Episode 625 | Elizaveta Neretin | "Lioness" (Oleksandra)

[00:00:07] I want to start off by saying awesome job this season like terrific like you must be so proud of yourself and I don't think that's a bad thing to say I think it's a good thing I'm so you got to be so proud of yourself.

[00:00:17] I am I think especially after episode three I really really loved it even Michael after we shot it Michael really really loved it the director of that episode and I was I was really looking forward to watching it and then when I watched it I was like oh this is pretty good.

[00:00:41] Yeah, you know I have to say there's pleasant surprises when you watch a show during the year and you were one this year for me I was just like wow you know you never know what a character brings if you know once the episode once the seasons develop and it's just what a pleasant surprise it was to see what you've done so far. Thank you so much. Yeah, and I have to say though you have a background. It's overwhelming just reading a lot of it like Juilliard and biology early on.

[00:01:11] Was your work I mean is this work ethic been with you forever? I mean good lord it seems like you really put your time into a bunch of things. Yeah, I think so. I think it's you know part of it is definitely having really demanding a really demanding parents.

[00:01:32] And then also I think eventually I began to acquire joy from closing a loop or like finishing something like that really good feeling when you start something from beginning from scratch. You go through basics and you complete it and you go through the whole thing completely.

[00:01:58] I think it's the way to it's one of the ways to acquire self-empowerment. So it's a yeah, it's a thing that I love to do. I think that's why I don't tend to put my energy into many things because I carefully choose because I know I'm gonna want to finish it. You know that's that's a really great thing you bring up because there is satisfaction and accomplishments and I feel like people don't say that as much. You know, what was the original plan for that biology? Did you want to go on to medicine or what did you what was the original plan?

[00:02:28] Yeah, well my dad I think I think my dad wanted to be a doctor but his mother was what he was to me. So she pushed him to be an engineer because at the time engineers were in demand. And I think his whole life he really wanted me to be a doctor so I could live out his dream.

[00:02:48] And then when I finished CGEP, which is so in Quebec in Montreal, you have to do after high school, you have to do this CGEP. So it's like this other other college before you go to university, you don't go directly to university. Right. And you do health science.

[00:03:07] So I did health science in CGEP and I couldn't go into medicine immediately because it was very I mean McGill is very competitive because it's essentially a free program. So the rate of acceptance is, you know, insanely low.

[00:03:25] So I thought, OK, I would go and do cellular molecular biology, you know, be a little more mature in that way, like learn how to be a university student before I commit substantial part of my life to medicine, you know, to medical studies. So that that was that was the path that I was I was going to take. Yeah.

[00:03:51] And it's not like things get easier because you would end up going to Juilliard, which is also highly selective. Right. I mean, so talk just talk a little about Juilliard, because I I'm always fascinated with my guests that have gone to Juilliard. Like, I just think I could never, ever in my greatest year do anything close to that. It's very intense. It's definitely very intense.

[00:04:14] I think one of the things that that Juilliard makes sure to do is to teach us to commit to something to really, really long hours. You know, it's not something that can be measured in the same way as science can. You know, like if someone gives you a math problem, there is an answer. But with acting, it's a little bit different. Right. It's all in the eye of the behold. Right. It's like it's a little different.

[00:04:42] So I think what they what they definitely want to make sure is that we're all ready. Like we we're capable of being hardworking, you know. And I think the time commitment becomes an essential part of that, because I don't think any of us will, you know, be surprised when we're on set for 12 hours because we're at school for 12 hours every day, Monday to Saturday.

[00:05:07] So kind of build a different kind of, you know, like grit almost. Does that weigh on you? Does that weigh on you as you're as you're going through it? Because that's I mean, I didn't know you guys were on Saturday. My God, I didn't even know that. Yeah. Yeah, it definitely can. And it's it's an interesting thing to be done out of it and have so much time off. It's a double edged sword.

[00:05:36] What do I mean by that? On one hand, it's really nice because you don't really have to plan so much. You don't have to really think so much like things are just things are there's a schedule. You're following the schedule. There's a there's a freedom in that. Not having to figure out what what what's going to happen the next day and the day after that, you know, you know what your assignments are, you know what you have to you know what you have to learn. You know what's happening, you know?

[00:06:04] And on the other hand, yes, there is absolutely a lack of a lack of, you know, freedom. You only have a fun day. I just noticed you switched us. I did. I'm listening to you talk and I'm going to fix it in post, but I was so mad. I'm listening to you talk and I'm like, holy shit, I got the names wrong. I could fix that in post.

[00:06:33] But so I have to say, you must be. Are you happy that you went through it? Are you happy that you you stuck with it and stuck through it? Oh, yeah. I think the I think the what's happening to me personally, I mean, everybody will have their own experience. Speaking for myself, the gratitude for it is coming now.

[00:06:56] Like it was after I graduated that the gratitude can start to land because I do realize that while you're in it, you don't notice the things that you're learning. I mean, a lot is given to you. So many techniques. And you're trying and trying things and, you know, crying and laughing and yelling and rolling on the floor. It's like it's an ear. It becomes your every day.

