WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.980 Welcome to the deep dive. Have you ever found 00:00:02.980 --> 00:00:06.940 yourself just completely mesmerized by a performer 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:10.099 watching them just inhabit a role so completely? 00:00:10.099 --> 00:00:12.759 Oh, definitely. And it sparks this curiosity 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:15.220 about the journey that brought them to that standout 00:00:15.220 --> 00:00:17.179 moment. Exactly. You wonder how they got there. 00:00:17.289 --> 00:00:19.989 Well, today we're doing a deep dive into exactly 00:00:19.989 --> 00:00:23.510 that kind of talent, someone who has consistently 00:00:23.510 --> 00:00:26.469 delivered these powerful, really nuanced performances. 00:00:26.629 --> 00:00:28.989 Especially in a show that became more than just 00:00:28.989 --> 00:00:31.410 a phenomenon, it kind of redefined spin -offs, 00:00:31.510 --> 00:00:33.649 didn't it? It really did. We are, of course, 00:00:33.869 --> 00:00:35.549 talking about Deborah Rhea Seehorn. She's an 00:00:35.549 --> 00:00:37.509 American Access director, too, whose career path 00:00:37.509 --> 00:00:40.189 is, I think, every bit as fascinating as the 00:00:40.189 --> 00:00:42.429 character she plays. Absolutely. Deliberate is 00:00:42.429 --> 00:00:45.469 a good word for it. Right. So our mission today, 00:00:45.729 --> 00:00:48.090 really for you listening, is to explore this 00:00:48.090 --> 00:00:50.570 rich tapestry of her career. We're going to trace 00:00:50.570 --> 00:00:54.369 her path from her early artistic stuff, the real 00:00:54.369 --> 00:00:56.869 grit of breaking into the industry. Yeah, the 00:00:56.869 --> 00:00:59.549 less glamorous side. Exactly. All the way through 00:00:59.549 --> 00:01:02.229 her breakout success playing one of TV's most 00:01:02.229 --> 00:01:04.510 compelling characters, let's be honest. No question. 00:01:04.790 --> 00:01:07.750 And then beyond that, into her expanding role 00:01:07.750 --> 00:01:11.049 now as this multi -hyphenate talent. And to guide 00:01:11.049 --> 00:01:13.870 us, we're pulling all our insects from a really 00:01:13.870 --> 00:01:15.810 comprehensive look at her Wikipedia profile. 00:01:15.969 --> 00:01:18.150 Which is surprisingly packed, actually. It really 00:01:18.150 --> 00:01:20.349 is. It gives us a great roadmap through her, 00:01:20.349 --> 00:01:23.090 well, remarkable journey. And what's so compelling, 00:01:23.129 --> 00:01:26.209 I think, is that while, yeah, loads of people 00:01:26.209 --> 00:01:28.409 know her for that role, that iconic one. Kim 00:01:28.409 --> 00:01:31.030 Wexler, yeah. Right. And she got so much acclaim 00:01:31.030 --> 00:01:35.129 for it, deservedly so. But the depth of her background, 00:01:35.390 --> 00:01:38.349 both personal and professional, it reveals this 00:01:38.349 --> 00:01:42.930 much more... deliberate and diverse path than 00:01:42.930 --> 00:01:44.810 you might first think. That's a great point. 00:01:44.930 --> 00:01:46.650 So we'll connect the dots for you. Help you understand 00:01:46.650 --> 00:01:50.469 how her earliest influences, you know, childhood 00:01:50.469 --> 00:01:53.590 experiences, those first artistic pursuits, they 00:01:53.590 --> 00:01:55.370 weren't just things that happened before success. 00:01:55.530 --> 00:01:57.969 They were foundational. Exactly. They actively 00:01:57.969 --> 00:01:59.790 laid the groundwork. We'll trace it right through 00:01:59.790 --> 00:02:01.590 to her recent awards. Even give you a peek at 00:02:01.590 --> 00:02:04.090 what's coming up next. Just paint that full, 00:02:04.209 --> 00:02:07.329 vivid picture of her ascent, which was, importantly, 00:02:07.890 --> 00:02:10.370 really well earned. Okay, so let's start right 00:02:10.370 --> 00:02:13.930 at the beginning. Her name. She was born Deborah 00:02:13.930 --> 00:02:17.889 Rhea Sehorn, May 12th, 1972, Norfolk, Virginia, 00:02:18.689 --> 00:02:22.430 which makes her 53 today. Right. But here's something 00:02:22.430 --> 00:02:24.509 that really jumped out at me. She's actually 00:02:24.509 --> 00:02:26.669 gone by her middle name, Rhea, since she was 00:02:26.669 --> 00:02:29.810 a kid. Interesting. And the reason, apparently 00:02:29.810 --> 00:02:32.539 a disassociation with the name Debbie... from 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:35.560 really early on. Wow. OK. Which isn't just, you 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:38.199 know, oh, I prefer this name. It feels like an 00:02:38.199 --> 00:02:40.599 early act of defining herself, doesn't it? It 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:42.740 really does, like choosing your own path early. 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:45.479 Yeah. To sort of shed a common name and embrace 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:48.520 something more unique. It hints at this strong 00:02:48.520 --> 00:02:51.419 sense of identity, self -awareness, even way 00:02:51.419 --> 00:02:53.939 back then, almost like she was curating her own 00:02:53.939 --> 00:02:56.020 persona from the start. That's a really sharp 00:02:56.020 --> 00:02:58.340 observation, that self -definition aspect. And 00:02:58.340 --> 00:03:00.639 if we connect that to the bigger picture of how 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:03.680 she developed. maybe that inclination was shaped 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:05.919 further by her childhood. How so? Well, her family 00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:08.360 moved a lot during her childhood. It was a truly 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:11.159 nomadic experience. Washington, D .C., Arizona, 00:03:11.860 --> 00:03:14.800 even Japan. Wow, Japan too. Yeah. And that's 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:17.599 not just changing schools, right? It's this profound 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:22.129 thing. Constant moving demands huge adaptability, 00:03:22.669 --> 00:03:25.509 resilience. You're always observing new social 00:03:25.509 --> 00:03:28.110 dynamics, new cultures. Constantly the new kid, 00:03:28.169 --> 00:03:31.150 basically. Pretty much. And you have to re -establish 00:03:31.150 --> 00:03:33.590 yourself over and over. For a kid, that can really 00:03:33.590 --> 00:03:35.770 cultivate a heightened sense of observation, 00:03:36.270 --> 00:03:38.889 a deep understanding of people in different contexts. 