We also meet Detective Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever), whose investigation into the rape of another young woman (Danielle Macdonald's Amber) leads her to an open case in a different. Thats how I found Amber. Her retraction came after detectives Sgt. Watch all you want. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. It was crazy because when youre filming on set, youre surrounded by the same people every day. I loved seeing that aspect of it, because evidence might not be apparent and handed to youyou can still find what youre looking for. She also "listened to the woman with a sense of alarm.". I read a lot of stories about how different women reacted to this. And Merritt is so incredible. Danielle Macdonald and Merritt Wever in Unbelievable. Merritt Wever stars in the TV series Run, which premieres Sunday on HBO. Thats a long-winded answer. As much as she wants Billy, I think that she also wants to feel like that person again. Now you might have a better understanding of what someone has gone through. I dont think we ever know how we react until we are in that situation. Beingcast in the lead role in the western drama web series, Having played supporting roles in popular TV shows such as. Hopefully that has been the experience for everyone that was portrayed. She has also delivered memorable performances in popular shows such as The Walking Dead and New Girl. How do you accommodate all of that? After graduating from high school, she got enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College. Danielle Macdonald Rich Fury Getty Images As much as this is a return to Billy, I wanted it to also be a return to herself. Danielle Macdonald. DM: Its strange. And that was the best thing I think I could have done, because I went into the role after that saying, Okay, this is exactly whats going through Ambers head. And I made that choice and I spoke to everyone involved. She was born as Merritt Carmen Wever to mother Georgia Wever and was conceived via a sperm donor. I looked at all different types of trauma. Danielle Macdonald (who plays Amber) talks with Merritt Wever (Stacy Galbraith, in real life). Jeffrey Mason and Jerry Rittgarn (known as Detective Parker and Detective Pruitt in the series) pointed out inconsistencies in her story and said if she failed a lie detector test, she'd be booked into jail. Deciding to play Amber as smiling and pulled-together post-assault, Macdonald leaned into a powerful desire to give a realistic voice to those survivors whose stories are so often disbelieved. Unbelievable was so driven and relentless, the energy was so tight and contained, that when Run came along, something in my body and something in my psyche was craving room and space to play. 'Unbelievable' Review - The Hollywood Reporter A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? A lot of it is really heavy and the next time Id have a scene, a lot of stuff has happened, and I had to figure out how Id go from being fine to being at a gun range and hooking up with random guys other than my boyfriend. DM: If you look up the statistics, a lot of the time society might say, Well, these people are lying. If you look at the amount of people who are assaulted versus the people that lie about it, its less than one percent or something. Merritt Wever, Kaitlyn Dever, and Danielle Macdonald at an event for Unbelievable (2019) You just have to work a little harder. Out of all the people I know, I know about one person that came forward and someone is in jail for that. DM: I didnt get to meet the person that my character is based off of. It crosses everyones mind. Its all important information, but you have to fill in all the blanks by yourself. Danielle Macdonald, left, and Merritt Wever in Unbelievable on Netflix. [10], She has guest-starred on a number of TV shows, including New Girl, The Good Wife, Conviction, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Wire. Danielle Macdonald 's portrayal of key witness Amber Stevenson expertly conveys the unexpected aspects of trauma response, in that many people dissociate and are apparently fine instead of. Instead, she's at home. And I think its incredible that she allowed that in the first place. MACDONALD: Yes, theyre in post-production. 