Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

How are you feeling this morning?

Paul W. Downs: Overwhelmed.

Lucia Aniello: Yeah. Overwhelmed and lucky.

Jen Statsky: Very, very grateful for this experience.

Aniello: And also grateful for an opportunity to FaceTime people that we love.

Who have you had a chance to call or connect with so far?

Downs: We called a lot of people. I told Meg [Stalter] about her nomination because she hadn’t realized. We’ve spoken to Cherry Jones and Leslie Bibb and Hannah [Einbinder], Kaitlyn Olson and Lauren Weedman and so many people. Christopher McDonald. Some people haven’t picked up, some people are on flights, but we’re going through the list and talking to everybody we can — our editors, composer, cinematographer.

Aniello: Our executives, who we love and made this show possible.

Downs: Jen, because we’re not together!

What was it like to hear that “Hacks” is the most-nominated season of a comedy in Emmys history?

Aniello: Gotta cancel therapy this week, I guess! I’m just kidding, I need to go.

Downs: It’s so overwhelming and we feel so grateful that the show has connected with people the way that it has. But because this is our final season and it’s our last time in this Emmys conversation, the thing that’s most exciting about all those nominations is the people that have made it possible. Many of them are being recognized for the very first time, and it’s so gratifying to us that there are so many talented people that are being acknowledged for the work that they have done that’s made the show what it is. We would not have been able to do this show for five seasons, or tell the final chapter the way we did, if we didn’t have the people that poured themselves into it and put so much love into the show. That record, to us, also represents all these amazing people that have been so hard to say goodbye to. This makes it a little bit easier. It’s a very nice way to say goodbye.

Aniello: It is an acknowledgement of that community that made the show, is the truth. That’s what it means to us.

It’s remarkable that so many of your supporting contenders landed nominations, like Laurie Metcalf, who appeared in one scene but made such an impression.

Statsky: It’s such a gift to get to write and direct and create for these incredible actors. Acting is a career that can be so hard, so to see people recognized when they do amazing work is so special because it was just such an honor to write for them. It was an honor to write them parts. That would have been enough, but this is such a cherry on top. It feels so lovely.

Aniello: It’s a true Cherry Jones on top!

Season 5 of “Hacks” highlights Los Angeles in a major way. What does it mean to you to film locally? How are you taking that with you as you move on to other projects?

Downs: It’s sad to say that we feel lucky. We were able to shoot almost the entire series in Los Angeles with largely the same Los Angeles crew. We do obviously shoot exteriors in Las Vegas, but for the most part, we were able to shoot in our city — the place where film and television gets made. As we move forward, we want to be dedicated to continuing to do that, but it’s also not lost on us how difficult that can be for people. We feel really lucky that we were allowed to do it. We were supported in our want to do it. It’s a city we love very much and that we love telling stories about.

Have you seen Meg Stalter — now a first-time Emmy nominee — in “Oh, Mary!” on Broadway yet?

Statsky: I did. I went to opening night Monday and she’s unbelievable. It is a role that is so perfect for Meg and she makes it so much her own. It was just phenomenal. Jean [Smart] and I went and it was so wonderful to get to support her.

Downs: I’m going Aug. 4!

Paul, how did Meg react to her nomination? Did you have your usual Jimmy-Kayla banter?

Downs: It was very Jimmy and Kayla. I FaceTimed her; she didn’t pick up. When she FaceTimed me back she said, “Are you pranking me? Babe, I’m shaking right now!” It was so funny because she said, “No wonder my phone’s been blowing up!” She was watching some reality show! I was like, “Kayla, you’ve been nominated for an Emmy, pick up the phone!” She seemed overwhelmed. Really touched and shocked. She was not expecting it. She didn’t know that it was happening today — she’s on Broadway!

You’ve said that you’ve always had the ending of “Hacks” mapped out. But with COVID, the strikes and other instability in the entertainment industry, you never actually know if you’ll get to finish your show until it’s over. As you reflect on the final season, how does it feel to know you were able to accomplish what you set out to do?

Downs: Thank you for saying that!

Aniello: It genuinely feels like a miracle.

Downs: So scary!

Aniello: There’s so many crazy things that we’ve talked about, and also a lot of things we haven’t really talked about — which I’m not going to right now necessarily. But it’s been so touch-and-go on that show in a million different ways, a million different times. So to actually get to finish the way that we originally envisioned and pitched in 2019 — we’re sitting here seven years later, getting to be like, “Oh yeah, that pitch document, we went around town, we actually got to go and do it the way we wanted!”

Downs: It’s not lost on us how special it is.

Aniello: To have these nominations today, the most we’ve ever had, it’s not about us. It’s about the show and the people who make it who’ve helped us make our dreams come true. That’s what today has been about for us. It’s about our community that came together to make this comedy. We are writers by trade, yet I don’t think we could ever quite put into words how special and meaningful it has been for us.

Do you have any update on the show you’ve all been working on after “Hacks”?

Statsky: We can’t say too much, but the three of us are working on a show that we are writing. We are very excited to make it and continue our partnership with HBO and all the wonderful people who work there.

Downs: They’ll shut the Zoom right down, you know what I mean, if we’re too [revealing].

Statsky: And Warner Bros., who have been amazing partners to us.

Downs: We’re still working together!

Statsky: We’re not getting divorced, marital or professional!

Aniello: Much like “Hacks,” the show has made our work — and each other — better because of it.

Best Supporting Actor in A Drama Series

Congratulations on your first nomination. 

Oh my god, thank you so much. What an insane day.

I’m sure. How are you feeling? It’s chaos, for sure.

It’s chaos. I feel very lucky to be at work right now. I was shooting a scene this morning at 6 a.m., and then I wrapped my scene, I walked off, and just as we were wrapping my scene, I guess the nominations came out. And Scott [Gemmill] put everything on hold for about 20 minutes, and we all gathered around the central hub and he made the announcement. And he read off what was an unbelievably long list of people who had just gotten nominated for an Emmy, and we all got to celebrate together. There were a number of us who did not get our names [said] out loud today in the meeting that very easily could have, and maybe should have, but a lot of people have contributed to the success of the show, and a lot of those people are being celebrated today. And I’m very honored to be among them.

What can you tell us about “The Pitt” Season 3? 

I can’t say a ton, but I’m very excited with the scripts that we’ve had so far, and I’m very excited about the vibe on set this year. Last year was such a roller coaster, because, while we were shooting Season 1, we didn’t really know if it was going to work. We certainly had no idea that it was going to have the experience that it’s having now, and by the time the show really got out in the world and started picking up steam, we were already back at work in Season 2. So all of the roses and all of the award shows — the show just went on this insane avalanche while we were shooting Season 2. It was incredibly blessed, but it was a rollercoaster. And now I think everybody’s been able to metabolize the extent to how lucky we are, and the extent to which this show is working and is meaning something to audiences. I’ve had time to process that, and now everybody’s back at work, and everybody feels great. It feels simple. It feels happy. It’s just really great to be back amongst my friends, doing what we do.

Fans had a strong, emotional reaction to the news that Supriya Ganesh won’t be returning for Season 3. What was that like to see play out?

We have an incredibly passionate fan base, and we get to experience them online. For the most part, in real life, I stay pretty tucked away, but I got to meet a bunch of them in New York while I was doing this play [“Becky Shaw” on Broadway]. And just seeing firsthand how much this show means to people on not just an entertainment level, but a personal level, is amazing.

