In The Envelope: An Awards Podcast

Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke have nearly 200 acting credits combined, with four Oscar nominations and an Emmy win thrown in there, and yet neither actor had worked together until this year’s “Raymond & Ray.” For Rodrigo García’s small-scale black comedy, the two veteran actors found an instant on-set spark, the key to a great performance. “If you feel like somebody's not on your side on set, it's really difficult. You don't feel safe,” says McGregor. “So it's really important, as actors, to allow each other to feel safe and to know that you're there for them, they're there for you. Then you can achieve anything really.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, McGregor and Hawke discuss the wonders of a collaborative creative process and why you should never ask actors about finding chemistry with a scene partner. --- 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 mos

Ana de Armas is already well on her way to superstardom—but playing Marilyn Monroe in “Blonde” has put her right in the center of the cultural conversation, from awards chatter to the film’s controversial take on the life of an icon. For de Armas, however, the only thing that really matters is the next great role. “To me, all I'm doing is working,” she says. “The expectation of something changing, or the thought that this dramatic thing in your life is going to happen and now people are going to see you in a different way—very quickly I understood that's just not something I want to look forward to, or pay attention to.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, de Armas breaks down what it takes to maneuver a “big break” while delivering her breathtaking “Blonde” performance— from her first day on set to the night she said goodbye to Marilyn. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth co

Returning to the “Star Wars” franchise in the Disney+ series “Andor” presented a morbid challenge for Diego Luna—portraying a character whose death he already played in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” But Luna found the process creatively invigorating, like finding new pockets in an old jacket. “It's like approaching a historical piece, when you know an event happened or a character existed,” the actor says. “But now a film or series is going to tell you what you don’t know.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Luna takes us through his entire acting journey, from his unorthodox entry into the world of Mexican theater to his ambitious re-entry into “Star Wars.” --- 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 cas

Xolo Maridueña is right on the edge of superstardom. The fifth season of his massively popular “Karate Kid” sequel series, “Cobra Kai,” crane-kicks its way on to Netflix on September 9th; after that, the young actor sets his sights on the debut of “Blue Beetle,” the DC Comics superhero movie that marks a massive leap forward in his career. All in all, you’d forgive him for being pretty excited—but Maridueña is taking this one step at a time. “There's always got to be room to grow,” he says. “You have to be constantly expanding. I hope this is just the beginning.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Maridueña takes us inside the trajectory of a rising star, to the bittersweetness of “Cobra Kai” season 5 to the invaluable lessons learned from leading his own DC Comics movie. --- 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 th

Robin Thede makes it look easy. And as with most great comedians, that sense of effortlessness stems from decades of discipline, setbacks, and perseverance.  “My [training] was just being a student of all the different types [of comedy], and learning and being fascinated by, like: Holy shit, how do they come up with those jokes?” she says. “A lot of people think you’re just funny in your head, and then it comes out. No. These people work so hard to craft these jokes, and they work them over and over and over.”  On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Thede walks us through the comedy odyssey that led her to creating and starring on HBO’s groundbreaking “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” which garnered five 2022 Emmy nominations for its third season.  This episode is brought to you by HBO Max. --- 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, televisio

You’d have to be fearless to thrive in the fiery ensemble of HBO’s hit drama ‘Succession,” which is probably why Matthew Macfadyen just earned his second Emmy nomination for doing just that. “[Actors] can always find something to blame,” he says. “But it's actually just fear of committing and jumping in and doing the scene; saying the words, and looking the other person in the eyes, and playing the scene." In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Macfadyen breaks down how to be a breakout performer, even in a show that’s all breakout performances. This episode is brought to you by HBO Max. -- 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 th

Kaitlyn Dever credits the 2013 indie drama “Short Term 12,” in which she plays a troubled teen dealing with self-harm, as the project that completely altered the way she looked at her acting career. “It was really an incredible realization,” she says. “You can not only love acting and doing the job, but also being a part of something that has real impact.” Since then, the actor has made a habit of bringing often-overlooked characters to life on-screen, from a queer high-schooler in “Booksmart,” to a sexual assault survivor in “Unbelievable,” to her Emmy-nominated portrayal of an Oxycontin-addicted coal miner in “Dopesick.” On this episode of “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast,” Dever takes us through the highs and lows of her evolution from promising child actor to Emmy-award frontrunner. --- 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 theat

As an actor, learning any new accent seems daunting—but throw in regional dialects, tonality, and the performance itself, and it starts to feel impossible. Luckily, we’re here to help. “I basically say, learn the notes so that you can play the music,” says dialect and acting coach Denise Woods. “And acting is playing the music. But you got to know the notes. It frees you.” On this episode of “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast,” we sat down with Woods, as well as dialect and accent coaches Rebecca Gausnell, Bob Corff, and Paul Meier, for a lesson on learning any accent—from the physicality of your mouth to training your ear to hear the rhythms of your character’s hometown. --- 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 dire

