Back To One

Clay Tatum and Whitmer Thomas wrote and star in the wonderful new comedy "The Civil Dead," which Tatum also directed. On this episode, they discuss their long collaboration and friendship that goes back to Alabama at age 11, doing comedy events in Los Angeles with Power Violence, filming sketches, honing their craft, learning valuable lessons on the HBO/A24 production "The Golden One," the importance of rhythm in comedy, the importance of trusting your own voice, and applying it all toward the modest indie film that won the audience award at Slamdance last year and is about to win audiences over everywhere—"The Civil Dead." Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. Follow Back To One on Instagram

British TV and film star Joanna Scanlan won the Best Actress BAFTA award last year for her incredible performance in "After Love." She plays Mary, a devout convert to Islam who, shortly after becoming a widow, discovers her late husband's secret family. In this episode, she takes us on a little tour of the meaningful aspects of her acting process— the investigative phase of initial script reading, the "harnessing" of feelings, the mystical "clicking in" that happens through the words, and why it's always been about the love of it. Plus much more! Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. Follow Back To One on Instagram

To say Guslagie Malanda plays Laurence Coly in Alice Diop's "Saint Omer" feels incorrect; she becomes her. It's a performance that holds such subtle power and authenticity that it's easy to take it for granted. On this episode, Malanda explains why she turned down countless acting jobs after her first film, "My Friend Victoria." She talks about the year-long pre-production period that she needed to prepare for the role, the nightmares that plagued her during that time, the breakthrough of learning to breathe, and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Tallie Medel is an award winning actor, educator, artist, and one third of the legendary Cocoon Central Dance Team. Her fiercely authentic and nuanced performances in films like Dan Sallitt's "Fourteen" have garnered attention from critics and audiences alike. This past year she gifted us with Becky in the acclaimed "Everything Everywhere All At Once." In this episode, she talks about the communal environment on that production that benefited the performances, the importance of establishing true connection with her scene partners and using the present moment as a tool, how learning and teaching Clown has changed and shaped her work, plus much more. Find out more about Tallie's Clown classes here. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. Follow Back To One on Instagram

If the Back To One podcast has one tradition, it is the yearly visit from its very first guest, the living patron saint of the working actor, Kevin Corrigan. This is his fifth time on the show (Ep. 1, Ep. 67, Ep. 133, Ep.185), and as you'll hear, he still has a healthy supply of great stories, laughs, and inspiration to dish out. He talks about his recent stints on "Law and Order: Organized Crime," "City on a Hill," and the indie film "Bang Bang;" tells a hilarious story illustrating the ways he practices acting when not on a job; gets nostalgic describing the masterful mix tapes he used to make; plus much more! It all starts out with my recounting of a Corrigan-themed phone call I had with the legendary Amy Taubin minutes before the interview. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. Follow Back To One on Instagram

The last time Vicky Krieps ("Phantom Thread," "Bergman Island") was on this podcast (episode 174), we learned about how she approaches the work through a kind of "emptying out" of herself, and a "deconstruction" of everything in her obit, even her preconceptions regarding the role. This time she's back to talk about her astounding work in Marie Kreutzer's film "Corsage," an imaginative re-telling (or perhaps a "correcting?") of a year in the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Krieps talks about treating the work as an invitation to play, how dealing with the coldness of the character had an effect on relationships outside of the frame, why she feels at ease when she's lost in the reality of unknowing, and much more! (Spoiler Alert: Toward the end of the episode, the conversation turns to the end of the movie. And although nothing is specifically said about what exactly happens in the end, one can certainly make the case that it is a minor spoiler. All the more reason to see "Corsage" as soon as possible. It opens in select theaters on December 23rd.) Follow Back To One on Instagram Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.

The first time Andrea Riseborough was on the podcast (episode 100), we got a chance to hear how this incredible actor approaches her craft. On this episode, we get to focus on her astounding work in the new movie "To Leslie." She talks about the interesting ways shooting on film in the middle of the pandemic affected everything, why working on her character's alcoholism would have been a disaster, finding a touchstone with director Michael Morris in Barbara Loden's "Wanda," taking the objective "to just exist" from Mike Leigh, seeing constrains as freedoms, the importance of keeping your integrity, and much more. "To Leslie" is streaming now. Follow Back To One on Instagram Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.

