Tag Archives: Sarah Paulson

Best of the 2016 SAG Awards Red Carpet Part 1

31 Jan

Another weekend, another awards red carpet. The SAGs are always a fun one because there is just as much glam, but as with the Critics’ Choice it seems like people are able to relax and mix it up a little. Especially those who have been part of this process for what feels like half a year now.

Plenty of winning looks to scroll through and for part 2 check head here.

Alicia VikanderEverything about this Louis Vuitton geometric gown is a sequin dream and this might be the best Alicia Vikander has looked all awards season (and she has looked pretty damn good). Rachel McAdamsThis red carpet cycle has also been very good to Rachel McAdams both sartorially and professionally with Spotlight continuing its winning streak (finally seeing it this afternoon). Beaded floral Elie Saab Haute Couture serves up so much drama that I’m willing to drop my usual “this needs a red lipstick” sentiment.Kiernan ShipkaFor Mad Men’s finale hurrah – shakes fist at Downton Abby for winning – Kiernan Shipka continues to show that she isn’t just one of the best dressed teens, but one of the best dressed in a beautiful Erdem gown. Marisa TomeiMarisa Tomei is the picture of cool elegance in a green beaded long sleeve – hitting two trends of this red carpet – in Zuhair Murad. Queen LatifahA sparkly long sleeve delight for 2016 SAG winner Queen Latifah in a killer Michael Costello gown.Maisie WilliamsThe Game of Thrones cast brought it big to the SAGs with Maisie Williams showing once again that she makes some very interesting choices. This time ditching Mexican wrestlers and 90s chokers for a bold blue textured tea length Ermanno Scervino frock. I bet it has pockets.

Sophie TurnerOnscreen sister and IRL BFF Sophie Turner going a little Scarlett O’Hara in Caroline Herrera and it’s really working for her. Maybe needs a dramatic lip color to go with the high drama of the gown.

Emilia ClarkePretty in pink for Emilia Clarke getting the bold color memo in Dior Haute Couture. A dress which JLaw is probably looking at and wondering why she hasn’t been offered it.

Sarah Paulson and Pedro PascalOh Pedro Pacal, I do miss you and your fun flamboyance on Game of Thrones. I’m on the fence with Sarah Paulson’s Armani Privé dress and I’m wondering how many Koosh balls were sacrificed to make it.

Michiel HuismanYou’re welcome.

Rooney and Kate MaraRooney and Kate Mara (neither sure of how to pronounce their surname if their chat on E! is anything to go by) both in Valentino, with Rooney very much leaning into her usual style. And it’s fine because it totally works.

For more from the SAG Awards red carpet head here.

