You are so creepy and mean.
It's just so fun to watch you, and I'm a fan.
And I'm happy you're on the show.
And congratulations. season premiere of Handmaid's Tale
was the most-watched original on Hulu ever, ever.
I've heard that.
And I just want to say I'm really thrilled to meet you.
I'm a big fan as well.
And here you are.
I'm looking at you.
And how are you?
I am fantastic, and I have been wanting to talk to you
and meet you forever.
So I am really happy to be talking to you right now.
What is it--
Thank you for having me.
Thank you so much for spending time with us.
What is it like when you get a script and--
first of all, have you ever played
a character that's likable?
Well, which question I'm going to answer here?
I think they're all just--
Lydia is the nicest character I've ever played, come on.
Have I ever?
I think in the past, I played some lovely sweet characters.
Maybe that was 30 years ago, not quite sure there.
But yeah, probably not is the answer.
I mean, what is it like when you're playing
such a hateable character?
I mean, it must be fun.
But your whole rhythm, the way you speak, the way you act--
people must be scared to death when they meet you in person.
Well, I mean, the fans are great, by and large.
I remember a few standout.
One would be at the airport when I was heading to the flight,
you know, when you go down the escalator.
And a lady jumped straight in front of me
and she said with a pointed finger, I know you.
I know you.
Who are you?
I thought, well, let's see.
Where is this coming from.
And so, I said, oh, gosh.
She said were you born here?
Where?
I said, I don't--
I think maybe.
I'm not sure, maybe--
and so she said, no, no, I'm going to figure it out.
So I said, I'm going to have to go down to the plane.
So I get on the escalator.
It's going down, mind you.
She jumps on.
She's facing me, and I'm thinking, honey, she's older.
You may want to turn around, just for safety's sake.
And she's chatting, wondering, then she went like this.
I know you.
I know who you are.
You're her.
Aren't you?
And I said, well, I guess so.
And she literally turned around and fled down the escalator
and ran.
I mean, she ran.
And I laughed straight out loud.
I thought, OK, that's how it get done.
That's how good you are.
That's how good you are at that role.
But it must be-- is it fun to play a character like that?
Oh, I love her to bits.
Can't get to her fast enough.
In the beginning, I used to say, well.
But now I think, why are you hiding this?
She's fantastic.
And you almost didn't act.
To think that you're so good and you were going
to go in a different direction.
You were going to be a doctor?
I was going to be a surgeon, and it took me
four years of pre-med in a school and anxiety to which I
have a PhD.
By the time I get to senior year,
my roommate just looked at me and she said,
so you want to be a doctor?
And I think I was very, very tired,
and I said, no, I want to be an actress.
And she said, well, what are you up to?
What are you doing?
So literally, two weeks later, I auditioned for acting school.
And then, that's how that happened.
And not only are you brilliant in it,
but now there's going to be a Margaret Atwood sequel.
There's going to be a spin about your character.
So the fact that you're not going to get
killed off, that you have job security, that's
got to feel good.
That feels fantastic.
And the other thing I have, which
I'm just going to say it right now, I thought to myself,
I hope they're going to let me play her.
And the problem is if they don't, the actress
who would have been chosen should watch her back
because I would hunt her until she gives it up.
That's all I can say.
Well, a threat from you is--
that person's gone.
That person has resigned now.
Hey, you're fantastic.
So nice talking to you.
You're really amazing.
Thanks so much.
What a pleasure to meet you.
A pleasure to--
I hope one day we'll meet you in person.
I hope next year we have people here in the audience,
and we have you.
I can't wait to meet you in person,
and I will not run away from you.
That'll be very nice of you.
All right, good.
I look forward to it.
The Handmaid's Tale is available on Hulu.
We'll be back.