Cynthia Erivo Discusses Challenging Role in ‘Poker Face’
Actress Cynthia Erivo has opened up about her unique experience portraying multiple characters in an episode of the popular series Poker Face. In an exclusive conversation with Vanity Fair, the Oscar nominee candidly expressed that she felt “totally insane” while performing as four distinct characters within the same scene.
The Complexity of Multiple Roles
In this upcoming season of Poker Face, Erivo takes on the noteworthy challenge of embodying five different sisters. While she anticipated the complexity of the roles, her eagerness to explore this multifaceted character dynamic outweighed her concerns.
“I knew that my head would be split into many different spaces,” Erivo reflected. “But I thought, ‘If not now, then when?’ I am always open to trying things that I haven’t done before, and this project was a chance to push my boundaries and see if it was possible to compartmentalize and portray different characters simultaneously.”
Preparation and Execution
Erivo adeptly utilized various elements, such as costumes, wigs, and accents, to craft the individual identities of each character. However, she humorously recounted moments where she felt “crazy” while actively collaborating with herself during scenes.
“I’d play one side, and a lovely stand-in would handle the other,” she explained. “I had to keep track of my performance on one side to ensure my reactions aligned with the other, which was essential for the dialogue to make sense.”
About the Series
Poker Face, featuring Natasha Lyonne in the lead role of Charlie Cale—an astute woman who can detect lies—follows her as she solves various crimes while traversing the country. The second season is set to premiere on Peacock on May 8, promising fresh mysteries and engaging storytelling.
Balancing Press Tours and Filming
In her conversation with Vanity Fair, Erivo also highlighted the demanding schedule she faced, juggling the film shoot with her press engagements for Wicked alongside Ariana Grande. “We were in the thick of everything, doing numerous events and traveling all over,” she recalled. “I had 11 straight days of filming in New York. To say I was mentally exhausted is an understatement. There were times when I’d finish the day and not even remember my own name!”
“It was absolutely manic,” she emphasized, “but in the best possible way.”