Julianne Nicholson Might Get an Emmy for Putting Cocaine Up Her Butt

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Julianne Nicholson is well-known for her versatile acting skills, particularly in the Law & Order franchise where she played four distinct characters over various installments. Notably, she spent three seasons as a main cast member on Criminal Intent. Her exceptional performance in the 2013 film August: Osage County caught everyone’s attention, even though Oscar voters may have favored others. However, it was her Emmy-winning portrayal of Kate Winslet’s friend in the 2021 HBO miniseries Mare of Easttown that truly solidified her as a formidable talent in the eyes of many viewers.

2021 found her skillfully balancing character portrayals in two distinct TV universes. As Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond, Nicholson delivered an incredibly imposing performance on Dan Fogelman’s apocalyptic series, Paradise, streaming on Hulu. In this show, Sinatra is a complex character – a mourning mother who finds meaning in funding the project and a relentless self-made billionaire, ready to resort to corruption to maintain her power, ensconced within a small-town America replica hidden within a mountain.

On a different note, over on HBO Max, Nicholson has been winning over audiences with her role as Dance Mom in the series Hacks. This character is a TikTok star grappling with substance abuse, hired to revitalize Deborah Vance’s dwindling late-night television audience. It’s almost unbelievable that the actress orchestrating secret murders on Paradise is also demanding her managers snort cocaine up her backside on Hacks, but this is just a snapshot of the versatile year Nicholson has experienced.

Currently, Nicholson is up for awards in two categories – Supporting Actress in a Drama for “Paradise” and Guest Actress in a Comedy for “Hacks”. However, she’s not letting the praise go to her head. Also, it appears she’s avoiding a series of FYC (For Your Consideration) appearances, at least for now. When I spoke with her earlier this week from her home in England, she joked that she’s been so low-key that even her own family was surprised by the interview. “I said I had an interview,” she said, “and my family were like, ‘With who? What for?’ So, that’s where we are.

Let’s rewind to the Emmy campaign for Mare of Easttown last year. What stands out from that period? During that time, things were relatively quiet since it was 2021 and everything was virtual. I participated in a few Zoom interviews. There are systems in studios designed to boost show and actor recognition, and I had to make sure they knew I’d be okay if I didn’t get nominated. It can be disheartening when — as has happened before — you receive emails saying “I’m sorry you weren’t nominated for this.” However, I usually wake up unaware that such events are taking place, and I don’t let it affect my mood. So…

Indeed, it’s a refreshing reminder! Unbeknownst to me, I wasn’t obligated to feel a certain way about things. Embracing detachment can truly bring about a sense of peace and freedom.

In 2021, the Emmy competition was tough, with your ‘Mare’ co-star Jean Smart being one of the contenders. From an outsider’s point of view, it wasn’t a given that you would win. However, against all odds, you did! Can you share some memories from that special night?

This year’s Emmys were unique as they were back in person without any representatives present. At these events, you usually have a PR person guiding you, introducing you to people and directing your interactions like a puppy following its trainer. This time around, everyone had to navigate the event independently. Personalities emerged everywhere!

Initially, there was a red carpet dotted with around three to five photographers. Upon our arrival, we casually took a photo, assuming we had plenty of time. However, before we knew it, someone announced that the show would commence in just 30 minutes. This sudden revelation triggered a mad dash among the actors eager for their pictures taken. Eventually, some individuals began jumping the queue. Notably, the more recognized personalities tended to push ahead of their less popular counterparts. Remarkably, Sterling K. Brown served as the voice of reason, asserting firmly that “there will be no cutting” and reminding everyone to honor the line.

People were pushing past each other to get ahead. Keri Russell and Allison Janney exclaimed, “Julianne, she’s been nominated, she must go, she must go!” In the photos, you can see me looking stunned. I was thinking, “I have this beautiful gown! I need a photo of it or no one will loan me another dress again!” So, I looked as if I had just experienced a traumatic event. After that, we went in and Evan Peters won first, and then only ten minutes later, I was the winner too – something I never expected but was incredibly thrilling.

Last night, I watched a brief video. Does it seem impolite when they interrupt your acceptance speech with music? I thought my speech was only going to last for about ten seconds and was being concise, but then I felt compelled to hurry up because it was short anyway and I considered it important. However, it doesn’t feel good, as if you are taking up too much time. As a woman and an actor who has been working hard for many decades, you can relate to the feeling of being told that you have taken up too much space or time. But I thought, “Take this moment!

[Grins.] It’s quite an interesting observation! This year, I find myself nominated in two categories – for ‘Paradise’ and ‘Hacks’. In both roles, I portray contrasting dangers to American society: a dictatorial figure representing fascism in ‘Paradise’, and the emergence of TikTok stars in ‘Hacks’. Quite a fascinating juxtaposition!

I appreciate how passionately your character in Paradise addresses climate change, as many people feel powerless to make a difference. I admire her dedication to the cause and her commitment to creating a better world through science and innovation, demonstrating her strong convictions and positive outlook.

I can’t recall too many outright villains that you played in your career. 
She was the first.

In the climactic scene of the season, just before Sinatra is shot, you address Xavier with “Oh, God, forgive me.” This line suggests that she’s acknowledging her guilt over ordering his daughter to be kidnapped, which she believes has resulted in harm or even death. However, when delivering this line, it seems as if she’s apologizing for all the other questionable actions she’s taken throughout the series. In that instant, she’s confronting the consequences of her relentless nature and realizing the possible tragic outcome of Sterling’s daughter.

When preparing for Dance Moms, what was your approach to staying up-to-date with the latest dance trends? Well, I spent quite a bit of time exploring various videos on Instagram since I don’t use TikTok. The digital landscape can be quite dynamic indeed.

How do I learn the dance routines for those scenes? I collaborated with an exceptional choreographer named Corey Baker based in London. Throughout the filming process, he was my constant support, providing valuable feedback. The key is to master the steps sufficiently that you can focus on acting rather than worrying about what’s next, allowing the dance to feel natural and unforced.

What was it like working on that scene, where Jimmy and Kayla had to revive a passed-out Dance Mom with cocaine in her backside for her performance on Deborah’s show? How did Paul W. Downs and Meg Stalter approach such an outrageous scene?

In three seasons of the show, I knew they wouldn’t let me embarrass myself too much. I could just go ahead and give it my best shot. We even rehearsed the day beforehand, which gave us more freedom since we already had a general idea of what to expect. In the actual scene, my character would slam into a tray filled with drinks (which I actually cut myself on during the first take), then over to the couch. Rehearsing helped because it set the boundaries for our performance.

In watching Hacks, I found myself noticing a side of Julianne Nicholson I hadn’t seen before. Does that sound familiar? Absolutely! Over the past few years, I’ve been on the hunt for more comedic roles. There’s something about laughter that makes going to work so enjoyable. Given my inclination towards humor, I was making a conscious effort to seek out such material, as it’s not always associated with me. When this opportunity presented itself, I seized it enthusiastically.

You’ve found yourself up against two Emmy nominations, fortunately, neither of these categories are the ones where Jean Smart is nominated.

Nicholson’s Paradise co-star Brown was nominated that year for Best Actor in a Drama for This Is Us.
Russell’s husband Matthew Rhys was nominated for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Perry Mason, while Janney was nominated for Lead Actress in a Comedy for the final season of Mom.

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2025-06-18 21:54