On ‘Parenthood’ cue, Monica Potter cries over Golden Globe nomination

“Parenthood” star Monica Potter could only cry when she got the news.

After enduring a taxing story line involving her character’s breast cancer, Potter was making many a list for those deserving a nod. But she would get passed over. So you’ll understand why waking up to news that she was nominated for a Golden Globe brought on the waterworks -- a state of being she’s quite familiar with on the emotional NBC drama.

“I had a text from Billy Bush. I was like, ‘Wait, I don’t talk to Billy that much.’ But we saw each other at an event we did together and he texted me congratulations. I looked online. I ran to my husband. I didn’t even say anything. I was just miming to him because I couldn’t talk. I showed him the computer and I started crying and I was like, ‘Does that say who should’ve been nominated?’ I couldn’t talk. I was shaking. And it’s our 10-year anniversary today, so it was like the perfect present.”

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In its fifth season, and now in the 10 p.m. Thursday time slot, Potter’s Kristina has gotten a bit of a break on the emotional side. With Kristina in remission, the season thus far has focused on her mayoral ambitions--which went far, but not far enough.

We spoke to Potter about her nomination and what lies ahead on “Parenthood.”

Since it’s your anniversary, this likely won’t be how you celebrate. But I was really hoping there’d be a bash out in the Braverman patio.

That would be awesome, wouldn’t it?

It’s my dream. I want a patio like that. And I want a table like that. I want light strewn above it like that.

I know. I know. And you can have it. Wouldn’t that be a good raffle item?

Only if it’s rigged, and I win.

Oh, of course.

But, really, do you have any plans to ring in the nomination? Will it overlap with anniversary plans?

We are actually taking our little one to Disney on Ice. I’m super, super excited.

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That is the best answer I’ve heard all day.

Let’s talk about Kristina’s journey. Last season was just an emotional beating. There’s a lot more light in her life this season.

I am having the best time this season. I am able to laugh more and do some fun quips and things like that. Last year was all about the emotion behind what was going on with her with breast cancer and her battle. And the family’s battle. It was very cathartic for all of us. This year it’s more of a celebration and her finding her way in the world. And living out things she never thought she could do. I feel like it’s such a celebratory year for her. And I am so happy that they wrote the election and the campaign. At first I was a little leery of it because I was afraid of the public speaking aspect. I’m really bad at public speaking. But it was really fun. And a weird way more challenging.

And did [creator] Jason Katims tell you ahead of time that she wouldn’t actually get elected? Because I was really worried he’d add more stress to Kristina’s life.

That’s what we would talk about and where we would go with it if she was mayor. But we mostly wanted to focus on just the journey. I was happy with the way that they wrote it. I didn’t want to be Benson. I sort of wanted to be able to go a certain direction after the campaign -- either way, it would’ve been great. We’re having fun with the new story line now.

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And the Kristina and Adam dynamic has endured quite the challenges -- that was no different this season. There was a hiccup in the campaign that got me worried.

I know, I know! And they keep adding fun little juicy tidbits, you’ll see. Their relationship has such a solid foundation but it’s those hiccups that makes them so relatable. But they always have each other’s back. The story line now is more of a joint effort. You’re going to see them working together on something.

Is there an upcoming Kristina scene you’re excited for viewers to see?

We sort of go back to the story line last year for a minute and that is interesting. She goes back to the doctor, and that little journey within that episode I think is very interesting and very touching. The way that Peter did the scene -- I love it.

You see her constantly going back to that thought -- of worry about another scare. But we’ll see. I don’t know what’s going to happen. But we do touch on it again.

Has the cast been in touch with you about the nomination? I’m sure they’re so happy for you.

Yes, yes. I feel the love. I’m getting lots of texts.

Does Craig T. Nelson text you?

Yes! He does. We text.

That is so crazy.

I know. I never thought Coach would text me. It’s like, ‘Oh, Coach just gave me a buzz, I gotta call him back.”

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