Marc Maron is a stand-up comedy veteran and the host of the popular "WTF" podcast. As a screen actor, he cut his teeth playing a version of himself in the series "Maron." Lately the Netflix series "Glow" and Lynn Shelton's "Sword of Trust" put more of his range on display. And now he delivers the epitome of "supporting" performance in the incredible new film "To Leslie," opposite Andrea Riseborough. On this episode, he talks about his apprehension with accepting the role, his impatience with the process of acting in general, the importance of making himself emotionally available in his scenes, what it would take for him to feel like this crazy endeavor is "worth it," and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.

Ever since her incredible performance in "I've Heard The Mermaids Singing" 35 years ago, Sheila McCarthy has been one of Canada's most hardworking and reliable actors in theater, television, and film on both sides of the border. In her latest project, she joins a "murderers' row" lineup of actresses like Judith Ivey, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Frances McDormand, and Rooney Mara in Sarah Polley's powerful new film "Women Talking." On this episode, she talks about how the production was both daunting and exhilarating, why it felt like the "acting olympics," what having this "extraordinarily ordinary" powerhouse director at the helm brought out of her, plus wonderful stories about a debt owed to Liza Minnelli and a letter that changed Bruce Willis. Follow Back To One on Instagram Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.

You may know Grace Van Patten from "Nine Perfect Strangers," "Under The Silver Lake," or "Tramps." I first took note of her in "The Meyerowitz Stories," where her youth belied a seemingly effortless command of her character among the likes of Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Dustin Hoffman. In her latest, the hit Hulu series "Tell Me Lies," she stars as Lucy Albright, and now she commands the screen with the same effortlessness, mixed with a complexity and nuance that is compelling viewers who are begging for a second season. On this episode, she breaks down one important scene from both "Meyerowitz" and "Lies," and we get an idea of her unique approach to the craft, which is fueled by sizing up the world surrounding her character, connecting with her partner in the scene, and staying in the moment. Plus she talks about how her 11 year old sister June inspires her inner actor, and much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. No small talk, no celebrity stories, no inane banter—just the work.

Paul Walter Hauser is that rare character actor who has made a name for himself as a stellar talent in both comedy and drama equally. He established himself in films like "Blackkklansman" and "I, Tanya," but playing Richard Jewell in Clint Eastwood's film put him on the map. Now he's wowing audiences and critics alike with his incredible performance as serial killer Larry Hall in the Apple+ limited series "Black Bird." On this episode, he lifts the hood and lets us peek in on his acting process. He explains why his first step is all about self amusement, how mundane details help to bring him closer to the character he's playing, why he believes you do not need to be a dark person to be an effective actor who takes on dark roles, plus much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. No small talk, no celebrity stories, no inane banter—just the work.

Renowned as "a one-woman global village," Sarah Jones is a Tony Award-winning solo performer, writer, comedian and activist. Her directorial debut, "Sell/Buy/Date," is a hybrid documentary/meta film which features Jones and four of her characters (all played by her) on a journey across the country to listen to real people telling personal stories about their experiences that land them on both sides of various aspects of the complex topic of sex work in America. On this episode, she talks about overcoming the many obstacles and controversies to bring this important film to life, how trusting in collaborators like cinematographer Joshua Weinstein meant so much to her as a first time director who is also in front of the camera in every scene, why she had to make telling the truth her north star, plus much more! "Sell/Buy/Date" is currently playing in New York City and will be streaming on-demand on November 8th. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. No small talk, no celebrity stories, no inane banter—just the work. Follow Back To One on Instagram

On a special episode of Back To One, I'm sharing a segment from a recent episode of the popular screenwriting podcast Scriptnotes called "Writing As Acting." In it, screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin "analyze what lessons writers can learn from acting techniques (such as staying present) and working with actors (like staying open)." When I first heard this segment, I desperately wanted to share it with Back To One listeners because I thought it was very enlightening, and maybe even healing, to hear creatives on the other side of the camera talk thoughtfully, and with sensitivity, about the process of the actor. Some of the points John and Craig make about the unique connection between actors and screenwriters inspire me to facilitate a larger conversation where actors can chime in about their experiences giving life to characters that screenwriters have been living with, in their own way, for years. Something to think about. But first, check out this segment from episode 568 of Scriptnotes, and, if you feel inclined, share your thoughts either on the Back To One podcast Instagram page, or email BackToOnePodcast at gmail dot com. And thanks to Scriptnotes for allowing us to share this conversation! Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. No small talk, no celebrity stories, no inane banter—just the work.

