Paradise’s Julianne Nicholson Believes in Sinatra’s Leap of Faith

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Spoilers ahead for all of season two of Paradise, including season finale “Exodus.”

Julianne Nicholson might not be a powerful figure in real life, but she brilliantly portrays one on television. In the series Paradise, created by Dan Fogelman, Nicholson plays Samantha Redmond, who’s earned the nickname “Sinatra” due to the commanding presence she projects – a blend of strength and charm. This allows her to build and lead a secret underground city for a select group of people who survived a worldwide disaster that temporarily turned the Earth’s surface into a desolate area. Nicholson herself prefers the nickname for her character, telling Vulture, “I call her Sinatra. That name is just so fitting. It’s hard to think of her as Samantha – Samantha feels too ordinary.”

Julianne Nicholson has been consistently working in theater, television, and film since the 1990s, with notable appearances in shows like Ally McBeal and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and films like August: Osage County and I, Tonya. However, she’s been particularly busy and successful in the 2020s. Recent projects include a significant role in Mare of Easttown, an Emmy-winning guest spot on Hacks, a film with Nicolas Cage called Dream Scenario, and a leading role in the acclaimed indie film Janet Planet. She also starred in Paradise, which just finished its second season, revealing surprising secrets and complex plans from her character, ending on a cliffhanger that leaves her character’s fate unknown. Nicholson isn’t sharing any hints about what’s next for her character in the already-planned third season.

Let’s discuss the show’s ending, but first, let’s go back to the beginning. Sinatra only appears briefly in the first episode, but it’s a striking introduction. Before you started working on the show, what did you know about her character?

Dan shared the first four episodes with me, and they were incredibly well-written. I was immediately captivated by the first episode as a reader – the energy, the pacing, and the depth of the characters were all fantastic. Then I read the second episode, titled “Sinatra,” which delved into her past. It was beautifully written, and it portrayed Sinatra as a complex, realistic person with flaws. That really excited me. The opportunity to portray her at different points in her life felt like a true gift, both for me as an actor and for the audience. Getting to know her early on allows viewers to understand, empathize with, or at least grapple with the reasons behind her choices.

That episode throws you into very intense situations with the character right from the start. We see her at her most fragile and also incredibly strong-willed. It’s a challenge to maintain a consistent portrayal of who she is. A lot of it comes down to the quality of the writing, but usually, I feel I quickly understand the characters I play. That was definitely the case with this one. I didn’t know how I would portray her initially, but I felt I instinctively understood her personality. After working with the character for a while, I don’t always know how a scene will unfold, but I always feel connected to the person she is within those scenes, and that guides me.

Let me tell you, playing a character in a show that jumps around in time is tough. You’re often getting bits and pieces of their history out of order, meaning you don’t always know the full story while you’re actually filming. Season two was particularly tricky because we were still flashing back, but even during season one, I didn’t have the complete picture. That’s where trust comes in – you really have to rely on the writers, directors, and especially the editors to help you piece it all together. Honestly, the editors on this show have been incredible. They’ve been instrumental in shaping who my character is. And I have to give a shout-out to Sid Khosla, our music supervisor, too. I’ve felt so supported and genuinely improved by their work.

I really appreciate the show’s music; it’s fantastic at creating suspense and emphasizing key moments. When you’re playing a subtly menacing character, those small details make a big difference, and I especially noticed that in the first season. I also enjoy collaborating with the editors. It’s often hard to know exactly how a scene should feel while you’re filming, so I like to film multiple versions and then let the editors work their magic. They’re incredibly talented at shaping the character and piecing everything together.

Do you enjoy the nickname “Sinatra”? Does your character feel the same way? I think she does now. At first, it might have bothered her, but she’s warmed up to it. President Bradford reveals in the “Sinatra” episode that the nickname originated with his father, and I thought that backstory was a nice touch – I really liked it.

Bradford recalls his father telling him his character possesses a commanding presence – that he ‘makes people sit up straight’ when he enters a room. When asked if there’s a technique to achieving that, he jokes, ‘Fake it till you make it.’ He admits it was initially daunting trying to project that power, especially at the beginning of filming. He grew more comfortable as the series progressed, but remembers feeling like a fraud during his first scene – walking into the mansion where Cal was murdered. He also credits the slow-motion camera work with helping him appear more confident.