4 of 156. Emmys. Obviously, I have no idea when anythings coming out right now because were in a very interesting time period essentially. So, the fact that that is a reality, the fact that we all know that, we know that there are all these untold stories. DANIELLE MACDONALD: When it first came to me through my agents, I hadnt heard about this case at all. Hats! The Netflix series Unbelievable brings together a group of actresses including Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, Dale Dickey and Danielle MacDonald. But obviously, it is such a delicate subject matter. HBO's Run: Domhnall Gleeson & Merritt Wever Light Up Rom - IndieWire Merritt Wever is an American actress who got her big breakthrough with an important role in the medical drama TV series,Nurse Jackie. Having played the role ofnurse Zoey Barkow in the medical drama TV series. Watch Unbelievable | Netflix Official Site Best Dressed at Met Gala 2023 - The Top 30 Red Carpet Looks, Ranked in Order! Flash forward a few years later to the state of Colorado, where Detective Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) is interviewing a rape victim named Amber (Danielle Macdonald), whose story contains a myriad . Titles Unbelievable. She grabbed the opportunity with both hands and went on to win an Emmy Award for her work on the show. Details of Macdonalds character are not being revealed. I'm torn all over again," another said. I agree. In 1998, she made her theatrical film debut in the comedy movie, All I Wanna Do,which had Kirsten Dunst and Rachael Leigh Cook. Then Merritt comes in," Danielle says. The three ladies were also joined at the event by co-star Eric Lange, as well as showrunner Susannah Grant, producers Sarah Timberman and Lisa Cholodenko, and Netflix original series VP's Allie Goss and Cindy Holland. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. How can these cops not believe her? I'm torn all over again . Edna Hendershot (Grace Rasmussen in the show), had investigated more than 100 rapes by 2011. Even though this was true, she recanted her claim soon after and said she made it all up. [24], Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, Golden Globe Award for Best Actress Miniseries or Television Film, Best Actress- Miniseries or Television Film, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, Best Supporting Actress Series, Miniseries or Television Film, Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, Best Actress Miniseries or Television Film, "PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: 'Nurse Jackie' and The Illusion Star Merritt Wever", "Merritt Wever brings undoctored flair to 'Nurse Jackie', "Merritt Wever Transitions From Loopy Nurse to Frontier Toughie in Godless | The Credits", "Merritt Wever knows showbiz can be 'poison' for women. On top of that, watching the show is about these cops finding this guy without having all the clues. Merritt Wever Danielle Macdonald Pictures, Photos & Images - Zimbio Parker and Pruitt portray real-life investigators Sgt. JOIN NOW. Actress: Signs. Macdonald, a breakout star of 2017 Sundance Film Festival hit Patti Cake$, will next be seen in a starring role in Dumplin opposite Jennifer Aniston. Im also a bit of an introvert in an extroverts profession. I was like, Wait, why doesnt this make sense? MACDONALD: I guess I cant really either because that wasnt my experience. Danielle Macdonald 's portrayal of key witness Amber Stevenson expertly conveys the unexpected aspects of trauma response, in that many people dissociate and are apparently fine instead of. Merritt Carmen Wever[1] (born August 11, 1980)[2][3] is an American actress. When her character was killed off in the 6th season of. Listen to what they have to say. Unbelievable (2019) - IMDb And I am so incredibly inspired by her, truly, for the fact that she did come forward and did speak up. It was very easy to read that story [about a young woman wrongfully accused of making a false rape accusation] and care very deeply about it. As a result, Marie was charged with a gross demeanor and had to pay $500 for court costs. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. We obviously had a lot of male crew members as well and they were great, but it really was a female-oriented production and I have never actually hadI hope this is correctI dont think Ive actually ever had a female DP until I worked on Unbelievable. with anything other than the big thing, she says. I got to live in this sweet spot where I was able to pay my bills and get some really fulfilling, amazing jobs, but didnt really have to participate in this sidecar. Id always been told, explicitly and implicitly, that that wasnt an option for me. Merritt Wever is managed by Santa Monica-based talent agency,Innovative Artists. She was conceived via a sperm donor and raised by her mother, Georgia. When it came to what was going on inside, it was strange I had recently said to someone that I wanted to play a detective. Danielle Macdonald and Kaitlyn Dever strike a pose alongside their co-star Merritt Wever while attending the cast and crew screening of their Netflix series Unbelievable held at The Landmark on Monday evening (August 26) in Los Angeles. Merritt Wever plays Rasmussen's detective partner Karen Duvall. Did you have to paint those conversations yourself with how Eric may have reacted to the assault or did you speak to the writers about that at all? And later there is a scene between Amber and Karen, but Eric is there and talking with Karen about the lack of probability that this guy will be caught. DEADLINE: Theres that scene where Amber is with her boyfriend Eric and we can tell youre silently nervous Eric will