I know I we show the gentlemen a lot of love on PopWatch, so today, it’s all about the ladies. Sarah Paulson (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip) has just been cast in Rob Thomas’ Cupid redux for ABC, opposite Bobby Cannavale. She’ll play Claire, the psychiatrist who treats Trevor (Cannavale, in the role originated by Jeremy Piven), who believes he’s the God of Love, banished from Mount Olympus until he completes 100bow-and-arrow-free love connections. It sounds like a perfect fit, right? Even when Paulson plays tough (and smart), there’s a warmth to her. I’ve always liked her, ever since The WB’s Jack & Jill. I’m ready for her to get a hit show.
Which just under-the-radar actresses, film or television, do you champion?
P.S. Spoiler alert! If you were a fan of Thomas’ original Cupid, which premiered 10 years ago and ran 14 episodes, we spoke with Thomas in 2004 about what would have happened had the series continued…
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I’ve loved Merrin Dungey ever since her Alias days. I wish they had kept her on Private Practice. I also love Rosamund Pike from Pride and Prejudice among other things.
How about anybody with real acting talent, and not just a name or notoriety (think “celibutard”)?
We need to see more of the latter and fewer of the former…yes, I’m ranting today, but I’m feeling cranky, so that’s what you get…:)
Anne Dudek as Amber on House was very enjoyable, for example. Paris Hilton on My Name is Earl was not.
How about anybody with real acting talent, and not just a name or notoriety (think “celibutard”)?
We need to see more of the former and fewer of the latter…yes, I’m ranting today, but I’m feeling cranky, so that’s what you get…:)
Anne Dudek as Amber on House was very enjoyable, for example. Paris Hilton on My Name is Earl was not.
i wish poor bonnie somerville would catch a break. first grosse pointe was axed, then kitchen confidential and now cashmere mafia. the chick’s got comedy chops, where are the juicy roles?
Sorry about the double post; that’s what I get for posting while ill. If you are a Paris Hilton fan, you can pick and choose whichever post you like, so PHHHHHTTTTTT!!!!
I don’t know if she qualifies as under-the-radar enough, but I have always felt that Lauren Ambrose should be a much bigger star than she is. Besides her work on Six Feet Under, she did this fabulous, campy little straight-to-DVD movie called Psycho Beach Party that really showcased her full range of talent, and I’ve been waiting for her to emerge into more mainstream stuff since then…
I like Sarah Paulson, but her lisp drives me crazy!
Amen on Lauren Ambrose. I have a girl-crush on her.
Leisha Hailey and Olivia Wilde are also gals that deserve more high-profile careers.
And I’m STILL mad that the amazing Jessica Walter never won an Emmy for Arrested Development. “I don’t understand the question, and I won’t respond to it.”
Great show – crappy timeslot (back when the networks still showed first run airings on Sat nites)
I found Sarah Paulson adorable. And I was really hoping that she was cast in the TNT show Truth in Advertising over Monica Potter.
Not really sure if Judy Greer counts, since she finally got her own sitcom, but I just like her in everything she’s ever done.
In case Greer doesn’t count, I’ll go with Callie Thorne, who is incredibly sexy and talented. She was McNulty’s ex on “The Wire” and she plays a shrill Sheila on “Rescue Me” (then again, all the women on “Rescue Me” are shrill), but I just like her a lot.
I wish they’d actually bring back Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall. They had the best chemistry and total made the original series. While I like Bobby C., I just think Piven had the right spirit (pun possibly intended) for play a guy who thinks he’s Cupid.
I was just thinking the other day that I wish Amber Tamblyn got a little more love than she usually does. I was upset when they cancelled “Joan of Arcadia” but was excited to see she was just cast as the lead in a new series on ABC. Here’s hoping this is the one that lets her shine.
Also, Carrie Mulligan is a phenomenal British actress who has the potential to make it big. She’s always been the stand out in everything I’ve seen her in.
For someone who was a pretty big fan of the first Cupid I am actually pretty pleased with the new casting!!
Also, I agree with Judy Greer. She has been great in every supporting role she’s been in.
I absolutely love Mia Kirshner. I know pretty much everyone hates her on The L Word, but I think her Jenny is kooky and great. Also, she is the coolest villain of all on 24, Mandy. She was the best part of The Black Dahlia, eclipsing the actual stars of the less than stellar adaptation of the great novel. I’m holding on to hope that she’ll be cast as Catwoman in the third Batman movie, should the Feline Fatale appear in it.
One actress I adore that comes to mind now, is Paulson’s DEADWOOD cohort Molly Parker. I first noticed her doing stunning work in various indie movies…then came DEADWOOD and now she’s the sun around which all the planets rotate in SWINGTOWN.
A big second for Bonnie Sommerville, and I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed in a Judy Greer performance.
I can think of a few actresses from across the pond that we yanks should be more familiar with; Billy Piper, Jessica Hynes and Lucy Davis. They are three very talented funny ladies who are either not known at all over here or reduced to silly guest roles.
*Jayma Mays–Cute as a button on “Heroes”, “Pushing Daisies”, “Ugly Betty”. Love the girl.
*Amanda Seyfried–She’s not exactly under the radar anymore, but she’s always been one of my favorites.
*Samantha Ferris–Show-hopping from “Battlestar Galactica” to “Supernatural”, but awesome on both. So lived-in and tough-chick. Such a good actress.
completely off topic, but who else thinks Sarah Paulson looks alot like Nicole Kidman in that picture?
Caroline Dhavernas from Wonderfalls, Breach, and Hollywoodland. She is so talented, funny, and cool. In Canada shis is already a big star, and I hope she becomes a big star down here too!
I had a big crush on Paula Malcomson who played the indomitable Trixie on Deadwood and am very saddened that we have not seen more of this amazing Irish actress.
Is Katee Sackhoff under the radar?
Emily Deschanel is really funny on Bones.
Sela Ward. I’ve liked her since Sisters. I wish she’d find another great show like Once & Again.
Oh yes–Sarah Paulson, Jayma Mays, Amber Tamblyn, Lauren Ambrose, and Paula Marshall. I’m not sure how under the radar they are anymore, but how about Zooey Deschanel, Emily Blunt, and Summer Glau? I’ll add Tammy Blanchard, Elisabeth Moss, and Keri Russell (since she doesn’t really get the love she deserves in my opinion). And just because we don’t see her all that often anymore–Karen Allen.
Kelly Macdonald. From Trainspotting to Gosford Park to No Country, I just love her.
I love Joan Allen…I don’t know if she’s considered under-the-radar (probably not), but I wish more people knew who she was.
Simon Baker…why isn’t he a bigger star? He is good in everything he is in! Maybe his new show this fall will be a big hit and make him the star he deserves to be!
Agree with the former: Lauren Ambrose (truly gifted), Amber Tamblyn(SO very underrated), Leisha Hailey (phenomenal in everything)and Bonnie Sommerville (a great supporting role on “Friends.” I’ll throw in Amber Benson (tragic heroine of “Buffy” fame), Robin Tunney (so good in “Empire Records” and “The Craft”), and Tina Majorino (who had her moments, but was still a bit underused on “Veronica Mars”). I remember Sarah Paulson from “Leap of Faith.” Anybody else remember that? Cute knock-off of SATC, but with a more diverse cast. It only lasted 6 eps, but I was hooked from the start, largely bc of her performance.
Judy Greer, Kelli Garner