00:03:39.030 --> 00:03:41.810 You could totally see how that might feed into 00:03:41.810 --> 00:03:44.569 her acting later, being able to slip into different 00:03:44.569 --> 00:03:46.909 characters, different worlds. It seems plausible, 00:03:46.969 --> 00:03:49.289 doesn't it? That ability to understand diverse 00:03:49.289 --> 00:03:51.550 perspectives, maybe it came partly from that. 00:03:52.009 --> 00:03:53.770 And it's also worth noting her parents' jobs. 00:03:54.009 --> 00:03:56.689 Oh yeah, what did they do? Her mom was an executive 00:03:56.689 --> 00:03:59.330 assistant for the Navy, and her dad was an agent 00:03:59.330 --> 00:04:02.490 in the Naval Investigative Service, NCIS basically. 00:04:02.830 --> 00:04:05.870 Whoa, okay, so demanding roles. Definitely roles 00:04:05.870 --> 00:04:08.150 that require precision, intelligence, attention 00:04:08.150 --> 00:04:11.610 to detail, discipline. qualities you kind of 00:04:11.610 --> 00:04:13.990 see reflected in the meticulous nature of her 00:04:13.990 --> 00:04:15.990 performances sometimes. That's interesting. And 00:04:15.990 --> 00:04:17.949 before acting even came into the picture, she 00:04:17.949 --> 00:04:20.490 had this other really strong artistic path, didn't 00:04:20.490 --> 00:04:24.029 she? Yes, absolutely. Visual arts. She followed 00:04:24.029 --> 00:04:25.949 in the footsteps of her father and grandmother. 00:04:26.430 --> 00:04:28.709 They were artistic, too. So it ran in the family. 00:04:29.269 --> 00:04:31.870 Seems like it. She studied painting, drawing, 00:04:32.029 --> 00:04:34.509 and architecture from a young age. And the sources 00:04:34.509 --> 00:04:37.139 make it clear, this wasn't just like... weekend 00:04:37.139 --> 00:04:39.459 hobby. Right. It was serious. It was a serious 00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:42.759 pursuit. Imagine spending hours learning composition, 00:04:43.240 --> 00:04:46.319 perspective, how light and shadow work. Skills 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:49.560 that demand really close observation and understanding 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:52.720 structure. Exactly. A deep engagement with visual 00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:56.139 arts that clearly came before acting. It suggests 00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:59.100 this natural inclination towards creative expression, 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:01.759 understanding the world visually. So she had 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:03.819 this whole visual arts thing going on. Right. 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:05.839 And that leads us to this really fascinating 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:08.399 pivot point. While she was still doing the visual 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:11.120 arts, her passion for acting started to grow, 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:13.819 especially after she got introduced to contemporary 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:15.920 theater while she was at George Mason University. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:19.100 Ah, the college influence. Yeah. And it brings 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:20.800 up a really interesting question for us, I think. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:24.740 How does having that kind of early, rigorous 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:28.939 grounding in visual arts, the observation, the 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:31.220 structure, how does that inform or influence 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:34.379 how a performer approaches their craft? Acting, 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:36.540 I mean. That is a good question. I mean, you'd 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:38.180 think it has to give her some kind of unique 00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:40.959 advantage, right? Like, a painter sees how elements 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:43.519 work together on a canvas, how color shifts mood. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:46.220 OK, yeah. Could that translate for an actor into, 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:49.540 like, a better awareness of physicality on stage? 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:52.879 Or how characters relate spatially? Or even the 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:55.579 emotional colors of the scene? I think so. Maybe 00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:57.819 it helps build the internal architecture of a 00:05:57.819 --> 00:05:59.839 character, like an architect designing a building, 00:06:00.220 --> 00:06:02.639 but for a person. Precisely. You've really hit 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:04.800 on some key... connections there. Think about 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:08.459 how a visual artist uses line, form, negative 00:06:08.459 --> 00:06:11.220 space to tell a story without words. Right. Non 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:13.240 -verbal communication. Which is invaluable for 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:15.779 an actor. It could show up in her precise body 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:18.699 language, her ability to convey so much with 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:21.300 just a look. Which she definitely does. Yeah. 00:06:21.540 --> 00:06:23.959 Or even her awareness of how lighting and set 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:26.920 design frame her visually. She might just get 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:29.560 the rhythm and composition of a scene, not just 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:33.399 the dialogue, but how bodies move. how shots 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:35.980 are framed. So that cross -disciplinary training 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:39.240 gave her this unique toolkit. Seems likely, an 00:06:39.240 --> 00:06:41.680 analytical depth that goes beyond just traditional 00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:44.800 acting techniques. Her artistry seems rooted 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:47.120 in this fundamental understanding of creative 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.220 construction, whatever the medium. OK, so after 00:06:50.220 --> 00:06:52.379 graduating from George Mason, she was actively 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:54.660 looking to get into theater. Her acting teacher 00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:56.699 encouraged her, which says something right there. 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:58.839 Yeah, someone saw the potential early. But you 00:06:58.839 --> 00:07:01.399 know, like for so many artists, the path wasn't 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:03.579 exactly glamorous at the start. She took a lot 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:05.899 of what the source calls ancillary positions 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:08.259 in the DC theater scene. Right, the support roles, 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:11.180 box office, backstage. Exactly. And it wasn't 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:12.920 just about earning money, though obviously that 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:15.939 was part of it. It was strategic, trying to get 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:19.040 noticed, be around the work, learn the whole 00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:21.259 ecosystem from the inside out. Total immersion. 00:07:21.529 --> 00:07:24.750 Yeah. It really speaks volumes about the dedication, 00:07:25.009 --> 00:07:28.629 the tenacity, the strategic thinking you need 00:07:28.629 --> 00:07:30.470 right at the beginning. You don't just walk onto 00:07:30.470 --> 00:07:33.310 a big stage. No, you hustle. You work every angle 00:07:33.310 --> 00:07:36.110 just to be in the room. Totally. Absorbing everything. 00:07:36.410 --> 00:07:39.149 It's a testament to her commitment way before 00:07:39.149 --> 00:07:42.490 any real fame came along. Indeed. And despite 00:07:42.490 --> 00:07:45.100 that talent and perseverance, which... you know, 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:47.579 did lead her pretty quickly to landing major 00:07:47.579 --> 00:07:49.600 roles in local DC theater. So she was getting 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:52.800 good parts. Oh, yeah. But the financial reality, 00:07:53.420 --> 00:07:55.560 still tough. The sources say she still had to 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:59.620 take odd jobs and, quite tellingly, roles in 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:02.879 industrial short instructional films. just to 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:05.600 make ends meet. Oh, wow. Instructional films, 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:08.160 that paints a picture. Doesn't it? Imagine going 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:11.000 from the depth of a stage play to, like, showing 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:14.180 how to use a new copier or explaining some corporate 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:16.259 policy in a, you know, low budget video. Talk 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:19.040 about range. Right. It really underscores the 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:22.000 struggle. Even with stage success, you need immense 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:24.279 resilience, willingness to do any work that pays, 00:08:24.579 --> 00:08:26.220 whether it's artistically fulfilling or not. 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:28.720 That period must have built some serious character. 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:31.680 And work ethic. Absolutely. It's a foundational 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:34.120 experience for so many successful artists. It 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:35.940 grounds them, reminds them of the hustle. So 00:08:35.940 --> 00:08:38.340 from the stage, she then started getting parts 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:40.639 in TV, making that transition to screen. And 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:43.500 it's really fascinating how she described those 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:46.480 early TV roles. She said she often played characters 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:50.740 that were very wry, sarcastic, knowing women. 00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:53.720 Interesting description. Yeah. And this detail 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:56.360 really caught my eye because she drew a direct 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:59.779 comparison to her idol. Be Arthur. Be Arthur. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:01.899 Okay, wow. That makes sense. Right. You think 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:03.779 of Be Arthur, especially Dorothy and the Golden 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:06.539 Girls, and you instantly get that archetype. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:10.559 Sharp wit, intelligence, maybe a cynical edge, 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:14.460 commands attention, great timing. Solely. Strong 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:16.899 presence. So her aligning herself with that kind 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:21.059 of powerful female archetype early on, it suggests 00:09:21.059 --> 00:09:23.960 this leaning towards strong, smart, often sharp 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:27.879 -tongued women, a type she later, you know, perfect 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:30.740 and redefined in amazing ways. But maybe adding 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:32.919 layers of vulnerability later that weren't as 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:34.960 visible then. Yeah, that's very telling, isn't 00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:37.320 it? Her self -awareness about the roles she was 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:41.120 getting, idolizing Bea Arthur, it indicates this 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:43.360 conscious alignment. It definitely foreshadows 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:45.559 the complex characters to come. But it wasn't 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:48.720 all smooth sailing on TV yet. No, definitely 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:51.860 not. This period also had its share of industry 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:54.639 realities, disappointments. A lot of these early 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:57.679 TV roles were in short run series canceled after 00:09:57.679 --> 00:10:00.580 one or two seasons. Ah, the classic actor experience. 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:03.740 So common, right? Navigating the volatile world 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:06.919 of TV. Promising projects get cut short for reasons 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:08.919 totally outside the actor's control ratings. 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:11.580 Network whims. Must be soul -crushing sometime. 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:13.799 It's another layer of the grind. You're constantly 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:15.639 looking for the next gig, bouncing back from 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:17.960 disappointment, trying to stay optimistic. It 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:20.539 tests your resilience, forces you to keep honing 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:23.820 those audition skills, adapt quickly. And among 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:26.860 these early roles, there's this amazing what 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:29.419 -if moment. Really highlights how unpredictable 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:32.149 Hollywood can be. Oh yeah. This next detail really 00:10:32.149 --> 00:10:34.669 stands out. She landed the lead in a pilot for 00:10:34.669 --> 00:10:37.889 an American version of an Argentine telenovela 00:10:37.889 --> 00:10:40.769 called La Lola. The US version was titled Eva 00:10:40.769 --> 00:10:43.669 Adams. Eva Adams. OK, what was the premise? Get 00:10:43.669 --> 00:10:47.370 this. A womanizing executive gets magically turned 00:10:47.370 --> 00:10:51.370 into a woman through witchcraft as revenge for 00:10:51.370 --> 00:10:54.029 how he treated women. OK, that sounds like potential 00:10:54.029 --> 00:10:56.990 gold. Dramaty, right. Totally. It was envisioned 00:10:56.990 --> 00:10:59.870 like Ugly Betty, which is also a telenovela adaptation. 00:11:00.149 --> 00:11:03.210 Remember, Yo Soy Betty, La Fea. Right, right. 00:11:03.570 --> 00:11:05.649 Successful format. And she even co -starred with 00:11:05.649 --> 00:11:07.950 James Van Der Beet. Dawson himself. Yeah. Yeah. 00:11:08.330 --> 00:11:11.490 But ultimately, it was not picked up for a regular 00:11:11.490 --> 00:11:14.210 series. Oh, man. The classic pilot graveyard 00:11:14.210 --> 00:11:17.840 story. Exactly. A near miss that could have completely 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:20.960 changed her career path. Imagine if Eva Adams 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:23.980 had been a hit. Her trajectory, her public image, 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:27.120 the roles she got offered, all potentially different. 