I think a lot of the audience has come to feel like these characters are part of their family, and that’s what we hope to be for people. And when you lose a member of the family, it’s a huge loss. It’s a huge loss for everyone. It’s a huge loss for viewers; it’s a huge loss for those of us who have been here from day one and have come up together. I’ll deeply, deeply miss Supriya. Part of the nature of “The Pitt” is this rotating door, end-of-your-residency thing, and it is definitely a “For Whom the Bell Tolls” situation. And it’ll come for all of us.

Your character, Langdon, had a really emotional journey this last season. We saw him on the road to recovery and coming back to “The Pitt.” What can we expect from him in Season 3? 

I can’t tell you that much. I can give you the facts, and the fact is that whenever we came back to Season 2, we met a Langdon that had not been in the hospital for 10 months and had been getting help. And you get to watch him walk into this work environment for the first time in a long time and learn what about this person was dispositional, and what was a product of that environment and that addiction. And now in Season 3, Langdon is back on the train and has been back at work. It’s a new energetic center, and it’s a new vibe, because now I am back on the train without my substances. And I’ve learned things about myself. I’ve learned things about the people around me. I’ve learned about who I am and what I want and how I hurt people. But I am back on the hamster wheel and having to be the person that I need to be in this environment. The person that I need to be at home may be a different person than I need to be here, and that is a very fun invitation for me as an actor.

This is a big year for you between your first Emmy nomination and your Broadway debut. What has it been like going from the screen to the stage and back?

I’m going to have to start coming up with some new dreams, because dreams are coming true. It was about a year ago I was playing Hamlet, which was one huge bucket list dream. And then I got to go and make my Broadway debut in “Becky Shaw,” which ended up being another sort of grassroots, groundswell success. We were in the Helen Hayes [Theater], which is the smallest theater on Broadway. We were a not-for-profit show, and it was this living room relationship drama from 2009 that not a ton of people knew, and Gina Gionfriddo is an incredibly talented playwright that has never had her Broadway debut, and we got to bring her to Broadway for the first time. It was sort of a scary experience, because it’s a dark comedy that gets pretty nasty. It takes the gloves off in a way that I think audiences were used to in 2009 — that we were really worried they were not going to be ready for in 2026. But turns out they were. So to go on that ride and then come right back here into “The Pitt” and get this insane slew of nominations, and to be able to count myself among them, is as crazy as it sounds.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (“DTF St. Louis”)

Congratulations. How are you feeling?

Thank you. I’m feeling very good, very grateful.

What were you doing when you found out you were nominated?

I was just sitting in my room, and I got a text, and I looked it up, and I was so ecstatic, and also at the same time realized that David [Harbour] and Jason [Bateman] and Joy [Sunday] and Richard [Jenkins] and the show [were nominated]. Seeing all of those things, it just was a wonderful celebration of the work that we all loved doing. I felt elated and excited for everybody.

Have you gotten a chance to speak with anyone else from the show? 

Oh, yeah. We all were texting, calling, texting. Everybody is over the moon. 

There’s a lot of talk about “DTF St. Louis” and the future of the show. If it were to get extended from a limited series, what would you want to see next for all of your characters?

Well, I guess you’d have to go back in time, because you need Floyd [Harbour]. He really is so much the heart of the triangle. So, I think you’d have to go further back in time.

What is it like taking on a project like “DTF St. Louis,” that is a very complex character and complex structure and plot in such a limited form?

It’s wonderful to know the story from beginning to end, and especially with somebody like [series creator] Steve Conrad. His mind is so beautifully funny, and sort of left-of-center, but he writes things that are so human and relatable in such a unique way, and the dialog itself operates almost like a dialect. It’s really fun to play. I had an eight or 10 page scene, Joy and I together, and when we finished it, we realized we didn’t even move. We both sit on the couch opposite each other, and the words and the way that it’s shot, and the way that it’s directed, and her performance, it just makes it all so dynamic that you feel like you could just play the scenes forever. Steve Conrad knows what he wants when he’s directing, so there would be times Jason, Dave and I were playing scenes, like “Oh, I wish we could do this on stage,” where you could do it for months, because you could still find so much in there, because the writing has got so much to offer.

Are there any other nominated shows that you are a big fan of or excited for?

There’s so many incredible shows on TV right now. It’s such an amazing time to be part of television. I’ve been in TV for a long time now, and it feels like it just keeps getting better and better. It’s really wonderful. I love being a part of it. I’m a big “Slow Horses” fan, so I love that Gary Oldman was nominated. I thought Claire Danes was great in “The Beast in Me.” There’s so many wonderful performances everywhere, and I’m behind on things too. I have to catch up on all my shows. And the people in the category that I’m in, they’re so fantastic. It’s truly an honor.

What’s coming next for you?

I just finished a movie with Bill Hader that he is directing and he wrote, and that was a really fun, psychological horror. He’s so smart and so talented. And then I have a show coming out in October, “Crystal Lake.” It’s a “Friday the 13th” prequel — horror, drama, campy. It’s a fun ride.

What are you going to do to celebrate your nomination?

I just called everybody in my family, and they were all really excited. My daughter made a card, and her father gave me flowers. It’s really wonderful and sweet. I’m really just so excited. It’s wonderful. I’m just gonna reach out to everybody from the show. It’s wonderful to have good news. I’m just gonna feel the joy of having some good news.

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

How are you feeling after your double nomination?

I’m still in awe, always, that anyone calls my name for anything. Getting an Emmy nomination is beyond competitive. There’s so much great television out there, so to be shortlisted in both of these categories is really wonderful. I appreciate it because it’s work I really care about. I care so deeply about this last season for Ali and “Euphoria,” and the impact that he’s made, and the work that Sam [Levinson] created for me to execute — going for the triple axel. And the double lutz. At the same time. I don’t know why I’m giving you ice skating references, but that’s what I’m coming up with.

And to be acknowledged for “The Four Seasons” is extraordinary. It’s a show, in its sophomore year, that has really hit the zeitgeist in an extraordinary way. I do wish my colleagues were acknowledged as well, but I told them on our text thread that I’m taking one for the team, because you can’t do comedy alone. I play off all these extraordinary comedians. So I’m happy my work is being acknowledged, but I know that I’m also sharing this with this nomination with them.

How has it felt to watch the world react to the ending of “Euphoria”?

I’ve been traveling a lot, and anywhere I go in this world, someone comes over to me — very emotional, raw — and they say, “Thank you for this ending.” Some say, “Thank you for avenging Rue.” Many people say, “Thank you for the heart.” I had someone the other day say, “I lost one of my dear friends, and no one knows the grief of that and the reality of the disease of addiction.” I get a lot of people saying, “Can I have a hug?”

I know what Ali represents, he’s the spirit and the soul of the show, in many ways. He’s sort of like a prophet, when people see me, I can see how I’ve affected them and made them think. It feels very close to the bone for them, and that’s been a gift. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. I feel like I’m one of those actors where I walk through the world, and there’s nothing but love coming at me because of what I pour into the characters — the humanity I pour into them. On the other end, I make people laugh. People are like, “I love Danny. Danny’s one of my favorite characters. I love the way he dresses. I wish I had a friendship like he and Tina Fey’s.” It’s great. I love that too.

These nominations are also coming right after two big film roles for you in “Michael” and “Disclosure Day.” What has this moment in your career felt like?