[00:07:21] And then you don't you don't notice how much you actually learn. You don't notice it until you're out. So the real gratitude is coming now. And it's it's real. Yeah, it's really, really lovely. It's really lovely to not have to work so much to get the same results that I used to get before I went to school. Right.

[00:07:49] Like I can get to where I need to be with a lot less effort because you become so much more economical about wielding your body, your instrument. You just become so much more economical and you know exactly where to go and what to hit to get the thing that you need. Right. Right. No, that's an awesome answer.

[00:08:11] How do you feel the fact that, you know, that, you know, millions of fans are going to be watching Alexandra's fate in the series in the season finale? How does that feel? It feels pretty great. Yeah. I can't I can't wait. I can't wait for them to see the finale. So I I'm going to end the interview with some Reddit questions that I had from Boyd. They asked some great questions. And I'm going to tell you this. Boyd, you have a lot of fans out there. You know?

[00:08:40] On Reddit? Yes. Yes. When we're done with the interview, check it out. Like there's like people loves your character, loves your character this season, you know, and that's a testament to what you brought to it. It's it's pretty amazing. Thank you. Yeah. Let me ask you this. What goes into developing her? Like, is it I've read some stuff. I've heard some interviews you've done. Is it part of what you bring? I mean, there's a trust from Taylor and others. Like, what is is it a combination of things? How's that work?

[00:09:09] And I know you've been asked this probably a thousand times during the press day, but how's that work for you? It's interesting because it's a little bit for me. It's a little bit the opposite. It's very easy for me to take things on. Gotcha.

[00:09:29] So, so the moment I knew the outline of what her job, because all you need to really tell me is what her job is. I can do the rest. Right. And that's what Taylor did. Taylor told me what the job is. And he told me a little bit about my family. And that was enough. I think the greatest tool as an actor is our imagination.

[00:09:59] And that's another thing that I had the privilege to train for four years. Like, from all kinds of perspectives, you know, from all kinds of, like, for example, we actually have an imagination class in the first year where you're standing, breaking an imaginary egg in your hands for like 10 minutes.

[00:10:22] It was when it finally clicked for me, I started to feel the calcification on the eggshell. I started to feel it. That's where it all clicked for me. And, you know, ending with, with one of our other teachers, we work on activating different, like different centers of your body. Like, where does the character move from, from which center?

[00:10:47] And it's almost like, you know, Taylor gave me like a coloring book. So he gave me the outlines and the colors just come in, right? You start with an idea and then your, your mind, it's so beautiful. Your mind, your being, your spirit will fill it. So the moment he gave me that, I just began to write for myself the backstory of this character.

[00:11:11] And obviously, as you can see so far, it's not like I do the same thing as other characters do in this year. I'm not military. That's not my skill set. Right. My, my, I, for me, you know, I didn't have to undergo the training in the same way that other actors have to. My training is much more psychological, as you can imagine.

[00:11:35] It's, you know, deep imagination work as to what was it, what is it like to be a woman who is lying to very powerful people while using her sex, her body to gather information. I mean, that is, it's, I mean, all I can do is use my imagination, you know, do research. Eventually. Yeah. That's, that's infinitely harder than being in the military, I have to imagine.

[00:12:05] What your character, what Alexandra does. I mean, come on. Like, she goes through. Yeah. You know? I mean, I get, yeah. Yeah. It depends. Yeah, it depends. I think, I think it depends. But I, I see what you mean. Yeah, psychologically, it, it, it's, it's just different. I think it's just different, different kind of difficulty. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So like Joe goes through hell this season. Your character has been through a variety of, of hellish situations. And it makes you think, you know, like the real people that do these jobs in everyday life,

[00:12:34] whether it's in the Ukraine or Russia or the United States, it's hard. Like in your case, family members can be put in jeopardy. You know, it's, you don't know who's coming around the corner. You're coming back from shopping and look who's in your living room. Like it's just to me, and that's sort of me by tougher than military. It's like, you just don't know. You just, you know, there's no downtime. You're, you're, you're on the clock 24 seven. And like, so, so I get that Taylor gave that to you, gave you that coloring book, but did

[00:13:04] you on your own go to look into what those secret services and forces, what they do and what, what. I, I, so, I mean, you know, there's a conflict that's happening between Russia and Ukraine. So I knew a fair bit already. So when I was reading about things is, is hard. I did a little bit, I did a little bit, but I feel like from not, I feel, I know for me,

[00:13:33] a lot of things I already knew. So, I mean, one of the reasons why it's so difficult to watch the news and kind of actually read about that is because it is happening in my home and both of my home countries, you know what I mean? So in my case, in my case, in this specific case with this specific part, the research

[00:13:56] did not need to be so extensive for me to be able to fully dive into this part. If that makes sense, because it is so close to home. It makes perfect sense. And, you know, it's just on screen. It appears like you've really poured your heart into this. And does it, does the role take a little more meaning because she is indeed a Ukrainian, of Ukrainian background? Of course. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:14:25] Let me ask you this. You've now, you've now been in multiple Taylor Sheridan projects. Like, first of all, does he tell you why he likes you in the projects or is getting the role? Is that the, is the appreciation the telling you why, you know what I'm saying? Like how do you view that? I think, I think I'm a, I'm a trooper as a person. Hmm. So I don't, I tend to, I tend to go for it.