00:11:27.289 --> 00:11:30.049 It really shows how much hinges on those unseen 00:11:30.049 --> 00:11:32.730 moments, doesn't it? One network decision changes 00:11:32.730 --> 00:11:35.070 everything. The narrow margins of the business. 00:11:35.330 --> 00:11:38.169 OK, let's fast forward a bit. May 2014. The news 00:11:38.169 --> 00:11:40.190 breaks that really changes everything for her 00:11:40.190 --> 00:11:43.090 career. Rhea Sehorn is cast in Breaking Bad's 00:11:43.090 --> 00:11:45.549 spinoff prequel, Bitter Call Saul. Huge news 00:11:45.549 --> 00:11:48.210 at the time. Massive anticipation. Absolutely. 00:11:48.649 --> 00:11:51.570 Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, the 00:11:51.570 --> 00:11:54.110 minds behind one of TV's most acclaimed dramas 00:11:54.110 --> 00:11:57.809 ever, the show was set to explore Saul Goodman's 00:11:57.809 --> 00:12:00.029 origins. Yeah, Bob Odenkirk's character. Right. 00:12:00.250 --> 00:12:02.889 So this set the stage for what became a truly 00:12:02.889 --> 00:12:05.309 groundbreaking, career -defining role for her. 00:12:05.809 --> 00:12:08.149 The expectations were enormous given Breaking 00:12:08.149 --> 00:12:10.230 Bad's legacy. For sure. A lot of pressure on 00:12:10.230 --> 00:12:12.750 that whole cast, especially introducing new characters 00:12:12.750 --> 00:12:14.970 into that world. Definitely. And what's so fascinating 00:12:14.970 --> 00:12:18.580 is how her character, Kim Wexler, evolved. She 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:22.220 portrays Kim, this brilliant, initially very 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:24.860 principled lawyer, who becomes the incredibly 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:28.039 complex love interest and really the ethical 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:31.080 foil to Jimmy McGill, who becomes Saul Goodman. 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:33.580 Played by the amazing Bob Odenkirk. Phenomenal. 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:36.240 Yeah. And initially, you know, maybe some people 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:38.360 saw Kim as just a supporting character, a love 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:41.320 interest. Possibly. But through Seehorn's just 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:44.379 extraordinary nuanced performance, Kim Wexler 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:47.970 quickly grew. she became arguably the moral compass, 00:12:48.230 --> 00:12:50.889 the emotional core of the entire series. Absolutely 00:12:50.889 --> 00:12:54.190 the core. Her performance drew just... widespread 00:12:54.190 --> 00:12:56.889 critical acclaim, not just technically brilliant, 00:12:57.429 --> 00:12:59.809 but for the profound depth she brought to this 00:12:59.809 --> 00:13:03.370 character, navigating these intense ethical tightropes, 00:13:03.649 --> 00:13:06.850 personal compromises, huge transformations. She 00:13:06.850 --> 00:13:10.429 made Kim Wexler so real. Totally. Her work made 00:13:10.429 --> 00:13:12.549 sure Kim wasn't just there to help Jimmy's story 00:13:12.549 --> 00:13:15.370 along. She was this fully realized person whose 00:13:15.370 --> 00:13:17.750 own journey, her own struggles, were often just 00:13:17.750 --> 00:13:19.389 as compelling, sometimes more compelling than 00:13:19.389 --> 00:13:23.450 Jimmy's. Captivated everyone. definitely noticed 00:13:23.450 --> 00:13:26.509 that impact. Her Kim Wexler performance got huge 00:13:26.509 --> 00:13:29.190 recognition, like across the board. Deservedly 00:13:29.190 --> 00:13:31.110 so. Instead of listing every single award, because 00:13:31.110 --> 00:13:32.990 there were quite a few. Let's just look at the 00:13:32.990 --> 00:13:35.799 scope. Multiple nominations for the biggest TV 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:39.360 awards. Two primetime Emmy nods for outstanding 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:41.440 supporting actress. Which felt overdue to many 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:43.919 fans, by the way. Right. Critically, she won 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:46.100 the Television Critics Association Award, the 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:48.480 TCA Award for individual achievement in drama 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:51.940 in 2023 after three previous nominations. And 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:53.559 that one's particularly meaningful, isn't it? 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:55.600 Coming from the critics themselves, the people 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:58.580 who watch and dissect TV for a living. Exactly. 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:01.740 Plus, multiple satellite awards, a Saturn Award, 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:05.070 showing that broad appeal. Her contribution to 00:14:05.070 --> 00:14:08.129 the ensemble got recognized to three SAG Award 00:14:08.129 --> 00:14:09.970 nominations. Which speaks to how well she worked 00:14:09.970 --> 00:14:12.570 within that incredible cast. And three Critics' 00:14:12.690 --> 00:14:14.610 Choice nominations for her individual performance. 00:14:15.110 --> 00:14:18.409 Maybe most tellingly, TV Line named her Performer 00:14:18.409 --> 00:14:21.669 of the Year in 2022 for her just astounding work 00:14:21.669 --> 00:14:23.809 on the show. Yeah, that final season performance 00:14:23.809 --> 00:14:26.970 was just... Wow. It really sums up how universally 00:14:26.970 --> 00:14:29.929 impactful and admired her portrayal became. So 00:14:29.929 --> 00:14:32.220 what does all this mean? For us, the audience, 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:35.120 and for her career in the bigger picture of TV 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:38.460 drama, her ability to show Kim Wexler's strength, 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:41.720 but also her vulnerability, those painful moral 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:44.980 compromises she made, her intense inner turmoil, 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:48.120 all with such depth, authenticity, precision. 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:50.879 It was masterful. I really resonated. profoundly. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:53.019 With audiences, with critics, it became one of 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:54.960 the most compelling, most talked about characters 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:58.100 in modern TV, and it solidified Seehorn's status 00:14:58.100 --> 00:15:00.860 as an absolute acting powerhouse. No question. 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:03.820 It speaks volumes about her skill in portraying 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:07.240 complex moral ambiguity. That elevates her performances 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:09.700 beyond just acting into real character studies. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.639 She brought this level of humanity to Kim. You 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:15.440 understood her choices, even the bad ones. Exactly. 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:18.539 You could understand, empathize, often agonize 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:20.860 over her choices, even while watching her go 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:23.120 down these darker paths. It wasn't just delivering 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:26.519 lines. It was a masterclass in showing the slow 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:29.279 agonizing erosion of someone's moral compass. 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:32.240 Making Kim Wexler totally unforgettable. Indelible. 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:34.899 A benchmark for nuanced character portrayal. 00:15:35.309 --> 00:15:38.350 Her performance was this deep meditation on ambition, 00:15:38.549 --> 00:15:41.389 loyalty, self -preservation, themes that really 00:15:41.389 --> 00:15:43.809 hit home for viewers. And with that huge success 00:15:43.809 --> 00:15:46.629 on Saul, Rhea Seehorn didn't just, you know, 00:15:46.889 --> 00:15:49.549 sit back. She started expanding her creative 00:15:49.549 --> 00:15:51.409 footprint, moving behind the camera. Showing 00:15:51.409 --> 00:15:53.029 that holistic understanding of storytelling. 00:15:53.389 --> 00:15:56.870 Exactly. In 2022, she made her TV directorial 00:15:56.870 --> 00:15:59.450 debut, the fourth episode of Better Call Saul's 00:15:59.450 --> 00:16:01.730 final season, Hit and Run. Which is a pretty 00:16:01.730 --> 00:16:03.529 big deal, directing an episode of that show in 00:16:03.529 --> 00:16:06.440 its final run. Huge step for an actor, moving 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:09.159 from interpreting a role to orchestrating the 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:11.600 whole narrative, managing performances, cameras, 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:14.519 pacing, tone. It shows real interest and ability 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:16.700 to engage with storytelling differently. And 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:20.039 it speaks volumes about the trust Diligen and 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:22.679 Gold had in her, right? Cemented her reputation 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:25.460 as this versatile talent. She clearly understood 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:28.139 that world inside and out. Absolutely. In that 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:31.500 same year, she really solidified that multi -hyphenate 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:34.620 status with the AMC web series Cooper's Bar. 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:36.960 Oh, yeah. Tell us about that. Well, her role 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:39.379 went way beyond just acting. She starred as Chris 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:41.899 Latimer, sure, but she was also a co -creator, 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:44.899 a director, and an executive producer. Wow. Wearing 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:47.740 all the hats. Seriously. From shaping the concept 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:50.059 to guiding performances to overseeing production, 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:52.240 it's remarkable. And her performance in it got 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:54.960 her another Emmy nod, Outstanding Actress in 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:57.470 a Short Form Series. Proving her versatility 00:16:57.470 --> 00:17:00.210 across formats, too. Short form, digital. Exactly. 00:17:00.610 --> 00:17:03.029 And it raises that question again. How does wearing 00:17:03.029 --> 00:17:05.450 all those hats, acting, directing, producing, 00:17:05.869 --> 00:17:07.990 how does that contribute to her overall understanding 00:17:07.990 --> 00:17:10.299 and impact on a project? That is interesting. 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:12.900 I mean, being involved in so many aspects must 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:15.480 fundamentally change how you approach things, 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:18.220 right? I think so. You must get this unparalleled 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:21.339 view of how every single piece from one line 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:24.339 reading to a background prop fits into the bigger 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:26.859 picture. Exactly right. It gives her a much more 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:29.420 complete view of the narrative so she can make 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:32.759 more informed choices in any role. As an actor, 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:35.160 she gets the director's vision, the producer's 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:37.380 constraints, maybe better than others. And as 00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:39.519 a director, she can use her acting experience 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:42.619 to guide performances more empathetically. Precisely. 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:45.319 And as a producer, she understands the creative 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:48.140 needs and challenges. It highlights this deep, 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:50.720 almost architectural understanding of storytelling 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:53.019 and production. She contributes with greater 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:56.240 depth, greater confidence. It shows this profound 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:58.500 commitment to the whole craft. And that trust, 00:17:58.680 --> 00:18:00.440 that creative synergy she built with the Saul 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:03.930 team. It's clearly lasting, which is really exciting. 00:18:04.130 --> 00:18:06.549 Yeah. She set to star in Pluribus. That's Vince 00:18:06.549 --> 00:18:08.769 Gilligan's next series after Better Call Saul. 00:18:09.170 --> 00:18:12.789 Whoa. OK, that's huge news. Totally. Highly anticipated. 00:18:13.230 --> 00:18:15.869 Apple TV Plus picked it up for two seasons back 00:18:15.869 --> 00:18:18.460 in September 2022. Two seasons already ordered. 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:20.839 They have confidence. They do. First two episodes 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:24.019 are slated for November 7th, 2025. So still a 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:26.099 bit of a wait, but worth waiting for, probably. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:28.980 Definitely. That continued collaboration with 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:31.519 Gilligan just speaks volumes about their mutual 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:33.640 respect, their artistic understanding. It's not 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:36.420 just another role. It's a reunion of a creative 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:38.799 partnership that already gave us one of the best 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:41.059 shows ever. Promises more complex, character 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:43.470 driven storytelling. Very exciting. And beyond 00:18:43.470 --> 00:18:46.269 these big TV projects, her portfolio is just 00:18:46.269 --> 00:18:48.769 incredibly diverse across all sorts of platforms, 00:18:49.089 --> 00:18:50.990 really shows her versatility, her willingness 00:18:50.990 --> 00:18:53.569 to try different things. Like what else? Well, 00:18:53.869 --> 00:18:56.529 film -wise, she's done indie features like writers 00:18:56.529 --> 00:18:58.670 and floating, showing that commitment to varied 00:18:58.670 --> 00:19:01.309 projects. But she's also moved into bigger stuff. 00:19:01.630 --> 00:19:03.650 Mainstream movies. Yeah, like the horror thriller 00:19:03.650 --> 00:19:07.190 things heard and seen back in 2021. And the upcoming 00:19:07.190 --> 00:19:11.509 Bad Boys, Ride or Die. Bad Boys, OK. from indie 00:19:11.509 --> 00:19:15.130 drama to action blockbuster. That's range. Total 00:19:15.130 --> 00:19:17.710 adaptability. And her theater roots are still 00:19:17.710 --> 00:19:20.670 strong, too. She did Broadway 45 seconds from 00:19:20.670 --> 00:19:23.150 Broadway. Okay, Broadway credit. And other significant 00:19:23.150 --> 00:19:26.450 plays. The World Over, Arthur Miller's All My 00:19:26.450 --> 00:19:29.950 Sons, Stop Kiss, the experimental Marat Sayed. 