Britt Rentschler is the star of "Pretty Problems," a smart and hilarious new indie adult comedy which she also produced and helped write with screenwriter and co-star Michael Tennant. In this episode, she talks about their lengthy commitment to making the story work, building their characters with depth, and the risky but triumphant decision to cast their talented friends in supporting roles rather than famous actors who might have secured more money. She describes how her apprehension toward playing the lead role of Lindsay actually benefited her performance, the ways director Kestrin Pantera brought the best out of everyone, plus much more. "Pretty Problems" is in select theaters across the US, and on VOD. Follow Back To One on Instagram Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. No small talk, no celebrity stories, no inane banter—just the work.

Dolly de Leon is a Filipina veteran actor of film and TV who is now, due to her outstanding performance in "Triangle of Sadness," being spoken about with words like "newcomer" and "breakthrough." That might have something to do with the "I'm the captain now" nature of the role she plays in the Palme d'Or winning film. It's like the character and the actor are both saying "I have arrived." In this episode, she describes the dark place she was in right before auditioning for the part, how director Ruben Ostlund's collaborative approach sparked her dynamic creativity, why watching the film with audiences cheering for her character feels like live theater, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. No small talk, no celebrity stories, no inane banter—just the work.

If Isabelle Huppert is not your favorite actor, she's the favorite actor of someone you know. Guaranteed. There's something about her that is unlike any other actor that has ever been on film. But it's really hard to talk about what that "something" is. In each performance, in every film she's made, she has such a command of the character, the text, the frame, that we place her in equal authorship with the directors she's worked with, who happen to be some of most interesting and important in the last half-century—Jean Luc-Godard, Michael Haneke, Claude Chabrol, Michael Cimino, Claire Denis, Joachim Trier, Mia Hansen-Løve, Hong Sang-soo, to name a few. She always found a way to play complex, multi-dimensional, often morally questionable characters, even in a time when the female variety were in short supply. In this woefully short episode, she talks about some of the important, yet somewhat mysterious, aspects of her approach to the craft—curiosity, collaborating with the director, the present moment, listening to the language of the camera, and much more. A retrospective of 29 of Isabelle Huppert's best films begins Friday October 7th at Film Forum in New York City. Follow Back To One on Instagram Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. No small talk, no celebrity stories, no inane banter—just the work.