The past few years have been beautiful career highs, and you never think it’ll keep getting higher, but it does. People know me from everything. I used to be able to tell by their demographic what [of my work] they watched, but no. Someone four stories high, in Philadelphia the other day, looked down and said, “Is that Colman Domingo?” I’m like, “How could you tell from the top of my head?” But I guess with all the things I’ve done, people know me from every angle. It’s been really, really wonderful, because people come at me with so much love and respect.

What has this phase of your career taught you about what you want to pursue next?

The beautiful thing is that I’m being received right now exactly the way I intended 35 years ago when I got to this business. I’ve always been a multi-hyphenate. I’ve always wanted to play in different sandboxes and genres and not be boxed in — to the chagrin of the industry, sometimes, that’s trying to box you in and say, “Oh, you’re that, and you do that.” I’m like, “No, I do both.” So now I’m being acknowledged for all these things at the same time. I’ve been laying the foundation of things that are interesting to me — even when I hosted “SNL,” or I jumped out of a helicopter with Bear Grylls, or being in Sabrina Carpenter’s video in drag. I feel like I’m into the next phase of evolving and challenging myself to do things that I’ve never done before. So, whatever that is, I’m interested. But if it’s a version of something I’ve done before, I’m not so interested.

When will we get to see some of the work that you’re directing?

It started with episodes of “The Four Seasons” and “Fear the Walking Dead,” but it’s going to happen in a larger way, I think, in the middle of next year. That’s what I’m hoping. I pushed my Nat King Cole [biopic] because I wanted to make sure I had the prep time that it really deserves. It’s my first film, and I’m wearing many hats, and me and my producers all agree we want to do it right. You want to get it right the first time, so I’m going to take my time and get this done well.

I see the water outside your window right now. Are you traveling for work or vacation?

I am so on vacation. You’ve probably never seen me like this — shirt off, shorts on, right there on the Mediterranean Sea. I’m about to jump into the sea after this and have my celebratory swim.

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

How are you feeling? I’m sure it’s been a pretty chaotic morning, getting this news while shooting Season 3 of “The Pitt.”

Honestly, we were in there filming, and then all these people started coming in while they were setting up the shot. So I was trying to leave the set and go to the break room, and that’s the only reason I had my phone. I see my husband’s calling me. I’m like, “Oh goodness.” I saw the text, so then I knew all of a sudden. And then the costume department was like, “Get back to the set.” And then I see Patrick Ball walking in [and] people that had obviously watched or heard. He seemed so happy, and I was like, “Did you get nominated?” He goes, “I think everyone here got nominated.” So I kind of found out first from him, and then he gave me the list.

I’m very excited about my younger castmates, particularly these kids that have been with it from the jump. We’re moving into Season 3 together with Taylor [Dearden] and Patrick and Fiona [Dourif] and Gerran [Howell]. It’s just so freaking cool. It just makes it so much more fun. I hadn’t conceptualized how I would feel if so many kids got nominated. I was like, “Yes!” If even one of them had, and then just so many of them, and then the guest stars — Ernest [Harden Jr.] and Tina Ivlev, who played the rape victim. Just so excited for that nomination.

What’s been your favorite part of bringing Dana to life over the past two seasons?

You know, it’s weird. It’s a very weird job to do. At the end of the day, you’re a storyteller. But it’s like there’s something in me that believes there’s a real Dana. I feel like Dana exists. I just love her. I love the humanity and imperfection in the character. I love that these writers are brave enough to write their “heroic” characters as very, very flawed people. It fits very well to me, to my physicality. It’s very satisfying to get a piece of material you really get, on a guttural level. “I know how to make this thing. I think I know what this is.” When you feel like you’re locking up with the writer, and you know what they’re going for, it’s like, “Oh, I think they’ll like this.” It’s probably like any craftsman with a client. When you’re like, “Oh, like this?” And they’re like, “Yes, like that!”

This show is supposed to feel more real. The challenge was to be very real and kind of leave it alone, to not gild the lily. When you’re doing something that’s really fun, like playing a German assassin in a comedy, you know when it’s funny or what’s going on about it. But with this, you just needed to trust that it was enough. Just keeping it very simple.

What drew you to playing Dana?

Well, I was very drawn to having a job. Being employed was a huge draw. I say that because I don’t want it to sound like I was back there fielding offers. I was an unemployed actor, like every other unemployed actor, just trying to work. And when this came along, I was like, “This is a cherry gig,” because I’ve always wanted to work for John Wells, in part because he lets women be real women. They’re not this idealized sex object that’s also a NASA scientist. They kind of look and feel more like they would in real life in shows, and he fights for that. It actually creates an inner relaxation inside the actor. You’re not worried about your hair and your clothes and your makeup so much. He’s almost saying, “Bring your real you, your own insights. That’s what I want to see.” Women are really set up to succeed in John’s shows. And all the struggle of going through cancer very recently — l was just out of the hospital about six months when I got “The Pitt,” so that experience helped me so much with the character. I can’t imagine anything better for myself. I really got so lucky. So lucky.

After 40 years as a performer, how does it feel to be getting all this recognition, including your second Emmy nomination for this role? 

You just had to ask me that. I’m tearing up right now. It’s so much more than I ever thought I would receive. It would have been my dream to get on the show and keep acting. I just wanted to be able to work regularly. After 40 years, it becomes very tiring. God love the journey of an actor, because it’s very tiring to have to battle so hard to get work. And then to have the work be celebrated — I was like, “Oh, I didn’t even think about this part.” It just was not a part of my paradigm. So it is all bonus to me. It is not something I feel owed, and I am massively grateful.

I’m so glad that it happened at this stage of my life, because I know what I’m doing. I cannot pretend like I don’t. This is my ninth series regular [role]. I don’t know how many recurring [roles] I’ve done, maybe about 25. And then all the movies and all the other things. To get recognized when you have the good fortune to have had so much experience — I think it might be hard if you’re young. Having been around and having had it not happen, you get what a massive gift it is. Because it brings opportunity, and it does bring a little bit of stability. And those are really nice parts about it.

You deserve this.

Thank you. It feels amazing. Wow. Every actor goes through periods where they are so unsure if they will ever work again, and periods of rejection that sometimes last a long time. You’re like, “Am I supposed to keep doing this? Should I be pivoting now?” To be in that place, and then have everything flip to the total opposite of that is a remarkable teacher about hard times. They don’t last forever. Neither do the great times. Anything can happen at any time. I think back on all the things I struggled over, things I thought I wanted. To end up with something that was so much more right for me was a big lesson in trusting and letting go.

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Congratulations on your first Emmy nomination.

It’s my first Emmy nomination, and I’ve learned, actually through Variety, through Clayton [Davis], that this is the first time an Iranian or a Middle Eastern woman has been recognized in this category. My brain is — I feel like it’s going to fall off.

How are you feeling? Are there words to describe it?

Not really. It’s kind of trickling in. I feel like I’ve taken some sort of drug, and I’m like, “Am I feeling it? Am I not feeling it? What’s happening now?”

What were you doing when you found out you got nominated?

Well, I just got back into the country after a couple weeks abroad yesterday, so I have raging jet lag. I woke up at 3 a.m., and I’m like, “I cannot be thinking about nominations for the next five hours.” So I did a meditation. I worked out. My parents are here with me, so we hung out this morning. It was super chill. Then we started watching the live broadcast, and then my team started blowing me up, and I kept declining their call, because I was like, “We’re watching the broadcast. What are you doing?” And then they kept calling, so I finally picked up, and they’re like, “Congratulations!” I’m like, “What do you mean? What’s happening?” 

