cover of episode Kerri Russell On 'The Diplomat'/ Remembering Dorothy Allison

Kerri Russell On 'The Diplomat'/ Remembering Dorothy Allison

2024/11/15
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Fresh Air

Key Insights

Why did Keri Russell accept the role of Kate Wyler in 'The Diplomat'?

Russell was drawn to the political intrigue and the detailed portrayal of the State Department's work, finding the writing by Deborah Kahn compelling and relatable.

How does Keri Russell describe her character Kate Wyler in 'The Diplomat'?

Kate Wyler is an organized and fact-driven diplomat uncomfortable with public visibility, preferring to operate behind the scenes.

What was Keri Russell's experience like on 'The Americans'?

Russell found the role of Elizabeth Jennings, a Soviet spy, challenging yet rewarding, enjoying the complexity and depth of the character, which earned her three Emmy nominations.

Why did Keri Russell take a break from acting after 'Felicity'?

Russell wanted to reclaim her youth and experience normal life activities she missed out on due to the demanding schedule of a network show.

How did Dorothy Allison's background influence her writing?

Allison's experiences of physical and sexual abuse as a child deeply influenced her writing, particularly her novel 'Bastard Out of Carolina', which was based on her own life.

What was Dorothy Allison's relationship with her mother like?

Allison had a complex relationship with her mother, who loved her deeply but was unable to protect her from abuse, leading to feelings of guilt and heroism towards her mother.

How did Dorothy Allison cope with the trauma of her childhood?

Allison turned to feminism and political understanding to make sense of her experiences, which helped her move from feeling like a victim to a survivor.

What was the impact of Dorothy Allison's lesbian identity on her life?

Allison's lesbian identity was a source of energy and power, though it also brought confusion and guilt due to societal stigma and her abusive background.

Chapters

Keri Russell discusses how she was approached for the role of Kate Wyler in 'The Diplomat' and her initial impressions of the character and the show.
  • Russell received the script during the holidays while hosting family.
  • She was drawn to the political intrigue and the world of civil servants.
  • Russell found the writing by Deborah Kahn to be engaging and detailed.

Shownotes Transcript

Kerri Russell stars in the Netflix political drama The Diplomat as a foreign service officer tapped to become the American ambassador to the UK. Russell also starred in the series Felicity and The Americans. She spoke with us last year about these characters and getting her start on The All New Mickey Mouse Club as a kid. Also, we remember author Dorothy Allison, who died this week at age 75. Her critically acclaimed 1992 novel Bastard out of Carolina was based on her own childhood experience of being physically and sexually abused. We listen back to Terry's interview with Allison about the book and her life.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)