Olivia Cooke just had the biggest year of her career, thanks to HBO’s hit “Game of Thrones” spinoff, “House of the Dragon.” Part of creating her standout performance as Alicent Hightower was accepting not every part of her process would line up exactly with the massive amount of fan expectations surrounding the show. 

“Whatever layers I try to give the character in order to make a more nuanced performance… ultimately it’s not going to please everyone,” she says. “But that’s just what I have to do in order to give a decent, honest performance. I have to imbue it with just things that justify the characters, actions and emotions. And those might not necessarily be in the original text, or even in the scripts.”

In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Cooke brings us behind the scenes of “House of the Dragon,” explains the layers she added to Alicent, and shares her mindset as she gears up for season 2.
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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

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Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis

Olivia Cooke

Cynthia Erivo joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the whirlwind experience of playing Elphaba in Jon M. Chu's "Wicked" adaptation. She also talks about her chemistry with co-stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, the wild 48 hours of her first audition, and the mechanics of telling a story through song.

Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
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- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
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Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e

Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Suzy Woltmann, Kasey Howe

Cynthia Erivo

Daniel Craig joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his remarkable performance in Luca Guadagnino's "Queer." The former James Bond star also discusses his earliest theater memories, his approach to character building, and why he finds it difficult to discuss acting.

Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast

Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e

Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann

Daniel Craig

Bonus episode! Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and her "Nickel Boys" writer-director RaMell Ross join Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast for a conversation recorded as part of ScreenCraft's 2024 Winter Writers Summit. The duo discusses the unorthodox creative process on "Nickel Boys" and their synergy as director and actor.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor + RaMell Ross (ScreenCraft Summit)

Guy Pearce joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his extraordinary performance in "The Brutalist." He also talks about his earliest acting memories, how he's evolved over the years, and his candid thoughts on balancing acting as an art form and a job.

Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann

Guy Pearce

Bonus episode! Jodie Comer and her "The Bikeriders" writer-director Jeff Nichols join Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast for a conversation recorded as part of ScreenCraft's 2024 Winter Writers Summit. The duo discusses the "rules" of screenwriting and acting (and when to break them), as well as the ideal creative partnership between actor and writer/director.

Jodie Comer + Jeff Nichols (ScreenCraft Summit)

Javier Bardem joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his chilling performance in 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' as well as recent projects like 'Dune: Part 2' and 'Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.' Bardem also dives into his philosophies toward acting and how he's developed such a wide-ranging résumé of roles.

Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann

Javier Bardem

Pamela Anderson joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her remarkable, SAG Award-nominated performance in Gia Coppola's "The Last Showgirl." Anderson also discusses her acting training with renowned coach Ivana Chubbuck and feeling like the "new kid in town" during awards season.


Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann

Pamela Anderson

Demi Moore joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her Oscar nominated role in Coralie Fargeat's "The Substance," her evolution as a performer, and how she stays grounded through the highs and lows of an acting career.

Demi Moore

Angelina Jolie joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her intense preparation to play opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's "Maria." She also dives deep into her approach to performing, her feelings toward fame, and her advice to anyone looking to explore their creative side. 

Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann

Angelina Jolie

Daisy Ridley joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to dive deep into her career, from musical theater school beginnings to her life-changing "Star Wars" experience and recent work like "Magpie" and "Cleaner." Ridley also discusses the challenge of returning as Rey to the "Star Wars" franchise for the confirmed project directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli 

Daisy Ridley

Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, Senior Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day.

Olivia Cooke

In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast

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