You don’t know me very well, but this is what happens with me. I’m often the last person to really understand. Everybody was blowing up my phone. I’m like, “What do you mean, guys? We’re watching it. It’s a big live stream now.” And then I realized that it was posted online, and so it was kind of discombobulating, the way I learned about the news. But nonetheless, I was elated. And speaking to my family around the world and having my parents here, it’s incredible. It’s incredible. I can’t believe it.

It’s so special that your parents are there. How are you guys going to celebrate together? Are you going to do anything crazy?

We’re pretty boring. I think I might force them to go out somewhere. My mom’s kind of a homebody, but we got to go out. We got to run around the block.

You got to do your victory lap.

Exactly. We got to run at least down the block. Maybe we’ll go to dinner or something.

Is “The Pitt” already filming Season 3?

Yes. So, this season is kind of different. Everybody’s entering at a different time. Certain characters are entering throughout the first few episodes, so they’ve already been filming, and I join them tomorrow. And I couldn’t be more excited. It’s incredible, because so many people from “The Pitt” — the cast, the crew — have received so many nominations.

What does it mean to see everyone recognized together? 

I mean, it is incredible. It is incredible, and it doesn’t stop there. It’s not just those people who got recognized by the Academy, though I’m so grateful that we are being recognized by the Academy. But Noah [Wyle] said it before, lots of people have said it before: The show is a living, breathing ecosystem. It can’t work without every single person, similar to a hospital. It’s not about the individuals who are being recognized. It really is a whole collective effort to make this thing come to life, and everybody is so brilliant in their roles. I’m just so happy for people like Kirsten [Pierre-Geyfma] and Val [Valerie Chu], our writers, and for Noah as a director to be recognized, and obviously across the guests and supporting and lead categories. It feels warm and fuzzy and lovely, and this is an excuse for us to all celebrate this incredible work we do as a collective, as a community. I’m just so proud of all of us. 

I joined in the second season, and I was a little intimidated to enter a space where they’ve already created something that’s working and flowing so beautifully, but it’s kind of a reflection of life. We meet different people at different points in our lives, and sometimes we’re resistant to change. But ultimately, I think the addition of this character strengthens me and strengthens the hospital, and I’m excited to explore more of that in the third season, to see the ways that [Dr. Al-Hashimi has] had an effect on the staff, her students, the patients, the hospital, the way that it runs. I’m excited for this character, and I’m just so lucky that I get to be part of this.

Dr. Al-Hashimi really resonated with viewers this last season. What has made playing her and being part of ‘The Pitt’ such a special experience for you?

Oh gosh, we’d be on the phone for like three days [if I answered that]. I think it’s just having the opportunity to embody this woman who — she’s like a freak genius, OK? She carries these different worlds inside that reflect some of the worlds I’ve had access to growing up. Feeling like an outsider. She’s a mixed-race woman; I’m Iranian. And she was an immigrant; my family were refugees. It’s a similar experience, growing up somewhere that you don’t necessarily feel home.

And she’s navigating this health condition. I was so overwhelmed to hear from many, many people navigating health conditions and various diseases and disabilities, and how they saw themselves reflected in her, and how that’s not really explored too much in television. For women across medicine, the overwhelming response I was getting was that it was refreshing, if not cathartic, to see this woman who deals with the similar struggles they deal with, who sees the ways that the system is not catering to her. There are so many different aspects of this character that struck a chord with various communities.

And then it’s just great storytelling on top of that. It’s dramatic, compelling storytelling, aside from any identity she carries. Before anything else, people appreciate and enjoy the drama, and it’s a breath of fresh air to see people who look like real people, who tell real stories. It’s this beautiful cocktail that creates the magic of ‘The Pitt.’

What does it mean to you to be the first Iranian or Middle Eastern woman to be recognized in this category?

Oh my god, I’m going to start crying. I can’t express what — it’s just, it’s really not about me in this moment. It’s the way it can empower so many other people to see a path paved. And not that it’s about awards either, but about empowering you to believe in yourself, whether it’s going into medicine, or it’s believing that you are more than the discrimination that you’ve dealt with. This character inspires me and empowers me, and I think seeing an Iranian or Middle Eastern woman be recognized for their work in a show like this, in a moment like this, inspires hope. Hopefully it encourages people to live fearlessly and do what they want to do. It’s incredibly powerful to be able to hold this torch for everyone else that will follow.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

How are you feeling following your nomination?

I was woken up from an after-lunch doze to be told, so I’m thrilled. It’s just great. I’m very proud of the show. I’m glad that the show’s got nominations, and Gary [Oldman] and Jack [Lowden] also. So I’m feeling good. It’s a really nice feeling.

Have you spoken to either of them yet about the nominations?

They’re both on set. I was down on set a week ago to do some recording and said hello to Gary, but I’ve not talked to them since the nominations. But I’m really glad for them. I think both their performances are excellent. Jack, I’ve loved working with him, loved being his grandfather for the past few years, so I’m very happy for him.

Which other nominated shows are you excited about?

I only know those “Slow Horses” nominations. I have no time to look at the full lists, but did “The Pitt” get a hundred nominations?

It did, in fact, get quite a few.

That’s absolutely my favorite show that’s on TV at the moment. It’s extraordinary, and all the acting and direction is pretty sensational. I’m glad they’ve got multi-nominations.

Are there any other shows that you would hope to guest star on or to work with someone from in the future.

“Love Island.” No, I don’t know. At the moment, all I can think about is “Slow Horses,” so that’s great. I just finished filming a four-part series for ITV here, a show called “Mavis Eccleston,” which is a true life story about an event that happened in the Midlands of England eight years ago. An elderly couple in the early 80s, he had terminal cancer, and they had a suicide pact. He died, she didn’t, and she was tried for his murder then found not guilty. So that’s what I’ve just finished doing, and I’ve had a wonderful time doing it. It’s a really, really great script, and Penelope Wilton played my wife. So that’s the only two things I’m thinking about.

How did it feel to take on such heavy material? 

It’s all to do with my age. That’s all we have to think about, is illness and death. Those are the roles they’re writing for people my age. I suppose I would like to do more work where there wasn’t a certain kind of affliction. Ted Danson’s show [“A Man on the Inside”] — Ted is roughly the same age as me — that’s a good image of the older character. Someone who’s fun, who’s bright, who has a contribution to make. Maybe more roles like that. Maybe I’ll go and guest star on Ted’s show and become an inmate in the home somewhere.

How are you going to celebrate your nomination?

I’m going to have a swim. I’m on vacation, so I won’t be thinking about much else. I’m just absolutely thrilled about the nomination. It’s especially these in particular — the Emmys and the SAGs — they’re nominated by your peers, so that’s really touching after all these years.

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

What does it feel like to be nominated for an Emmy almost 10 years after your first Emmy nod for “Big Little Lies?”

It’s so exciting. I’m sure that’s what you’re hearing from everyone, but it really is just so exciting. I love what I do so much, and not that awards are the reason for what I do, but I don’t know how I couldn’t feel like a little girl in this moment. I grew up watching the Emmys, and it’s just really exciting and an honor to be included.

What were you doing when you heard about the nomination?

I was with two girlfriends. One of them was getting her lashes lifted, which I have never done in my life, and she asked if I wanted to do it. I was like, ‘How long does it take?’ and the lady was like, ‘It takes 20 minutes.’ Anyway, I ended up being on a bed with my eyes shut for an hour and a half, and my other girlfriend was like, ‘Your phone is blowing up.’ So I found out with my eyes shut and had some blind FaceTimes with some friends, which was really lovely.