[00:14:54] And I think it's that energy. It's that because after working with him just for one day in Toronto on Mayor of Kingstown, I could feel that he was like, okay, like I, I like working with you because I, I go for it, you know? And, uh, I mean, I don't know if you've seen Mayor of Kingstown. Great job, by the way, in that episode. You were terrific in that episode. Yeah. You were great. Yeah. Um, there were some very intense scenes that we shot for when he comes to my home as well.

[00:15:24] Um, that I don't believe were included. So it's like, I, I, I go all in once I agree that I'm going to do something, I go all in. And I think it's that quality that he appreciates, but I, I don't want to speak for him. That's, that's just my guess. Yeah. That's an awesome answer. Uh, let me ask you this. There's a story and I kind of don't know the whole story, but he kind of tells you to go to school and, you know, do your thing and then come back. First of all, it's amazing because he actually kept his word.

[00:15:54] And, you know, even as a podcaster, I know that doesn't always happen. People don't always keep their word. Right. But, um, like, were you shocked when he did that? And how much does that mean to you? I was not shocked actually, because after working on there, um, his question to me was, do you have representation? And I said, yeah, I have representation in Canada. And he's like, oh, okay. And then within 24 hours, um, I had Gersh reach out to me.

[00:16:20] So, um, I kind of, from that, I got that he follows through and he follows through. I got the feeling, I get the feeling from him that he'd rather follow through faster than wait. Like he'll follow through as soon as possible. Like he's like men, like, like action. Like he, he, he, he goes, he, and he does the thing that he says he's going to do. So when we were talking, when I was telling him about Juilliard, he was like, oh, that's,

[00:16:49] that's a really great honor to, to do that. Um, go ahead. He even mentioned to me that he had just worked with someone who was also a graduate of Juilliard. So he was like, it's a great honor. You should do it. And, um, you know, I'll be here. So I messaged him when I was, I was in LA doing my showcase with Juilliard.

[00:17:13] And what surprised me is the fact that his, his message back to me was immediately, I have something for you on Lioness. That was a surprise. Not the fact that he messaged back, you know what I mean? But it was just like, oh yeah, like I have, I have a job for you, which made me feel like he knew I was finishing and he knew that it was like the four years were up. And you know, what's so interesting too, though, is like, I wonder if he has, obviously he

[00:17:42] had you in mind because he contacts you, but like, I wonder if he has like you in mind when he's creating the character. Like I could see her in this because I've seen her, I've seen her work ethic. I've seen her ability. Do you see what I'm saying? Like maybe he creates that character by thinking about what you're capable of instead of the reverse order where he wants this. I don't know. I just think there's so many ways to go about that. And either way, all roads, all roads go to a common one. To meet the room. Yeah. So that's great. Thank you so much. Yeah.

[00:18:09] I mean, I hope, I mean, that's, I hope, I hope so. I mean, you'd have to ask him, but I hope he wrote it for me. But even if he didn't, even if he didn't, it's still a really cool, it's close enough, it's close enough to, you know, to home, close enough to home that it feels my own. Yeah. Yeah. That's a great, that's a great answer. When was the last time you can remember being blown away by an actor, whether it's on set?

[00:18:38] I don't think you binge watched a lot of shows because I feel like you travel a lot. But if you've watched a movie or a show, you have some awesome scenes with Tad, which I'm going to get to in a second, which are unbelievable. But just whatever you wanted to say. Yeah. I have to, I have to, because the first thing that pops in my mind is one of my favorite shows. It's called Mind Hunter. You know that show? Yes. So good. Yes.

[00:19:06] So all of their, I mean, there are multiple ones, but the inter, not inter, they're not interrogation scenes, they're interview scenes with psychopaths, right? With, with serial killers. Yeah. I mean, I think the work that those actors have done are incredible. And I can't give you one because they're all really, really, really good.

[00:19:32] And they're so different because the whole show is about, right, is about agents for the first time interviewing serial killers to basically create profiles, right? Different profiles. So therefore each serial killer will be completely different because we're, we're given the different variety of serial killer because that's what they're creating. They're creating profiles of, of serial killers.

[00:20:01] And they're just phenomenal. That's phenomenal work. I mean, that's the kind of, I think that's one of the shows very dark. And I just, I think, I think I've seen that show, I think at least four times, especially the first season. The first season is just, oh, it's exhilarating. And it's very slow paced also until it's not, until it's like, whoa, we're seeing so many of these interviews. Yeah.

[00:20:29] I'm so happy you said that, you know, there's a scene, there's a scene in that where the detectives, and I forget the actor's name, he goes into interview the serial killer, the big one. His name's Ed. I think it's Ed. Yeah. And he like breaks loose. And for the first time, he realizes that these are monsters, not just people on paper. Oh, he just like stands up next to him. Yes. Yes. In the hospital bed. And he just says he's like a head taller. Yes.