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

29 Jan

Continuing our Sundance fashion love-in with more knitwear, boots and coat treats for you to scroll through. Plus awards season keeps on keeping on, the American Crime Story red carpet delivers and another fantastic magazine cover has been unveiled. Jenna MaloneJena Malone is slaying at the Lovesong premiere in matching black and white checks in an outfit that looks super chic and cozy at the same time. Topping things off with killer red lips and boots.Maya RudolphGoing slightly more casual with checks is Maya Rudolph at the Mr Pig premiere also earning those all important red lipstick points. Sundance continues to be my fave for all things that I might actually have in my wardrobe. Elisabeth MossSparkly jumper dress, black tights and boots for Elisabeth Moss at the premiere for The Free World is the glitzy form of red carpet attire here; count me all in.Elisabeth Moss SundanceThis is just the best combination of all the things I love from Elisabeth Moss out and about at Sundance. My only concern is the lack of gloves. This calls for a good pair of fingerless chunky knits or some Carol inspired leather ones.Tegan and SaraMore Sundance red carpet excellence from Tegan and Sara with hints of #LadySuitWatch2016 on display at The Intervention premiere. Tegan’s grey boots are high on my covet list.Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuvallAll the 90s teen movie feelings are being felt as a result of The Intervention red carpet. Also boosted by Natasha Lyonne’s sweater looking like a black version of the dog on the “Odelay” cover.America FerreraPolka dots pretty (plus pockets!) for America Ferrera at the Producers Guild Awards and this Alexia Maria dress is ticking all our boxes. Ferrera has been a regular on TV Ate My Wardrobe over this busy red carpet season and she recently pointed out she is currently living in a world of clothing extremes.Anne HathawayFirst of all let’s ditch any kind of headlines that refer to a baby bump as if it is an accessory that can be removed at will (see every DM headline ever – i.e. “[insert pregnant celeb] takes baby bump to x”). Secondly the whole “unveiling their baby bump” nonsense can also go. So here is Anne Hathaway wearing a very cute Marc Jacobs dress and yes she looks radiant, but she always tends to pregnancy or not. *end of rant*Blackish kidsThe kids from Black-ish continue their style domination at the NAACP Awards Nominees’ Luncheon this week. And I still really need to get caught up on this show.Aya CashAya Cash was early to #LadySuitWatch2016 and she is keeping a solid jacket game in this gold lame number on the red carpet for The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story (a show that is very high on my most anticipated list). As someone who isn’t in the cast this is ideal attire as it is super cool without being too showy.Angel ParkerAngel Parker is playing attorney Shawn Chapman – part of OJ’s Dream Team – and she’s paired a bold red dress with an excellent array of accessories from silver pumps to a mirrored clutch (which looks a lot like this Viola Davis one). Also those all important red lipstick points.Sarah PaulsonSarah Paulson has been killing it on the red carpet of late and this is another triumph (even if as Samantha Powell mentions this Stella McCartney dress was everywhere in 2012). Such a good color.Amanda PeetAmanda Peet’s look wouldn’t be out of place in the top half of this post and as with Aya Cash this is the ideal kind of outfit for someone who is not in the project. Sweater, lipstick and casually slung coat over the shoulder yeses all around.Jussie SmollettOne of my favorite magazine covers of recent years was from Out and this Jussie Smollet shot is another case of letting a strong image do all the talking. In the interview he lays it all out including this:

“God, I’ve never had to talk about this, so I’m trying to find the words. If I had to label myself, I would label myself as a gay man. With that said, I believe that love is the only thing that matters, and I would hope that anybody would leave themselves open — not to gender, but to love. I would hope that people would not close themselves off from what could be if, lo and behold, you meet somebody that just sweeps you off your feet, and you just can’t do anything about it. If we truly believe that we are born this way, then why do we try to stifle the way we were born? If I fall in love down the road with a woman, I’m going to love that woman.”

It is worth checking out the full interview here and there are also more dreamy pictures from the editorial waiting.

Behind the Insta-Scenes: Photos from the Set

20 Jan

More fancy pants behind the scenes shenanigans with a relaxed edge at the Critics’ Choice Awards. Plus babies, celebrating the return of Agent Carter and some A+ 70s outfits.

 

Will Forte showed that his new half-shaved look wasn’t just a onetime TCA affair (his entire body is like this, yep everything) and gave Justin Theroux’s expressive eyebrows a workout of Leftovers proportions at the Critics’ Choice Awards.

 

Award shows can all get a bit much for some. The Jane the Virgin table also featured heavily in reactions to the super adorable Jacob Tremblay. They are all of us.

 

You’re the Worst maybe lost out in their category, but Aya Cash did score high on #LadySuitWatch2016.

 

Worstie dudes also slaying in formal wear.

 

Critics’ Choice Awards #SquadGoals

 

A very super smiley Liv Tyler on her way to the awards and it is probably a very good thing that she didn’t have to lie down to avoid crease awkwardness.

 

This looks like the exact kind of thing Tom Haverford would dream up and the fact that it is very real makes me so happy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAtgundOqa2/?taken-by=jennyslate

 

Also to be filed under “things that seem too magical to be true” is Kroll Show originals Gil and George appearing on The Bachelor live show and Jenny Slate filming her reaction. Yep, I still miss Kroll Show, but I am thrilled that Gil and George are still out there in the world.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BApcWQ0nqt9/?taken-by=maisie_williams

 

 

SO here for this.

 

More adorable babies and hitting that ‘cast members who still hang out after their show has finished’ sweet spot. Also Dave Annable wins best Instagram caption contest this week.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAv6rsmH5ji/?taken-by=bridgetregan

 

Agent Carter is back and Bridget Regan goes full Peggy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAvkGsjJQ23/?taken-by=mindykaling

 

A smorgasbord of pattern clashing and bold color from the many outfit changes for Mindy Kaling on The Mindy Project. Even by this shows standards this is a lot for one day and it’s hard to pick a favorite; edging toward the floral sweater and pajamas with the dragonfly dress also wrestling for top place.