Xolo Maridueña has been playing Miguel Diaz on the hit series "Cobra Kai" for five seasons, starting when he was 16 years old. On this episode, he talks about how preparing for his dream role as "Blue Beetle" (the D.C. superhero movie coming out next year) sent him down a road that expanded his acting capabilities in new and exciting ways. Plus he talks about William Zabka's positive influence on him, and the ways that played into how he took on his leadership duties when he got to be number one on the call sheet. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Last year, Lashana Lynch made history as 007 in "No Time To Die," this year she uses history to energize her powerful performance in "The Woman King." In this episode, she talks about how filming that movie "barefoot, on that soil," surrounded by a truly supportive sisterhood, was so significant to her performance. She explains why she doesn't have (or even want) a go-to preparation process, what choosing the hard road of avoiding typecasting has done for her career, why she cherishes outstanding Assistant Directors, and much more. Plus she gives us a peek at her role as Miss Honey in "Matilda" by way of describing a tiny, but significant, gesture of her hands. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Australian actor Essie Davis is best known for "The Babadook," "Game of Thrones," and "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries." This year, she stunned me with two incredible performances in two powerful films. In "Nitram," directed by her husband Justin Kurzel, she plays the important and heartbreaking supporting role of Helen, opposite Caleb Landry Jones. In "The Justice of Bunny King" she broke my heart again, this time playing the house-less titular character who is desperately trying to get her kids out of foster care. It was made pre-pandemic and had a staggered release last year overseas. Look for it in select US cities and on VOD in late September. On this episode, she gives us a glimpse of what's at the core of her process. She talks about why it takes her an abnormally long time to read a script, the helpful ways Kurzel assists actors in prep, the change that occurred when she stopped "trying" and started "being," plus much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Esteemed veteran actor John Christopher Jones returns to the podcast (his first time was episode 13) to talk about conquering the "real fear" he had of going back to work, in a guest starring role on the television series "New Amsterdam," while dealing with the unpredictable and often debilitating effects of worsening Parkinson's. Then he takes us on a brief tour of the various directors that worked well for him over the years, and others that, sometimes hilariously, fell a little short, like José Quintero and his maddening direction in the 1985 production of "The Iceman Cometh" with Jason Robards. He shares frustrating stories of being the understudy who's thrown into Mike Nichols' 1984 production of "Hurlyburly," and having to survive the antics and proclivities of Ron Silver and others. He tells us about the least successful role he ever performed, the most successful, and how looking back on all of it makes him realize how lucky he is. Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Austin Pendleton might be best known for "My Cousin Vinny," or "What's Up Doc?" but the 82 year old actor, director, playwright, and teacher is a one-man theater institution. It almost seems like there isn't a great play that he hasn't performed or directed, somewhere, in his 60+ years in the business, and he's not slowing down in the slightest. In this epic, 90 minute episode, what Meryl Streep said of Pendleton will ring true—"there's no line between the man and his work." He talks about his latest performance, in the celebrated new Tracy Letts play "The Minutes," then takes us back half-a-century to the the first production of "Fiddler On The Roof," and tells a few incredible stories of working with the great Jerome Robbins. I ask him how teaching feeds his acting work. He shares some important lessons he's learned from his teachers (like Uta Hagen, Bobby Lewis, and Elia Kazan), legendary actors (like Jo Van Fleet and Kim Stanley), and disasters (like when a horrifically bad review kept him away from substantial roles for 7 years). He leaves us with a vow he made in 1958, which he still lives by, that just might be the secret to his longevity in this emotional roller-coaster of a profession. Plus much more! Sit back and let this great sage of the stage take you on a journey through the life of an actor in a deep, enduring love affair with the work. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Adrian Pasdar has experienced a lot in his nearly 40 years as a working actor and in this episode he generously shares the wisdom he's gleaned. Some of the highlights in his credits include "Top Gun," Near Dark," "Carlito's Way," "Heroes," "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D," and perhaps the most talked about single-season series of the 90s—"Profit." Not to mention he's the voice of Iron Man. He talks about how listening became his prime directive as an actor, his search for truth in performance (and the search for a better word than "truth"), "the method" as protective element, and why he believes "the tools we need as artists are right in front of us." Plus he bestows upon us a few amazing stories featuring familiar names, such as getting bailed out of a Cannes jail by Woody Harrelson, getting forgiven by Frank Sinatra, taking Kathryn Bigelow to see the Russian masterpiece "Come And See," eating TV dinners with Gregory Peck, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Dutch actor Katja Herbers plays forensic psychologist Kristen Bouchard on the hit series "Evil," which just finished its third season at Paramount+. On this episode, she talks about how saying no to the audition actually secured her the role, and hitting it off with "the Kings" (show runners Robert and Michelle King) helped her feel ownership of it. We get into the beautiful weeds about the pitfalls of over-directing and how she often simply ignores direction or translates it into something she can use. She explains why laboring over an emotional through-line is unnecessary, how working with the girls that plays her kids fuels her work, why she was worried about getting fired from "Westworld," and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Zoey Deutch returns to the podcast (Ep. 11, Ep. 97) to talk about her latest role in Quinn Shephard's dark social satire "Not Okay." She plays Danni Sanders, a lonely, semi-clueless photo editor who suddenly gets the attention she craves after lying about almost dying in a terrorist attack. Deutch talks about how she approached the challenge of making Danni relatable, the frustrations of shooting in New York City, why she didn't play it as a comedy, spirit animals, "using" the paparazzi, the amazing Mia Issac, what she learned from Mark Rylance on "The Outfit," and much more! Watch "Not Okay" on Hulu. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Himesh Patel is nominated for an Emmy this year for his incredible performance as Jeevan in Patrick Somerville's HBO Max mini-series "Station Eleven." In this episode, he talks about how that role made him a better actor, which is saying a lot because he had already given us some phenomenal work in films like "Tenet," "Don't Look Up," and his first feature film "Yesterday." He talks about the attention and care given to him by the big-name directors of those films, and how that helped his work. I ask about his 10 years on the UK television institution "EastEnders," and if that acting foundation keeps supporting him. He talks about the short film that changed his career, the role as a pigeon that changed his life, and much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

