The Envelope

Latest Episodes:

Gillian Anderson Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

Gillian Anderson, who plays Eleanor Roosevelt on the Showtime series “The First Lady,” Joanna on “The Great” and Dr. Jean Milburn on “Sex Education,” really vibes with female characters who forge their own paths – and there’s good reason for that: Even when she was a small child, “telling Gillian what she could and couldn’t do” was impossible, she recalls her mother saying. In this episode of “The Envelope,” Anderson dishes on the importance of Roosevelt’s loving relationship with journalist Lorena Hickok, why “Sex Education” initially didn’t click with her, and the long legacy of “The X-Files.”

To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

Simone Ashley Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Simone Ashley has always been a fan of the romance genre, but before being cast as Kate Sharma in “Bridgerton,” playing the lead in a period drama seemed improbable to her. “I never imagined that a woman who looked like me could be a part of one,” she says. In this episode of "The Envelope" podcast, Ashley discusses embracing the political aspects of her career, how acting on “Sex Education” prepared her for "Bridgerton" and how her upbringing taught her to dream big.

To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

Jennifer Coolidge Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

Jennifer Coolidge opens up about shifting from drama to comedy (and back again), overcoming cocaine addiction in her 20s and channeling the death of her mother to play the grieving Tanya McQuoid in ‘White Lotus.’

To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

A previous version of this episode was published Dec. 7, 2021.

Jessica Biel Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Jessica Biel’s latest series, “Candy,” is based on the true story of Candace Montgomery — a do-it-all mom who snaps after years of repressing her anger and kills her lover’s wife with an ax. “I understand her rage,” says Biel, relating to the stresses of projecting a perfect image in public. In this episode, she discusses why she’s drawn to playing antiheroes, how scrutiny of celebrities has changed since she was starring in “7th Heaven,” and the heated debates that she and husband Justin Timberlake — who makes a cameo in “Candy” — had about the murder mystery.

To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

David Harbour May 31, 2022

Show notes

“Stranger Things” has brought Hopper back for Season 4, and nobody’s gladder than David Harbour, who wants to peel back the layers of the character and reveal “the hero that you've always wanted him to be” (as long as he survives this season, that is). In this episode of “The Envelope,” Harbour shares his thoughts on portraying a cop in the midst of national police brutality conversations, the upsides of finding fame later in his career, and how acting has helped him manage his mental health.

To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin May 24, 2022

Show notes

We're back for Emmys season and kicking things off with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, who recently wrapped up their much-beloved Netflix series, “Grace and Frankie.” In this episode, the duo laugh and cry with us while reflecting on their decades-long friendship, their mutual admiration for their “9 to 5” co-star Dolly Parton, who reunited with them for the final episode, and the lies people tell about aging and death.

To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

Oscars 2022 Roundtable Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

Ahead of this weekend's Oscars ceremony, L.A. Times critics Justin Chang, Mary McNamara and Glenn Whipp join "The Envelope" co-host Mark Olsen to discuss the the ins and outs of this year's awards season, what to expect on the big night, and the future of the Academy Awards.

Mandy Moore Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

Mandy Moore reflects on the shocking Pearson family conversation in the latest "This is Us" episode, "Taboo," and teases what's coming up as the series finale nears. (Hint: Big Three trilogy episodes, Kate and Toby's relationship, Rebecca's final goodbye, and a pastrami sandwich.) Plus, what you can expect from her directorial debut, her parting words for Rebecca Pearson, and a blast from her past pop star life. To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

Ariana DeBose Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

In her first audition for the role of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” Ariana DeBose stressed the importance of having her identity represented. “If you aren’t interested in reflecting that in the context of your script,” she told the acclaimed director, “I don’t think that you should hire me.” The result is a far cry from the “ethnically ambiguous” characters DeBose has portrayed in the past, and she is now the first Afro Latina and the first queer woman of color to be nominated for an acting Oscar. In this interview, DeBose details the most joyful (and harrowing) moments of shooting “West Side Story,” her experience of being typecast in Hollywood, and why — despite initial hesitance — she ultimately decided to follow in Rita Moreno’s footsteps by starring in the remake.

To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

Aunjanue Ellis Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

Though she's had a long career, Aunjanue Ellis has only recently broken through to widespread acclaim. Now, she is nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in "King Richard" as Oracene Price, the mother of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. In this “The Envelope” podcast interview, she opens up about fighting for her character to receive her due as a coach of the Williams sisters, the practical perks of being nominated for an Oscar, and her approach to playing nonfictional characters.

To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.