 

Mindy wearing one of the above selection and hanging out with my favorite of The Mindy Project’s guest stars.

 

I am super in love with Samira Wiley’s choice of eyewear. A big sunglasses week.

 

Jessica Jones has been renewed and I can’t see S2 Jessica wearing any other jeans than these ones.

 

 

While I’m on the subject of jeans – I am coveting these ones Gina Rodriguez is wearing hard and the whole 70s vibe of this outfit is ticking all the boxes.

 

Going full 1970s and the Vinyl costuming is part of the reason why I am looking forward to this show. Those glasses are everything.

Best of the 2016 Critics’ Choice Awards Red Carpet

18 Jan

The awards shows they keep on coming and the Critics’ Choice celebration continued the Mr Robot hot streak. Plus plenty of amazing red carpet looks from those who attended last weekend’s Golden Globes and a whole host of different faces (including many beloved by TV Ate My Wardrobe).

Krysten RitterCombing one of the big trends from the Golden Globes (sparkles) with perfect for shimmying pleats; Krysten Ritter’s excellent Zuhair Murad track record continues. At the Netflix TCA panel it was announced that Jessica Jones has been renewed for a second season and I cannot wait.

Aya Cash ladysuitAya Cash stakes an early claim on #LadySuitWatch2016 in this excellent tux and gold tipped pumps.

Aya CashA clutch close up because Aya Cash’s Les Petits Joueurs should be seen in all its “AAH!” glory and last time we saw one of these fabulous Lego bags was from another award season shindig.

Judith LightJudith Light continues to work the red (blue) carpet like no other slaying in a turtleneck and jacket casually slung over her shoulders finishing it all off with a floor length (and pocketed) skirt.

Lena Waithe and Kelvin YuMore #LadySuitWatch2016 with Master of None’s Lena Waithe (posing with co-star Kelvin Yu) delivering polka dot perfection in a fun twist on this look and continuing pattern shirt dominance.

Chris GeeereThe You’re the Worst cast maybe went home empty handed, but they killed it on the red carpet. Every detail right down to the pocket square on Chris Geere’s Ted Baker ensemble is incredible.

Rachel McAdamsAnother amazing maroon dress and Rachel McAdams stands out in an Elie Saab frock which manages to make me love sheer (on this very special occasion). Love the delicate chain straps, tousled hair and bold lip color.

Kirsten DunstMore lipstick yes from another winner and Kirsten Dunst does delicate tiered sparkles in this very 20s/30s Chanel Couture frock.

Constance WuIcy blue was a big trend on the Critics’ Choice blue carpet with Constance Wu leading the pack in this ethereal Peter Langner number.

Sarah PaulsonMore sequin delights and Sarah Paulson’s Naeem Khan dress has a fun silk neckline and sleeve cap spin adding that extra something something.

SaoirseAnother recent repeat awards best dressed and another take on cornflower blue from Saoirse Ronan in Antonio Berardi. The sleeve detail is spectacular.

Eden SherThe Middle’s Eden Sher kills it in Rubin Singer and I’m so here for this fun play on black and white stripes.Constance ZimmerI love Constance Zimmer’s striped Tracy Reese dress as much as I love her reaction to winning (which I love a lot).

Carrie CoonAnother speech/winner I adore is Carrie Coon and she’s bringing the bold in blonde and a whole lot of yellow.

Zoe KazanPattern clashing at its best from Zoe Kazan and her take on the red carpet experience is worth reading in this love letter of sorts – in three parts found here, here and here – to her stylist and friend Leith Clark.

Alicia VikanderDitching delicate for fun and I am always partial to a bit of Mary Katrantzou; Alicia Vikander is the ideal person to pull this look off.

Tracee Ellis RossLooking fabulous in floral sleeved Randi Rahm and Tracee Ellis Ross demonstrates how to make a black dress stand out.Bryce Dallas HowardAs does Bryce Dallas Howard in plunging Balmain and as with her Jenny Packham frock at the Golden Globes last week she bought this off the rack (this time from Forward by Elyse Walker).