[00:20:56] And he has this like panic attack because it's starting to hit home that how many people have been in this position, women or otherwise, where they never made it out. So, so, oh my God, people are clamoring for a third seat is a third season for one more season of that show. I think it would be third. I think it would be, I think it's two seasons. Yeah. Yeah. You'd be an awesome addition to that cast. You'd be awesome in working in that cast. It's phenomenal. Yeah. Dream. That'd be a dream. It's phenomenal. It's, it's really, it's something else.

[00:21:25] And I mean, to watch how one of the detectives, you know, adopted son also is big. We don't know, but like, it's almost, it's, it's, it's almost like his adopted son is showing signs of some sort of abuse and they don't know, but because this is what he does for his work, he cannot not see it. So he thinks the work is just, it's so, it's, it's really, really beautiful.

[00:21:52] And just how smart, I mean, it's very, it's a very smart, the dialogue. It's very intellectual. Yeah. I love, I love that. Yeah. The last thing I'll say is I had one of the killers on my, well, not the killer, but like the actor, his name is Happy Anderson. He plays the serial killer that wears high heels and women's clothes. You remember that? Oh, yeah. Yeah. He's going to see himself in third person. Yes. And then they're like, why are you?

[00:22:21] And he's like, damn, Ed told me you guys were smart, but you guys are idiots. And I'm like, oh, he's so good. Like blonde, right? He's redheaded. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Chef's kiss as well said. So let me ask you this. You have some awesome scenes, but is it Tad or Tad? How do you say that? Is it Tad? Tad. Tad. Tad. When he gets angry, he's got these eyes.

[00:22:48] Like your, your scenes, the two of you are so convincing. And when he gets angry, he looks like a demon. And I mean that like, like as an actor, not like, like I'm not judging him, but, but it's like, it's so it's, can you feel that energy? And so a Reddit user had a question. I don't want to step on it, but kind of like that, but can you feel that energy? Because the scenes are so convincing. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:23:12] I, if I had to place his, let's say quote unquote demon or whatever spirit, spirit animal, whatever. I would, I would say that it's something of a, like a, he's like a joker. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like a little bit of a, of a, of a, like the, and when I say joker, I mean like the fool in Shakespeare, not, not, do you know, not, not Batman. Like I'm saying like, he's, he has that like trickster energy. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

[00:23:42] And because of that, it's very easy to play off of that because it drives you crazy. Cause you're trying to be serious. Right. Right. Right. Really? It's like, and, and it's, and it's funny because in life he's, he's very sweet and kind, but you know, and it's, you know, when, when, when we all cut, he's always like, Oh, Kyle,

[00:24:05] you know, he has this like really, really, um, he has a really good, like separation of like, Oh yeah, that's Kyle. Of course. Of course. Kyle would say that, you know? So it's a, it's a really frustrating, like it's really, it works really well to frustrate you when you play across that, which is really great because you want something to bounce off of. Um, so that's what I'd call it. I call it a really like frustrating energy.

[00:24:34] And he's got this like layered sarcasm, like you're saying. And then it like turns to where he's now almost like a mind hunter where he turns and he's like, he's this, like, he is just angry. He's a force. And it's like, Whoa, but I gotta say though, Alexandra doesn't get rattled. She never gets rattled. No matter what he does. She is not rattled by him. Your character never gets rattled by my, oh, my character. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, I think she never gets rattled.

[00:25:01] I mean, she always maintains her composure where most people would, would give in at, give into that. I think that one of the, I mean, one of the choices that I made that I think was essential to make, um, I've, I've met, I've met a few people that in my life that were from, um, that worked in, in some form or shape in, um, military.

[00:25:30] I wouldn't say military, like cops and stuff, you know, like, and it's, um, the, you know, I've, I've watched them have a specific opinion about Americans. It's a very specific cultural opinion where they don't like to show off. So, and I think I took that on. I took that on really strongly because when Kyle talks to me, I always want to get to the point.

[00:25:56] Alexandra wants, always wants to get to the point of what we're talking about. She doesn't want to go around. She doesn't want to play. She'll tell you what it is. And, and I think that that's why what he's doing to Alexandra is a little bit like, I don't want to play with you. You're playing. Stop playing. That's how I, you know, that's how I approached her character. So I can see why you would say that.

[00:26:24] I can see why you would say that she doesn't get, um, she, she doesn't really get intimidated by that. That was specifically a choice. Yeah. If we were to dissect her, what is she really like? Like in Europe, so I've seen the professional side of her. You know, we know that she has a mother and a sister. What is she really like? What is she like? You think as far as if we got to know the person, because with her, it's a lot of smoke and mirrors. If you understand, you know, it's a lot of kind of deception.

