Elisabeth Moss on The Handmaid’s Tale Ending, Loving Jason Bateman & Someone Wanting Her Underwear

TL;DR

Elizabeth Moss discusses her journey on The Handmaid's Tale and shares personal interests and anecdotes.

Transcript

our first guest tonight is an Emmy-winning actor who is about to hang up her cloak and bonnet for good the sixth and final season of The Handmaid's Tale premieres April 8th on Hulu please welcome Elizabeth Moss [Applause] elizabeth very good to see you it has been a little bit of time since I've seen you it has you have been on uh television and in... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤕 Elizabeth Moss began her acting career at a very young age and maintains a deep affection for television.
• 💨 She enjoys watching Jeopardy intensely, engaging with the content in a unique way that enhances her personal enjoyment.
• 💋 Moss helmed multiple episodes of The Handmaid's Tale, marking a significant step in her career as a director, showcasing her multifaceted talents.
• ❤️‍🩹 The decision to end The Handmaid's Tale was strategic to conclude the story meaningfully without overextending its relevance.
• 🧑‍🏭 Moss's interactions with fellow actors reveal her admiration for their artistic talents and serve as networking opportunities as she evolves into directing.
• 🛀 The humorous anecdotes shared by Moss regarding keepsakes from her shows reflect a lighthearted personal touch that resonates with fans.
• 👪 Moss’s family history influences her identity as a Chicago Cubs fan, illustrating the emotional connections sports can have within families.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does Elizabeth Moss find most enjoyable about watching television?

Elizabeth Moss enjoys television, particularly older shows or those that have already concluded. She engages deeply with shows like Jeopardy, where she challenges herself to answer questions out loud to enhance her experience, even watching episodes in succession and finding joy in the knowledge gained, albeit briefly.

Q: How did Elizabeth Moss feel about directing episodes of The Handmaid's Tale?

Moss expressed great fulfillment in directing episodes of The Handmaid's Tale, mentioning that it empowered her creatively. She enjoyed making critical decisions on set, which added another layer of connection to the show's narrative. However, she found it bittersweet to wrap up the series while still working on it as an executive producer.

Q: What is Elizabeth Moss's sentiment regarding the end of The Handmaid's Tale?

Moss feels it was important to conclude The Handmaid's Tale while the story was still strong and relevant, stating they did not want to overstay their welcome. While it was emotional for some cast members, her role as a director allowed her to maintain engagement with the project even as it concluded.

Q: What personal mementos did Moss keep from her time on The Handmaid's Tale?

Moss humorously mentioned wanting to keep various props from The Handmaid's Tale, including her character Offred's underwear. She shared a funny anecdote about someone requesting her custom underwear through an email, illustrating the lighter side of the behind-the-scenes experience.

Q: How does Moss feel about working alongside fellow actors and directors from her career?

Moss continues to feel excitement when connecting with peers she admires, like Jason Bateman and Ben Stiller. Even as she transitions into directing, she still seeks their advice, demonstrating her respect for their work and their thoughts on acting and production.

Q: What sports team is Elizabeth Moss a fan of, and how does it connect to her family?

Moss is a long-time Chicago Cubs fan, highlighting her family's deep-rooted history with the team, even though she grew up in L.A. She fondly remembers her grandfather, with whom she shared many Cubs games, showcasing the generational connection to baseball in her family.

Q: Does Elizabeth Moss enjoy the competitive aspect of shows like Jeopardy?

Moss admitted that while she enjoys watching Jeopardy, the competitive nature makes her apprehensive about participating on the show. She finds it intimidating and prefers to engage with the trivia from the comfort of her home instead, emphasizing her fear of failing under pressure.

Q: How does Elizabeth Moss balance her professional and personal interests?

Moss balances her workload in television with her personal interests, primarily watching shows like Jeopardy. She often indulges in her passions while working behind the scenes in her own projects, emphasizing that she values both her professional responsibilities and personal hobbies in her life.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Elizabeth Moss reflects on her long-standing television career starting at a young age, emphasizing her love for TV, particularly game shows like Jeopardy, which she enjoys watching intensely and answering aloud.

• Moss discusses the final season of The Handmaid's Tale, revealing her role as a director for several episodes and her feelings about ending the show, noting that they wanted to conclude the story on a high note.

• In a light-hearted segment, Moss shares humorous anecdotes about her interactions with other celebrities, including her desire to work with Jason Bateman and her surprising experiences regarding personal mementos from her shows, including a quirky story about a request for her character's underwear.