Agnes Olech – True Detective

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A)  I had a little part on “Castle.” The most recent is “True Detective” and the next episode I’ll be in is August 9th.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) I was such a huge fan of the first season, borderline obsessed with it. So, when I found out they were doing a second season and hearing the cast announced I was like, “They are so lucky!” When this audition came up, I was like, “I have to get this! This is a dream project that I would die for.” It’s amazing. It’s completely different than the first season. It is one of the best shows.

Q)  What was the breakdown for your character?

A) When I first went in for it, everything was super hush hush. All I knew was that she was the mayor’s wife. I got the sides and we discovered a couple episodes ago that she likes to drink. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but there is a reason for her behavior. That’s all I knew. Even the name, when I first read for the part, didn’t come in under “True Detective.” I figured eventually that was what it was for. Once I got to set, working with Nic [Pizzolatto], he really helped develop the character. He gave me insight into why she was a certain way that we will find out. There is definitely a reason why she is intoxicated and in her little world cutting up fashion magazines. She doesn’t even pay attention when the police are interrogating her. She’s in her own little world.

Q) How were you able to get into character?

A) I just had to let go of everything. There are so many stereotypes with how you play someone on Xanax and drinking. I just really let go. I let myself play and the director I worked with that day, Janus Metz Pederson, was really good about that. He was really letting me go with my instincts and just being really playful. You couldn’t over think it. It was almost being childlike and not over thinking anything. You just completely relax and go there.

Q) You get to work with Vince Vaughn and Rachel McAdams. Talk about your first time meeting them.

A) I was really nervous about meeting Rachel McAdams because I love her and I love her work. She is always going to be Regina from from Mean Girls to me or Allie from The Notebook. Some of my favorite movies she has been in! So, when I met her she was so sweet! She was the nicest. In a way, she took me under her wing that day on set because she kept complimenting me on the work. That was what I needed, especially since I look up to her so much and I was playing such an extreme character. For her to just compliment me, it was so encouraging and I felt so lucky to work with her. I admire her career so much! Taylor Kitsch was really, really awesome. He was super down to earth and easy to talk to. He was just a guy from Austin, Texas and not Hollywood at all. He was super down to earth. It was a really good experience and a really professional set. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had working on a set.

Q) What kind of advice did you receive from your fellow actors?

A) We didn’t really get into that, to be honest with you. It was a crazy train and it was episode three at that point. There really wasn’t any downtime. You had to bring your A-game and it was take after take. Nic is still writing as we’re going and still producing and editing. He’s dealing with interviews. So, there really wasn’t too much time to get into every detail. You just had to bring it on set.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) During one of the days we were filming, Matthew McConaughey came on set. It was the day after the Emmys and we were shooting in Beverly Hills. It was eight or nine in the morning and we had just finished rehearsing and he walked in. We stopped rehearsing and all I could think of was, “Okay Agnes! Matthew McConaughey is going go be watching your scene now! Don’t mess up!” He stayed for most of the day and was great with everybody. He mostly stayed in Video Village and was watching it as we filmed. He came up to me, patted my back and said, “Great job.” I died at that moment! I was like, “Matthew McConaughey just came up to me and said ‘Great job.’ This is the best moment of my life! I don’t ever have to work another day! That was amazing!” That was probably one of the most memorable moments because he’s fantastic and the first season was so good. So, for him to spend a little moment to watch me acting was really special!

Q) What have you taken away from your experience working on the show?

A) For me, personally, I just feel really grateful to be able to have been a part of something so great. It has helped open a lot of doors. A lot of people are watching it. It was such a good experience that it makes me want more, working on amazing projects with amazing directors and amazing talent. It doesn’t get better than working on “True Detective” for me. If I could take one thing from working on it would probably just be finding more projects like that in the future.

Q) Where can fans go online to keep up with you?

A) I’m on Instagram and I have a fanpage for Facebook. It’s been so special to have people come out of the blue messaging me and asking me about “True Detective.” It’s such a big show and so many people are watching it that it is really nice to have people recognize you.