Maura TierneyPosing in front of a superb piece of fan art capturing the amazing Helen dancing in her spanx scene from The Affair is Maura Tierney working a Max Mara skirt and top with super casual fancy aplomb.

Rami Malek and Portia DoubledayDitching the tie once again, but sticking with Dior is winner Rami Malek posing with co-star Portia Doubleday (whose dress I like when you can’t tell just how sheer it is *shakes fist at this trend*) in front of the Mr Robot fan art mural.

Rami Malek and Justin TherouxIn my head they are comparing the amount of desperation, sadness, confusion and sweat levels in both of their amazing performances.

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

9 Oct

Fall TV premieres and the red carpets that accompany them continue this week with American Horror Story: Hotel and The Leftovers. Plus film festivals in New York and London and Paris Fashion Week are keeping the style levels high.

Rose LeslieAt the BFI Luminous Fundraising Gala this week Rose Leslie does floral print in exquisite fashion wearing Erdem. Plus those all important pockets that another Game of Thrones star is a big fan of.

Jenna ColemanAn ideal gown for a fancy event in fall and Jenna Coleman’s pink and gold Lanvin is equal parts delicate and intricate.

Kiernan ShipkaKiernan Shipka wears Valentino at the Paris Fashion Week Valentino show and the mixture of floral pleats and lace is delightful.

Angela BassettAngela Bassett is one of the reasons I will probably end up watching at least half of American Horror Story: Hotel this season and she stuns on the red carpet in a Theia vegan leather LBD and funky embellished sandals.

Sarah PaulsonGetting futuristic vibes from Sarah Paulson’s super sleek black metallic Monique Lhuillier frock and it is another really good recent red carpet choice from Paulson.

Carey MulliganA stunning all-Chanel ensemble for Carey Mulligan’s in a gold floral sweater and lacy culottes. Yep those are culottes and not a skirt as I first thought it was. Even with that knowledge and my slight distrust of this garment it doesn’t change my mind about this winning look for the Suffragette photocall at the London Film Festival.

Greta GerwigBeige becomes interesting with Roksanda color blocking (even the shoes aren’t bothering me) and Great Gerwig’s red up do is the extra pow to this already powerful look at the Maggie’s Plan New York Film Festival premiere.

Liv Tyler and Margaret QualleyIn this week’s Behind the Insta-Scenes I mentioned that Liv Tyler and Margaret Qualley could easily play mother and daughter; this shot of them at the premiere for The Leftovers means I can double down on this suggestion. Margaret Qualley is pulling perfect side eye posing while Tyler smiles wide giving me plenty of ideas for what direction this yet to be written drama can go in.

IMG_2176Diane Kruger’s Violet Grey profile is full of stunning shots of her on the Paramount lot playing the part of a classic movie star in the vein of Grace Kelly and it was hard to narrow it down to just one. In the end I opted for the photo of Kruger wearing a Michael Kors sweater and Olympia Le-Tan stripe shorts which highlights her casual cool and beauty; this could easily be part of a Chanel campaign. The accompanying Q&A shows off Kruger’s wit and honesty – how often do actresses talk about having a hangover – and she is also someone who can get away with referring to her boyfriend as her “lover.”

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

28 Aug

This week there is an array of good shoes/bad shoes or rather shoes that don’t got with the outfit, but we’re not going to let awkward footwear get in the way of fabulous patterned dresses.

Lizzy CaplanWhile my mind is already thinking about fall fashion Lizzy Caplan is serving up lat summer vibes in tropical Proenza Schouler Resort 2016 at the LA Sleeping with Other People – a film I am very excited about -p screening. The only thing not quite working is the baby blue Louboutins; even though I am happy they are not beige pumps the lace up aspect is far too fussy here.

Lake Bell MarniNow Lake Bell is wearing some really great shoes – Christian Louboutin ‘Nicobar’ sandals – although the tan lines you might get would be interesting. This is the second week in a row for Lake Bell on “Out of the Box” and last week she went classic; at this No Escape screening she has gone down a very different, but still fabulous route in an asymmetric Marni skirt and long sleeve crop top ensemble.

Part II in this week’s “Hmm those shoes” and once again while they beat beige there’s still something not quite working. Other than this Sarah Paulson has picked the ideal Erdem floral frock for Television Academy Emmy Awards cocktail reception. I am looking forward to all the pre Emmy shindigs (even if they didn’t nominate all of these people).
At the second Sleeping With Other People screening this week Alison Brie wore bold orange Derek Lam with a curious crotch zip. However her shoe game (Louboutins – of course) and lipstick game are strong.