She's only 21, but Australian actor Angourie Rice has earned respect in Hollywood for stacking up diverse roles in "The Nice Guys," "The Beguiled," "Jasper Jones," "Mare of Easttown," not to mention a few Spider-Man movies. Now she has her first starring role in "Honor Society" for Paramount+. She talks about how it helped her to be able to relate so much to her character in that film, and why talking directly to the camera was oddly easy. We chat about her podcast, The Community Library, which is a celebration of literature and storytelling of all kinds. This leads to a discussion of how actors view their place in a story. She talks about why her podcast has made her look more critically at the scripts she gets, how being a lover of words helps the work, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Ethan Hawke returns to the podcast (first time was episode 41) to talk about "The Last Movie Stars," his epic 6-part documentary that chronicles Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's iconic careers and decades-long partnership. Years ago, a friend of the couple interviewed Paul, Joanne, and many people close to them for a potential memoir, but Newman burned the tapes. Miraculously, the transcripts survive, so Hawke called on his acting friends to bring them to life. The result is both an intimate portrait of the lives and careers of this great duo and also a constant celebration of the endeavor of acting itself. Hawke talks about the apprehensions he had when Newman's children approached him to do this series, and how they were assuaged. He lets us in on what led to the decision to go meta and include the "behind the scenes" zoom conversations, which, in my opinion, really makes the series special. He talks about discovering his own biases while editing and how that awareness enriched the cut, shares why he relates to one aspect of how Newman approached his own fame, and why it felt sometimes like working on this was going to break his brain. Plus much more! "The Last Movie Stars" is on HBO Max on July 21st. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Fresh out of Juilliard, Jeanne Tripplehorn's first screen role was "Basic Instinct." That started a 30+ year run of films like "The Firm," "Waterworld," "Sliding Doors," and series such as "Criminal Minds," "Big Love," and her latest, "The Terminal List" for Amazon. In this episode, she talks about her love for extensive research, the most important tools for an actor—confidence, relaxation, and focus; how the happenings off-screen affect what's on the screen; and why, at this point in her career, she just wants to play. Plus we get the scoop on her preternatural ability to sing classic rock songs in the voice of Julie Andrews. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Read just a sample of Juliette Binoche's credits—"Mauvais Sang," "Three Colors: Blue," "Damage," "The English Patient," "Chocolat," "Certified Copy," "Clouds of Sils Maria," "Let The Sunshine In"—and one thing becomes clear: few actors have been as internationally respected for such a sustained period of time. In this episode, she speaks about the importance of acting from the body, and learning to use "sensation" as a starting point. She tells a story about feeling lost on the set of John Boorman's "In My Country," and what set her free should be a lesson to all directors. She talks about how the difficult circumstances surrounding the production of her two newest films, "Both Sides of the Blade" and "Between Two Worlds," actually served her process. Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

