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In HBO's thrilling drama, The Leftovers takes place three years after a Rapture-like catastrophe suddenly causes the unexplained disappearance of the world's population. Based on the must-read book by author Tom Perrotta, we follow the ones left behind who have to continue living, whether they like it or not. There are those who want to move on, and then, there are others who want to explode.
In the series, actress Ann Dowd plays Patti Levin, the nonverbal cult leader of The Guilty Remnant. At odds with the chief of police, Kevin Garvey Jr. (Justin Theroux), just when he thinks he has the mysterious group cornered, Patti always has a clever trick up her sleeve. These two will clash like never before, where only one is left standing.
MStars spoke one-on-one with the True Detective actress about playing the chain-smoking Patti, the beliefs of the Guilty Remnant, and working with Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof. During our in-depth discussion, we went into the challenges of performing a non-speaking role and the events that led to the mind-blowing conclusion of the gripping episode, 'Cairo.'
MStars: Tell me about your interest in Patti Levine, especially how you play a character whose actions speak louder than words.
Ann Dowd: When I read it, I didn't understand it at all. I didn't understand any of it. I didn't understand the episode because I just said, "Wait a minute! What is happening here?" Damon [Lindeof] and Tom Perotta, you're talking about the best storytellers, even if they're dropping very few hints about who the character might be, they're extraordinarily compelling. I thought, "Who is this woman? I'd love to get to know her. I'd love to understand what she's about." That was very compelling to me; that's what I went on.
MS: Was it a relief to finally say dialogue in 'Gladys' after staying quiet for so many episodes?
AD: Well, it was scary. Because you become very comfortable communicating without words and then suddenly, "Whoa!" It was challenging for a number of reasons. This last episode, of course, because she really evolved and you see who she really is, what she really believes. So, to put that out there in a way that actually had the impact it should, was challenging and thrilling at the same time.
MS: Was it tricky being confined in that chair in 'Cairo?'
AD: It helped tremendously. Whenever you can put an actor in a position or in a right circumstance, it makes their job much easier. So being confined was very helpful, because it brought the conflict right into the room right there. You can't move; you're stuck.
MS: Tell me about the relationship between you and Amy Brenneman's character, Laurie, which feels like a mentor/protégé type of relationship?
AD: Well, I don't know if protégé. Patti goes on instinct there. Laurie is a very strong woman, who left a lot behind and committed to way of life. I thought, "Why would you do that?" I think Laurie is someone that Patti is drawn to, and sees that perhaps she should have a guiding roll in the way Laurie evolves, just to make that she's coming along, committed, and if she's really ready.
I guess it is a kind of mentor role, but for what, I don't know.
Tell me about being in the Guilty Remnant?
MS: We have a president, we have a vice-president, and now we're gonna elect our secretary. We don't operate that way. It's kind of freeing in a sense that I think Patti is surely in a leadership position because she has to be. It's a new religion and guidance is needed. But I think what's powerful about the Guilty Remnants is that it's unlike any other, if you will, religion. There's no Pope. You're compelled by how far you are and your personal commitment to the fact that life as we knew it is over.
MS: Tell me about the antagonistic relationship between you and Justin Theroux, who plays Kevin Garvey.
AD: Kevin is the peace-keeper. I think what the Guilty Remnant hates more than anything is denial. Denial means the departure happened, but we're gonna find our way back, and we're gonna have our parade, we're going to the mall, and we're gonna cut the turkey on Thanksgiving.
Kevin is the one who's trying to help people do that, so right away, he's the chief of denial in Patti's perspective. Not only that, he tries to protect the Guilty Remnant from the reactions of the rest of the public. They don't want that.
"Don't protect us, we don't need your protection and most importantly we don't want it." Because protection mean there's a way to move forward together, separately. "You're all in denial. It is a waste of your time and time to look at that. There is no way to go back." I think, trying to get clear with him, trying to reach him is a goal of Patti's.
MS: In 'Cairo,' you're trying to reach him, like you said, while you're tormenting him, screwing with his head, but you also need to guide him into doing something.
AD: Well again, he's a very strong force. Kevin Garvey is a man of force and conviction. He tries to do the right thing, and on paper, doing the right thing is what he's doing, From the Remnant's perspective, or I should say, from Patti's perspective, doing the right thing means doing the opposite of all that. "Let's go straight into the chaos. Go straight through that tornado and that is the truth of the matter. All of this other stuff is a step in denial, let it go."
And so, I think she wants to bring him to that realization. "Stop, you don't need to do this. You're very close to understanding what the truth really is." Patti sees that in him. "Just let go, commit. Commit to what you already know inside."
Check out this clip from 'Cairo:'
MS: What was your first reaction when you read that shocking twist?
AD: Deeply sad. In true Leftovers fashion, it was shocking to me and devastating. You know, it's a process. You then say okay. Damon, whom I trust completely and admire, he's very respectful to the actors. He took care of us through the whole process, answered any questions that needed answering. That's where his gut took him.
As much as an actress who wants to be part of a series that's as compelling as this one, I knew exactly what he meant. This is where he saw her going; so as soon as I could move from "Oh No!" to "Yup!"
That's the thing that's wonderful about it, it mirrored in a way to Patti's experience. I don't want this to be true. Yet, it is true. So what are you gonna do? Are you gonna hide behind the hurt or are you gonna commit, let go of the controls, and just commit to what is there in that script. That was one thrilling ride, let me tell you.
MS: You've been in comedies such as Bushwhacked and indie-dramas such as Compliance. Do you have a preference over which genre you like to participate in?
AD: No, I don't. I find them all kind of thrilling in a way. The difference would be the theater, which I better get myself back on one of these days. What the theater does for you is it squares you off with all of your fears. You just grow in leaps and bounds in the courage department. Not that I prefer one to the other because the more film-work or television-work you do, that's all a process of letting go. That's why I love Patti, I love her to death; no pun intended. She just taught me a tremendous amount; a huge amount. It was life changing in that way, it really was.
MS: What other projects are you working on now?
AD: I am leaving this evening for New Mexico to work on something called, Captain Fantastic with Viggo Mortensen and Matt Ross is directing it. It is a very wonderful story, an unusual story. And that's where I am headed.
The Leftovers has been renewed for a second season. The next episode, 'The Garveys At Their Best' airs Sunday on HBO at 10pm.
