Sarah Paulson discusses her role in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ comedy and how Pedro Pascal aided her performance
Sarah Paulson is discussing her recent Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actress in a drama series while dealing with her dogs causing a mess in the background. “My dogs are shitting everywhere, so let’s just pretend that nothing’s happening,” she says as she moves around her living room on Zoom.
A chance encounter with a dog and Donald Glover at a party led to Sarah Paulson landing a role as the therapist for the characters John and Jane Smith on the Prime Video series. “Somebody had their dog, and I’m a dog obsessive, and Donald was standing there, and I was doing a bit about the dog, talking about how fabulous it was to be at the Vanity Fair party, and he was chuckling at me,” Paulson recalls.
After Donald Glover expressed interest in working with Sarah Paulson, she eagerly accepted the role of the therapist on the spy series. Paulson didn’t hesitate to agree when Glover reached out to her about the opportunity.
Sarah Paulson discusses her thoughts on reading the script for the role she was nominated for, noting the blend of comedy and drama in the series. She reflects on the unique balance the show strikes between humor and seriousness.
Discussing her preparation for the role, Sarah Paulson mentions her love for the show “Couples Therapy” and how working with an acting coach helped her enhance her performance. She also shares insights into the physicality and comedic elements of her character.
In response to questions about pursuing more comedy roles after her recent projects, Sarah Paulson talks about the challenges of being typecast in the industry. She expresses her interest in exploring different genres and showcasing her comedic abilities.
Sarah Paulson reflects on the joy of being invited to work on various projects and emphasizes her gratitude for being able to pursue her passion for acting. She shares her enthusiasm for the opportunities that come her way and appreciates the chance to do what she loves.
This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.