I watched the movie "Cordelia" not knowing anything at all about it, and never having seen Irish actor Antonia Campbell-Hughes in anything before. The psychological thriller greatly impressed me in no small part due to the captivating performance of Campbell-Hughes, particularly the emotional depth that she invites the viewer to examine without words. In this episode, she talks about the layering work she did to build that character, the unorthodox way her process (or conscious lack of process) has developed over the years, and why it all started with what continues to be the main ingredient—truth. Her feature directorial debut "It Is In Us All" just won a jury award at SXSW. She talks about getting that film made, why visual storytelling is paramount to her, how she faces the challenges of acting and directing at the same time, plus much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Luke Bracey didn't dream about being an actor when he was a kid, he didn't study the craft, and on his first job, which came from his very first audition, he didn't even really know when he should start saying the lines. But with roles in films like "Point Break," "Hacksaw Ridge," "Holidate" and the soon-to-be-released "One True Loves," he has built a career with his instinct, experience, and innate talent. Now he plays Jerry Shilling in the Baz Luhrmann blockbuster "Elvis." He talks about what stopped him from getting overwhelmed by that "old school" big movie production, the value of energy management, the "privilege of pressure," getting the "kick in the butt" he needed at the right moment, and bringing it all back to "if you believe it, we'll believe it." Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

James Scully plays Charlie, love interest to Bowen Yang's Howie, in the new film "Fire Island," a touching, hilarious, and entirely Queer take on "Pride and Prejudice," written by and co-starring Joel Kim Booster, and directed by Andrew Ahn. Scully talks about the imposter syndrome that infected the cast, how sometimes when material is so relatable it's actually hard to gauge if you're hitting it right, why having a Queer director actually improves the work, and how Ahn specifically led the way so thoughtfully and effectively. Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Among many appealing qualities as an actor, Rupert Friend certainly has "range." His two most recent roles are James Whitehouse—elitist, upper-class British politician in David E. Kelley's Netflix limited series "Anatomy Of A Scandal"; and The Grand Inquisitor—blowhard Star Wars bad guy in "Obi-Wan Kenobi." He's probably best known for playing Peter Quinn on a few seasons of "Homeland," which got him an Emmy Nomination. On this episode, he talks about why his preparation process is more "uncovering" than "building," how energy management has served him well, the gift of being allowed to "fail safely," and the most important thing any actor can have in their arsenal—instinct. Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

David Morse is one of the most respected veteran actors working in the business. "St. Elsewhere," "The Indian Runner," "The Crossing Guard," "Dancer In The Dark," "House," "Hack," "The Green Mile," to name just a few of his past credits, and now a Tony nomination for his incredibly powerful performance in "How I Learned To Drive," which he has reprised with Mary-Louise Parker, 25 years after they first did it off-broadway. I talk to him about the differences in these two incarnations, particularly one important and significant moment he arrives at toward the end of the play. He explains how training with William Esper enriched his work, how working for Sean Penn invigorated it, and how the "all in it together" aspect of theater continues to feed him. Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Mike Leigh is back in New York City for Film At Lincoln Center's retrospective of his films, which starts Friday May 27th. He's doing Q&A's after three of his best—"Naked," "Secrets and Lies," and "Topsy-Turvy." Since he was last on the show (Episode 54), a few of his most treasured actors have been on and discussed the joy of working with the legendary director. There have even been some guests who have talked about the pleasure of working with him just in an audition, even though they weren't selected. I ask him to break down his audition process and he generously does so in great detail. We examine one particular moment from "Secrets and Lies" as a way to discuss the careful way he builds narratives with his collaborators. I ask which film of his someone who has never seen a Mike Leigh film should see first. He talks about Cassavetes, Netflix, procrastination, his oeuvre as a whole, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Few characters born in this current 'Golden Age of Television' rise to the legendary status of Gustavo Fring. Giancarlo Esposito brought the drug kingpin to life on "Breaking Bad" and now he's finishing out (or filling in) his arc on the prequel "Better Call Saul." On this episode, Esposito talks about the careful way he "whispers" a new character into existence, and why the identification and breaking down of his own resistances is so important. He tells the story of the eureka moment he had reading the words "hiding in plain sight" and how that opened up the character for him. He claims the real-life people he portrays (like Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in "Godfather of Harlem") haunt him, shares why "making it personal" is such an essential step, and much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