One of your next projects is “Count My Lies.” Have you wrapped filming on that?

We finished last week, and I’m very, very excited about it. I had a lot of fun building the character and working with the cast and the crew and the producers of that show, and I’m very excited for people to see it. It’s very different than “Paradise.”

Do you think there’s any way that your character Annie could return to “Paradise” in flashbacks in the next season? 

I’m always gunning for her to return. I’m not sure the actual likelihood of that, but I keep pitching it to Dan Fogelman in hope. 

A third season of “Big Little Lies” is in the works. After the way Season 2 ended for your character, what are you hoping to see in the next season?

I’m curious to see what Jane and Ziggy’s (Iain Armitage) relationship has evolved into, because they had such a tight relationship and a dependency on one another, and he was obviously so young in the last two seasons. And the kids are not children anymore; they’re young adults. I’m very curious to see how those relationships unfold.

Were there any other nominations this morning that you’re particularly excited about?

I’m very excited to hear about the recognition of the show “Beef,” and the cast included. There’s a lot of great television right now. It’s fun to see. I feel honored to be a part of it, and it’s fun to see the shows that I personally am a fan of, the actors that I’m a fan of, be nominated. I’m excited and giddy to be in a room with them.

Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama Or Variety Series

Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series (“Sean Combs: The Reckoning”)

How are you feeling after that nomination?

I am truly honored and feeling very, very blessed that this film has really resonated with the public in so many different ways. I’m excited for the entire team. I think the film ignites a conversation that people seem interested to have. And I’ve got a lot of texts from the interview subjects in the film. That was the most emotional part of my morning: hearing from them and thanking them for trusting me with their story. We’re just so happy that the message was amplified by the reception of the film. 

What is it like getting recognition for the work that you all put into a project like this?

It’s obviously an honor. What I’m very proud of, as far as the filmmaking is concerned, is the Academy voters seeing the craftsmanship that went into a project like this. [We live] in a world where people are rushing to the printing press, just putting stuff out on a conveyor belt and doing it so fast and so furiously, just to try to stay in the news. But we really took our time with this project. That’s obviously a big thank you to Netflix, as well as our partners. I couldn’t have made it without them, because they didn’t put me on a timeline to finish the film, and that made a world of difference. We took a very traditional documentary approach, and I think that that’s what sets the film apart. 

It’s an honor, but it’s also bittersweet, because the film deals with really tough subject matter. That’s why I’m so thankful that the people that contributed to the film were proud of this nomination as well. That makes me feel like I can really stand behind it 1,000% and be like, “We did it.”

How are you and your team celebrating?

We all spoke this morning. I haven’t been able to have one-on-ones with everyone yet, but we’re back at work. It’s a very humbling experience, with all of the work that I do with the House of NonFiction team. We feel very honored and privileged that we have a platform to share stories that sometimes are misunderstood, or are told in the wrong way. Quite frankly, we feel very privileged that we’re able to bring a voice to the voiceless by the art of documentary filmmaking, so we never want to take a day for granted with that. We’re in post-production across a few different things, so that’s our prize, and we will continue to bring some incredible stories out into the world.

What are you working on next?

We have a very big season ahead of us, beyond “The Reckoning,” but I think the only thing I’m allowed to talk about at this point is the story of Terrell Owens. That’s going to premiere this fall on Amazon. I do a lot in the sports space, but the films I do in the sports space are also very layered. Next year, my film on Brittney Griner that I did with ESPN will be released. I’ve just been thrilled that it’s doing amazing on the film festival circuit. It premiered at Sundance, and I think it’s also accelerating and instigating conversations in a completely different space. 

Is there anything that you’re excited to see nominations for from other projects this year?

I did hear that “Rafa” snagged a nomination. I love Zach [Zach Heinzerling]. We’re both from a very random, small town just outside of Houston, and he’s an amazing person and filmmaker, and I’m really excited to share this with him. I think he’s incredible, and I think that that series is also incredible.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (“DTF St. Louis”)

Congratulations. How are you feeling?

I’m just so over the moon, and just filled with so much gratitude at this moment. Excitement, all that jazz.

What does it feel like to have your first Emmy nomination for this?

I will never get tired of hearing that. It is just such an honor. For it to be for “DTF,” which is a show that’s so close to my heart, is so special, and alongside pretty much all my collaborators on the show, it’s just such an honor. I’m just so excited and so thankful.

Have you gotten a chance to talk to your collaborators this morning?

Yes — the phone calls, texts, FaceTimes, group texts. It’s like a big virtual hug at the moment. We’re all just so happy for each other. It’s just such a dream. Everybody’s on the board.

What were you doing when you heard about the nomination?

I was actually at work. I had to step out of the room because I couldn’t contain myself, and I just screamed in a corner. It’s funny because I really haven’t had a chance to digest it yet, so after the day is all said and done, I’m probably gonna just scream again. It hasn’t hit, which is nice. I can get a reaction video there.

Fans are very excited for “Wednesday” Season 3. Is there anything that you can share about that, or any other upcoming projects?

I can’t speak on other projects just yet, but there’s a lot of exciting things in the works, including things I’ll be working on as an actor, but also producing and helming. It’s just a really, really exciting time, and this just adds right on top of it. It’s just such a beautiful stew of things going on.

Are there any other shows or nominees you’re rooting for? 

I really, really love Matthew Rhys and “Widow’s Bay.” That probably has to be one of my favorite shows of the year. It’s just such a delight to watch — the entire cast. I’m just so excited for “Widow’s Bay.” “The Pitt” as well. I don’t know what “The Pitt” stans are called, but I’m a “Pitt” person. There’s so many great shows to be amongst this year, so it’s really cool. And also “The Testaments.” Chase Infiniti. I’m so excited that she’s on the board as well.

There’s a lot of talk about where “DTF St. Louis” would go if it were extended beyond just a limited series. If that’s the case, what would you hope to see for your character Jodie?

It would be a delight to get to work with everyone on that set again. I’m not sure what it would look like, but obviously we all loved it the first time around, and it would only be more magical the second. I am just so grateful that I’ll get the chance to see everyone again thanks to the Television Academy, and looking forward to more, if that’s the case.

How are you going to celebrate your nomination later?

I’m probably going to call my parents at the end of the day. I’m not sure that they’re aware yet, but I’m also not entirely sure how familiar they are with the Emmys, and it’s going to be really fun walking them through why this is such a crazy moment. I’m so grateful that my parents get to see this moment, because they’ve always been my number one supporters and have always been a battery in my back. So it’s a really exciting moment to share with them, and even though my parents still call auditions “interviews,” I’m still really happy when I get to bring it home.

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (“Shrinking”)

This your second nomination for ‘Shrinking.’ How has this morning been for you?

I was up late learning lines for shooting today, tomorrow and Friday, so I actually had just woken up, and then I got a FaceTime from Jessica Williams, which is exactly what happened last year. It’s sort of a fun tradition. Obviously, we don’t do this for awards. This job is a prize enough. It’s the greatest job I’ve ever had. It’s so fun, and everyone’s happy there, and what we’re doing is about humanity. And I’m so proud of the show and proud to be playing this flawed guy that is doing his best and surrounded by people who are all trying to help each other make each other better. I’m just so proud of what we’re putting out there and that we’re encouraging people to take care of their mental health. And that it’s also resonating with the Television Academy is even sweeter. It means that more people will hear about the show and look at the show, and it’ll bring more eyeballs to what these characters are up to, and what our amazing writing team is concocting for us. Anybody who feels like they might be different than those around them, or that there might be things that they wish they could talk about with their friends and family, or their therapist — we are giving people a path to do that. Go ahead. We’re giving people the permission and the courage to take care of their mental health like they would their physical health.

