Q&A: Julianne Nicholson talks ‘Black Mass’ and her terrifying / sexy scene with Johnny Depp

Julianne Nicholson is so good at immersing herself in her characters that even when she gets recognized, “usually it’s because they think I babysat their kid, or we go to the same church,” she says. She’s been a detective on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” a doctor on “Masters of Sex,” a twisted sister in “August: Osage County,” and a lawyer on several shows, including the assistant U.S. attorney on “Boardwalk Empire.” At every turn, her work is subtle but powerful.

Marianne Connolly, wife to Joel Edgerton’s corrupt FBI agent in “Black Mass,” is another small but potent role. In one indelible scene, she holds her own against Johnny Depp’s psychopathic gangster, James “Whitey” Bulger, while he leans in too close and seems to weigh whether to hit on her or put a hit out on her.

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Meeting at West Hollywood’s London Hotel after a photo shoot, looking polished and sophisticated, Nicholson talks easily about her role and the rush of working with a man she idolized back when she actually was a babysitter.

You play your characters in all their imperfections, without a wink or an apology. Marianne is just about the only moral person in “Black Mass,” but that doesn’t necessarily make her likable.

I take that as a huge compliment because I want to play the person for who they are, and not as if they think the world is watching.

Do you seek that out in your roles, or are you bringing that to them?

It’s a little bit of both, I would guess. I’ve been really lucky in the last few years to get to play some really interesting women. Normally the jobs that I do are jobs that I respond to, so — we could take this to my therapist — but there must be something in these people that I need to play out. I read it and I usually know right away if I want to play that person or not.

How did you find your way into Marianne’s character?

For me, it’s the accent because that places me there. Also the amazing costume designer and hair and makeup. And I grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s outside Boston, so that was a huge way in. Meeting Joel, discovering who that woman would have chosen as her husband — everything adds to it.

Did you two get together beforehand?

I never met him till the first day on the set. I called him but he was at a Red Sox game with Benedict Cumberbatch. I know Benedict and I was like, “Can you get me his number, can we at least say hi before I show up tomorrow?” So we had a little chat. He’s a really nice, personable guy, and very serious about his work, so we had fun. There’s worse jobs.

I’m sure you’ve heard this a million times before, but what was it like for Johnny Depp to work with you?

I know, God, how many times have I heard that question. I think he had a great time. I think he’s been a fan of mine for years. [Laughs.] I think he was surprised.

Why?

Not that he thought I was going to be bad, but I feel like something happened in that scene by the door that neither of us was expecting.

It’s a terrifying scene, and yet — and this sounds awful — it was also kind of sexy.

I say it exactly like that. There’s a seduction happening. There’s so many things happening, and I think that was the great thing about it, which was sort of confusing and exciting and scary. The character Marianne felt that way, but I also felt that way. There were two different things happening and they were both full and layered for each of the women present. I can only remove myself so much. I loved it. That was definitely a career highlight.

How many times did you do the scene?

Not. Enough. [Laughs] I wanted to do more!

The fact that Johnny Depp could pull off being sexy, looking like that, is ridiculous.

Balding, wonky teeth, Members Only jacket, and still, A game. I’ve literally loved Johnny Depp since I was in high school and he was in “21 Jump Street.” He made a real impact on me then and that has not gone away. We just came from a luncheon and he was there, and someone said, “Go say hi to Johnny!” I worked with him but I didn’t want to go say hi to him because I still feel like the girl in the lunch line that was looking at his posters on the walls as I was buying my pizza.

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