Fresh Air Best Of: Michael Shannon / ‘Pluribus’ Star Rhea Seehorn
Dec 13, 2025
Michael Shannon, a two-time Academy Award nominee known for intense roles like those in Revolutionary Road, discusses his transition to playing President James Garfield and a prosecutor in Nuremberg. He reflects on the importance of Garfield's civil service reform. Rhea Seehorn, recognized for her role in Better Call Saul, delves into her character in Pluribus, exploring profound themes of happiness and individuality while critiquing societal conformity. Their insights reveal the complexities of character and the impact of storytelling.
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Unexpected Casting Shapes Perception
- Michael Shannon says much of his career feels like dumb luck and casting surprises people by flipping expectations.
- He appreciates roles that contradict his menacing screen persona and finds that gratifying.
Garfield's Era Mirrors Today
- Michael Shannon recommends Candace Millard's Destiny of the Republic to understand Garfield's era.
- He likens that period's political confusion to present-day anxieties about governance.
Garfield's Confrontation With Corruption
- In Death by Lightning Michael Shannon delivers a forceful speech defending civil-service reform against corrupt senators.
- The scene shows Garfield erupting after listening quietly to obstruction and patronage.