Are you excited to see everyone on set later today?

Absolutely. I have a scene with Jessica today, and I think the whole cast is in tomorrow, so we’ll get to celebrate and be with our amazing crew. I only wish everybody had gotten nominated. Everybody is so integral — post-production and costumes; the hair and makeup team; and the camera department; writing; and all of our amazing directors. But I guess the show is nominated for best comedy; that’s for all of us. Everybody can take pride in that.

What was it like shooting the “Les Miserables” sing-along scene with Jason Segel and Harrison Ford in Season 3?

Oh my god. To me, [Ford] steals it. Because of course Jason and I get to really go for it and belt our faces off in this convertible Bronco driving through Pasadena, but to me, it’s Harrison in the back. He has no idea what we’re doing. He’s concerned about his safety. He’s annoyed with us. Then he’s sort of delighted by all of it. He goes through all of it. He runs the gamut of human emotion back there, and he’s just so funny. When we first started this, people were like, “Woah. It’ll be so interesting to see Harrison Ford be funny.” Harrison Ford’s been funny the whole time we’ve known him. Han Solo is funny. Indiana Jones is funny. Sure, he was also Jack Ryan and Dr. Richard Kimble, but we fell in love with him because he was funny, and he made us laugh. And now he just gets to do everything. This is the part of a lifetime for him, and he’s never been better. He gets to play, and he’s doing such beautiful work with [his character’s] Parkinson’s. The research that he does and the care that he takes with that is very moving. He is not just a movie star. He’s a genuine actor, and he loves the craft.

Have you guys been texting in a cast group chat this morning about all the nominations?

Of course. Of course. It’s been sort of blowing up. It’s a good day when Harrison weighs in.

What did he have to say? 

He’s a big softy. You can get him misty anytime very easily. But he made a point on the group thread to cite our amazing crew. They work the longest hours of anybody and probably get the least attention of anybody, but it doesn’t work without them. We don’t get to a place where we can do the silly stuff if they’re not ready for us and on top of their game and making sure we’re comfortable and safe. They’re doing all the things they need to do so they can capture these moments of spontaneity. When Jessica Williams comes up with the most brilliant ad-libbing, or Harrison in the back of the Bronco, they have to be on top of it to get this stuff, and they are. And unfortunately, not every job on a TV show is eligible for an Emmy. But there are so many people on our show that are just the best of the best.

What can you tease about Season 4?

Not much! What I can say is Season 4 is two years later than Season 3, so everyone’s different. Everyone has a very new life. It’s the same characters. We’re not playing different people or anything like that, but we are two years older, and we’re all going through something new that we haven’t seen before on the show. It’s a very, very clever way to keep the show relevant and keep these characters alive, and not sort of falling into old rhythms or anything like that. It’s so cool. It’s so cool to play a character that evolves and changes and fixes some problems and then develops others. That’s about all I can say. There’s a really wonderful little two-and-a-half-year-old playing my daughter. I can’t wait for you to see her. Christian Slater’s on the show this season. Michael J. Fox is coming back. It’s going to be good.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

This is your fourth Emmy nomination for this role. How are you feeling today?

I’m good. It’s really a blessing to still have a good day [on Emmy nominations day] six years in. It feels great. I mean, getting any nomination in any year is huge, because there’s a lot of great TV. We’re in this continuation of the golden age of streaming and network TV, so any year is huge, but being a veteran show, it’s really big. It’s easy for people to get complacent and just get episodes done and move your way through the season, so it is really nice to see us still get recognized, because we are still trying to imagine as if it’s Season 1. We come back to every season feeling like we need to do our best work. So it’s good that people can see that. I appreciate it a lot.

Being a veteran show now, you’re able to pull off a lot more. Your character went through big changes in his relationships and his career this year. How has it felt to still get all these surprises years after people have gotten comfortable with these characters?

It’s huge. In the beginning, you’re kind of limited by your character’s initial intentions. Now that we’ve given these characters a world to grow into, we can explore deeper things. This year, the episode where Janine and Gregory break up and get into a fight was huge for us. It breaks our mold a bit and continues to up the challenge. It’s really nice to have some freedom in the midst of those 22 episodes — not just to stay within our bounds, but break out of that every now and then, and hopefully continue to surprise the audience.

People had strong reactions to the breakup. Was that fun to watch?

I personally loved it. Anytime you can put the audience in turmoil with some Janine [series creator Quinta Brunson] and Gregory stuff, it’s one of my favorite things. It was really fun to watch, because I knew from the moment the script dropped that people would be up in arms. But what I really love about it the most is that Quinta and the writers did such a great job of building an argument that made sense for these two characters that didn’t demonize either one of them. That was really impressive from the moment I read it.

Quinta has begun to indicate in interviews that she’s started envisioning what life after “Abbott Elementary” will look like. She’s starting to work on other projects. Are you in that headspace yet too?

Because of history and being in this world for a while, I know that we have probably less road in front of us than we do behind us. I’ll always be aware of that. But ultimately, that’s a Quinta decision. I told her from the beginning: However long she wants to go, I’m down to ride with her, and I’m going to keep my word on that. At some point, we’ll start to look at what happens after this, but Season 6 is really where my focus is right now. We start having table reads in two weeks, so it’s kind of hard to see past that, but eventually we’ll cross that bridge.

What are your hopes for Gregory in Season 6?

He’s got his vice principal gig. It’s less what I’m hoping for and more what I’m afraid of — he’ll have to work with Ava [Janelle James], and history tells us that that’s not [easy]. They’re going to have to adjust to each other. But any situation in which you can put Gregory that makes him incredibly uncomfortable means that I have a lot of gold to mine out of that script, so I’m really excited about it.

Are you still learning new things from Gregory as the show reaches its later stages?

I’m always going to be learning from him. The minute I’m not is when it would not feel good to be in his skin anymore. As he grows, I grow. Persistence and perseverance are big things that I’m learning from him now. I think he’s waited a long time to get to the position that he’s in now, and he wants to capitalize on that and make the next step in his career. I feel a very similar way: It’s been a road getting here, and I’m finally able to look back on that and appreciate that journey. So I think, through him, I’m learning how to appreciate the journey more than the destination.

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Congratulations on the nomination. How are you feeling?

I am pinching myself because I can’t believe that this is real. I feel so grateful.

It’s been a really exciting year for you so far. You had your first Oscars, first Met Gala, first Emmy nomination.

It’s crazy, I know. I had my mom read out that same thing to me today, right after I found out. You could not have told me three years ago that this would be my life. I could not have imagined this at all.

What was it like getting to join the world of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’?

It was such a gift. I think one of my favorite things about this world is getting to have worked with all the girls on set. This world has so much love, both from the fans, and from people who look to the story for strength to enact change in their own communities. We have so much love on set, and I will forever be grateful for the friendships that I created with my cast and crew.

Have you reached out to any of them since the nomination came out?

I talk to them very frequently, especially Rowan, Lucy, and Mattea. The four of us talk often.

Is the cast group chat blowing up right now?