I was lucky to catch Alison Pill on Broadway, 16 years ago, in "The Lieutenant of Inishmore," and then became enamored with her work in shows like "In Treatment," "The Newsroom," "Devs," and movies like "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" and "Milk," to name just a few. Nowadays she plays Dr. Agnes Jurati on the series "Picard," and stars with Sarah Gadon in Michael McGowan's new film "All My Puny Sorrows." She shares what she believes to be the secret ingredient that made that film work, and talks about how adopting a physicality for a character is foundational to her now. She reveals some of the reasons why theater appeals to her so much, one of them being that it allows her to take on the role of editor of her performance. She professes her love for text, her love for rehearsal, her frustration with improv, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Anamaria Vartolomei is the French-Romanian star of Audrey Diwan's film "Happening," about a young college student in desperate need of an illegal abortion in 1960s France. The camera follows Vartolomei's character so closely, both literally and figuratively, that you begin to feel like you are experiencing the movie from inside her. On this episode, Vartolomei talks about why the closeness of the camera actually made her feel protected; how curiosity rather than competition helped her in the audition; how feeling safe leads to fearlessness in action; and the importance of breathing, surprises, and, most importantly, anger. Follow Back To One on Instagram

The legendary theater director, actor, shaman André Gregory has been producing ground-breaking work for over half a century. He's perhaps best known for the projects he did with Wallace Shawn—"My Dinner With André" (which is celebrating its 40th anniversary), "Vanya on 42nd Street" and "A Master Builder." His recent book "This Is Not My Memoir" details, with refreshing honesty, his extraordinary life through incredible stories about, for instance, learning from the great Jerzy Grotowski, getting punched by Gregory Peck, buried alive in Richard Avedon's backyard, to name just a few. On this episode, Gregory answers some questions about his unique rehearsal process, talks about why it doesn't matter if the stories he tells about his life are rooted in fact, offers up a one word answer to what his hope is for the future of performance, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Wunmi Mosaku won a BAFTA award for "Damilola, Our Loved Boy." She was only the 2nd black actress to win one in 62 years. You might know her from her incredible work as Ruby in "Lovecraft Country," Rial in "His House," or B-15 in the Marvel series "Loki." Her latest is "We Own This City," from the makers of "The Wire," which premiered Monday on HBO Max. On this episode, she talks about her early days of learning the ropes of screen acting, how rehearsal makes a big difference in her process, why connecting to people is so important to her job, how one prompt led to the most exciting artistic night in her career, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

In the new HBO Max series "Julia," talented Irish actor Fiona Glascott plays Judith Jones, the real life editor who pulled Julia Child's book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" from the reject pile and turned it into a bestseller. In this episode, Glascott talks about the joy of inhabiting that trailblazer and playing opposite the great Judith Light in a pivotal scene. She also details the unique preparation process she employs when she takes on the young Professor McGonagall in the "Fantastic Beasts" films, shares an inspiring reason why she doesn't obsess over landing some ideal role, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Eddie Marsan first came to my attention with his now legendary performance in Mike Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky." He has so many layers at play under Scott's anger, gives so much depth to that character. It is a wonder to behold. He kept doing it in films like "Tyrannosaur," "Still Life," "Sherlock Holmes," as Terry in the Showtime series "Ray Donovan," and now in his newest film, "The Contractor," opposite Chris Pine. In this half hour, Marsan talks about the formative influence of Leigh on his work and the meaning of the command "dig a hole and sit in it." He shares some things he picked up from never leaving Jim Broadbent's side on the "Gangs of New York" set, the technique of "listening with prejudice," the importance of living a life in such a way that the job of acting doesn't fulfill your egotistic needs, plus much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Dominique Fishback talks about the characters she plays as if they inhabit her rather than the other way around. This begins to explain the immense, yet subtle, and always authentic power on display in performances such as Darlene in "The Deuce," Kenya in "The Hate You Give," and Deborah Johnson in "Judas and the Black Messiah." Now she stars with Samuel L. Jackson in the Apple+ series "The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey." She talks about the interesting way her character, Robyn, disrupted her usual psychological preparation process; where she gets the courage to fiercely advocate for her characters; repairing her relationship with her inner child; the "art of being a movie star;" and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

