“And then she realizes it’s not an affair.
It’s not a hot redhead, it’s mass corruption.
Nixon is the hot redhead in this scenario.”
Dan Stevens and Betty Gilpin as John and Mo Dean on ‘Gaslit’.Starz
Can you tease the roles they play in the story and how their relationship evolves?
BETTYGILPIN:On first glance, she’s like, “This is gonna be a quick date.
I will never see this person again.
Betty Gilpin as Mo Dean in ‘Gaslit’.Starz
I’m not really getting a good feeling about him and his Porsche.”
I think it’s sort of a time-stopping moment for her.
I think it’s a real love story between them.
Dan Stevens as John Dean in ‘Gaslit’.Starz
It’s like, “Wait, what was your life like?”
You’re so deliciously evil in some of those scenes, Dan!
She’s a really interesting character.
What kind of research did you each do to help shape your portrayal of the Deans?
And in the audiobook of this book, they play the Nixon tapes.
It’s so wild to hear those tapes.
Nope, it’s gone."
The audio is chilling.
STEVENS:At a certain point, you have to leave that stuff behind to an extent.
But I guess [the show] didn’t have the budget for a Bichon Frise.
GILPIN:Only one Bichon Frise allowed at a time.
The two of you didn’t really know each other before starting work on the show.
How did you work together to build this marriage and develop your characters' dynamic?
We’re gonna be fine"?
I felt that way with Dan as an actor.
And it made it so much fun.
And Dan’s just such a good actor that it really felt like school again.
STEVENS:Well, it was odd that I chose to sing everything.
Dan, anything to add?
Do you have any nice things to say about Betty?
GILPIN:Better be a compliment, buddy.
STEVENS:Many, many nice things to say.
Thank you, Betty Gilpin.
GILPIN:Felt more like a compliment for Matt Ross than for me, but let’s move on.
How did that playfulness you mentioned manifest on set?
GILPIN:I mean, it was like this.
We were just having fun.
We’re scared, little self-obsessed children, and we have to be tricked into a good performance.
GILPIN:Yeah, cookies.
STEVENS:Little incentives along the way.
Women often get left out or sidelined in the big political stories of American history.
I think Martha was a pretty incredible figure.
And I think Mo Dean had one.
[Laughs]
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Gaslitpremieres Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Starz.