Behind the Insta-Scenes: Photos from the Set

15 Jul

An all Comic-Con special of “Behind the Insta-Scenes” with plenty of TV shows represented at the annual event held in San Diego. Get ready for plenty of cast love-ins, social media rivalries and more excellent outfits.

 

Hugh Dancy strikes a pose and borrows Bryan Fuller’s amazing and on point jacket.

 

And here is the Hannibal Pannibal trio sans flower crowns.

https://instagram.com/p/5D2XNkuPjC/?taken-by=realhayleyatwell

 

It was Agent Carter versus Agents of SHIELD via the Dubsmash app and while Hayley Atwell is the undisputed queen (and co-star James D’Arcy is also pretty, pretty good) the SHIELD crew had strength in numbers.

 

Mic drop moment indeed.

 

Pre full on Dubsmash battle Chloe Bennet posted a picture sandwiched between her co-star Elizabeth Henstridge (excellent cartoon eye blouse) and Hayley Atwell offering up a whole lot of confused faces.

https://instagram.com/p/47f1rmHqnl/?taken-by=maisie_williams

 

Everything about this is exactly how I imagine it would be like to meet Bill Murray.  And it looks perfect.

https://instagram.com/p/4-uUgOnqpL/?taken-by=maisie_williams

 

Maisie Williams looks far more in her comfort zone here dancing up a storm with onscreen sister Sophie Turner in a stripy tee which I’m coveting – Maisie killed it with her outfits over Comic-Con – and all I want is for the pair to be reunited onscreen so they can burn Westeros to the ground (well at least burn Ramsay to the ground).

 

The pair is very happy to see each other and they even have their very own word blend name # (and the EW Instagram has a whole host of excellent behind the scenes shots from Comic-Con).

 

Sophie Turner also had the pleasure of hanging out with Oscar Isaac while promoting X-Men: Apocalypse and this has also been a good week for fans of Isaac as the first trailer for the HBO miniseries Show Me a Hero was released.

https://instagram.com/p/5C59cDHqvP/?taken-by=maisie_williams

 

A full on worlds collide selfie covering Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Doctor Who (also Skins).

 

Sarah Paulson is all of us right now.

 

I was skeptical about Fear the Walking Dead (that name) but after watching the first full trailer I am so in and not just for Kim Dickens reasons. Dickens looks stunning here alongside co-stars Elizabeth Rodriguez (OITNB) and Alycia Debnam Carey (The 100).

 

This cast! Without fail I do that thing where I wonder where everyone else is only to remember that Tatiana Maslany is everyone else. Plus a better look at the Tatiana’s amazing outfit and the one I crowned best of Comic-Con.

 

Superheroes from The CW bus.

https://instagram.com/p/5BiRuyAVIk/?taken-by=grantgust

 

The Flash has such a likable cast that I can’t help but smile at a photo like this (and also covet Danielle Panabaker’s polka dot frock).

Comic-Con Fashion Round-Up Part 1: The Entertainment Weekly Party

13 Jul

Going away the weekend Comic-Con is on means I have a lot of catching up to do this morning as this annual event continues to attract stars from a whole host of TV shows and movies, which means plenty of outfits to scroll through.

Let’s ease into the week with the Entertainment Weekly shindig and as tends to be the way at Comic-Con there are different degrees of dressed up; this variety of styling makes this a fun rundown as there’s everything from 50s style prom to funky summer dresses.

Maisie Williams EWThe texture of Maisie Williams’ dress suggests something from the ocean which ties in nicely with her oyster girl cover story from Game of Thrones as well as her recent conservation work.

Ashley MadekweAshley Madekwe could travel back to the Studio 54 heyday and blend right in wearing this amazing Saint Laurent gold dress.

Katie CassidyAs you can see from this party gold is on trend at the moment with Katie Cassidy working a glitzy floral pattern mini.

Lily JamesGoing for a slightly dressier look is Lily James in shimmery Altuzarra and she continues her fashion hot streak after a very strong Cinderella promo tour.