judge you for being raped, like its your fault. Merritt Wever and Danielle Macdonald in Unbelievable (2019) People Merritt Wever, Danielle Macdonald. We were in that car and we couldnt have the AC on because of sound, and then youre like, Okay, were in the right circumstances for this.. Promoting a show wasnt my responsibility. What's more, Stacy's partner on the greater sexual-assault investigation, Sgt. After seeing the series, many Unbelievable viewers became upset with how the police dealt with Marie's case. So, the first thing I did was read the ProPublica article and then listened to the podcast. Your arm is kind of draped on him, so theres a physical connection there. Kendall Jenner (in a Sheer Dress) & Bad Bunny Couple Up at Met Gala 2023 After Party (Photos), Met Gala 2023: See Every Celeb's Red Carpet Fashion, Full Guest List Revealed (Photos), Florence Pugh Debuts Newly Shaved Head at Met Gala 2023. In 'Unbelievable' Danielle Macdonald Gives Voice To - Deadline But for Wever, a modest, deeply humane performer who has long seemed allergic to self-promotion of any kind remember when she won an Emmy for Nurse Jackie, then fled the stage after a stunned, 11-word instant classic of an acceptance speech? Joey is a writer currently living in Columbus, OH. Merritt Wever - IMDb Makes my blood boil the way the cops treat her is exactly why many other survivors would rather suffer I silence #Unbelievable, I'm watching #Unbelievable on #Netflix #UnbelievableNetflix and the differences of approach in questioning rape victims by male and female cops is incredibly alarming. Merritt Wever, Kaitlyn Dever and Toni Collette star in this Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated drama inspired by true events. "I'm watching #Unbelievable and the differences of approach in questioning rape victims by male and female cops is incredibly alarming. I am having to explain to someone how rape cases are handled so insensitivity by police in America," one viewer tweeted. Stacy "often volunteered to take rape cases," and was "good at empathizing with the victims." "We can't just treat these people as one large group we can't do that. And I think that that was what I really loved about this story, is there are people that are out there fighting, which is important. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. Its not going to hurt me. And then 25 years later, I woke up and I was like, Why am I bleeding? She won her second Emmy in 2018 for her turn as a pistol-packing leader of an all-female frontier town in the Netflix western Godless. Last fall, she earned raves for her understated but steely performance as Karen Duvall, a Colorado detective investigating a serial rapist in the groundbreaking Netflix series Unbelievable, and she provided some brief but vital flashes of comic relief in Noah Baumbachs Marriage Story., Ive appreciated a lot of what has come my way, she says. It was a lot of fun to do and Michelle and Lucas are incredible. The reason its so bad right now is because of the way our society is set up. DEADLINE: Kaitlyn told me she was so grateful to know that having it on screen had actually served as some form of healing. '", Like in the ProPublica piece, the Netflix series compares Marie's police experience with another woman, Amber. Its a way of coping. Is it the cop she has and how understanding she is? I wrote her something along the lines of I cant be that girl for you. After that shell star opposite Jamie Bell in Skin and will appear with Emma Roberts in Paradise Hills. Merritt Wever. Steve Rider, the commander of Lynnwoods Criminal Investigations Division, also called Maries case a major failing. Still, no one in the Lynnwood Police Department faced disciplinary action. Details of Macdonalds character are not being revealed. It reminds me of an email I wrote Vicky after she cast me. It makes you wonder how many people you know whove experienced this and been disbelieved. I read the pilot scripts that they sent out because thats all they had at the time. This was harder, in a way. I have a really thick skull and I can take it. Kayla Keegan leads Good Housekeepings editorial growth strategies in the partnership, news, social, branded, membership and newsletter spaces. It was such a fun one. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. While growing up, she used to go to socialist summer camps. Jamie Bell and Danielle Macdonald pose together as they arrive at the premiere of Skin on Wednesday night (July 24) at The Roxy Cinema in New York City. Godless (TV Mini Series 2017) - IMDb [6] Since she began her career, Wever has performed in numerous feature films, including: Into the Wild, Neal Cassady, Michael Clayton, Series 7: The Contenders, Signs, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, Bringing Rain, Tiny Furniture and All I Wanna Do, among others. Netflix Rape Series 'Unbelievable' Team on Different Trauma Responses Kaitlyn Dever & Danielle Macdonald Team Up for - Just Jared I felt that was very important because, while I loved the pilot, it also doesnt focus so heavily on that the entire time so you are able to watch it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And our privilege. He wasnt trained. Merritt Wever and Danielle Macdonald in Unbelievable (2019) People Merritt Wever, Danielle Macdonald. Its actually insane. Merritt Wever, left, and Michelle Dockery in Godless., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, understated but steely performance as Karen Duvall, stunned, 11-word instant classic of an acceptance speech, The unforgettable scene in Unbelievable between Merritt Wevers detective and a rape victim, Review: White House Plumbers reenacts the mishaps of Watergates operatives for laughs, Get ready for the 2023 Met Gala: Heres when, and how, to tune in live, Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon blasted at White House Correspondents dinner, Tom Jones review: PBS Masterpieces latest period drama is laid-back and enjoyable. Merritt Wever. "We have to treat these kind of cases more singularly.". Theres so much going on. Tell me about the decisions you made to play her that way? (Matt Licari / Invision/Associated Press), Domnhall Gleeson and Merritt Wever in Run.. Thats rare for me. I loved it very much. 'Unbelievable': Danielle Macdonald Joins Netflix Limited Series - Yahoo TVLine's Performers of the Year: Unbelievable's Merritt Wever, Kaitlyn I think everyone should go and look up the statistics, because thats where I was astounded. I learned a lot about this show. Thats the only thing that made me nervous. She appeared in the films Birdman, Into the Wild, Neal Cassady, Michael Clayton, Series 7: The Contenders, Signs, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, Bringing Rain, All I Wanna Do, and Marriage Story, among others. I love and admire the courage of these women. I then read ProPublicas article that it was based on and the podcast, so I had a sense where it was going. I dont think his character is a bad person, but these people arent trainedtheyre not taught. Im spending days like I normally would and then Im called on set for three or so days. Timberman & Beverly and Couric had been independently pursuing the rights to An Unbelievable Story of Rape and decided to join forces on the project. It helps with having compassion and what people have going on in their lives. [5][6] Her mother is from Texas, and is a feminist and political activist.[7][8]. They need that training and know the statistics. When somebody is finally offered what it is that they crave or they need or theyve denied themselves of for a long time, they are not going to be able to keep themselves from taking it. DM: I feel like when youre the lead of a film, I feel so all encompassed in that character and I go through every single thing with that person. She started her career by appearing in a number of low-budget short films. Unbelievable remains one of the best limited series of the year, and it has a real shot at being a major contender at this years Emmy Awards. Unbelievable (2019) - IMDb And I loved having that energy there. It was interesting to film something like this and just come in for small parts. [11] Zoey is described on the official Nurse Jackie website as "an irrepressibly bubbly trauma nurse, who serves as a comic foil to Edie Falco's hard-bitten (and prescription drug-addicted) titular character". WGA Officially On Strike After Studio Talks Fail; Picket Lines Start Tuesday, Peyton Manning Exec Producing Las Vegas Sports Book Comedy What Are The Odds? In Works At NBC From Sam Sklaver & Kevin Hench, Human Resources Gets Premiere Date For 2nd & Final Season; Florence Pugh, Miley Cyrus, Eugene Levy Among Guest Stars; Watch Teaser, Reacher, Wheel Of Time, League Of Their Own Among Prime Video Titles To Stream On Amazon Freevee. I think that when you put a personal situation like this on television for the whole world to see, that would be incredibly terrifying. Starring: Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, Kaitlyn Dever. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Beth Dubber/Netflix I finally found myself in a room of people who werent telling me that I couldnt do this or couldnt be that. I think we all get the same poison. Meredith Blake is an entertainment reporter for the Los Angeles Times based out of New York City, where she primarily covers television. While Kaitlyn Dever (who plays Marie Adler in the Netflix series) tells GoodHousekeeping.com that she hoped Unbelievable would "start a conversation," she doesn't think the series necessarily "vilifies" the two male cops. Based on reporting from ProPublica and the Marshall Project, the series follows Marie, but also the two detectives who, much later, gave her case a chance to be solved. Merritt Wever and Toni Collette play two detectives investigating a series of sexual assaults. Merritt Wever - Bio, Wiki, Family, Movies, Series, Boyfriend, Children