Cara Seymour on Playing Sister Harriet in "The Knick"
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 11:31AM Cara Seymour (Adaptation, American Psycho, The Savages) is Guest Blogging all day today! - Editor
-by Cara Seymour
Getting to work on "The Knick" has been one of the greatest experiences of my career. I screamed with joy when I got the part and I'm not a big screamer of joy. Amazing director, talented and really fun cast and all round impeccable team of super talented people in every department. I'm madly appreciative of this.
Michael Begler, Jack Amiel and Steve Katz wrote this extraordinary character of Sister Harriet - she leapt off the page. But I wanted to know more about nuns in 1900 when The Knick takes place, so I ordered nun books.
"Through the Narrow Gate," by Karen Armstrong was an unflinching account of her life as a nun in a convent pre Vatican II -- read every word of that!
Didn't read them all from cover to cover. Not quite that crazy!
(more on The Knick after the jump)
My Research Pile for Sister Harriett on "The Knick"
But it was great finding out about the huge contribution nuns made to the American welfare system. How many brave, maverick nuns went to far flung places and built schools, hospitals and orphanages.
The whole history and life of nuns is a massive, complex picture, but I was interested how in 1900, becoming a nun was a one of the very few ways for smart women from not wealthy background from non-wealthy backgrounds to see the World, have a job and even hold positions of authority. I admire the idea of a higher calling, the rigors, the discipline, the devotion, the prayer.
© Photo by Josh Cheuse
P.S. This handsome devil is Chris Sullivan (who plays Tom Cleary) performing with his great band, the Benevolent Folk. He's an amazing partner in crime, a great actor and singer and song writer. We've just finished our storyline in season two of "The Knick". Had a blast.
"The Knick" returns in October.
other posts:
An Education and American Psycho and my favorite films
Reader Comments (10)
Great stuff Ms Seymour, I'm a big fan of your work.
Dennis
What a pile of nun books! The Knick certainly takes place in an incredibly interesting time period for the country, for women... it's fascinating. I would totally go all nerdy researcher were I working on it, too.
Now THAT is a beautiful pile of books! One of the reasons I loved The Knick was how immaculately researched it was, and it's no surprise to see that carried over to the actors as well. Really enjoying these guest blogs! Thanks for sharing!
Dangit, I do NOT need another show to watch but The Knick looks so damn good! And the
"nun books" collection is impressive.
As a research freak, I really appreciated this post. (And I have to finish Season 1, dammit!)
Anne -- when Cara sent this I immediately thought of your research pile "Mount Hepburn" (good times).
Cara's chemistry with Chris Sullivan is awesome on this show. Though I have to admit that whenever she gets a scene with someone else I'm thrilled because she's such a good actor that it totally brings out different tones. One of my favorite things about great actors is that subtle shift when their character meets a different scene partner who they have totally different relationship with. It can change their vocal cadence, posture, everything. not just the lines. LOVE IT.
Love you as Sr. Harriet! Thanks for pointing out how much nuns have done for others. Those of us who attended American Catholic schools before the mid-1970s benefitted greatly from this.
"Whores and Thieves of the Worst Kind" ... that's about nuns? It sounds like a book about Congress.
Ok, that's another show added to my queue.
Question: besides reading about nuns, what other preparation do you take for your role?
SanFran -- LOL. right? That title. haha.