Subscribe to Mstars News!
Sign up for our weekly news updates by entering your email:
Before Season 2 returns to USA Network, Universal Studios Home Entertainment is bringing the acclaimed Mr. Robot: Season One onto DVD and Blu-Ray. In an exclusive interview with MStars News, Portia Doubleday and Carly Chaikin discuss Angela and Darlene's best moments from first season.
During our first season recap, Elliot (Malek) finds himself in hacker territory against Evil Corp with "FSociety." Elliot finds himself siding with a mysterious man named Mr. Robot (Slater). As Evil Corp sinks its seductive claws on Elliot's best friend, Angela (Doubleday), FSociety has a way of hurting E Corp. But in order to put their plans into motion, Elliot has to become more than just a cyber-vigilante. Struggling with his own paranoia and delusions, Elliot wants to know what the connection is between him, Mr. Robot, and Darlene (Chaikin). But will the truth bring about the digital revolution that FSociety has been fighting for?
Before Mr. Robot: Season One arrives on Blu-Ray and DVD on January 12, 2016, Doubleday and Chaikin discuss working on the USA drama from the beginning, highlight their favorite moments from the freshmen season, and what it means to be a hacker.
MStars News: What were your first thoughts when you read the script to the pilot?
Portia Doubleday: When I read the pilot, we [Carly Chaikin] knew it was special. And I went in to audition for both parts, Darlene and Angela. I found that the characters are so developed. All of them are so different. And I think in the beginning, we were just really pumped! Once we are in it, we were in it! I don't think there's ever really a way to compare characters the way people receive it. It's been so exciting! The feedback...how people really seem to like the show!
MS: Were you surprised by the success, with the pilot getting picked up and the show being renewed for a second season right away?
Carly Chaikin: You never know with TV or anything. You just never know. I think that, like Portia said, we knew what we had was so special. And so, I think that the reaction we have had is exactly what we were hoping for. It's really rewarding. I think it's so special! We do!
MS: Darlene is such a tough and strong character. And yet, there are times when she shows her soft and vulnerable side. Which side of Darlene do you like to explore?
CC: For me, I don't separate the two. I'm this part of her and nor part of her. To me, it's like all together. That's who she is. I think it's all the same, depending on what you're doing. Playing both of those things, it's equally as hard and fun as the other.
MS: The show has a way of commenting on timely events, especially with its references about the hacking of Sony and the Ashley Madison website.
PD: That's what was kind of astounding when we were filming it! After watching all these things, all these major hacks, what was astounding when we were filming it, I felt the show was on to something. It's pretty timely and scary!
MS: Because hacking has become topical, as actresses, do you feel like you have a different viewpoint on the subject matter?
CC: She has a great story!
PD: I was hacked probably like 5 times constantly. The day the show was picked up, I was hacked. Long story short, I was supposed to be on this flight. I happened to miss it. All my accounts were hacked. I was being held for ransom and they called my grandma. They told her they had me.
MS: Then what happened?
PD: They must have known I was going to be on the flight. They must have gotten it from my email. You hack that. You'll know where I'll be. You know you won't be able to reach me. It was kind of a bit of a mess. It was like hours long. It was so crazy because I happened to be driving down the street my grandma was driving down. It was so weird! I saw her in the intersection and I said, "Hi!" She's like, "Oh you're alive!"
MS: Must have been scary for the both of you.
PD: She was really upset and talking on the phone. It's pretty scary! After being on the show, I take it for what it is. Whatever you put out there, it's no longer yours. Maybe you have to look at it that way. Everything like your pictures and email, you just don't own them anymore. I'm a lot more careful I guess about my privacy.
MS: Because Darlene is a hacker, do you feel the character has made an impression on you?
CC: I get very paranoid, I don't know but just in general, having my computer open when I'm not on it. It's the biggest thing. I don't necessarily think someone is going to hack me per say. But just knowing what people are capable of, and the possibilities...like getting into the camera of your computer, the audio and stuff like that, it's made me hyper-aware of the possibilities.
MS: Do you become more aware of your surroundings?
CC: I think that when someone might hack into my Twitter. Even at Disneyland, I was thinking of all the things you could hack in there. If I was Darlene, I could hack into all these rides. I could make them stop. You know just about anything as a hacker. I think I'm more paranoid about the possibilities that can happen. More so, than something actually happening to me.
MS: Loved you in Mr. Sunshine! It's one of my favorite comedies!
PD: Oh my God! That was such such a long time ago! I can't believe you even remember! That was with...[Laughs]
MS: Mathew Perry!
PD: Yeah! I played a dork who liked playing with fire! That was so much fun! [Laughs]
Mr. Robot: Season One arrives in stores on Blu-Ray and DVD on January 12, 2016.
Don't forget to check out our MStars News interview series with creator Sam Esmail, Martin Wallström, Christian Slater, and Rami Malek.
© 2024 Mstars News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