You know him as Pastor Tim on "The Americans," or "Dollar" Bill Stearn on "Billions," or maybe Kelly AuCoin has wowed you as a regular on the New York stage for many years. In this episode he lifts the hood and lets us peek in on what keeps his acting engine running, or (because he prefers sports metaphors) what keeps him in the game. He talks about how his wife made him realize he actually does have a preparation process, the differences between his hours leading up to "action" as apposed to "curtain up," the importance of the often overlooked tool of a good night's rest, what he relished on the set of his latest role in "The Girl From Plainville," and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Alessandra Mesa and Ani Mesa are the stars of Erin Vassilopoulos' debut feature "Superior," a fascinating, fun, and suspenseful genre-blending exploration of identity. The three collaborated on a short of the same name six years earlier, and the feature functions almost like a sequel. In this episode they talk about the benefits of having the "real memories" of the short as a kind of backstory to use in the feature, how they made the anxiety of shooting on film work to their advantage, the interesting way Ani helped Alessandra (who co-wrote the script) take off the writer's hat and put on the actor's hat during production, how "world building" tangibly helps the acting process, why the mysterious elements shared by any two actors in a scene have even more useful potential when those two people are identical twins, plus much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

He played Captain Pike on "Arrow," Basqat on "Smallville," and Nick Barron on the acclaimed Canadian drama "19-2," and now Adrian Holmes has stepped into the biggest role of his career—Uncle Phil on "Bel-Air," Peacock's dramatic reboot of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." In this half hour, Holmes talks about the process of finding his own version of that iconic character, the theatrical trick he plays on himself in auditions that keeps him "dropped in," why telling positive black stories is so important, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

In films such as "Transit," "In The Aisles," and "Undine," German actor Franz Rogowski has quickly established himself as one of the most respected and sought after actors in international cinema. But now, with his transformative and revelatory performance in "Great Freedom," it is hard to even find words to properly describe his astounding work, except maybe outer-worldly. On this episode we get a detailed glimpse into his unique preparation process, which involves using drawings and word graphics to move motivations and dialogue onto another plane of accessibility. He talks about "the exchange" that needs to take place for a performance to take hold, why his hearing loss actually makes him a better listener, how lockdown's interruption of production actually benefited the work, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Emory Cohen's past credits include "Brooklyn," "The Place Beyond The Pines," "Lords of Chaos," and the short-lived but much-loved series "The OA." Now he stars as Samuel in Brian Petsos' wildly unique comedy "Big Gold Brick," and delivers a performance so full of mania, big humor and bold choices, it will have you continuously rapt. On this episode, he talks about the aspects of his process that he relies on with every role, the walk down "the gallery" of past great performances, sometimes "silly" animal work, focused rehearsal with a coach, and he explains why he actually enjoys the restrictions and frustrating precisions of the film set, plus much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Chukwudi Iwuji has been celebrated for his stage work (particularly Shakespeare) on both sides of the pond. He got raves for his Henvy VI at RSC, and his Othello and Hamlet at The Public, to names just a few. The raves continued for his performances in "The Low Road" (Obie win) and Ivo van Hove's "Hedda Gabler." He has only recently been transitioning, in a concerted way, to film work. James Gunn rewrote Clemson Murn in "Peacemaker" after seeing Iwuji's audition, then put him in "Guardians of the Galaxy 3," and called him one of the greatest actors who has graced his camera. In this episode, Iwuji talks about what Gunn and Hove have given him, what he needs from a director in general, his realization of the essence of the difference between film and stage performance, why he gets off book immediately, the importance of feeding your work with substance other than work, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram Subscribe to Jenna Dolittle's Actors Rise newsletter Follow Actors Rise on Instagram

She has been acting professionally for the better part of two decades, so Joey King has a bit more experience than the average 22 year old Hollywood actor. And after the gigantic surprise success of "The Kissing Booth," and its subsequent sequels, she knows what it's like to have a global hit on her hands. Add an Emmy nomination for her phenomenal work in "The Act" to her resume, and you have a well-respected actor/producer with a constant pile of scripts on her desk and first look deals at Hulu and Netflix. In this episode, she explains how it only seems like it's easy for her to get emotional on camera, why learning everyone's name on the set actually helps her work, the importance of letting the best idea win especially if it isn't yours, why she encourages healthy debate with her team, her mystical connection to her new film "The In Between," and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram