‘Dead to Me’ Star Linda Cardellini Had One Very Important Request for Her Character
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Before she started filming season two of Dead to Me, Cardellini dug deeper into Judy’s psyche to break down why she keeps loving those who hurt her most. “Judy’s a person who can’t really get angry at other people,” she says. “I did some research on the idea that if you can’t get angry at other people, some people just take it out on themselves. So that’s sort of how I approach Judy. She’s so in search of love and connection, she won’t let herself be angry at other people. Meanwhile, Jen’s able to express her anger. That’s something Judy admires.”
Judy is a complicated person, to be sure, but it was important to Cardellini that the nuances of the character are there. “She’s a little screwed up, but we all are,” she says. “When I first got the role, I was like, ‘I don’t want her to be crazy.’” Feldman, she says, completely agreed. “Yes, Judy’s logic is skewed sometimes and she makes choices that aren’t the smartest for herself or others, but it’s always unintentional. That’s what mistakes are. That’s the part that eats away at you.”
Because of Judy’s many complexities, Cardellini didn’t think she herself was anything like the character when she took on the role. Now that the second season of Dead to Me is here, however, she’s found more common ground. “Judy really does see the best in people, and I try to do that too,” she says. She adds that they’re both sensitive souls, which helps her when she’s channeling Judy’s sadness and disappointment.
Saeed Adyani / Netflix
The two are also both resilient. “I’ve had a lot of luck in my career, but there’ve been plenty of times when I’ve wondered if I’m going to work again, when I’ve cried and thought maybe this is over. It’s about picking yourself up after somebody says, ‘I don’t like you,’ or ‘We’re not looking for that.’ It takes a lot of resilience and persistence to stay in it as long as I have, but I believe my vulnerability has worked as a strength in my career.”
And it’s led her to this: acting opposite Applegate on a show that is predominantly produced, written, and directed by women. “I’ve never been able to play that relationship on screen with another female," Cardellini says. “Christina and I have a great time playing the physicality and behavior of their friendship. It reminds me of my own friendships and how vital they are. They’re going to tell you when you’re right and when you’re wrong, but they’re going to stand by you no matter what.”
Jessica Radloff is the Glamour West Coast editor. You can follow her on Instagram at @jessicaradloff14.
