Lesli Linka Glatter Reflects on Zero Day and the Power of Storytelling

About a decade ago, the seeds for Lesli Linka Glatter’s involvement in Zero Day took root while she was working on the acclaimed series Homeland. Today, Glatter serves as the president of the Directors Guild of America and has directed and produced numerous episodes of the Emmy-winning Showtime drama featuring Claire Danes. Over her tenure on Homeland, she directed 25 episodes, leaving a significant mark on its legacy.

“I am drawn to political and conspiracy thrillers because they provide a platform for exploring profound character narratives amid the intricacies of government, environment, and personal dynamics,” Glatter shared with The Hollywood Reporter regarding her recent project on Netflix, which stars Robert De Niro. She recalled discussions with General Michael Hayden, the former CIA and NSA head, who posed the question, “What is truth in a post-truth world?”This inquiry became a central theme for Zero Day, where she appreciated the series’ non-partisan approach, likening it to her previous work on Homeland.

Bringing Zero Day to Life

Assigned to direct all six episodes of the limited series, Glatter worked closely with co-creators Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael S. Schmidt. The series predominantly filmed in New York City, reflecting its East Coast political backdrop and focusing on a fictional former president who is recalled to action following a massive cyberattack, known as a zero-day event. Although Homeland addressed themes such as national cyber terrorism and election hacks, it never depicted a simultaneous, widespread zero-day attack. “Such an event, impacting multiple industries at once, has never occurred,”Glatter emphasized. “It represents a significant fear in today’s world.”

In this discussion, Glatter delves into the relevant themes presented in Zero Day, draws parallels between the new series and Homeland, and anticipates her upcoming project with Apple, titled Imperfect Women. The director, who recently lost her home in devastating wildfires, passionately advocates for the revival of film production in Los Angeles.

A Reflection on Loss and Community

I was so sorry to see that you lost your home in the fires.

“It was a tragic situation, but it extends beyond my personal loss—it’s about the entire community. We must recover together, and part of that recovery is reinvigorating production in America. I’m excited to start a new project in March that will film locally in L.A.,” Glatter replied, reflecting on the outpouring of kindness she witnessed in such trying times. “During hardships, people reveal their best selves—something I hope becomes a norm.”

That’s actually a lot of what Zero Day speaks to.

“Absolutely, which underscores why I was eager to be involved,” Glatter continued. “The script resonated with current issues, particularly our relationship with truth.”

When you first got the pitch, it couldn’t have possibly felt as timely as it has turned out to be. What compelled you to take on the series as the sole director?

“I was not part of the development process; the script found its way to me. Upon reading the first hour, what captivated me was the exploration of how truth evolves in our society. This topic had been relevant long before our current circumstances, which have only intensified the discourse.”

Glatter recalled discussions during her tenure on Homeland with General Hayden about the concept of truth in a world that struggles to define what facts are. “In today’s society, we grapple with distinguishing fact from opinion, which complicates our communication. How do we progress if every dialogue is clouded by accusations? Finding common ground is key,” she said.

Her interest in Zero Day largely stemmed from the dynamic interactions between characters who display opposing viewpoints, each containing elements of truth. “At some point, we need to pause and truly listen,” she noted.

As I recall, Homeland never tackled a zero-day event, correct?

“That’s right. A zero-day event involves vulnerabilities in software that can be exploited and is regarded as one of the most potent weapons in cyber warfare. While we did touch upon various cyber threats during Homeland, we never faced a scenario where all industries were simultaneously impacted.”

The Existential Threat of Cyberattacks

Glatter elaborated on the chilling nature of a zero-day event: “Imagine a scenario where vital sectors—aviation, banking, and power—are paralyzed simultaneously. That has never happened before; previous occurrences have always been limited to one sector. The capability to strike fear across all industries at once is profoundly unsettling. Post-attack, the characters in Zero Day receive a chilling message stating: ‘This will happen again.'”

“Reflecting on past tragedies like September 11, fear often leads individuals to make decisions that compromise their freedoms as they yearn for safety,” she remarked. “In difficult times, people often surrender liberties in exchange for a sense of security.”

Given that you filmed Zero Day toward the end of 2023 and throughout summer 2024, the series was completed when the November elections took place, with President Trump being reelected.

“That’s correct. The scripts were crafted well before the current political climate unfolded. The casting of Angela Bassett as the President was coincidental, as we had no foresight into the political landscape. Our intention was to sidestep partisan discussions and instead focus on the truths underlying the situation,” Glatter explained. “I find it fascinating how extreme power affects governments and individuals alike; it’s challenging to wield, and poor choices can arise.”

