The Envelope

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.

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.

Kieran Culkin, who plays Roman Roy on "Succession," helps us dissect the moments from the Season 3 finale that we still can't stop thinking about: the  Roy sibling alliance,  Gerri's betrayal, and the surprising ending.  Plus, we discuss his upbringing as a child actor, why conjuring up his family's past doesn't actually help him in scenes and THAT Jeremy Strong New Yorker article. Fair warning: This conversation contains profanity. To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson on how sifting through 40 hours of archival footage of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival — where legends like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder performed in the same summer as Woodstock — led to his debut documentary, ‘"Summer of Soul.” Plus, how the parallel protests of 2020 and 1969, as well as a focus on Black joy, helped to shape the film, and why he still considers "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon his creative epicenter.

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

"Spencer" director  Pablo Larraín details the historical truths in his Princess Diana fable, explains the film’s handling of sensitive elements — such as Diana’s eating disorder and relationship with her sons — and shares the moment on set when Kristen Stewart “lost it” in a good way. To read a full transcript of this interview, please visit the episode page at latimes.com.  

Beanie Feldstein takes us behind the scenes of her performance on “Impeachment: American Crime Story” and shares why playing Monica Lewinsky forced her to 'disassociate' from herself. Plus, she opens up about the sudden death of her brother Jordan and gushes over the Jewish women (Bette and Barbra) who paved the way for her role as Fanny Brice in the upcoming Broadway revival of “Funny Girl.”

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

Maggie Gyllenhaal discusses the “electrifying” experience that led to her adaptation of “The Lost Daughter.” Plus, she details her correspondence with anonymous author Elena Ferrante, her attempts to truthfully portray motherhood on screen and her hopes for future collaborations with her brother, Jake Gyllenhaal.

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

Daniel Dae Kim recounts how an attack on his sister catalyzed his fight against AAPI hate crimes, his greatest fear when it came to “Lost,” and why having a seat at the table as a producer is both “liberating” and “soul-destroying.” Plus, he discusses his first lead role: an FBI agent on National Geographic’s “The Hot Zone: Anthrax.”

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

Live from AFI Fest, "Swan Song" director Benjamin Cleary and actor Mahershala Ali discuss the heartbreaking inspiration for the film, the challenges of shooting during a pandemic, and improvising scenes with Naomie Harris. Plus, Ali shares why every role — from a commercial to "Blade" — is equally important to him.

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