Latest news with #Lynskey
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
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If She Chooses You, You're in: Melanie Lynskey on the Magic of Natasha Lyonne
On June 5, the IndieWire Honors Spring 2025 ceremony will celebrate the creators and stars responsible for some of the most impressive and engaging work of this TV season. Curated and selected by IndieWire's editorial team, IndieWire Honors is a celebration of the creators, artisans, and performers behind television well worth toasting. In the days leading up to the event, IndieWire is showcasing their work with new interviews and tributes from their peers. Ahead, Lyonne's long-time best friend Melanie Lynskey tells IndieWire about the many qualities that set our Maverick Award apart, both as a performer and as a pal. More from IndieWire Natasha Lyonne: The Maverick Behind the Madness 'Stick' Review: Owen Wilson's Golf Comedy Takes Too Many Shortcuts Trying to Be 'Ted Lasso' There's a moment when Melanie Lynskey talks about Natasha Lyonne that kind of says it all. 'If she chooses you, you're going to be her friend,' she said. 'That's just it.' For more than 20 years, Lyonne and Lynskey have been ride-or-dies bonded by weird nights, great scripts, and deep mutual respect. They've starred in three movies together, including 'But I'm a Cheerleader' and 'The Intervention' (that one directed by their great pal and 'Cheerleader' co-star Clea DuVall). So as Lyonne gets her flowers at IndieWire Honors, Lynskey is here to remind us why there's nobody like Natasha. 'She's always been insanely talented,' Lynskey said. 'But now, she knows exactly what she's capable of — and the world knows it too.' That includes writing, directing, producing, and starring in not one but two groundbreaking shows ('Russian Doll' and 'Poker Face'), all while championing the people she loves. 'If she loves you, she wants you to be doing everything to the maximum of your abilities,' Lynskey said. 'She's everyone's biggest cheerleader.' Their friendship kicked off in Toronto during filming for the 1999 film 'Detroit Rock City,' when a shy, New Zealand-based Lynskey arrived on set. 'Natasha took me out for the night and that was it. We were bonded for life,' she said. That night included a Halloween KISS concert, an attempted casino trip (denied at the door: no passport), a persistent limo driver trying to crash the afterparty, and vodka. Lots of vodka. 'If we tried that now, it would take me two weeks to recover.' Lynskey still lights up when she talks about how Lyonne works. 'I really kind of envy the looseness she has in her body, like the drapey-ness and the kind of physicality that can be a little bit masculine at times. It's really fun,' she said. 'She's very loose, especially in 'Poker Face.' She has a real sort of looseness to her limbs. And I feel like there's always a part of my brain that's like, 'What do I do with hands?'— there's just this swagger. Meanwhile, I'm over here like, 'What do I do with my hands?'' Even before 'Poker Face,' Lyonne's spirit helped shape Lynskey's path — sometimes literally. When Lynskey was auditioning for the role of a New Jersey girl in 'Coyote Ugly' and couldn't afford a dialect coach, she leaned on her interpretation of Lyonne (never mind that she was very much born and raised on the Upper East Side). 'It morphed into something else after I got cast, but I kind of based it on Natasha, yeah,' she said with a laugh. 'I don't know how impressed she was about that: 'I did that audition, too.' I was like, 'Well, sorry about that.' Now, even as Lyonne's busy running the show, she's still hyping her friends. 'She's everyone's biggest cheerleader. I remember one time I got a message from her, and she was looking for acting coach or a dialect coach and she said, 'You're the best actor I have in my phone.' Such a specific compliment. I loved how it wasn't hyperbolic,' Lynskey said. They don't see each other as much as they'd like, although Lynskey has an upcoming guest-star slot on episode 8 of 'Poker Face' — but when they do, nothing's changed. 'We had this great night recently, just hanging at Natasha's house and talking for hours. That's the good stuff.' So what's left to say? 'She's such a treasure to all of us,' Lynskey said. 'There's nobody like her, so it's really so special to see her being recognized.' Read Natasha Lyonne's full IndieWire Honors profile. Best of IndieWire The Best Thrillers Streaming on Netflix in June, from 'Vertigo' and 'Rear Window' to 'Emily the Criminal' All 12 Wes Anderson Movies, Ranked, from 'Bottle Rocket' to 'The Phoenician Scheme' Nightmare Film Shoots: The 38 Most Grueling Films Ever Made, from 'Deliverance' to 'The Wages of Fear'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I was terrified — she has an Oscar for 'Million Dollar Baby'‘: Melanie Lynskey on her epic ‘Yellowjackets' fight with Hilary Swank
