Amanda Seyfried focused on portraying Elizabeth Holmes without worrying about the real person's opinion.
Liz Meriwether found new angles beyond journalism to explore Holmes' character, drawn from personal experiences and emotional connections.
Deep dives
Creating 'The Dropout' Limited Series
Amanda Seifred, nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress, discussed the challenges of embodying Elizabeth Holmes, emphasizing the importance of focusing on their version of the character and not worrying about the real person's opinion. Show creator Liz Maryweather highlighted her initial intimidation at moving from comedy to drama in telling Holmes' story and finding new angles beyond journalism to explore her character.
Connecting to Characters
Amanda Seifred drew on personal experiences and acquaintances to portray elements of Holmes' character, while Liz Maryweather also found parallels from her own life to enhance her writing for the series. Both emphasized the importance of emotional connection to the characters they were portraying and writing.
Navigating Complexity and Fear
Both Amanda and Liz expressed a preference for projects that challenge and scare them, highlighting the importance of being emotionally invested in their work. They discussed the need to confront insecurities and fears to deliver authentic performances and writing that resonate with audiences.
On-Set Dynamics and Creativity
The cast and crew of 'The Dropout' fostered a collaborative and fun environment on set, building strong relationships that enhanced their performances. They engaged in creative activities like drawing and dance to relieve tension and bond during filming, creating a supportive and enjoyable atmosphere.
Amanda Seyfried, the lead actress of Hulu’s “The Dropout” and the show’s creator and showrunner Liz Meriwether join host Rebecca Jarvis for a wide-ranging conversation about the making of the Hulu limited series based on the ABC News podcast. Seyfried has been nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes, one of six nominations for the Hulu series this year.