In the end, the truth prevails when De Niro’s character, former President George Mullen, makes a pivotal announcement regarding the Zero Day Commission’s findings. Was that unexpected conclusion a significant factor for you?

“Absolutely. The narrative we crafted is steeped in anxiety, mirroring our current reality and that of Zero Day. I aimed to immerse the audience in that unsettling feeling,” she explained. “I’m intrigued by the hidden corridors of power where consequential decisions transpire. While the storyline takes a darker tone, Mullen’s choice to confront right and wrong brings forth an ethical dilemma. Each character interacts with truth differently; for Mullen, truth remains paramount, challenging the notion of what one can live with.”

“Angela’s character, President Mitchell, remarks, ‘The truth is the truth, but it’s not always the most crucial thing.’ I find this duality in perspectives compelling, as each character navigates their truth within the narrative,” she added.

A critical question in Zero Day is whether Mullen can be seen as a reliable narrator. What was your intention in portraying his character’s mental state?

Glatter acknowledged the complexities in Mullen’s character development, stating, “I navigated his reliability moment to moment. His character embodies the tension of wanting to trust a leader while questioning their clarity.” She designed Mullen’s memories to represent his struggle to recall critical conversations, showcasing a human connection to memory through the concept of a “memory palace.”

“This technique is rooted in real psychological practices, which I believe add depth to his character. He potentially faces early dementia and navigates the immense pressure of returning to the public eye after a lengthy absence,” Glatter explained.

Co-creator Eric Newman initially considered a different interpretation of Mullen’s situation during post-production—did that influence your direction?

“Absolutely, my approach took shape through continuous evolution, moment by moment, throughout the production,”she responded.

Mullen’s clarity emerges in the final moments as he reveals the examination of corruption within the U.S. government. How was it directing De Niro in such a critical scene?

“Meeting him was initially daunting; he’s a cinematic legend, but I quickly discovered the human behind the icon. De Niro is incredibly dedicated, insightful, and a collaborative spirit,” she shared. “His acute understanding and charisma brought an unexpected humor to our intensive shoot schedule, which spanned over three months. Our cast and crew fostered a collaborative environment that made the lengthy production rewarding.”

What can you tell us about the locations where you filmed?

“Filming primarily in New York was astonishing, especially as it underscored the importance of American storytelling. The industry’s output has declined by 40%, which threatens our rich tradition of narrative filmmaking,” she stated. “If De Niro hadn’t insisted on shooting in New York, we may have turned to locations like Toronto.”

“We primarily operated out of Steiner Studios in Brooklyn and explored various locations, including Sleepy Hollow for key exterior shots. As someone who values realism, especially given my experience on Homeland, I was committed to creating a palpable world for the audience.”

What about your White House and Oval Office sets?

“Interestingly, we utilized a previously constructed Oval Office set from Homeland that had been stored in Richmond, Virginia. We refurbished it for Zero Day, with revised aesthetics to fit our vision,” Glatter recounted. “The logistics of shooting on the Capitol steps presented challenges post-9/11, prompting creative solutions like utilizing green screens along with other meticulous set designs.”

Dan Stevens garnered praise for his portrayal of a media figure reminiscent of Tucker Carlson. How was your experience working on his character’s segments?

“Dan embodies his character extraordinarily well. We selected a fantastic house in Oyster Bay, transforming it into his media studio with thoughtful production design,” she remarked.

With your recent experiences, what message do you want to convey in your position at the DGA concerning production in L.A.?

“Throughout my leadership role, I have witnessed the importance of giving back to our community. The solidarity shown among our members during these challenging times has been inspiring,” Glatter asserted. “The decline in production from the pandemic to the recent strikes has been profoundly felt; as advocates for our industry, we must promote the narrative of American storytelling intact.”

“While studios seek cost-effective solutions, we cannot lose the essence of what Hollywood represents. We should strive to keep productions that are set in America right here on American soil. The aftermath of the wildfires further emphasizes the urgency of maintaining local production. Our talents and crews in L.A., and the growing centers in Atlanta and Chicago, must remain integral to our storytelling legacy.”

Can you share details about your upcoming project shooting in L.A.?

“I am always on the lookout for new experiences and never want to replicate my past work. I’m excited to collaborate with an incredible cast for an Apple production titled Imperfect Women, featuring the talents of Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss, and Kate Mara. The project has an exceptional team, and I am looking forward to its L.A. shoot,” Glatter concluded.

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Zero Day is currently streaming on Netflix, and you can explore further insights through THR’s finale postmortems with the co-creators, along with exclusive interviews from the cast.

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