Emmy Roundtables 2019: Video interviews with awards season contenders

The Envelope’s TV drama actors roundtable included (from left to right): Jodie Comer, Bob Odenkirk, Lorraine Toussaint, Los Angeles Times reporter Yvonne Villarreal, Jason Bateman, Patricia Clarkson and Billy Porter.

By Los Angeles Times Staff

June 6, 2019 3:43 PM PT

Awards season always begins earlier than imagined, which means roundtable conversations with TV talent are here once again. The Envelope, spotlighting the Times’ awards season coverage, is presenting sessions with individuals from both in front of and behind the camera in a series of in-depth talks. These candid conversations cover everything from their acclaimed projects to the hot topics facing the industry at large. Keep this page bookmarked for updates throughout the Emmy Awards season. Also, you can watch our full roundtables this month on the Spectrum News 1 television channel at 9 p.m. Fridays: Drama premieres this week, followed by comedy on June 14 and showrunners on June 21.

Drama

Lorraine Toussaint (“The Village”), Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”), Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”), Billy Porter (“Pose”), Patricia Clarkson (“Sharp Objects”) and Jason Bateman (“Ozark”) face their fears and ascend to the heights of Peak TV.

Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”)

Jodie Comer says finding the show’s tone was the scariest bit at the start, but she learned to identify with psychopath Villanelle.

Jodie Comer says finding “Killing Eve’s” tone was the scariest bit at the start, but she learned to identify with Villanelle.

Patricia Clarkson (“Sharp Objects”)

Patricia Clarkson, who plays Adora, mother to Amy Adams’ Camille on “Sharp Objects,” shares how she gets in the mind-set of a character who exhibits “abhorrent behavior.”

Lorraine Toussaint (“The Village”)

Lorraine Toussaint details giving her body directives to play the cancer-stricken Patricia on “The Village.”

Actress Lorraine Toussaint also details giving her body directives to play Patricia on “The Village.”

Billy Porter (“Pose”)

“Pose” star Billy Porter shares how he was cast for his role — or wished it into existence.

Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)

Bob Odenkirk has been playing Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman for years. But he’s not worried about getting bored because there’s so much variety within the role.

Jason Bateman (“Ozark”)

Jason Bateman discusses the challenges of working on and behind the camera on “Ozark.”

Comedy

Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”), Terry Crews (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Tony Shalhoub (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), D’Arcy Carden (“The Good Place”) and Ramy Youssef (“Ramy”) discuss what TV comedy is doing now that it couldn’t do before.

Ramy Youssef (“Ramy”)

“Ramy” star Ramy Youssef talks about showing an Arab Muslim family, and creating from a place of specificity rather than scarcity.

Terry Crews (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”)

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Terry Crews cites some key shows from growing up — and names one comedy influence that flips him out.

Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”)

Gina Rodriguez recognized her role immediately, and says playing Jane has made her more honest.

D’Arcy Carden (“The Good Place”) and Tony Shalhoub (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)

Comedy stars D’Arcy Carden (“The Good Place”) and Tony Shalhoub (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) discuss how watching comedy has moved them.

Showrunners

Isaac Aptaker (“This Is Us”), Alec Berg (“Barry”), Ava DuVernay (“When They See Us”), Peter Gould (“Better Call Saul”), Leslye Headland (“Russian Doll”) and Marta Kauffman (“Grace and Frankie”) share insights on running a TV show.

Leslye Headland (“Russian Doll”)

“Russian Doll” showrunner Leslye Headland talks about creating stories in a crowded landscape.

Marta Kauffman (“Grace and Frankie”)

“Grace and Frankie” showrunner Marta Kauffman says it’s the show that tells you how far to push the envelope.

In The Envelope’s Showrunners Roundtable, “Grace and Frankie” showrunner Marta Kauffman says it’s the show that tells you how far to push the envelope.

Peter Gould (“Better Call Saul”)

“Better Call Saul” showrunner Peter Gould talks about the discussions that take place on how best to wrap up the show.

In The Envelope’s Showrunners Roundtable, “Better Call Saul” showrunner Peter Gould talks about the discussions that take place on how best to wrap up the show.