Sonequa Martin-GreenThe Walking Dead’s Sonequa Martin-Green is a bold pattern queen in this kaleidoscope print frock.

Matt Bomer, Sarah Paulson, Angela BassettNow this is a group I would want to hang out with at this party and Sarah Paulson’s Suno dress is rather understated for her and looks great. Angela Bassett continues to look the best in anything and Matt Bomer’s suit is far more interesting than all of his very safe Magic Mike XXL promo tour attire. Not quite sure how I feel about the super white sneakers as they instantly distract from everything else. But it also a relaxed affair so they also kinda make sense.

Danielle Panabaker EWA very cute purple frock from The Flash’s Danielle Panabaker and I love her messy fishtail braid to boot.

Candice AccolaFun summer florals from Candice Accola with her hot pink lipstick serving up an excellent extra pop of color.

Camren BicondovaCamren Bicondova from Gotham is wearing the skirt version of the Alice + Olivia dress that Aya Cash wore a couple of months ago and it looks just as great here especially when paired with a plain black tee.

Carice van HoutenCarice van Houten’s skirt looks like really fancy silk wrapping paper, but the simple blue blouse balances this look out and once again she is wearing killer lipstick.

Jennifer MorrisonThis is very much 50s fancy from Jennifer Morrison and while it is maybe a tad dressy for this event it is still rather fun. And maybe she is cosplaying Betty Draper or Libby Masters.

Best of the 2015 SAG Awards – Black, White and Shimmer

26 Jan

Welcome to Part 2 of the SAG Awards coverage and while color was a big trend there was plenty of fantastic black, white and sparkly gowns on display. Check out our faves below.

Viola DavisViola Davis won for How to Get Away with Murder and did so in a stunning custom MaxMara halter gown in one of the best looks of the night.

Sarah PaulsonA surprising turn from Sarah Paulson in black and white Giorgio Armani. Surprising in that it manages to look different to a lot of other red carpet attire without landing in the usual ‘huh’ spot Paulson favors.

Joanne FroggattJoanne Froggatt does the whole black mermaid gown thing but what elevates this Honor gown is the pointed bodice.

Lorelei LinklaterA very different black Honor gown for Lorelei Linklater and I love the gothy vibe and bell sleeves. This looks like something April Ludgate would wear to an awards show and I cannot wait to see what Lorelei will wear to the Oscars (and what color hair streak she opts for). Bonus red lip color points also awarded.

Maggie GyllenhaalMaggie Gyllenhaal’s custom Thakoon white gown is very Nessa Stein and I love that her Honourable Woman character’s style is sneaking in on this red carpet.

Chelsea PerettiNew favorite couple alert! Chelsea Peretti’s midnight blue Rubin Singer gown has a gold shimmer and Jordan Peele’s all black suit perfectly complements the look without going matchy matchy.

Amy Poehler and Natasha LyonneAnother perfect pair and both are going for the beaded sparkle thing with Amy Poehler in Jenny Packham and Natasha Lyonne in custom Proenza Schouler. Fun shenanigans look like they are being had.

Reese WitherspoonOff the shoulder was a big trend at the SAGs with plenty opting for color and asymmetric; Reese Witherspoon avoids looking bridal in custom Giorgio Armani adding sparkle with the sequin diagonal strip.

Kelly Macdonald and Gretchen MolBoardwalk Empire ladies reunion and Kelly Macdonald’s black vintage Moschino is how you do a shorter length at an event like this, even if it does look slightly casual next to Gretchen Mol in an ethereal Dennis Basso silver gown.

Jackie CruzAnother custom Christian Siriano frock for an Orange is the New Black actress and Jackie Cruz is a sequinned gold beauty.

Emmy RossumThis photo doesn’t quite convey how much sparkle there is on Emmy Rossum’s Swarovski crystal infused Armani Privé gown, but she looks stunning nonetheless.

Nikolaj Coster-WaldauSwitching to a couple of fine looking dudes and Game of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau wears a tuxedo as well as he does a suit of armor.

Eddie RedmayneDoing the lean! And this time Eddie Redmayne’s choice of suit is a Prada double breasted affair; another super charming approach and style win.