Jenny Slate always believed she’d be an actor. “It really does feel like the same type of belief like, ‘One day I'll fall in love,'” she says. “And you can't imagine the person's face, you can't exactly know how you'll get there but you really know there's a possibility, an option for it.” In this episode of “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast,” Slate walks us through the highs and lows of her entire journey to fulfill that possibility—from finding confidence in stand-up comedy to returning in 2022 to the role of “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,” a tiny stop-motion character she first introduced to the world in 2010. --- 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 inspir

Colman Domingo is that rare artist who moves seamlessly between theater, television, and film. But it only looks easy these days because he’s been a dedicated student of the acting trade for decades. “It all goes back to having respect for this craft,” he says. “And being a craftsman first. It's never been about fame. It's always been about respect.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Domingo guides us through all the places his craft has taken him, from his early days on stage to scene-stealing performances in ""ZOLA,"" ""Fear the Walking Dead,"" ""Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,"" and the HBO hit “Euphoria.” Brought to you by HBO Max. --- 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 mo

Christina Ricci has been the face of on-screen oddballs and outsiders for the past 30 years—but her fight to keep playing those characters has been an uphill struggle. "I think we're at the point...generally as an audience, where we can find characters interesting that we don't see ourselves in, at all," Ricci says. "You don't have to see yourself in somebody to be fascinated, interested, or root for someone. I'm really happy we're at that place, because I really spent years arguing that point." In this episode of "In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast," Ricci takes us through the twists and turns of her career, all the way up to Showtime's dark drama, "Yellowjackets," for which she's earning Emmys buzz for the role of unhinged show tunes enthusiast, Misty. Brought to you by HBO Max. --- 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 actor

Rupert Grint was unsure who he was as an actor and artist after the seven-film “Harry Potter” series came to an end. “I started realizing that somewhere along the line there was a huge sacrifice I'd made. I'd lost something,” he says. Then he remembered a piece of advice from fellow “Potter” alum, the late, great Alan Rickman: Go and do theater. “I think it's really important, when you've been from where I'd come from—this huge machine that started to define me—to feel the fear [of theater],” Grint says. “I felt very human again.” In this episode of “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast,” Grint walks us through the twists and turns of his magical, unlikely career—from the marathon auditions that landed him his “Harry Potter” role, to the uncertainty of his post-franchise life, to the artistic resurgence that led him to M. Night Shyamalan’s eerie Apple TV+ drama, “Servant.” Check out the episode, and watch all episodes of M. Night Shyamalan’s drama series “Servant” on Apple TV+. --- Backstage has been the

Adam Scott is one of the funniest screen presences of the past decade. But the road to becoming the sitcom stand-out we know and love was anything but an overnight success. ""I had friends in school who I graduated with who, from the very start, said 'oh, no, I don't want to do this or that.' Kind of turning their nose up at certain things,” Scott says. “And I was always of the mind of, 'I'm going to do anything and everything. I just want to get in front of the camera or get on stage and do anything.' And I did, for a long time."" In this episode of “In the Envelope,” Scott walks us through the highs and lows of his entire career, from early roles in movies like “Hellraiser: Bloodline,” to comedic breakouts “Party Down,” “Step Brothers,” and “Parks & Recreations,” all the way up to his dynamic dual-sided turn in Apple TV+’s “Severance.” Brought to you by UCLA's Professional Programs at the School of Theater, Film & Television. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 year

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are two of the biggest names in Broadway history, currently starring in one of the most beloved musicals ever, “The Music Man.” For the Tony nominated duo, keeping each performance fresh means ignoring their own icon status and focusing on the present. “Sometimes, it's easier to fall back on things you know work,” Jackman says. “It's a fine balance. At times you're like, 'ah, I don't know what's happening with this scene.' Then you find it, then you lose it. It's excruciatingly beautiful, and I love that about the process.” In this episode of “In the Envelope,” Jackman and Foster break down their secrets to Broadway success, from finding small character moments to building a community backstage. “That's the gift of doing a show for an extended period of time—you get this opportunity to grow with it,” says Foster. Brought to you by UCLA's Professional Programs at the School of Theater, Film & Television. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers f