00:19:30.029 --> 00:19:32.809 Wow, that's a diverse stage resume, too. Classic 00:19:32.809 --> 00:19:35.930 contemporary experimental. That experience must 00:19:35.930 --> 00:19:38.490 have honed her craft incredibly, sustaining a 00:19:38.490 --> 00:19:41.630 character live, projecting, working in an ensemble, 00:19:42.269 --> 00:19:43.970 skills that definitely feed her screen work. 00:19:44.029 --> 00:19:45.970 No doubt. But she hasn't stopped there. She's 00:19:45.970 --> 00:19:48.230 gone into other media, too. Voice acting? Oh, 00:19:48.230 --> 00:19:50.130 yeah. Yeah, a bunch of animated series. Ridley 00:19:50.130 --> 00:19:52.829 Jones, The Harper House, Monster High, the adult 00:19:52.829 --> 00:19:56.269 animated show Invincible. Even Lara, Superman's 00:19:56.269 --> 00:19:58.430 mom, in My Adventures with Superman. So she's 00:19:58.430 --> 00:20:01.059 got voice acting chops, too. Conveying everything 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:02.839 just with voice. That's a whole different skill 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:05.119 totally and get this for a throwback She was 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:08.539 in the 1997 magic the gathering video game. No 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:11.799 way doing what she voiced the tutorial which 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:14.539 the tutorial which that's amazing Such a contrast 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:18.119 to Kim Wexler right plus web series like those 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:21.250 better call Saul extras Yes, Ethics Training 00:20:21.250 --> 00:20:23.089 with Kim Wexler. Oh, yeah, those were great. 00:20:23.349 --> 00:20:25.789 And even podcast series like Convolution and 00:20:25.789 --> 00:20:28.529 The Thrilling Adventure Hour, audio -only narrative. 00:20:28.730 --> 00:20:30.769 She's really explored almost every platform, 00:20:30.890 --> 00:20:33.890 hasn't she? It's incredible. Film, theater, voice 00:20:33.890 --> 00:20:37.569 acting, video games, web series, podcasts, just 00:20:37.569 --> 00:20:40.490 this fearless, expansive approach to performance 00:20:40.490 --> 00:20:43.529 and storytelling. Hashtag, tag, tag outro. So 00:20:43.529 --> 00:20:45.390 if we try to connect all this, bring it together, 00:20:45.609 --> 00:20:48.009 Ray Sehorn's journey, this is this really compelling 00:20:48.009 --> 00:20:51.690 story. Dedication, immense talent, remarkable 00:20:51.690 --> 00:20:54.509 versatility. Absolutely. From that nomadic childhood, 00:20:54.690 --> 00:20:57.009 which probably fostered adaptability, keen observation, 00:20:57.230 --> 00:20:59.730 and that early serious training in visual arts. 00:20:59.849 --> 00:21:01.910 Right, the foundational stuff. To the demanding 00:21:01.910 --> 00:21:04.289 world of DC theater, the struggles and near misses 00:21:04.289 --> 00:21:06.789 in early TV. And then finally, yeah, the global 00:21:06.789 --> 00:21:10.200 acclaim for Kim Wexler. Her career is just this 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:13.059 powerful testament to persistent craftsmanship. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:15.299 Well said. And what's truly fascinating isn't 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:17.839 just the success itself, though it's well deserved. 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:21.099 It's the foundational work she did in all those 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:23.940 diverse fields, visual arts, theater, different 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:26.220 media. They weren't just resume entries? No. 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:29.819 They were distinct, formative experiences that 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:32.579 clearly informed and enriched her later award 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:34.980 -winning work and her move into directing and 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:38.559 producing. Every step built on the last. It resulted 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:41.279 in the profoundly skilled, multifaceted artist 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:45.059 we see now. Her story really highlights the value 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:48.250 of having a broad, diverse artistic foundation. 00:21:48.589 --> 00:21:50.170 So what does this all mean for you listening 00:21:50.170 --> 00:21:52.430 as you reflect on her journey? Maybe consider 00:21:52.430 --> 00:21:56.450 how Rhea Seehorn's seemingly separate early pursuits, 00:21:56.829 --> 00:21:59.730 painting, architecture, playing those wry, sarcastic 00:21:59.730 --> 00:22:01.750 women. Those that might seem unrelated. Exactly. 00:22:01.930 --> 00:22:03.650 They weren't detours. They weren't accidents. 00:22:03.750 --> 00:22:06.710 They were actually crucial building blocks. They 00:22:06.710 --> 00:22:08.910 uniquely equipped her to deliver performances 00:22:08.910 --> 00:22:11.609 with such incredible depth and complexity and 00:22:11.609 --> 00:22:14.029 eventually to confidently step into directing. 00:22:14.150 --> 00:22:16.559 Makes you think. It's a really powerful reminder, 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:19.559 I think, that every experience, every skill you 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:21.799 learn, no matter how unrelated it seems at the 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:24.240 time or how far it feels from your main goal, 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:27.240 it can ultimately contribute to something profound, 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:30.960 something impactful in your career. So what uncelebrated 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:33.200 parts of your own journey, those maybe minor 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:35.880 skills, those unexpected detours, those diverse 00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:38.180 experiences you've had, might actually be subtly 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:40.039 preparing you for your next big breakthrough. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.440 It's definitely a thought worth mulling over, 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:44.259 isn't it? It might spark a new appreciation. 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:46.279 for your own unique path.