Melanie Lynskey is savoring the success of Showtime's Yellowjackets. As the addictive drama continues to captivate audiences with its mix of psychological tension and survival horror, the Emmy-nominated actress shares her excitement over the show's growing fanbase. "It's so nice that people are still excited and more people seem to be finding the show," Lynskey tells Gold Derby (watch our full interview above). "You're always nervous that things are going to take a turn and people will stop watching, so it was really lovely to hear that." More from GoldDerby Latest Tony Awards odds: 'Maybe Happy Ending' and 'Oh, Mary!' maintain their leads, Best Actress in a Musical tightens 'You can't unsee it': 'The Fall of Diddy' directors on Cassie's allegations and a mogul's decline 'Oh, Mary!' Tony nominee Conrad Ricamora on getting laughs as Abraham Lincoln: 'I've got to take the stakes deadly seriously' According to Paramount, the Season 3 finale was the most-streamed in the series' history — and Season 3 of Yellowjackets was its most-watched overall. Showtime announced the series was picked up for a fourth season just days after this interview took place. Season 3 saw Lynskey's character, Shauna, delve into darker, more chaotic territory — a turn the actress found exhilarating. "It was fun because it felt like what the character has been building to," Lynskey explains. "From the beginning, I had the information that she's really trying to repress this side of herself. It's been fun when I've been able to let it out in little bursts. In [the first two] seasons there were little moments where it came out — but it went so wild this season. It was fun." Though Shauna's moments of depravity take center stage, Lynskey's ability to balance drama with humor has resonated with fans. Asked whether the comedic undertones of Shauna were scripted or her own interpretation, Lynskey says, "I think she was written that way. The first time you see her in the pilot, she's ironing and watching a game show. This lady gets an answer wrong, and she's like, 'Oh, Linda, you dumb bitch.' It's funny for her to be judging Linda so harshly. Also, casting Warren [Kole], who plays my husband Jeff, and finding out he was so great at comedy — we have wonderful chemistry together. It all sort of fell into place." Lynskey also shares some comical scenes with Christina Ricci, whose portrayal of Misty blends humor with an unnerving quality. Trust was completely lost between the two characters this season as Shauna accused Misty of locking her in a freezer and cutting the brakes to her minivan. Meanwhile, Misty was investigating Shauna for the murder of Lottie (Simone Kessell). "I love working with Christina," Lynskey says. "She's such a professional. You're never going to be waiting around — she wants to go home, and it's just fun. She's very funny. Finally, she's coming to terms with the fact that she's extremely gifted at comedy. At first, she was quite resistant. She had a beautiful arc this season as well. She retained that humor the whole time, but there were very heartbreaking moments." SEE Samantha Hanratty on Misty stepping 'into her own' in 'Yellowjackets' Season 3: 'She is a lot more useful than I think a lot of people give her credit for' One of the season's most exciting additions to the cast was two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank as adult Melissa. Reflecting on her experience filming the season's eighth episode, "A Normal, Boring Life," Lynskey reveals the sheer scope of preparation required. "It was 26 pages of dialogue," Lynskey recalls. "It was her first day. No big deal! Just come sit opposite me and have 26 pages of dialogue. It's a dream as an actor. Especially on an ensemble show where I've gotten to dive into the character work a lot. To have that much time sitting opposite somebody, connecting, and playing around with it — and then for it to end in a crazy stunt was great." When filming their epic fight scene where Shauna tackles Melissa to the ground and takes a bite out of her arm, Lynskey remembers her initial hesitation. "I was scared because the last time I had done a lot of stunt work it was in Candy with Jessica Biel. By the time we filmed that, Jess and I trusted each other so much. We had been rehearsing for so long. I knew with Jess, if I accidentally punched her in the face, she would be like, 'Keep going!' Physically, we were very comfortable." With Swank, Lynskey wrestled with uncertainty, knowing they'd only just met. "I was terrified. I don't know what her limitations are or what she's comfortable with. I reminded myself at a certain point that she has an Oscar for Million Dollar Baby and she can take a hit," Lynskey says with a laugh. "Also, the way Clint Eastwood films, you don't get a lot of takes. It's one or two, and then you're moving on. That performance in that movie is stunning. The person who did that is going to be fine wrestling around on the floor with me — and she really was — she was up for it." Another key moment Lynskey discusses is Shauna's reaction upon discovering a note from Melissa in the season finale, forcing her to confront her impulsive nature and the consequences of her actions. "It's too scary for her to feel that," Lynskey says. "The thing that she likes the least is facing the consequences of her own actions. In finding the note she realizes, 'You did it again. You acted before you had all the information. You did something you can't take back.' But in the moment, she's a very impulsive person. She thinks somebody is out to get her and thinks, 'I'm going to get them first.' It's so overwhelming for her to realize how massively she's f--ked up that she literally can't — she starts to collapse and then her brain says, 'Nope,' and she goes into scary-person mode." While discussing Sophie Nelisse, who plays teenage Shauna, Lynskey is full of praise. "She is so amazing!" Lynskey gushes. "The first couple of seasons there is so much humanity in that character and so much loss that she suffered. There was a switch this season where she can't go through anything like that anymore. She's become a very scary person. Sophie has done such a beautiful job of letting emotion through even though she's a person that's not letting herself feel anything. I just worship her. She's so good." The three-time Emmy nominee admits to being a self-proclaimed awards nerd: "I would always look at the odds and I was always so excited for everybody. I remember years ago when Kate Winslet was nominated for her for first Oscar — calling her and us both crying. How incredible is that to have a moment where you're