the character Zoey on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. DM: One of the focuses I found was that they are showing the different kinds of trauma that people experience. Merritt Wever - Wikipedia The three ladies were also joined at the event by co-star Eric Lange, as well as showrunner Susannah Grant, producers Sarah Timberman and Lisa Cholodenko, and Netflix original series VP's Allie Goss and Cindy Holland. When she was first asked to audition for the part, she remembers telling her agents, Id love to go in for it. I cant imagine it otherwise. This content is imported from twitter. Do you ever think of what it would have been like for Amber if the investigators were men?