[00:26:52] She's, she's playing, she could be playing games. She might not be playing games. We don't know, but she's like, what is she really like as a human being? You think? I think that. When you must become, when you must use your body as a means to an end at an early age,

[00:27:19] when you must infiltrate and lie about things that are most important to you, when your family gets hurt, at some point things no longer hurt you in the same way. You almost, I think that she almost has an expectation that things are just going to go the worst way possible because it's just easier to prepare that way.

[00:27:47] I also think that actually her having to get information the way she gets information is kind of no longer a difficult part. If anything, that becomes the easy part at this point, especially what's happening in the show right now. Because what's happening in the show right now is something that's never happened to her. She's never been, she's never been capped.

[00:28:18] Let's call it captured, quote unquote, captured and cornered in the way that she is right now. So, I think it's pretty melancholic and pretty, she's pretty, like it's tragic. Yeah. I don't, yeah, I don't, I don't think there's, there's very little hope and yet it's still there. Otherwise, you know, she wouldn't approach, she wouldn't risk.

[00:28:47] She's risking her life. Whether or not we'll, we'll see, you know, the finale, whether or not she is on their side, on whose side, whoever side she's on, regardless, she's still risking her life. So, there is some hope, but I think there's a lot of other stuff that perhaps she's, she's kind of given up on. And it makes her, it makes her better at her job. Yeah. I think it makes her much better at her job. Yeah.

[00:29:15] You know, it's, it's, I just, one of the options that they floated with her, you know, during the season was, you know, living on a military base, always being on watchful eye. I don't think she would like that. I think that would be a worst case scenario for her. I think she'd rather be dead than do that. Not that I'm speaking for, I don't know. I don't know what happens. I don't have any screeners, but yeah, I just don't think, I think that's her worst option. Do you agree? I think so. Yeah. I think so. And then that's also my humble opinion. Yeah. Yeah. I got you. Yeah.

[00:29:43] I have, I have one more question and then I'll ask you a few Reddit questions if that's okay with you. Of course. Okay. Perfect. Let me ask you this. So I don't mean this in like a confidence way, but so like you are the new, the new girl, right? So like you come on this cast that has people that have been there since day one. I don't want to call it intimidating, but is it, I don't want to say disadvantage either. Let me just ask you, what is it like? Like, is it, do you find it to be, is it more challenging? Is it, you know, you're trying to catch up?

[00:30:12] Are you trying to prove yourself more? What do you think? You know, Derek, I've moved a lot in my life and it's interesting because I've always come into places where people have known each other for a long time and I was the newbie. So it's, it's fascinating, you know, life will keep offering you the same kind of, you know,

[00:30:39] different place, different faces, but same situation, same really, same archetypes, same people. Do you know what I mean? Yeah. Until you, until you figure out something, until you figure out something about yourself. Um, there is definitely a sense of, oh, I'm new. I, I must prove myself, but you know, I think I, I think I got better and better throughout

[00:31:07] my life, reminding myself that I'm the only one in that race. At the end of the day, you know, I go to sleep with myself. Like there's nobody else there but me. Um, and I think also the fact that I'm playing someone who is, you know, Ukrainian, um, a woman, a beautiful woman, I can, there's so many things that I can relate to that. There's nobody else on that set who can do that.

[00:31:36] And that's not because they're not talented. It's just because they're, they, they don't know this culture. They don't, they don't understand it. And I do. Yeah. So that kind of, you know, that kind of, uh, strong core is what I, I rely on, but I'm definitely new. And I think, um, I, I think I don't, um, I don't, I don't think I'm the kind of energy

[00:32:05] that's invasive. So, um, you know, I just do my job. If that makes sense. That is, that is one of the best answers to a question I've ever, I've ever heard because I never thought of it this way. Like you are, you've, you've traveled. That's your personal life. That's you, Elizabeth. That is who you are. And then your character is, is new. She's kind of, so it's like, I never thought about that.

[00:32:31] And it's finally clicking like, yeah, that's an awesome way you, you, you set that up. I, that's a great answer. Thank you. Yeah. So let me ask you this. Okay. So these are some Reddit questions and this, the first one is my, is my favorite. They're all terrific. They're all great. Um, so this is from wolf cop. Okay. And oh my God, this is such a great question. I'm so glad I went to Reddit for this, this person wants to know, are you the true lioness of season three?

[00:33:03] I don't know. I don't think, I think in my own, right. I think in my own way. Yes. In my own way. Yeah. But you know, you were at season one and then that's a lioness, you know, you watch season two. It changes. Taylor changes it. Right. The operation is not quite the same. It's not an infiltration. Right.

[00:33:32] It's, it's, it's, it's completely different. So, and you know, she's still a lioness and, um, me, I, I don't know because I'm, I'm, you know, I'm Zoe's counterpart. I do, there are girls working under me, you know, like I over, I oversee girls who do this. So, I, I, I don't know that I can answer that question. Definitely. Do you know what I mean? Yeah. You'd have to ask Taylor.

[00:34:01] You'd have to ask the mastermind behind this. Yeah. Yeah. That's a great answer. Um, so law school reduce to ask this question. Um, how's the mood on set? They put you through the ringer on camera. Is it light and fun in between takes? You said something about, um, dad, you know, off cameras, you know, as a nice guy. So is it, I would imagine it would have to be lighthearted because of the stress that we see on camera. It's very, it's very nice. People take care of you.

