Writing on Twitter, actress Melanie Lynskey defended her casting on HBO's hit series The Last of Us and explained why her role of Kathleen—an original character created just for the show—is so pivotal.
Kathleen is the leader of a group of survivors who have overtaken the military group FEDRA, or Federal Disaster Response Agency, in Kansas City, Missouri. She serves as an antagonist to Joel and Ellie, played by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey respectively.
Shortly after former America's Next Top Model contestant Adrienne Curry suggested Lynskey's body type does not fit the character, Lynskey praised series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for creating a character who might not be the "coolest or the toughest person" but has nonetheless risen to a leadership position because of other qualities.
\u201cNot the coolest or the toughest person. The organiser. The person who knows where everything is. The person who is doing the planning. The person who can multitask. The one who\u2019s decisive\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
Lynskey said her casting "suggested the possibility of a future in which people start listening to the person with the best ideas," noting that these are the sort of people who know "where everything is," "are doing the planning," "can multitask," and are "decisive."
Lynskey noted that women, particularly those who lead, "are scrutinized incessantly," adding:
"Her voice is too shrill. Her voice is too quiet. She pays too much attention to how she looks."
"She doesn't pay enough attention to how she looks. She's too angry. She's not angry enough."
\u201cWomen, and especially women in leadership positions, are scrutinized incessantly. Her voice is too shrill. Her voice is too quiet. She pays too much attention to how she looks. She doesn\u2019t pay enough attention to how she looks. She\u2019s too angry. She\u2019s not angry enough\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
Kathleen exhibits all the traits women are derided for having or expressing, Lynskey continued, acknowledging she understands "some people are mad that [she's] not the typical casting for this role."
She added:
"That's thrilling to me. Other than the moment after the action is called, when you feel like you're actually in someone else's body, the most exciting part of my job is subverting expectations."
\u201cI understand that some people are mad that I\u2019m not the typical casting for this role. That\u2019s thrilling to me. Other than the moments after action is called, when you feel like you\u2019re actually in someone else\u2019s body, the most exciting part of my job is subverting expectations\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
Lynskey once again thanked the show's co-creators "for creating a truly new character" she has "never seen before" and for "trusting" her to bring Kathleen to life.
She called The Last of Us "THE MOST AMAZING SHOW" before concluding with the following message:
"And I'm also grateful because the love and support I receive from you all is so overwhelming and powerful—I feel like we are a community and I feel very seen and loved."
"Ok rant over and thank you all so very much."
\u201cAnd I\u2019m also grateful because the love and support I receive from you all is so overwhelming and powerful- I feel like we are a community and I feel very seen and loved. Ok rant over and thank you all so very much \ud83d\udc97\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
Many thanked Lynskey for speaking out and praised the strength of her performance.
\u201c@melanielynskey Your performance chilled me and had me on the edge of my seat. Cannot wait for more from you and @pierce_jeffrey this Fri on @TheLastofUsHBO #TheLastOfUs\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
\u201c@melanielynskey You were my fav part of that episode hands down. Impeccable acting, as per usual from you\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
\u201c@melanielynskey Such a unique character that feels much more true to life as a result. Not all leaders are stereotypical macho alpha types, and it\u2019s so wonderful and interesting to see how your performance comments on that. Can\u2019t wait to see more on Sunday!\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
\u201c@melanielynskey @TheLastofUsHBO I CANNOT WAIT for Kathleen\u2019s story to be fleshed out in the next episode alongside Sam and Henry! I\u2019ve been really enjoying the deviations Craig and Neil wrote for this version of the story. Big ups, Melanie!\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
\u201c@melanielynskey @pattonoswalt After the last episode, I get the feeling that your character will be one of the most terrifying characters on the series, when all\u2019s said and done. And I\u2019m here for it.\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
\u201c@melanielynskey As a fan of the games, I was eager to see how these new characters would flesh out the story that was already there (and see more of the Hunters' POV, to humanize them). Kathleen fits TLOU world perfectly, bravo \ud83d\udc4f Excited to see more on Friday!\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
\u201c@melanielynskey I loved your character in the latest episode and can\u2019t wait to see you in the next one. Casting has to be more realistic to the modern world. People have to accept that all women are powerful no matter their age, size, race or background.\u201d— Melanie Lynskey (@Melanie Lynskey) 1675886234
Lynskey rose to prominence after starring as teenage murderer Pauline Parker in Peter Jackson's 1994 arthouse drama Heavenly Creatures, a role which allowed her to seek roles outside her native New Zealand.
She has since become one of Hollywood's leading character actresses, appearing in diverse roles in such highly acclaimed films as Up in the Air, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore, and Sadie.
Lynskey welcomed a new generation of fans with starring roles on several hit televison series, most notably Two and a Half Men, Castle Rock and Yellowjackets, which recently scored her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series.
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