Natasha Lyonne’s role in the Russian Doll series, according to writer-director and master of mystery Rian Johnson, helped him cast her in his new series, Poker Face. The lead role of Charlie, who excels in spotting deception and uses it to help solve some crimes, will be played by Lyonne in the upcoming mystery comedy. Lyonne had roles in shows like Orange is the New Black and American Pie prior to being cast in Johnson’s new show, but her big break came in the 2019 film Russian Doll, where she won accolades for her portrayal as Nadia trapped in a time loop.
Natasha Lyonne’s role in the Netflix series Russian Doll prompted writer-director Rian Johnson to cast Lyonne in Poker Face, Johnson said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Johnson decided Lyonne could run a show like Poker Face after getting to know her beforehand and realising she had just as much magnetism as Nadia. Johnson made light of the fact that Lyonne’s character, Charlie, was the first to truly like people when discussing the creation of the character in the same interview. Below, you can read in full what Johnson had to say about Lyonne.
“I’d become friends with Natasha and I adored her, but when I saw Russian Doll and I saw the charisma that she has on screen when she created that character, I thought, ‘This is somebody who can really center and ground a show like this.’ And we were off to the races.”
The comedy-drama Netflix series Russian Doll follows Nadia, a game developer who repeatedly relives the same night—the night of her 36th birthday party in New York City—after it initially debuted in the streaming juggernaut in February 2019. The two seasons of the Netflix series, which was also developed and written by Lyonne, presented the idea of time loops and several universes from Nadia’s point of view. Russian Doll season 3 hasn’t received an official announcement, but considering the show’s positive reviews, a continuation may be more plausible.
Lyonne gives her best performance of her career in Russian Doll as the troubled, complicated Nadia. Russian Doll’s success is primarily due to her performance and the intricate and captivating story, and season 2 intensifies the complexities. Particularly through her peculiar experiences with time-related anomalies, whether discovering her Jewish background or engaging with deuteragonist Alan, Nadia matures. Even during awards season, season 1 of the programme was a success, receiving thirteen nominations and winning three of them, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Lyonne. Season 2 has a 97 per cent Rotten Tomatoes rating from critics despite only receiving one Primetime Emmy nomination.
Lyonne’s performance in “Russian Doll,” a fantastic showcase of her skill, is likely what persuaded Johnson to choose Lyonne as his Charlie in “Poker Face.” Lyonne may make Charlie in Poker Face, who has comparable traits that mesh with the mystery-tone comedy and setting, have Nadia’s eccentric and alluring features. Lyonne will take on a new role in Poker Face, which premieres on Peacock on January 27, where she will continue to use her comedic skills with an investigative twist.