Comic-Con Kickass and Badass Female Centric TV Panel Highlights

29 Jul

Watching women talking about their experiences in the entertainment industry and the shows they are on is something regular TV Ate My Wardrobe readers know is my happy place. This time of year is especially stacked when it comes to these types of panels with Emmy roundtables and Comic-Con. In Hall H on Saturday Entertainment Weekly’s Women Who Kick Ass Panel took place featuring Katey Sagal, Sarah Paulson, Tatiana Maslany, Nicole Beharie, Maisie Williams and Natalie Dormer. Like the recent TimesTalks session it features women from a variety of shows from network and cable with a range of complicated and fascinating characters.

Women who Kick ass SDCCWith two women from Game of Thrones on the panel the way women are portrayed on this show was addressed and what kind of power they wield in an environment that is so brutal with Maisie Williams emphasizing just how young her character is and that at 12-years old Arya has seen and done far more than any person of this age ever should. Natalie Dormer is asked about Margaery’s manipulation skills and whether her acts of charity are just a facade “When people ask me about Margaery, I say they’re not mutually exclusive. You don’t have to be practical and politically savvy and not be a good person. You can be a good human being and just be shrewd. I think all these women play similar characters.”

It is a topic we covered in a recent extensive GoT chat and Dormer sums up the different types of power these female characters have “Whether it’s psychological, physical, sexual, dragons. I think we’d all go for the dragons if we were given the choice. But that’s the secret of the writing, that’s why it’s such a compelling show—because it shows how different people are given different weapons, physically and metaphorically, and how they use them.” I think I would go direwolf over dragon personally.

Nicole Beharie as one of the leads of Sleepy Hollow is in a relatively new position in terms of her acting career and she talks about how this has changed how she presents herself “Just owning that space and not being expected, as a woman, to shrink, or curtsy, or any of those sort of things.”

Rising to a challenge and finding pleasure in something that is scary is something Katey Sagal describes as “awesome” and because they work in TV they don’t have a whole lot of time to question what they are doing thanks to the quick turnaround time. Maisie Williams has given herself extra work as Arya is left-handed in the books and despite being right-handed she wanted to remain true to the character on the page, which can prove difficult with some of the choreography. Natalie Dormer is yet to wield a sword on GoT but she did take up fencing after drama school (where she studied with Sleepy Hollow’s Tom Mison).

Prior to Orphan Black Tatiana Maslany had never played an adult, always portraying someone 10 years her junior and now she is playing multiple roles with different insecurities and inner power. The most clones Maslany plays in one day is three and the dance party scene took two days to film. Sarah Paulson will be playing a two-headed woman on the next season of American Horror Story and she looks set to pick Maslany’s brain for multiple part acting tips.

You can currently watch the full panel here:

On the same day over at Zachary Levi’s Nerd HQ another female centric discussion took place; “A Conversation with Badass Women” featuring Yvonne Strahovski, Retta, Missy Peregrym, Jennifer Morrison, Ming-Na Wen and Sophie Turner. It’s a slightly more raucous and chaotic panel that flows more organically than the usual moderator/audience Q&As and instead focuses solely on audience questions.

Nerd HQSome similar ground is covered as Jennifer Morrison also talks about female characters being more than just one thing in that they can be kickass and vulnerable in equal measures; television has the advantage over film in terms of how much time they can spend on character development so it would be disappointing if TV didn’t do this.

This panel covers far broader subjects than the shows they are all on with questions including role models (Sophie Turner has high praise for Lena Headey) and part of this sees Ming-Na and Retta going into detail about their family background and why they dropped their surnames (Ming-Na uses hers again, but didn’t when she was on E.R.). Seeing how people react on a very personal level to WOC getting roles on big shows is one reason why conversations like this are so rewarding as the panelists get to share their own experiences as well as seeing how it can profoundly impact an audience.

During the TimesTalks panel one of the subjects that came up was how to say no to things that make these actresses feel uncomfortable and this is covered in various ways during this discussion with Yvonne Strahovski mentioning unnecessary underwear scenes – I was beyond thrilled that her character in 24 not only had no scenes like this, but she also dressed in an appropriate and realistic way for job – and Retta talking about the “sassy” trope as well as cliche ghetto or nurse parts.

It’s a fun conversation that is hilarious as well as touching and you can watch it below. For more from Nerd HQ’s Comic-Con conversations (including Orphan Black, Walking Dead, Stephen Amell and Nathan Fillion) head here.

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