IN CONVERSATION WITH EVER CARRADINE

interview by JANA LETONJA

Ever Carradine is currently starring in Hulu’s Emmy-winning ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, which is set to premiere its sixth and final season on 8th April. She previously starred in the Golden Globe-nominated  ABC drama ‘Commander in Chief’, as well as on the lauded FX original series ‘Lucky’.

You come from a legendary Hollywood family, yet you initially pursued a college degree outside of acting. What ultimately pulled you back into the world of performance?

What ultimately led me back to performance was doing a play my sophomore year of college. I loved being on stage and part of the production, and realized pretty quickly that if I could pull off a career as an actress, I would always love going to work. And I was right.

With such an impressive television career spanning dramas, comedies, and sci-fi, do you find yourself drawn to any particular genre?

When I first started out, I found myself booking roles in comedies and I was so confused. Honestly, I thought I was doing something wrong. Over the years, I found a nice balance of comedy and drama. But I think the best lesson I have ever learned is that nothing can be too funny. There is funny in drama and tragedy, and there is drama in comedy. It's just real life. So, while I don't think I am drawn to a particular genre, I do think I am drawn to stories and characters that feel truthful. That being said, I'd kill to do a western. 

You’ve worked on some critically acclaimed shows like ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, Marvel’s ‘Runaways’, and ‘Commander in Chief’. Which role has challenged you the most, and why?

I think they each challenged me in different ways. I'll take them in order, because that's the way my brain works. ‘Commander in Chief’ came to me at a time when I had done comedy pilot after comedy pilot. I was looking for something deeper, and with Rod Lurie's belief in me, I got the role. The biggest challenge with that job was getting it, because my reputation as a "funny" actress nearly lost me that job. The funniest part is that I found it difficult to get a job in a comedy after we wrapped. 

‘The Handmaid's Tale’ is a dream job on so many levels. Besides the material and the cast, being a part of something that has really become the image of resistance in a post Roe world has been deeply rewarding. I have never been one to shy away from speaking out, and this show has given my voice a wider reach to issues that matter to me, more than I could have ever imagined. As far as challenge, honestly, it's mostly the logistics of the show. I live in LA and we film in Toronto, usually for all of the winter months. It's a big show with long hours, most of which are spent outdoors in the freezing cold. Anyone who says that that's not challenging is lying to you. 

Marvel's ‘Runaways’ was just magical on so many levels. We had an incredibly tight cast, which made going to work that much more fun. I think the biggest challenge was that we usually shot at least half the episode at night. If you think about the Marvel Universe, nothing bad happens in the day, it's always outside at night. Bradley Whitford likes to say that he's going to teach an acting class at 3 am, because anyone can act during the day.

What can you tease about the upcoming and final season of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’?

It is such an absolute pleasure being on a show that you're also a huge fan of. ‘The Handmaid's Tale’ is appointment television for my husband and I. So, as a fan, I can tell you that fans will love the final season. The theme of the marketing is revolution, so I don't think I'm spoiling much when I say that big things are going to go down in Gilead. I just can't tell you what. 

Marvel’s ‘Runaways’ had such a devoted fanbase. What was it like stepping into that universe, and how did you bring your own twist to the role of Janet Stein?

Honestly, I just tried to be present and truthful when I was playing Janet. I had a lot of mathematical jargon on that show, all of which was over my head, so I just tried to know my words backwards and forward, and trust that Janet knew what the hell she was talking about. As far as my own twist, I often find that what a character is wearing brings me closer to who they are. If the costume is right, it's like cheating for an actor, because it makes our jobs so much easier. Janet always looked great, and her meticulousness about her outfits were almost mathematical as well. 

Hollywood has evolved a lot since you started. What changes have you seen that excite you the most?

I think the most exciting thing that's happened is that so much more of what is made can be seen. We have so many platforms now, so many means to share our art, that there is almost always a home to share your project. The same goes for promotion. Social media has given us all the power to promote the projects that we care about. 

As a working mother in the industry, how do you balance the demands of acting with family life?

Well, I could not go off and do my job if I did not have such a supportive husband at home. I began filming ‘The Handmaid's Tale’ in 2016, and I cannot even begin to imagine how many flights I've taken or nights spent away in hotel rooms. It's hard leaving my family, but knowing that my kids have a great dad makes it a lot easier. 

I have spoken with a lot of mom friends about this, and I feel we all sort of share our secrets. One friend always naps at lunch, as do I. Another likes her kids to come to set and spend the days in her trailer so she can be with them during breaks. My favorite is the friend who often sleeps in her trailer after she wraps, so she can go home rested. While being in Toronto is difficult, it is so much easier to do my job while I am out of town, because I am not watching the clock, trying to get to carpool or a baseball game, or home for dinner. Being away means I can just be present and do my job, which is a luxury. 

One thing I really try to stress with my kids is that even though I don't like leaving them for work, I still love my job. 

Is there a dream role or project you haven’t tackled yet that’s still on your bucket list?

As I mentioned earlier, I would love to do a western. I grew up on horses, riding both English and Western, and the idea of showing up to work and getting on a horse would literally be a dream come true. 

If you could revisit any of your past characters and explore them further, who would it be and why?

One of my first big jobs was playing Pepper on ‘Veronica's Closet’. She was really flighty and colorful, and I would love to see what happened to her when she grew up. 

I also have not fully let Naomi Putnam go, and I would love to have an episode of ‘The Handmaid's Tale’ where we saw her backstory. 

What can you share with us about your other upcoming projects?

After nine years and six seasons of ‘The Handmaid's Tale’, I am still on the hunt for my next dream job. 

CREDITS:

photography SHAUGHN & JOHN