recognized?" Lynskey recalls her first Critics Choice Award nomination for Togetherness, saying, "It was such a huge deal for me. I felt so seen. I know you're supposed to be cool and say, 'I don't really care. I don't pay attention.' I absolutely pay attention." The actress, who earned an Emmy nomination for her guest role on HBO's The Last of Us in 2023, is set to appear in an upcoming episode of Poker Face on Peacock. Lynskey tells Gold Derby there's a few other shows she wouldn't mind spending some time on: Severance, Matlock, and Abbott Elementary. "Kathy Bates, I just adore. I love Severance. I love comedies. Doing an episode or two of Abbott Elementary would make me so happy." SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby TV Production Design roundtable panel: 'American Primeval,' 'Beast Games,' 'Étoile' 'Étoile' production designer Bill Groom on re-creating the halls and stages of New York and Paris 'Beast Games' production designer Stephen Leonhardt on redefining reality TV with the most complex sets in TV history Click here to read the full article.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Melanie Lynskey's Daughter Makes Her Red Carpet Debut as the Cutest Publicist in Hollywood
Melanie Lynskey is no stranger to the spotlight, but at the recent Lilo & Stitch world premiere, it was her daughter who stole the show. While there were no photos taken of her at the premiere, she did technically make her red carpet debut; and it was in the most adorable way possible. On May 17, E! News shared a truly adorable video of Lynskey and her daughter. They shared the video to X, the app formerly known as Twitter, with the caption reading, 'Melanie Lynskey's daughter is her personal publicist at the #LiloAndStitch World Premiere. ❤️' More from SheKnows Diddy's Twins Jessie & D'Lila Make a Statement at Prom Amid Father's Legal Issues In the heartwarming photo, we see Lynskey posing for the cameras at the premiere, rocking a floral denim mini-dress. Then, off to the side, we see her daughter in a Hawaiian-inspired ensemble, holding her mom's name card over her face! She's both keeping her anonymity and becoming her mom's lil publicist. For those who don't know, Lynskey and Ritter started dating in 2013, later getting engaged in Feb 2017. They later married in 2020. They welcomed a daughter in 2018, but didn't announce it until 2019; and have yet to release her name to the public to keep her privacy. In a previous interview with People, the Yellowjackets star talked about how much she loves being a mom. 'I feel so fortunate to have my daughter, and I love her,' she said. 'It's like the joy of my life. Every day, I'm like, 'Thank you, thank you, thank you for this child.' I want to spend every minute with her.' Before you go, click to see more celebrity kids following in their parents' acting footsteps. Best of SheKnows 19 Celebrity Stepparents Who Have a Tight Bond With Their Stepkids I'm 29 Weeks Pregnant, & Comfortable Sandals Are a *Must* This Summer—These Are the Best Ones on the Market Recent Baby & Toddler Product Recalls Every Parent and Caregiver Should Know About
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Fresh hopes in Joe Lynskey body search probe as human remains found at site previously searched for Disappeared victim
FURTHER fragments of human remains have been found at a site where investigators had carried out a search for a Disappeared victim of the Troubles, Joe Lynskey. The development comes less than two months after investigators announced that remains exhumed from the cemetery site in Annyalla, Co 2 The remains were recovered from the grave in the village of Annyalla The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) said other remains have now been found after it received information about a different area of the cemetery that does not incorporate any family graves. The commission stressed that the information did not directly relate to the disappearance of Mr Lynskey. However, investigators said they were keeping an 'open mind', pending the results of tests to determine whether the remains do belong to the Mr Lynskey, a former monk from Belfast who later joined the Read more in News He was one of 17 people who were Disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles in The ICLVR did not become aware that Mr Lynskey was one of the Disappeared until 2010. A number of searches since then have all failed to locate his remains. The commission was set up by the UK and Irish governments during the peace process to investigate the whereabouts of the Disappeared. Thirteen have been formally found. As well as Mr Lynskey, the commission is also tasked with finding three other Disappeared victims – Co Most read in Irish News The commission opened a grave in November last year after it received information related to 'suspicious' historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. It instigated the exhumation operation to establish whether Mr Lynskey had been secretly buried there by the IRA. In March, the commission said tests had confirmed that the remains did not belong to Mr Lynskey. It said the remains recovered from the grave also did not belong to any member of the family who own the plot. The ICLVR further confirmed that the remains were not those of any of the three other Disappeared victims the commission continues to search for. LATEST DEVELOPMENT Eamonn Henry, lead investigator at the ICLVR, announced the latest development at the Annyalla site in a statement on Friday. He said: 'Following the recent exhumation at Annyalla Cemetery in relation to the search for Joe Lynskey, information came to the ICLVR indicating another small area of interest within the confines of the cemetery. 'This was not another family grave site. 