[00:34:29] Um, especially I've, I've, I've, uh, I've shot out my, um, son double Elena Sanchez. I mean, she would always take care of me and, you know, she'd always make sure that she's like, do you need me pads? Do you need this? Do you need that? What do you need? Let's stretch your neck. Let's, you know, how are you feeling? And also my, um, intimacy coordinator, ma'am, she was, I mean, she was terrific, you know, like covering me all the time.

[00:34:57] One moment, uh, you know, we cut, we cut the scene. Um, it's just, yeah, they, I mean, they take care of you. Everybody understands. If anything, like they're doing, they're doing more than I like, they would do more than I need. And I'd be like, I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm fine. Like, it's so good, you know, it's the work. But, um, I think everybody, everybody tries to make sure that the actor is, is okay. You know? And I felt that, I felt that on set definitely.

[00:35:25] And as you can see, I, um, Fad was the person I worked with the most and, uh, he's awful. So he's really, really supportive. Yeah. He's, he's a real, he's, he's a good sport. Yeah. And we can sense that as viewers, right? Because like we were, I was watching the shootout scene and there was so many scenes that were just so like the attention to detail there. It's never spared. Like it's always full all in. Like, so I'm glad, I'm glad to see that that extends to off camera, which is, which is awesome.

[00:35:55] Um, so somebody, uh, uh, aerobatic echo asked this question. Um, what are your thoughts on, and I don't know if this is, we know this yet, but thoughts on Taylor writing the Ukraine as the bad guys. I don't know if I see that quite accurately, but what do you think? He has a way to have a way of turning things around in the last episode.

[00:36:23] And this is why this is, I'm going to remind fans about the first season at the end of the season, Cruz fights with Joe. And she says, what do you think is going to happen now? What do you think she's going to tell her children that I killed her father? We just created more essentially saying we just created, we just added to the cycle of violence. It's interesting because the whole show, right?

[00:36:51] We see people, we see a lot of reaction. People don't always respond. Sometimes people respond and sometimes people react. And then Taylor has this way of kind of turning it around. Somebody at some point will say something that'll make you question the whole season, the whole thing. Why are we here? What are we doing?

[00:37:14] So, you know, it's, we, we, I think as humans, we really always want to, we always want to say who the bad guy is. We always want to, because it's easier. It's an easier road to go down. You're like, oh, that's the bad person. That's the wrong person. Everybody thinks they're right. Don't they? Right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I don't see him writing that everybody's bad. I don't, I don't think he, he writes them that way.

[00:37:44] It may be a little more subtle, but I, I don't think he writes, he writes, oh, this is a bad person. I think he gives enough reason for each character to do what they're doing. Even what they're, if what they're doing is absolute evil. Yeah. Yeah. That's a great answer. So let me ask you this. Speaking of Taylor. So whether it's something he's written or something he's directed outside of this current project, what is your favorite work of his? I got to say, I've had Ben Foster on the show twice.

[00:38:13] Hell or high water is Taylor's and wind river, I guess too. Hell or high water is his best work. It is just what's your take? What did you have a fave? Yeah. I was, I was going to say Sicario, but then you send wind river. And I thought that that was, that was difficult to watch. That was like genuinely difficult to watch. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was, that was really, really, really great. But definitely Sicario was, was the first project that I watched that I was like, oh,

[00:38:42] I like who wrote this? Because I thought it was, I think that the ending is just absolutely brilliant. Again, going back to who's the bad guy. Is there a bad guy? Yeah. A bunch of people in pain running around hurting. Yeah. So yeah, I'd say Sicario when it comes to like, like the script Sicario. Yeah.

[00:39:09] And then, and then just absolute heart wrenching. Wind river would be the one. Yeah. That one was hard. Yeah. And speaking of a guy he uses in almost every project that he plays the bad guy. I forget. Is it, what's his name? He's, he's on the plane with Joe at the end. He's in wind river. He plays the bad guy and Jeremy Renner makes him. Jeremy Renner. Yeah. He, no, it's, it's, I forget his name.

[00:39:36] He's in the last episode that we saw of Linus. He's talking to Joe on the plane. I, I forget his name, but he's in a lot of Taylor's projects. Okay. I can't, I, I, I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'll think about it. I'll get it. I'll get it. I'll get it. I'll get it. So a few more. What does Alexandra do with her spare time in Tulsa? That's another one. That's a good question.

[00:40:03] I feel like there's a lot of, I feel like there's a lot of baths. I feel like there's a lot of like, I need to force myself to, to like force, forced relaxation. Like for, like, I, I'd feel like she would, she'd be the person who would do like bath and breath work. Like she, she'd be, she'd be the one to like do things that offer more control over her body and emotions. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:40:33] Great answer. James, James, James Jordan. And you know what else? You know what else? I feel like she would knit. Like, I feel like she'd knit because, because it's very, it's very like once, once you know how to do it, it's very like, it's very meditative. Yeah. Like it's very, you know, like I, and I mean, in, in our culture, a lot, so many people knit. So I, yeah, knitting. I mean, I know how to knit.

