Rosie O’Donnell on Romancing Miranda in ‘And Just Like That’ and Moving to Ireland to Escape Trump: ‘When Would It Be Safe to Come Back?’

⚠️ Caution: The following summary may reveal key plot points from the first episode of Season 3 in “And Just Like That,” currently available on HBO Max.

By doing so, I hope to help you avoid unintentional spoilers while staying informed about your favorite shows!

And just like that, Rosie O’Donnell has made a splashy return to comedy.

In the opening episode of “And Just Like That,” O’Donnell portrays Mary, a stranger from out of town whom Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) meets at a bar and initially believes won’t be seen again. However, Mary develops feelings for Miranda, which persist due to a heartfelt reason: before meeting Miranda, Mary was a virgin. Back home in Winnipeg, Mary is a nun, and her sexuality had been a hidden aspect of her life. Despite this, Mary persists in inviting Miranda to join her in various touristy activities, and they eventually meet again in Times Square. There, as a passionate fan of “Wicked,” Mary sings a snippet of “For Good” to express gratitude towards Miranda for opening her eyes to something she needed.

The role up for grabs is one of the iconic one-night stands from the “Sex and the City” series, traditionally played by a comedian familiar with the subject matter. Back in 2002, O’Donnell publicly identified as a lesbian while her daily talk show, “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” was wrapping up. As she prepares to perform at this summer’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a one-woman show based on her life experiences, O’Donnell expresses introspective thoughts. She plans to tour the production, but for now, performing in Scotland is a convenient journey from her current residence in Ireland, which she moved to as a reaction to the prospect of Donald Trump serving another term as president.

O’Donnell had a conversation with EbMaster regarding delving into the “Sex and the City” world, insights gained during the process of parenting a nonbinary teenager, and how Ireland has been fitting for her thus far.

How are you?

I have questions about your siblings’ names.

My siblings’ names?

Are they all “D”s, like you?

No, I’m the lucky one. My siblings are named Jane and Emily.

I kept thinking: Deirdre D’Addario, Danielle D’Addario…

Anyway, I presume it was Michael Patrick King who approached you for the role.

It was Cynthia Nixon whom I am close friends with. My daughter had the opportunity to work as an assistant on the set during the final season of “And Just Like That,” which is often referred to as “Sex and the City 2” but technically isn’t. Nixon recommended my daughter for the role, and then she mentioned that there might be a part for me in another project. She asked if I was interested, and without hesitation, I said yes! It didn’t take much thought at all.

As a long-time admirer of cinema, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Michael Patrick King for close to three decades now. Back in my early days as a comedian, he was one half of the hilarious duo, King and Mindy – with Lisa Mindy being the other half. We’d often cross paths at Catch a Rising Star and The Improv. It’s truly inspiring to witness how far we’ve come since those early days, sharing the stage together.

Mary certainly has her quirks — how did it feel knowing that this was the character that had been written for you, once you read it?

I practically rolled with laughter over it. As I delved deeper into my role, I realized – I’ve got this character nailed. Performing alongside Cynthia brought me immense joy. It felt less like acting and more like living the part. Since I’ve harbored feelings for her for quite some time, portraying love wasn’t a challenge; it was simply a continuation of my long-standing affection. Encountering her in “Wit” on Broadway stirred me immensely, even though we were acquainted and friends beyond the stage. When I met her backstage, I was struck speechless by her performance and found myself at a loss for words.

Have you known people like Mary who are isolated from their sexuality, even as they get older?

100%. I’ve encountered numerous women who discover this fundamental aspect of themselves later in life, often in their 40s. It can be incredibly challenging when they build a family and a life with a partner, only to realize this truth about themselves. I empathize with their struggle. The character was compelling because she represented someone who, for various reasons, lost touch with her true identity, but eventually found the beauty that awaited her in the remaining years of her life.

It’s kind of the comedy version of Miranda’s later-in-life coming-out.

Absolutely! Humor is a vital part of life, helping us navigate through challenging and emotionally draining periods. Comedy truly has the power to uplift us all in the end. I can’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm for seeing “Wicked” yet again – it’s the 14th time! After all, my most profound emotional experiences have been shaped by the musicals that have soundtracked my lifetime.

Having grown up with your talk show, on which you enthused about Broadway, and now seeing you sing a few bars from “Wicked” on “And Just Like That” — it was a full-circle moment.

