Limited Series Actors Talk Shows, Scenes, Characters and More

Sarayu Blue

Expats (Prime video)

The ways in which I am like my character We don’t have many similarities, but I’d say our sarcastic humor? My husband says the one moment he sees me in Hilary is in episode four, when she realizes she miscalculated her mother’s arrival date. It makes me laugh because it’s so true. The whole, “Shit, shit, shit,” of it is very me.

The scene that kept me up at night The hospital scene with Hilary’s father, when she finally lets it all out. It’s one of the most raw, vulnerable moments for her, and for me.

The last celebrity who had me starstruck Sandra Oh. I met her at an event recently and she spoke to me as though she knew me. It was likely because she’s so gracious, because I absolutely would’ve remembered if I’d met her before. I’ve been mesmerized by her since the second I first saw her light up a screen.

Dakota Fanning

Ripley (Netflix)

The scene that kept me up at night Any scene where I had to speak fully in Italian with Italian actors! I would pop out of bed and say the lines just one more time on the nights leading up to shooting them. I wanted to speak quickly, and as fluently as possible, so I just practiced and practiced.

What my character’s spinoff would look like I have never thought about that! Does Marge keep traveling? She says she thinks she’s going home to Minnesota at the end of it all, but I bet she would get back out there after a little time in her small town.

The show on which I’d love to guest star The time has run out for this dream, but Succession.

Joe Keery

Fargo (FX on Hulu)

The scene that kept me up at night The first day of work always keeps me up. It was the scene with Jon [Hamm] and Sam [Spruell] at Tillman Ranch right before my character Gator gets his wrist broken.

The show on which I’d love to guest star Survivor.

The show I never missed as a teen Even Stevens.

Who should play me in a biopic Are they holding an open call? Do I need to do an accent for the tape?

Riley Keough

Under the Bridge (Hulu)

The ways in which I’m like my character The part of her that’s able to be very empathetic and have conversations that can be uncomfortable as a means to find a more whole understanding of human beings and of people’s actions, I relate to.

And the ways I’m not I am not as good of a writer as she is.

The show I never missed as a teen Sex and the City, and I loved Bewitched.

Who should play me in a biopic Odessa Young.

Aja Naomi King

Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

The scene that kept me up at night In episode six, there was this large-scale protest scene that is a pivotal moment in my character’s storyline. So much was leading up to this protest that was Harriet’s idea, and it is something that she passionately advocated for even though it caused tension not only in her marriage but also in her friendship with Elizabeth [Brie Larson]. The actual act of performing this scene, and I still get chills thinking about it, meant so much to me because I could see it in my head. I wanted to convey so much with very little or no language, and I knew what I wanted it to feel like. That the vulnerability and fear and irrepressible desire to be seen and heard would somehow show through in my body language and facial expression, that you could read the years of her being entirely fed up and not willing to take it anymore, that somehow all that lived history and an almost desperate desire to fight would be clear with just a look.

The show on which I’d like to guest star I would pay good money to guest star on Abbott Elementary. The show is brilliant and every single actor on it is amazing.

Sandra Oh

The Sympathizer (HBO)

The ways in which I’m like my character A liberated and sexually free lady pushing against authority.

And the ways I’m not How free is any woman?

What my character’s spinoff would look like Ask Viet Thanh Nguyen — he’s writing a third book.

Who should play me in a biopic Bowen Yang.

Kali Reis

True Detective (HBO/MAX)

The ways in which I’m like my character I relate to my character, Navarro, in a few ways and was very intrigued by the ways where we are so different. Being from a mixed background of Wampanoag and Cape Verdean, I immediately related to the lack of full acceptance by her own community. Navarro’s true strength is in her vulnerability, and I’ve found so much healing personally in being vulnerable in telling my story. She also has this insatiable craving to fight for justice and what’s right — even when it means people won’t understand her motives. She and I are natural protectors. Navarro is highly intuitive and goes with her gut feeling and intuition instead of always thinking in the practical. Navarro enjoys her own company and is a “lone wolf,” as am I.

What my character’s spinoff would look like I’ve built a whole backstory, and I would love to do a prequel followed by a “what if Navarro is alive” spinoff dramedy where Danvers and Navarro go on vacation.

Who would play me in a biopic Zendaya.

Russell Tovey

Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX)

The ways in which I’m not like my character I’d like to think of myself as thoughtful, kind and sensitive to other people’s feelings — John is a sex-addicted narcissist who tramples on all those around him, putting his own needs above all others’. I am fairly confident this wouldn’t be how people describe me.

The last celebrity who had me starstruck I went a bit giddy around Demi Moore, for sure, and Gus Van Sant — we went to the Whitney Museum together to look at art, an experience I’ll always remember.

The show on which I’d like to guest star The Bear.

A version of this story first appeared in the May 29 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.