[00:41:01] So like knitting, I'd say knitting. Okay. All right. All right. Um, uh, is there anything that you've taken away for filming in Lioness that you'll take with you on future roles? I mean, tons. Let me think of one. Good question. Take up space. Yeah.

[00:41:31] When it, when it's your time to do, to do the thing and it's your time on camera, take up space. Yeah. Okay. I still, I still feel, you know, I still feel, um, I still feel quite new to this. I know it's been a while and I did some work before school, but you know, when, when I look at, you know, Zoe and Nicole, you know, I'm new to this. I'm new to this. So I think picking up space is one of the things.

[00:41:57] When it's time and it's my, and it's my moment, just take up space. Go ahead and, you know, sail forward and then have the director tell you that it's wrong and then they want you something else. But go ahead and go ahead and take up space. Yeah. Elizabeth, you know, the one thing that I love about you is that you can play like early twenties, but you could also play a lot older. Like you have that range. Not many people have that. Like, like honestly, like reading your bio, I'm like, wow. I, I feel like you've lived so much life in your current age.

[00:42:25] I feel like you have a lot of that with you and you could tell on screen, you've brought your personal life, not your exact personal life, but you've brought your experiences to those roles. It really, talking to you now, it's a hundred percent obvious, right? Thank you. Yeah. Um, so let me ask you this, is she worried about mom and dad back home? Not mom and dad, mom and sister. I don't think we mentioned, we mentioned a father. I don't remember. Father died. Father, father, father dies fighting, fighting Russia. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:42:55] So, so at least mom and sister, right? So is, is she worried about them? Oh yeah, of course. Of course she is. But I think there is a bigger, I think that phrase that she says, a soldier's oath is a family oath. It means that, it means that I see the bigger picture, see the bigger picture.

[00:43:16] So if my family, if my family gets killed, I see the bigger picture because I say, I, Alexandra sees the bigger picture. She's doing this, this for her nation. She's doing this for many more people, not just her family. I think, I think she, I think she understands that very well. And it's interesting to see that clash with Joe in episode three. Yeah. I love that. That's my favorite moment. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:43:46] Kind of badass on Alexandra's end. Yeah. Yeah. She's pretty badass. And I gotta say, after talking to you, after watching the show, I still feel like I don't know what she's like. You just mentioned, you could see her knitting in Tulsa, but we see her in scenes where she's in a club or a bar. Like, I almost feel like we will never know what she's like. Like, I feel like she is the ultimate, she is meant to do the job she's doing. Like, there's no other job. She'd be more perfect. She could do other jobs, but she is so good at this.

[00:44:13] I don't think we're, I am so curious to see where this, where this goes. Yeah. Yeah. So one more, how long of a, of a long game is your character playing? They talk about dedication. What is her, Alexandra's long game? Like, how, like, is she ready to go? And this comes into spoiler territory, I feel like, but like, how far does she want to bring this? Like, what's her, because again, going back to, I don't have a pulse on her.

[00:44:41] Like, I know she's super talented, but I don't know what she really, really wants. And I'm sure the last episode will bring us some of that. Yeah. It will. So, um, I don't know what I'm, I don't know if I'm allowed to say. Um, I think so many things come to mind. Um, there is a little bit of a sense of, um, how do I explain this?

[00:45:08] I think, I think people in this line of work are ready to die. Yeah. They're, they just are. Because if you're not, you can't do this kind of crazy job. You can't do this. There's a certain aspect of you that you give away. You know, you're asking me about Alexandra and what she's like.

[00:45:35] I, I, I, I don't know that, that she even knows anything but this. Right. Does anything else but this exist? This becomes everything. I mean, you know, like I think about my mother and how this terrible conflict is everything. It's everything to her. It's part of her everyday life because she's much closer to, to Ukraine than I am. I, you know, I, half of my life, I grew up in Canada.

[00:46:05] So it's, uh, yeah, I, I, I think she's, she's ready to do whatever needs to be done. And, uh, I think it's a long game. I think it's always been a long game for her and she, she's ready to do whatever needs to be done. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. There's a lot of people, there was a lot of questions about this. I didn't take them down, but they all, a lot of people believe that you are not the mole. You are not the mole. A lot of viewers believe that you are not, you know, I think the obvious answer is you,

[00:46:34] but I think there's a lot of people that believe that you are not the mole. And I know you can't really say anything to that. Um, uh, but what can you say about this last episode? That isn't a spoiler because I can't wait. Like I'm so, I'm super psyched. I don't know. I don't know. Um, like, is it shocking? Is it terrifying? Is it like, how do you think fans will feel after? Like, again, I don't want to get you in trouble. You don't have to say anything you're not comfortable with, but.

[00:47:02] I don't think I can say anything, nothing I can, anything I'll say will be a clue. I can't. They're just going to have to wait three more days. They're still going to have to wait three more days and they, yeah, all their questions will be answered. Um, yeah. Yeah. But you, you either love her or you hate her or maybe both. I don't know. Yeah. Yeah. You know, it's funny because she is, she is Joe. She's the Ukrainian Joe.

