It is not always Variety manages to break the news to “The Crown” star and award-winning actor Gillian Anderson, but on the afternoon of February 3, Anderson found himself running out the door after a photo shoot to talk on the phone with us. She had no idea that what she missed in the middle of her to-do list was innovative.
“Three?!?! What! I hadn’t been informed of this, this is extraordinary – can you tell me who was nominated?” Anderson said, referring to the directors who were nominated for a Golden Globe by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association , after the organization’s long history of despising female talent in the category of best director for a film category.
Anderson was breathless with excitement as we scanned the list. The combined recognition of Emerald Fennell (“Promising young woman”), Regina King (“One night in Miami”) and Chloe Zhao (“Nomadland”) was the first for the awards in 78 years of its existence. Fennell, King and Zhao became the sixth, seventh and eighth female directors to receive the coveted nod.
But, of course, Anderson was aware of her Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actress in a series for her work as the surprising Margaret Thatcher doppelgänger in the fourth season of Netflix’s “The Crown”. She was thrilled with the nod and with the other five that the show team scored.
“I am very tearful. It was a long journey. I put my heart and soul on paper, so it’s very moving to have been recognized and to have been recognized alongside so many wonderful actresses, she said. These actresses include Julie Garner (“Ozark”), Annie Murphy (“Schitt’s Creek”), Cynthia Nixon (“Ratched”) and Anderson’s co-star Helena Bonham-Carter.
“And I am also proud to be part of this cast and to have so many of them being recognized,” added the actor. “The nominations belong to all the people who were involved in the show. And I hope that they are celebrating too and know that they are as much a part of it as we are. ”Other cast members who received nods include Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin, for their respective performances as Prince Charles and Princess Diana, as well as Olivia Colman for her role as Queen Elizabeth II.
Epitomizing the former UK Prime Minister to the small screen was, for Anderson, a dream. And she gave everything to fulfill it. The actor disclosed to Variety that there is always a risk in trying to fulfill your dream (especially in the entertainment industry), but part of dealing with that risk is being as prepared as possible and diving into the material to have a greater chance of success.
“I feel that both the combination of my desire to show that I can and the incredible team that ‘The Crown’ has chosen – researchers, teachers, script, the costume and hair and makeup department led by Cate Hall, directors – have given me the opportunity to do the best job I could, ”noted Anderson.
After a long career, Anderson is incredibly grateful to be able to carry out his dream project: manifesting the Iron Lady. “It is a miracle,” she said.
Because Anderson personified the role of Margaret Thatcher so acutely and with such sincere dedication, Variety She felt compelled to ask the actor what she thinks Thatcher would do, hypothetically, if she had received a Golden Globe nod: “I’m sure she put on her best dress and extra hairspray to increase the hair, and show up to outdo me and outdo me, ”said Anderson. “I think she would very much like to be in the spotlight.”
The final Golden Globes will be sent to all members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (a group of 89 international journalists who mainly reside in Southern California) on February 10, and must be delivered by 5 pm on February 23 . 78th Golden Globe Awards will air on NBC on Sunday, February 28, at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET on NBC. The ceremony will be co-hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, on opposite sides.