UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH OUR LEADERS AND DIFFERENCE-MAKERS

Rhea Seehorn The “Better Call Saul” lead actress isn’t focused on celebrity, fame, or riches. In fact, her sights are set on taking viewers on a transformational journey.

ctor Bob Odenkirk turned his “Breaking Bad” character Saul Good- I don’t try to put too much weight on man into a cult classic. The wacky lawyer is beloved in Albuquerque whether this will change my life one way and around the world. or another. Now, we’re all about to fall in love with actress Rhea Seehorn. ATM: Not much has been released She plays Kim Wexler, an intelligent lawyer whose path crosses with publicly … can you tell us a little more Goodman in Sony Pictures’ “Breaking Bad” prequel, “Better Call about your character, Kim Wexler? Saul,” which debuts this month on AMC. SEEHORN: I’m not allowed to say An experienced Broadway actress, Seehorn has an innate sense of comedic timing. much, but I do play a lawyer at one of AWith dozens of film and television credits, she has already won over the hearts of “Better Call Saul” show co-creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Albuquerque’s most prominent law Before the show’s premiere, we caught up with Seehorn to learn more about her role in firms. I play Saul’s love interest. We have the highly anticipated one-hour drama series. a history together, as our paths have crossed before in complex ways. I think ATM: Was being cast in “Better Call with Neil Simon in his Broadway hit people in Albuquerque will fall in love Saul” a little like winning the lottery? 45 Seconds and have done network with this character. She’s written with the SEEHORN: Oh yeah, you’re on cloud television sitcoms, but are you kind intelligence that Vince and Peter write nine. Just looking at the people involved of hoping this will be your breakout their other characters. It’s sort of an onion- in this show, you know as an actor that role? layer-peeling-type effect, where you you’ve hit the lottery. Your starting point SEEHORN: I hadn’t thought about it. keep discovering new things about the is blissful, then they start announcing the Really, the first time you think you’ve person. As a viewer, when I’m watching cast and say, by the way, you’ll be doing made it is the first time anyone pays you characters, that’s what makes me fall in scenes with Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan to tell a story, to play a character, to walk love with them. I like to go on a journey, Banks, Michael McKean, and later with in someone else’s shoes, and take people and I like to discover who they are, and I Patrick Fabian and Michael Mando. It’s on a journey from Point A to Point B. It is like to watch them discover themselves, only going to get better after that. amazing to get to do a one-hour drama at too. They’ve certainly allowed me to do ATM: Most overnight successes are this point in my career, especially with this that as Kim. I hope that makes for a ride

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES 20 years in the making. You’ve worked cast, these writers, and these producers. that people want to take.

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ATM: Vince Gilligan is on record say- me to be my best. It’s the most you can of Hollywood right now. In the hands ing that he’d never write a less-than- hope for in an audition. of Peter and Vince, it is super heroic to perfect woman character again. Are ATM: Was it the same once you were watch an everyman’s tale unfold. So really, you, as Kim, his next perfect female on location and shooting scenes, or it’s more about letting the audience find character? was the audition set up to look at you, and letting them get in the car and SEEHORN: I’m pretty sure that Vince and your range of acting skills? go on the drive with you. I think the pace Peter said that tongue in cheek, because is exactly as it should be. You just hope to SEEHORN: It depends. Everyone is they write real people. Their characters stay on the air long enough to let everyone interested in working through a scene are all three-dimensional. They have all SEEHORN’S get in the car. multiple times, trying to get to the heart sorts of sides to them. To me, those are ABQ BUCKET LIST of it. But you’re not improving. The ATM: Speaking of fans, Aaron Paul the most interesting characters to play and Last June, AMC announced it was spent a lot time connecting with writing is so strong and the narrative so the most interesting to watch. ‘Perfect,’ renewing “Better Call Saul” for a viewers via his social media accounts. meaning perfectly flawed? I would get second season, so we asked Seehorn well flushed out. Still, they’re interested in Will you be using your own Twitter behind that. to tell us some of the things she wants everyone bringing something to the table account to engage with viewers di- to do that she didn’t have time for and working on a scene until it’s the best rectly? ATM: As co-creators of the show, during Season 1. were Vince and Peter responsible for it can be. SEEHORN: I would love that. I don’t • “The Albuquerque International casting you? ATM: Will viewers have to be pa- Balloon Fiesta is on top of my list. always read everything that’s printed about tient as this story line develops as SEEHORN: Yes, they were both there I actually got up at 4 a.m. the day myself or a show, because obviously, it can for the screen test, which was great. They after working to get on the shuttle they were with the early episodes of be damaging, whether it’s high praise or direct you during the audition, which to go down to the park, but winds “Breaking Bad?” its horrible words. But with Twitter, in means they ask you to do a scene in many, were too heavy and the balloons SEEHORN: I didn’t find “Breaking Bad” general, you can have a really witty, fun, didn’t go up. I want to watch Dawn to be slow, and I don’t think “Better and honest back-and-forth with fans. I’ve many different ways. It’s the best situation Patrol.” an actor can ask for, because you leave Call Saul” is slow. They’re both stories done that with some of the other shows • “Riding the tram to the top of Sandia of transformation. “Better Call Saul” is I’ve been on. It would be great fun if that’s auditions like that knowing you’ll get to Crest is also something I definitely —PETER ST. CYR make this character up with incredible want to do when I come back.” an origin-style story. It’s become very what happens here. people who want nothing more than for popular with superhero tales coming out

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