They were some of the first people to message me, and I was just shown so much love from them. Mabel, who plays Vidala, and Ann Dowd reached out to me. I feel so grateful to have an incredible group of people that I’ve worked with.

What were you doing when you found out you got nominated?

I was waiting to board a plane back to Chicago. I was supposed to be in the air when nominations were coming out, and then my flight was delayed 45 minutes. I’m not kidding when I say the second that they announce my name, boarding began, and I was like, ‘That’s interesting.’ So I was waiting to board my flight. And I was on the phone with my mom.

You’re from Chicago?

I was born and raised in Indianapolis, but I’ve lived in Chicago for the past eight years now.

So you get to be with friends and family today?

Yes, I’m going to get to be with my best friend. I’m so excited.

Can you give us any updates on ‘The Julia Set’?

I can’t give you any updates other than I’m so excited to see the final product, because I shot that very quickly after “One Battle After Another” came out. I went straight from promoting ‘One Battle’ to shooting an indie film that I have so much love for. I can’t wait for people to see it. I had such an incredible support system, and getting to work with Christopher Briney was such a gift, he’s such a wonderful person and scene partner. I can’t give any spoilers, but I’m excited.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Congratulations on your nomination! How are you feeling this morning?

I’m having a great evening because I’m in Paris! I didn’t wake up for breakfast to see if I got nominated. I’ve had the whole day to hang out, and I just got my daughter to bed, so I’m feeling pretty good.

That’s amazing! How did you react to not only your recognition but how many nominations “Beef” got overall?

I’m so proud [of] Sunny, Lee Sung Jin. It’s incredible to have our peers and fellow artists within the Academy recognize something that everyone’s so proud of. Honestly, I keep on thinking about Baker, the guy that drove me to and from work everyday! I fucking love that guy. Special shoutout to Baker.

Well, it’s evening over there. Are you celebrating at all tonight or do you have plans to later this week?

I fly back to L.A. tomorrow, and I’ve started prepping my next thing. I’m with my wife, my daughter’s asleep. My wife jokingly said, “Hey baby, tell your daughter what you got nominated for.” It was very sweet and funny, and then my daughter fell asleep. Right now, I’m drinking Coke Zero. I’ll probably walk around, maybe grab a gelato or Lime bike somewhere. I don’t know! I just want to be with my wife and my daughter.

Have you had a chance to connect with any of your fellow castmates? I know Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan were both nominated.

I’m getting an overflow of messages right now from everybody, but the first person to reach out was my rock, my family — Cailee Spaeny! Love her so much. Carey just texted me, Oscar better text me! No, I’ll text Oscar. I’m surprised my Mom hasn’t texted me. She is in Hawaii, though.

I know a lot of people were hoping, and expecting, Cailee Spaeny to get nominated. Were you surprised that she wasn’t recognized?

She’s one of the greatest artists in the world. She’s one of my favorite artists. There’s no limitation to her artistry. So I don’t know what to tell you. I think there’s a lot of gratitude. I think she’s very proud of our show. We’re all proud of our show, the work we put into it — everyone on the cast and the crew. Even Song Kang-Ho and Youn Yuh-jung, all our day players, everyone that is everybody — Matthew Kim, so many people brought their A-game. All the writers. The recognition means something at the end of the day, that what you did maybe meant something to someone.

“May December” was one of your big breakout roles back in 2023. How did working with Todd Haynes, and the reception from critics on your acclaimed performance, shape the roles you’ve taken since?

Todd Haynes gave me an opportunity after I auditioned against 400 people. I would do anything for Todd Haynes — he changed my life. He’s one of my close friends. To be recognized for the work we did in “May December,” where people still compliment and make comments about that film and what Todd did, what Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore did — that’s what you want in your work, right? For your work to transcend and live through time in a way — not just one year, but decades.

That’s the dream. I go back and watch films from years ago, decades ago. It’s amazing to see the life that the work I’ve been a part of has. I guess you can say that ever since I’ve worked with Todd Haynes, I’ve been chasing that feeling that I had with creating. I’ve had many different versions of that with similar filmmakers afterward, and Lee Sung Jin and “Beef” is one of them; Jake Schreier and “Beef” is one of them; Greg Kwedar and “Sing Sing” is one of them.

Critics sometimes can help articulate what a performance is. It’s a beneficial thing to read, “Oh, this is your interpretation of what I was doing that was happening subconsciously in my work.” Critics were very kind to me during “May December” so I feel very grateful. But again, I want to be part of great work, even if I have one line and one scene, with a great filmmaker and great team.

What’s so exciting about “Beef” is that with each new season, you can bring in new characters and explore different ideas. In a potential Season 3, what themes would you be curious to see Lee Sung Jin explore?

If they did a third season of “Beef,” I’ve already loosely pitched this jokingly. “You can bring back anyone. I don’t know! I love Steven [Yeun], Steven and I are good friends. It’d be amazing if we did something together.” But who knows?

Were there other shows recognized that you loved?

I think Richard Gadd’s amazing. I loved “Half Man,” loved “Widow’s Bay.” I loved all those performances. To be in the same conversation as all these shows in the limited anthology category — it’s amazing. But I’ve got a lot of catching up to do because I just had a baby girl five months ago.

When your daughter is older, what are the first films or TV you want to show her?

I’m gonna leave that up to her Mom. Her Mom’s the artist. We go to a lot of museums, and my daughter really loves abstract art. The fact that she’s so curious has opened my experience to be even more curious than I usually am.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Congratulations on being a first-time Emmy nominee! I’d love to hear where you were when you found out the news?

My body is still trying to recover from the shock. I was at my family’s, and I didn’t listen to anything. Everything was turned off because I was very nervous about it. And then I got a call from my publicist, Mason to tell me that I was nominated, and I screamed! I jumped around, I celebrated with my boys and husband, and it was a truly glorious morning. And then to find out that our show got 18 nominations was just incredible. And Vince [Gilligan], Rhea [Seehorn], Miriam [Shor], Jeff [Hiller], Carlos [Manuel Vesga] — it’s been magnificent. I was speechless and in shock. I’m still recovering from it. It’s hard to believe, I’m truly touched and so incredibly grateful for it.

One of my first acting jobs was on “Law & Order,” and Julianne Nicholson was on that show, so to be nominated in the category with her? I’m truly speechless. I’m such a huge fan. That just came to mind because it was one of my first jobs in New York City.

Queer audiences have specifically really resonated with the show and with Carol and Zosia’s unexpected dynamic. How have you taken in people’s reactions and, with the major cliffhanger in Season 1, what are you hoping for in seeing that relationship deepen in Season 2?

I’m truly touched and honored by the response from the LGBTQ+ community about our show, the relationship between Carol and Zosia, and the fact that it resonates with people and makes them feel seen. What’s beautiful about the way the story is told is that you see people transcending these ideas — it’s about love and human-to-human connection. I love that people see that and feel that.

And with the atom bomb cliffhanger, I’m very curious where that’s going to be taken.

What about Zosia as a character do you want to explore more of?

I would love to maybe find out about Zosia’s background. I didn’t ask during the first season because I didn’t want to know so it didn’t color my performance. Zosia is not who she was prior to the joining. So I’m very curious. Who Zosia is might be very surprising. I have no knowledge [yet] but I’m really excited. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for Season 2 for all the characters.

Do you know when Season 2 will start filming? What is the timeline for production?