Just last week, I had an inspiring conversation with a three-time Tony Award-winning theatrical powerhouse hailing from the heart of London. This visionary individual is eager to assist me in bringing my one-woman show, currently gracing stages in Edinburgh, on a global tour, perhaps even to the illustrious West End and, if the political climate permits, back to the iconic Broadway stage – a dream I hold dear.

This producer shared an intriguing tale of his journey. Growing up as a gay youth in Texas, he found himself captivated by the allure of Broadway, and my very show served as his guiding beacon. Watching it repeatedly fueled his ambition, ultimately propelling him to become a Tony Award-winning producer. Now, he stands poised to return the favor, offering me an opportunity to follow in his footsteps.

Hearing individuals in their 30s and 40s tell me, “You’ve truly left a lasting impression on my life,” is always gratifying to me. It serves as confirmation that my efforts had a deeper significance.

“Sex and the City” was a zeitgeist show at the same moment as your talk show. Did it ever cross your mind that you would be a part of this universe?

I’m sorry, but “Sex and the City” had a feminine style and aesthetic that doesn’t resonate with me. The characters often wore stylish, flattering outfits and styled their hair in various ways – things I’ve never been particularly skilled at or interested in. I was more of a tomboy growing up, favoring boys’ clothes over dresses, and I even rode a motorcycle. So, in many ways, I didn’t fit the mold of the show’s characters, who were more traditionally feminine.

I have a 12-year-old child who identifies as nonbinary, which has been quite intriguing. They expressed to me, “Mommy, I’m nonbinary. I’m neither a boy nor a girl.” I responded, “Okay, that’s wonderful.” They continued, “I prefer the pronouns they/them, and I would appreciate being respected as such.” Of course, I will strive to do so! Are they some sort of modern-day Harvey Milk?

Later on, someone asked, “Are you nonbinary?” To which I responded, “You see, sweetheart, I’m an original lesbian. I’ve always known I’m a woman, and I’ve enjoyed being a woman. But the truth is, I never felt like a typical girl. Yet, I’ve never had any desire to be a man. My thoughts were always centered on women.” They then asked what my peers thought when I shared this with them.

It’s a whole new world.

It’s hard to believe that they couldn’t grasp the reality of my childhood in 1972, considering it was never discussed. The idea would have been unspoken, something you wouldn’t dare acknowledge. Going to church, I heard terrible things about people like me, and even Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova had to hide their sexuality to keep working in tennis, which was a source of great pain for me at the tender age of 10. They couldn’t relate. I’ve been trying to help them understand my childhood experiences, and they are left speechless by the revelation.

I think back to you as a celebrity in the 1990s — a much different time than today in terms of gay rights — and now you on “And Just Like That,” proudly rocking your loose-fitting “Wicked” T-shirt. I imagine the latter is more comfortable.

It was an unusual phase in my life when I chose to reveal my true identity to everyone in the entertainment industry who knew me, given that my personal life was quite open, especially since I had children. Once you become a parent, your privacy is no longer your own – you attend school meetings with your partner. So, in essence, I was out to almost everyone except the general public. It was astonishing to me how people were taken aback when I did come out and said things like, “But you’re attracted to Tom Cruise!” I didn’t want him romantically involved; I just needed help with yard work and a refreshing lemonade. Can’t seem to make this point clear enough!

I was delighted to see you pop up on “Hacks” recently as well, playing yourself. Any other comedies you’re thinking about joining?

Before departing, I was set to take part in an episode of “Poker Face.” I’d love to make that happen, but given the present political situation, I’m uncertain about when it would be prudent to return with my child. I won’t rush things before this administration has fully ended and can face accountability for their actions.

How does living in Ireland suit you? Has it been a positive change?

From the moment I set foot here, I’ve never once doubted my decision. The people are incredibly warm and inclusive, and their perspective on fame is refreshingly different. Here, celebrities aren’t given special treatment; instead, they’re treated just like everyone else. There’s a genuine warmth and intimacy among the locals that I find enchanting. Every time I step into a pharmacy, I can’t help but be smitten, as the pharmacist will engage in conversation with you. Have you ever had such an interaction at a CVS?

Not really.

I frequently share with my friends that I believe the pharmacist might have feelings for me, saying something like, “I think he’s got a crush on me.” This simple lifestyle suits me perfectly, and I find the compact nature of this country quite fitting for me.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-05-30 05:18