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A double Emmy nominee, Medford’s Julianne Nicholson talks ‘Hacks,’ ‘Paradise,’ and Massachusetts roots
After an Emmy win, Massachusetts native talks local ties, Dance Mom– and taking her dad to the Emmys.
Talk about range.
I’m not sure you could find two recent TV characters further from each other in every way than Dance Mom from HBO’s “Hacks” and Sinatra from Hulu’s thriller “Paradise.”
Medford native Julianne Nicholson earned Emmy nods for both — and won for Dance Mom.
The Medford native won Best Comedy Guest Actress for her role as the Hollywood-newbie/ total train-wreck Dance Mom on HBO Max’s “Hacks.”
Nicholson won her first Emmy for “Mare of Easttown” in ’21 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series.
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But what’s remarkable about this win: we don’t often (or ever) see Nicholson in such a slapstick/physical comedy role. Then to spin 180 degrees to portray a complex villain like Sinatra on Hulu’s brilliant Emmy-nominated “Paradise” in the same TV season feels like a high-water mark in a career that’s been a wave slowly cresting for years.
The Arlington Catholic High School alum was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work in that series; Katherine LaNasa of “The Pitt” won the category.
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As “Hacks” creator/showrunner Paul W. Downs, who plays Jimmy, said in an Instagram post: “That was one of things that I think attracted us to Julianne Nicholson, who is such an amazing dramatic actor: We were like, if we can get someone to play this groundedly, it will be so much funnier… She’s got range.”
I called Nicholson after her win for “Hacks” at the Creative Arts Emmys wineremony Sept. 6, which “honor outstanding artistic and technical achievement,” now streaming on Hulu.
After we talked, she got on stage during the primetime Emmy Awards Sept. 14 to present with “Paradise” co-stars James Madsen and a scooting Sterling K. Brown (torn Achilles.)
“I feel like I’ve already won in sort of the bigger sense,” Nicholson, 54, told me, in a phone interview from LA. “Getting to do these two different roles in the same television season feels like such a gift.”
Nicholson now lives in Hampshire, England with her husband, British actor Jonathan Cake, and their kids.
In conversation, the actor is down-to-earth, gracious — sweet, honestly. She thanks me multiple times for “wanting to talk.” We talked Western Mass, season 2 of “Paradise,” taking her dad to the Emmys, her must-stop for ice cream in New England and more.
So I love that your dad was there to see your win for “Hacks.”
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I flew my dad out from Woburn. He was my date. It was a blast to have him with me, and it was so funny, because we were in the front row, and he was so worried that the camera might catch him not looking interested. So he was at full attention, smiling and clapping for two-and-a-half hours through every category.
[laughs] Amazing.
He was a champ. Then he held the Emmy for me at the after-party because it’s pretty heavy. So he was carrying it around as the Emmy bodyguard for the night. [laughs]
[laughs] Classic Dad move. So how did you find out you were nominated?
I was in my car driving to an appointment. I think announcements were being made at 8:30. At 8:45, I hadn’t heard anything. I was like, “Well, better luck next time.” Then my manager called and told me about both at once.
I got goosebumps. It was really a special moment. I feel like that was the win, actually. That moment.
Winning for two such different roles must feel like a high-water mark.
Definitely. It feels like a culmination of many years of work. It’s especially gratifying to have [the win] be for a comedy, which I don’t usually get a chance to do. If I’d done a manifest board of how last season’s TV would go for me, I couldn’t have come up with something as good as this.
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Do you think Dance Mom will be back on “Hacks” next season?
I haven’t heard anything about that. I don’t know how that would happen [plot-wise.] But who knows? I trust those writers, so if they came up with something, I’m sure it would be brilliant.
Season 2 of “Paradise” is coming soon. I can’t wait for that.
People are definitely like, “Hurry up, get it out.” [laughs] We just finished filming Season 2. Hopefully, it’ll be worth the wait. It’s a pretty great season. [It takes] some of the first season ideas and does a deeper dive — then there’s the whole outside world to explore. It’s a rich world that [showrunner /writer/ creator] Dan Fogelman has created.
Tell me a little bit about your local roots.
I was born at the MelroseWakefield Hospital, because my dad’s family lived in Medford. My mom’s family [breaks out her Boston accent] were in Bev-ah-lee on the Nawth Showah. So I was always in that area. Many of my relatives are still in the Boston area, the North Shore around Woburn, Malden, Medford.
You grew up mostly in Medford and for a stint in Western Mass, off-grid — an outhouse, no electricity. Your mom was an herbalist. You’ve told me you “remember it fondly.”
I was in Montague, in Western Mass from age 7 to 11. I’d visit my dad during holidays and summers. But even when I was living with one parent or the other, I was always spending time with both.
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A24’s “Janet Planet” took place in Western Mass.
I grew up right there where we filmed. We went to the mall where I used to rollerskate, the swimming holes. It was a hugely emotional summer [of filming.] Every day I woke up and felt like I was hit with life. And nostalgia. One day I was driving to location, going through Goshen, Massachusetts, and passed a sign for Camp Howe, where I was a camp counselor for four summers. I had to pull over. It was a walk down memory lane that summer.
Also, I did “The Love Letter,” which filmed in Rockport in the ‘90s. That was amazing, because my grandparents lived in Beverly, so they’d come get me on the weekends. That was special. And “Black Mass,” of course, was right in Boston.
There are a few locations I feel truly excited about, because of having a deep connection to the location, and Boston is top of the list.
So how did it feel to be back at the Emmys? I’m guessing you were more nervous the first time for “Mare”?
It felt like more was riding on it the first time. It was so new and intimidating. This time — even though it’s terrifying to have to go speak in front of people— the whole experience does feel a bit more relaxed.
Do you even remember giving your Emmy speech? If I was going up on stage to make a speech like that, I’d just black it out– like one of those nervous blurry memories you can’t really remember.
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Oh, I’m in a full-on blackout.
[laughs]
I don’t remember anything. Also, I lose any sense of chill I might’ve had. It’s really intense. It’s scary.
You live in England now. Did you get back to New England at all this summer?
We were in Cambridge for a bit. Then my family has a cottage in New Hampshire. So then we were up there for a few days, which was glorious.
Any restaurants or ice cream stands you have to stop at when you’re back?
Ice cream is always on the list in New Hampshire. We go swimming, we kayak, and we go to Bobby Sue’s [in Freedom, NH] for ice cream.
Do you want to try more comedy? What are your goals now?
I’d love to do more comedy. And I want to do a film next. I feel like I’ve been pretty deep in the TV world, and I love mixing it up. I always stay open to what comes my way— but I’m setting my intention on doing another film or two in the next six months.
Anything you want to add?
Just thank you for reaching out. I’m so proud of my Boston roots, so it’s very sweet of you to reach out. It’s really meaningful to my family and me. So thank you.
Interview has been edited and condensed. Lauren Daley can be reached at [email protected]. She tweets @laurendaley1, and Instagram at @laurendaley1. Read more stories on Facebook here.
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