John Cena already knows what you’re thinking—he’s heard it in every audition and meeting for the past 25 years. “You can’t deny a first impression,” he says. “That’s why it’s been very difficult for me to try and seek out new levels of performance. You walk into a room, even if you’re in a suit, at 230 pounds everybody’s like: ‘Nope.’ You can only fit so many lanes.” In this episode of ""In the Envelope,"" the pro wrestler turned movie star walks us through every step of navigating those narrow lanes on his way to blockbuster franchise success. From selling out arenas in the WWE to the on-screen failures that motivated him in the lead-up to joining the DC Universe and ""Fast & Furious"" franchise, Cena breaks down how he always tries to find—and subvert—the motivations of any persona he plays. ""“If the ‘why’ is simply, I need you to be big, that’s OK. That’s cut and dry,"" he says. ""But if you’re willing to peel off more, and we can get to the core of why [the character] is so physically fit, then you can

Sebastian Stan still remembers the piece of acting school advice that fueled him through his early career all the way up to where he is today. “Bring the day with you to work, or to the audition, or to the meeting,” he says in this episode of “In the Envelope.” “You're on the subway, you're running late, you're trying to get to the audition, and then someone bumps into you and you spill coffee, and you're pissed off…you might as well just own it. Then you're starting from an honest place.” One of the most versatile performers working today, Stan has made a career out of balancing blockbusters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with ferocious smaller-scale character work. The actor followed up an appearance in the biggest box office success in history, “Avengers: Endgame,” with an admirable streak of electric—and occasionally stomach-churning—roles in dark dramas and thrillers like the cannibal potboiler “Fresh” and Hulu’s pitch-black true-story comedy “Pam & Tommy.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for

Joseph Gordon-Levitt really, really wants you to understand how little you need Hollywood to be an artist. “If you want to pursue a career, that’s great. Do, that too,” he says. “But don’t let that interfere with the real pursuit. The real pursuit is your creative pursuit, and it’s one that happens inside of yourself.” The Emmy-winning actor/creator digs deep into the artistic process in this episode of “In the Envelope,” which touches on everything from the joys of editing to the complex lessons you can learn from your IMDB page. A consistent creative force for three decades and counting, Gordon-Levitt got his start in Robert Redford’s “A River Runs Through It,” followed shortly afterward by six seasons of the sitcom “Third Rock from the Sun.” Since then, he’s appeared in blockbusters like “Inception” and “The Dark Knight Rises,” game-changing rom-coms like “500 Days of Summer,” and TV dramas like his latest project, Showtime’s “Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for

"In the Envelope" returns to its awards season roots with a special episode devoted to the 94th Academy Awards. Host Vinnie Mancuso and Backstage Managing Editor Ben Lindsay break down their hopes, wishes, and predictions for this year's biggest categories. Can Jane Campion take home best director and best picture for "Power of the Dog?" Is "The Lost Daughter" the best film of 2021? Why was Nicolas Cage's performance in "Pig" not nominated? We dive into all these questions, as well as looking back at our favorite Oscar-nominated "In the Envelope" guests over the years. Listen in for anecdotes + acting advice from Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jessica Chastain, Rebecca Ferguson, and more. Brought to you by UCLA's Professional Programs at the School of Theater, Film & Television. --- 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.

Troy Kotsur is a study in perseverance. The Arizona native spent years honing his craft on stage at the National Theatre of the Deaf and the Deaf West Theatre in Los Angeles—all the while wondering if Hollywood could ever fully embrace a deaf actor. “It's almost like a hair in my beard, just this one hair, and that represents the opportunities that I was given,” he says. But that drive—or “stubbornness,” as he himself puts it—has finally paid off on a historic level. For his role in writer/director Sian Heder’s “CODA,” Kotsur has been the one constant of this year’s awards season, snagging wins at the Gotham Awards, the SAG Awards, and Independent Spirit Awards on the road to the 94th Academy Awards, where he is nominated for best supporting actor. A win would mark the first for a deaf male actor, and just the second for a deaf actor ever behind the trailblazing footsteps of Kotsur’s “CODA” co-star, Marlee Matlin. In this “In the Envelope” episode, Kotsur walks Backstage through every stage of his winding j

Nicole Kidman has delivered decades of riveting work on stage and screen. The actor and producer takes Backstage behind the thoughts and emotions that have characterized her meteoric career, from losing herself in books as a child to understanding the sacrifices required of hardworking artists as an adult. Her advice to fellow creators is to stay in touch with “that young mind,” as she says. “Don’t let that older experience of life take that away. That would be the thing that I carry. And I have no idea why! I still get the goosebumps, I get the adrenaline, I get the nervousness, I get the elation, I get the waiting for the call.... That is still such a huge part of who I am.” An Emmy, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, and Academy Award winner, Nicole first became a Hollywood mainstay with “Dead Calm” and “Days of Thunder” before starring in modern classics like “Eyes Wide Shut,” “Moulin Rouge!” and “The Hours.” Among the projects of her production company, Blossom Films, are TV hits “Big Little Lies,” “The Undoin