[00:47:30] I mean, not the exact same character, but like, they're all doing the same thing for their own country. So again, getting back to that idea of good and bad and what Taylor writes. Right. So she's doing what she has to do for her. She's being patriotic to her country. So I, of course, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's why from the very beginning when, you know, during interviews I was asked, um, whether or not like I'm a villain or not, what is my intent?

[00:47:56] And I, I always said, I mean, she's doing what she believes is right. So is every single person in the show. Right. Yes. Yes. And not just the U S every person from every country. Uh, yeah. Yeah. Um, so last thing, um, what is around the corner for you as an actor after lioness? Is there anything going on for you? I mean, I'm so happy we, we get to see your acting prowess in this season. You are absolutely terrific. And I'm so psyched for you and you, for your success is what's around the corner for you.

[00:48:26] You know, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm really excited. I've, uh, I've produced before. I'm really excited to, um, do something of my own next actually, but I can't, I'm not going to say anymore. I'm not ready to voice anymore, but, um, yeah, um, my, I think my own, my own things after, I think after four years of being in school and then doing a show, um, I'm starting to kind of blossom into an idea of my own. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:48:56] So, so I'll end with this. Um, what do you do on your own? I asked you what your character does. What do you do on your own when you're not acting to, you mentioned you knit or you can knit. I can, I can. I have a knit. Um, what do you do decompress? Yeah. Oh, okay. So I love playing Catan, which is a board game. It's my best friend. Um, I do enjoy traveling quite a bit. So if I can, I, I make out and, you know, I make it out.

[00:49:26] I make it out to, uh, to another country. Um, I'd say board games and, um, and, uh, call it, I think qualitative. Quality time is one of my love languages. So I think quality time with my close friends is the best thing. And what's better than, uh, than a board game where everyone fights. Uh, some friendships were lost. Catanas, Catanas is, can be, can be hard.

[00:49:56] Um, the board games. Yeah. What do your, what do your friends, what do your friends say about you in this role? And are they happy for you? Do they talk like, like, it must be so cool to be in that environment. And I, I don't know. I just think that must be such a wonderful thing to feel. I think it's, yeah, it's, I think it's really cool. I mean, it's pretty, um, you, I still don't believe it. It happened a little bit. Like a part of me is like, because, you know, you just, I, I just went back to my regular life.

[00:50:25] It's not like my life is any different than any way before. Not that much. I mean, I mean, when I talk about my life, I, I, I don't mean like, I've never been interviewed before like this for sure. But when it comes to my everyday life, you know, I, I cook, I love to cook. I cook. I still cook. I, I, I eat, I, I, I love good food. You know, um, I love to spend time with my friends. I, I still sweep my floors and, you know, clean my bathroom.

[00:50:53] Like nothing, you know, nothing, nothing. Like I'm still the same person as I was before. Um, so, um, I think, I think after I'd say the thing that's different is really feeling the freedom after like, you know, four years at a school that's that intense was, was very, very difficult. And I knew why I was doing it. Like there was a purpose and, um, and years to come.

[00:51:21] I'm very excited to have those lessons actually land because it felt like a school. It's a lot of sand in the water. And then, you know, after you graduated to begin to settle and then you try and you work and you, you, you figure out what works for you to, to, to, to bring a character to life or not even, not even as it necessarily pertains to acting. I mean, the lessons you learn at school are so much more than that.

[00:51:50] They're about how you approach any, any type of work where you start, how you, how you handle obstacles that come your way. Do you, do you stop? Do you wait? Or do you keep on going? Like, you know, it's all those things you get, you get to find out who you are. So that part is different now about my life. I have a lot more freedom and I'm really, I'm really enjoying that. Yeah. Yeah. Can you take time to appreciate what you've done this season? Can you take time to acknowledge that you've done a hell of a job?

[00:52:19] Like, and I'm not trying to say you're arrogant. I'm just saying, can you take a moment to say, shit, I did awesome. Like I had a great, I had a great season. I was awesome. Like, can you, can you take that time to yourself and acknowledge that and give yourself a break and appreciate your great work you've done this season? Yeah. I think I, I think I'm getting better on that. Yeah. Yeah. I think a lot of actors have this, as my teacher, Richard Feldman says, divine dissatisfaction, which keeps us going.

[00:52:49] But yeah, I mean, what's better than your, you know, the people who are closest to you to give you that real feedback that, you know, is, you know, is true. So I, I, I'm, I think, I think nowadays I'm better at trusting when people like care about and who I know care about me and say that I did a good job. I, I tend to, I tend to breathe into that. Yeah. Thank you, Darek. Thank you for this time.

[00:53:19] And yeah, you rock. And I'm so excited for, to watch that last episode. I speak for millions of people, but yeah, thank you for this and, and best of luck in the future and happy travels. Thank you so, so much, Derek. Have a wonderful night. You too. Bye-bye.