So, regarding this current season, and connecting back to our earlier discussion about fleshing out character backstories, were you surprised to discover Sinatra was hiding so many secrets, particularly involving Alex and the second bunker? I honestly didn’t know about that last season. I really appreciate that her story continues to become more complex, revealing even more hidden depths.

It’s interesting how her character becomes both more manipulative and, surprisingly, more relatable by the end of the season. That was definitely our intention. I’m glad you picked up on that – we really wanted to show a softer side to her, especially since she’s so fragile after waking up from the coma. She’s always believed that money and power could protect everyone and allow her to control situations, but she realizes that’s not true. So, this season, we tried to make her a bit more vulnerable while also showing her strong desire to remain in control and lead.

You’re making her seem more sympathetic, even though she’s plotting to kill the president. It’s a real contrast, a balance of good and bad.

It’s clear she’s already had at least one scientist killed before even going into the bunker. You definitely don’t want to keep track of how many people she eliminates.

We also see her present at the birth of the first baby, almost as if she’s trying to make things right. I think that moment confirms her plan is succeeding. Paradise is unfolding as she envisioned, and it’s a relief. Of course, this is early on, and she doesn’t know what challenges lie ahead. But in that instant, she feels like all her effort, expense, and sacrifices are finally paying off – that things might actually be okay.

In the final scene, it’s interesting that Sinatra doesn’t seem worried by Henry’s serious warnings about Alex. Considering how severe the warnings are, and how intelligent Alex is, they suggest a danger she can’t fully grasp. I believe Alex is completely committed to her plan, and anything that threatens it causes her to lose control, as we see happen. She feels she has no other option.

She’s a very practical person, but she strongly believes her son might still be alive due to an unusual event. It requires a lot of faith, which is surprising for her. As an actor, that’s how I interpreted it, and the writers also presented the end of the season with ideas that aren’t necessarily provable facts. It’s more about her connection with Link giving her peace and hope. That makes it understandable why she’s willing to believe in the possibility, even if it seems far-fetched, because of what it could mean for her and her son, Dylan.

It’s difficult to gauge her reaction when she learns Alex doesn’t expect her to survive the day, and that moment really shapes everything she does afterward. I wanted to portray that feeling of being stunned – what do you do with news like that? You need time to process it. From that point on, her choices are all about accepting her fate. However, she doesn’t make her final decision until she realizes X is the only one who can complete the crucial task and save everyone. Knowing someone has to stay behind, and that no one else will volunteer, leads to her ultimate sacrifice – saving her family and the people of Paradise. Those two things – protecting her loved ones and the community – were her driving forces all along.

Despite everything, she holds onto a surprising hope that things will eventually be okay. It’s compelling and even touching to see such a practical character allow herself to feel these bigger emotions, and I don’t think that was an accident. Dan Fogelman clearly made a deliberate choice to show her evolving. It challenges the idea that people can’t change, and suggests that we all have the potential to learn, be more open-minded, and consider new perspectives.

It was wonderful to work with Sterling K. Brown again. Our characters have a really interesting relationship built on mutual respect. It was clear Sinatra was relieved to see him return, especially considering he almost shot her previously, and I think she genuinely cares about him. Acting with Sterling is effortless; we just connect on a deeper level, and it allows me to be more present in the scene. I was deeply moved by our scenes together, like the one in the elevator. He’s such a receptive actor; he truly listens with his entire being. I was thrilled we had the opportunity to share those final moments on screen together.

What really struck me is how deeply connected they are. She lets her guard down and shares this incredibly personal, almost unbelievable story about her son, and it’s clear she truly trusts him. It feels like she doesn’t often let people see that vulnerable side of herself, and with him, she feels like she can be completely honest. It’s like they’re on the same level. By the end, she’s completely raw and exposed, and he feels like this incredibly safe, comforting presence – a real haven for her.

It seems like your character has died on the show, and won’t be returning next season. But honestly, with Dan, you can never be completely sure about anything. Anything is possible with him.

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2026-03-30 20:56