I am as impatient as everyone else is. But to be honest with you, I trust Vince and the writers and that they’re creating something very special. I know they need to take their time to create the story that they need to tell. It’s not about quantity; it’s about quality for them. So I trust that the time they’re taking is necessary to create the story.

Vince specifically wrote the role of Carol for Rhea Seehorn, who people have been such a fan of for years and were excited to see lead this show. As the excitement around you as a performer grows, I’m wondering about your future aspirations after “Pluribus.” If someone were to build a series around you as a character actor, what would be the dream role for you?

It’s truly mind-blowing to me, the whole journey that’s been happening. If it wasn’t for casting remembering me from years prior, I wouldn’t be here today because I would have never had the opportunity to audition. To be in this moment right now? It’s beyond my wildest dreams. What happened with Vince writing “Pluribus” for Rhea is like, of course, “Duh!” She’s truly an exceptional artist. So if Vince ever wanted to write a show for me, I’ll be touched! That’s such an honor if Vince wants to write something for you.

I don’t have a specific role. It’s one of those things that I always have to read and I have to fall in love with a character. I have to feel the need of, “I have to play this!” I would love to create my own projects and there’s a couple of things I’m working on with friends — writing projects. That’d be something I would love to do next: start to develop my own projects. Fingers crossedthat’s something that’s going to manifest in the future and hopefully this will open some doors to that possibility.

From working with Vince and observing the way he writes and builds out worlds, are there major takeaways that you’ve incorporated in your own writing? It’s really interesting that you’re developing your own projects.

I’m not the one that’s writing it, it’s more about having ideas and working with a writer. I’m not a writer! I think I would be too terrified if I ever wrote, “Hey Vince, what do you think?” If there’s something that I would love to get Vince’s opinion on, I would ask him. He’s such a brilliant writer that whenever I ask Vince how he does it, I’m truly blown away by how his brain works, the way he does the dance of this beautiful dark humor, the fine line that he walks between genres and themes. There are some people that are just born with an incredible gift and that’s him!

What I did get inspired by last year, and I would love to do next season, is sit in on days where I’m not shooting to observe and listen to Vince direct. When we were in Spain, I was doing voiceover and I was able to listen into the way he talks to the camera operators, Matt Credle, setting up shots and the way he talks about whose head he shoots, which point of view he’s going at, and what he’s trying to tell by these angles. Listening to him direct was so inspiring that I would love to learn more and observe him more — same with Gordon Smith. He’s incredible. We have some wonderful directors that I would love to sit in on more, observe and learn from. I’m not saying that I want to direct but just hearing that creative process was truly inspiring. Rhea actually directed one of the episodes of “Better Call Saul,” so I would love to see her direct, to be honest.

Lastly, how is your family taking in your nomination?

My kids are very little so they didn’t understand what was going on. They’re just like, “What is happening?” They’re five and three, they were just like, “OK, let me go back to playing with my Play-Doh,” and they were like, “You need some chocolate!” I have a very supportive husband, we celebrated, we hugged each other, cried and had this tender moment. I’m very lucky to have this beautiful partner in life that’s on this journey with me.

My father was finally proud of me for the first time in my life. I called him and he said, “I’m proud.”

Being an immigrant, to him being an actor is like, “What is this?” He wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer, for him, that was the ultimate success. It’s a very immigrant mentality, which I love about my father so much, and my mother. It’s a very different way of being when you come to America from a country and you work hard. The stability is always in those jobs in their minds, so they’re feeling proud today.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

How are you feeling this morning?

I’m still processing and wrapping my head around it, but I’m just so thrilled and honored and very grateful. I’m so proud to be in this show and to have worked alongside this cast and these creatives. I’m shocked and thrilled! I feel very lucky.

Where were you when you found out the news? Were you doing anything in anticipation of the big day?

I am in Paris right now. I was here with my sister and was sitting on the floor of my hotel when I got the news. It was so special to be with my sister who has seen all my plays, watched all my TV shows and been just such a cheerleader for me and a believer in what I do and what I want to do. To be able to celebrate with her, hug, call and FaceTime my Mom was really special. I was really lucky that I got to hear that news and try and start metabolizing it.

Overall, the show landed a best limited or anthology series nomination. What did you think about how the show was received? Have you been able to connect with any of your fellow nominees? I know Constance Zimmer, who plays Carolyn’s mom, was also recognized.

I’ve been able to send some texts back and forth, and I was able to talk to Connor Hines, who wrote “Love Story,” and hats off to him. I don’t think I’d be having a conversation right now if he didn’t write such an incredible show and understand Carolyn and John and bring them to life in this interpretation of their love story. I’m going to hop on the phone and talk to everybody else because a text only goes so far. I’m so thrilled for Constance — working alongside her was such a dream. She’s so incredible and I’ve been such a fan. To then be in a show with her was just that much more special. I’m so glad that “Love Story”was recognized.

Many people were expecting to see your co-star, Paul Anthony Kelly, nominated. Were you surprised he wasn’t recognized?

Of course, I was hoping that everyone — especially Paul — would be recognized. Something I learned is that film, TV and theater, all of it really takes a village. It’s not a solo show, it’s not a solo performance. It all makes sense in some of its parts, and working with Paul Anthony Kelly was such a dream every single day — from the moment he walked into the audition room, and then every single day through a six-month long shoot, seeing his evolution of John. To see the ease that he had on set and this transformation that he was able to take on, it was something I admire so much. Hats off to Paul. I would love to work with him and everyone on the show ten times over, and I’m so excited to see all of the future recognition that everyone gets.

And what about Ryan Murphy, who I know has been Emmy-nominated many times before, not landing a writing or directing nod?

Ryan Murphy is so incredible. I can’t totally wrap my head around how he’s able to do everything that he does to such an exacting perfection. He’s such a world builder, a master of his craft, and I’m so honored and grateful that he entrusted me with this. Just being able to be in the room with him to audition was such a huge feat, and I am so glad that “Love Story” was recognized. That just speaks to the quality of work that Ryan does because, at the end of the day, I’m entering his world.

Oftentimes, when people (like Carolyn Bessette) die so young, that becomes what people always talk about. What do you hope this show, and its Emmy recognition, might do for Carolyn and JFK Jr.’s legacy and the way people reflect on their time together?

What was so exciting to me about Carolyn is that I was familiar with her through photos, and I knew Calvin Klein, I knew John F. Kennedy Jr., but beyond that, that was my very surface knowledge. Obviously people that knew and loved them are still with us. Something that was important to me, in particular with Carolyn, was as I learned more about her, she was so much more than a publicist to Calvin Klein. She was seriously loyal; she had this wild, exciting energy; she was sensitive; she was whip smart; she had strong opinions; she was very good at her job, climbing the ranks of Calvin Klein incredibly quickly; she loved very deeply. The Carolyn that I got to know, I wanted more people to know about that Carolyn. I’m so glad [to see that] she has really resonated with people, at least my interpretation of her — of the person that I came to know from my research. I have learned so much from literally and figuratively walking in her shoes of how to be able to embody someone with so much self-possession. It has been a real gift to me. And then the John-Carolyn love story, I believe that they were deeply in love. To see that on screen, I think it’s very beautiful. There is a great love story out there for everyone and it was so wonderful to get to do that every single day with Paul Anthony Kelly.

You’re in Paris. How are you planning on celebrating your nomination?

I haven’t made plans yet, but I think I’m going to walk around and try and soak up my life. So much of my life has changed over the past year. And being in Paris, the city of love of all places, I could not have expected to be here a year ago, getting this news.