'I want to emphasise that this information did not relate directly to the disappearance of Joe Lynskey and so until we have a positive identification or the elimination of the remains as those of Joe Lynskey or any of the other of the Disappeared, we have to keep an open mind'. He said Ireland's State Pathologist had been notified and the remains have been taken away for technical examination. Mr Henry added: 'We know only too well that the Lynskey family have had hopes raised before only to be bitterly disappointed and so, as ever, expectations have to be managed. 'The process of identification could take some time and we will continue to offer the family what support we can'. APPEAL RENEWED Mr Henry renewed the appeal for information on all of the remaining Disappeared cases. He said: 'Regardless of the outcome, this work at Annyalla shows that where we have credible information, we will act on it. 'This week also marks the 48th anniversary (15 May) of the murder and secret burial of Robert Nairac. 'We need information on his and the other outstanding cases and anyone with information can be assured that it will be treated in the strictest confidence. 'Our humanitarian work is entirely information-driven to get us to the right places where we can use the considerable technical expertise at our disposal to locate the remains of those disappeared and to return them to their loved ones for Christian burial. 'Anyone who helps with that will be doing a great service to families who have suffered so much for so long.' 2 Remains previously exhumed from a grave in Co Monaghan are not those of Joe Lynskey Credit: PA:Press Association
Belfast Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Human remains discovered at site of previous search for Disappeared victim
The development comes less than two months after investigators announced that remains exhumed from the cemetery site in Annyalla, Co Monaghan, were not those of Mr Lynskey. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) said other remains have now been found after it received information about a different area of the cemetery that does not incorporate any family graves. The commission stressed that the information did not directly relate to the disappearance of Mr Lynskey. However, investigators said they were keeping an 'open mind', pending the results of tests to determine whether the remains do belong to the IRA murder victim. Mr Lynskey, a former monk from Belfast who later joined the IRA, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by members of the republican paramilitary group in 1972. He was one of 17 people who were Disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The ICLVR did not become aware that Mr Lynskey was one of the Disappeared until 2010. A number of searches since then have all failed to locate his remains. The commission was set up by the UK and Irish governments during the peace process to investigate the whereabouts of the Disappeared. Thirteen have been formally found. As well as Mr Lynskey, the commission is also tasked with finding three other Disappeared victims – Co Tyrone teenager Columba McVeigh, British Army Captain Robert Nairac, and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh. The commission opened a grave in November last year after it received information related to 'suspicious' historical activity during the 1970s at a grave in Annyalla cemetery. It instigated the exhumation operation to establish whether Mr Lynskey had been secretly buried there by the IRA. In March, the commission said tests had confirmed that the remains did not belong to Mr Lynskey. It said the remains recovered from the grave also did not belong to any member of the family who own the plot. The ICLVR further confirmed that the remains were not those of any of the three other Disappeared victims the commission continues to search for. Eamonn Henry, lead investigator at the ICLVR, announced the latest development at the Annyalla site in a statement on Friday. 'Following the recent exhumation at Annyalla Cemetery in relation to the search for Joe Lynskey, information came to the ICLVR indicating another small area of interest within the confines of the cemetery,' he said. 'This was not another family grave site. 'I want to emphasise that this information did not relate directly to the disappearance of Joe Lynskey and so until we have a positive identification or the elimination of the remains as those of Joe Lynskey or any of the other of the Disappeared, we have to keep an open mind'. He said Ireland's State Pathologist had been notified and the remains have been taken away for technical examination. Mr Henry added: 'We know only too well that the Lynskey family have had hopes raised before only to be bitterly disappointed and so, as ever, expectations have to be managed. 'The process of identification could take some time and we will continue to offer the family what support we can'. Mr Henry renewed the appeal for information on all of the remaining Disappeared cases. 'Regardless of the outcome, this work at Annyalla shows that where we have credible information, we will act on it,' he said. 'This week also marks the 48th anniversary (15 May) of the murder and secret burial of Robert Nairac. 'We need information on his and the other outstanding cases and anyone with information can be assured that it will be treated in the strictest confidence. 'Our humanitarian work is entirely information-driven to get us to the right places where we can use the considerable technical expertise at our disposal to locate the remains of those disappeared and to return them to their loved ones for Christian burial. 'Anyone who helps with that will be doing a great service to families who have suffered so much for so long'.
