Anne Dudek – Manhunt

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) Please tell us the premise for “Manhunt.”

A) “Manhunt”is based on the best selling book by James L. Swanson. It chronicles Edwin Stanton’s (Tobias Menzies) hunt for John Wilkes Booth (Anthony Boyle)  following the assassination of Lincoln (Hamish Linklater), and offers insights into the dynamics of our country around that ultra critical pivot from slavery. 

Q) Was there something about the premise, the script or your role that made you want to be a part of the series?

A) The thing that most excited me about being involved in this project was the story of a marriage unraveling as a parallel to what was happening to our country. My storyline was a woman trying to prioritize togetherness and her needs in a Union. The fact that the tension of a marriage story was enveloped within the bigger story of the reconstruction period and how this assassination’s consequences was so unfortunate. I loved the parallel of Ellen and Stanton both being consumed by something that happened to throw into jeopardy a more ideal Union.

Q) The incredible Tobias Menzies plays your spouse. Talk about working alongside of him on the show.

A) The incredible Tobias Menzies should be his eternal title! He is really a fascinating actor to watch, and I learned immensely from his dedication to the story in each moment. He was unwavering in always telling the story that he felt was important. I thought that was incredibly brave and he was quite generous and kind in his approach to every scene. He made my job so easy because of this intense generosity and commitment.

Q) The costumes on the show are exceptional! What was it like for you to wear that beautiful (but certainly confining) dress?

A) The costumes were such a huge part of my experience, honestly. From having gone through a theatre major at school I have a real interest in historical clothing, and to get to see the design team at work and the ideas behind the dresses – to touch those fabrics! Women were the way families showed off their wealth – in their clothing – so one special part about playing a privileged white woman from this era is to see up close the ways that sort of money could be artistically expressed in fashion. Today we can be quite cerebral and trend based to signal wealth and status, but the more basic idea of sumptuous fabrics and trims and tailoring can be at their height of beauty – to see that up close was amazing. It’s something I love when watching historical dramas in general, personally, and when I get to work with a design team like this and actually wear the clothing that’s a very special thing. Deeply uncomfortable. I mean ouch the corset in the hot Southern heat is horrific, but to be just the actor who can get out of it all at the end of the day makes it quite wonderful.

Q) Every episode is just so intense and intriguing. What are some memorable moments you had while filming or scenes you are most proud of the work you did in?

A) I, honestly, have a hard time asserting that I’m proud of work I do – the experience lives in the viewer and if I’ve done my job they are interested and moved in some way by the story being told effectively. I’m simply proud that you are even interested in talking to me – that I did anything to pique anyone’s interest in the character.

Q) How do you tend to shake off a long day of heightened emotions and being on set?

A) To shake off a day of filming? For this character so much was getting out of the very restricting costumes, honestly. I feel a character’s physicality quite intensely sometimes and this was very true for Ellen. It made it easy to just get that corset off and have an actual deep breath and then be back in this century.

Q) What do you think it is about “Manhunt” that’s just going to make it such an investable watch?

A) The number one compelling thing here are the performances of the lead characters. Tobias created such a fascinating man, and to get to live with that performance for a few hours will be an amazing treat for audiences.

Q) You’ve been a part of a number of standout series like “House,” “Mad Men,” “Corporate” and “Gaslit.” What has it meant to you to have taken part in such well received projects?

A) I had a really fortunate turn early in my career to be a part of projects that very, very talented people somehow thought I could help out with. Once one person has faith in you, it’s easier for others to have faith. I think I’m a bit of an odd choice a lot of the time, but being the odd choice I’ve learned to embrace it. It’s also meant that luckily so many things I’ve been in are worth rewatching for people, and I feel so lucky that I’ve been a part of influential storytelling. I think back to auditions I had a long time ago and just feel so grateful that I did something in those rooms to allow me to hang out on those sets. You hear no all the time as an actor and it’s just those very very lucky yesses you hold on to and those sustain you.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the wonderful work you do on our screens?

A) I think most of all I want to express huge gratitude to anyone who is a fan. It’s a very cool relationship as you get older as a solid working actor – to have people remember things you brought to the screen from varying periods of your life and in some way to connect to that. Storytelling is one of the best ways we have as humans to process what it means to have this mysterious life. To grapple with the questions of history and the present. I really hope people enjoy Manhunt and all of the performances and the incredible storytelling.