Even if Pluribus showrunner Vince Gilligan doesn’t write a scene for Emmy-nominated guest star Miriam Shor in Season 2, the actress plans on showing up on set in Albuquerque, N.M.
“I’m there day one — just in case!” she tells Gold Derby with a chuckle. “Honestly, who wouldn’t be anywhere where [they] are? The humans that Vince Gilligan gathers to create things are extraordinary, and I can’t believe I got picked to play in that unbelievable sandbox.”
Shor’s role as Helen, the wife and manager of Carol (Rhea Seehorn), was truncated following the events of the pilot. Helen died after hitting her head on the pavement during the worldwide “joining” event, though she later appeared in flashback when she and Carol visited an ice hotel.
Shor’s nomination in Best Drama Guest Actress is one of Pluribus‘ 18 bids, the most this year for a first-year drama series. The actress calls the experience “surreal” and jokes that she keeps waiting for someone to tell her she “shouldn’t be doing this” anymore — but “that hasn’t happened” yet.
Also in our Q&A, Shor talks about what it’s like working alongside Seehorn, and why Helen had to die in order for Carol’s story to thrive.
Gold Derby: Huge congratulations on your Emmy nomination. How does it feel to be a first-time nominee?
Miriam Shor: It’s kind of surreal. It’s great! I love doing this. I can’t believe they keep letting me do it. I keep waiting for them to be like, “We’re so sorry. We made a mistake. You shouldn’t be doing this.” That hasn’t happened, and I’ve been doing it for a while now. To have your peers say things like, “You’re doing a great job,” is wonderful. And it’s for a show that is truly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my long career. I’m so proud of this show. It feels like Vince Gilligan crawled into my head and wrote it for me. It truly is an amalgamation of everything I love. I would be a huge superfan of this show, like a total nerd, which I am. But then I get to be in it? That’s just insane. And then to be madly in love with Rhea, which is even crazier, because of course, I already am.
Your scenes were all with Rhea, so tell us what was it like to work with her.
She’s the most giving, generous, game, hilarious, wonderful, grounded person to ever get to do a scene with and create a relationship with. We had to create something very quickly that had to matter, or it doesn’t work. It’s so fun. She takes it seriously, and then also has the best sense of humor. She does this with everyone, not just me, not just someone she has a lot of scenes with. On set, she’s there, she wants to rehearse, and you want to rehearse. She’s exactly who you would wish that she would be, and somehow a sprinkle of fairy dust that makes it even better. It really was a dream.
But that’s actually the entire set, and that comes from Vince Gilligan. There’s a humanity and a kindness and a wonderful sense of humor and a sense of respect for every person who’s on that set. There’s no job or person that isn’t respected. There’s this high fallacy that out there that you have to somehow be tyrannical to be a good leader, and I’m like, well, Vince Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn, so no.
Unfortunately, Helen passes away in the first episode.
What? Spoiler alert! [Laughs.]
Can we go back in time and tell Vince to maybe keep you alive?
He said a few lovely things like that, where he was like, “Oh no, I think I made a mistake.” I was like, “Well, it’s too late now, Vince.” But then we get some flashbacks, and I’m rooting for a few more. What’s great about that kind of storytelling is that so many questions come up, so there’s some answers, or maybe even more questions. The universe and Vince Gilligan are a mystery. I’ve tried to get in there and bribe the writers, too. I’m shameless.
I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but there had to be a level of loss and devastation to get the story going. Story and character are always first. I’ve written many a dissertation on what the show is, because I told you, I’m a nerd. I think it’s about community and loneliness and individuality. You have to feel true loneliness, and that kind of loss has to be there, unfortunately.
Vince and the writers are writing Season 2, so you’re on the record now. If they write a scene for you, you will come back?
Yeah. I’m there day one — just in case! [Knocking on the door.] Hi guys! Honestly, who wouldn’t be anywhere where [they] are? The humans that Vince Gilligan gathers to create things are extraordinary, and I can’t believe I got picked to play in that unbelievable sandbox.
Your Emmy category also includes Brittany Allen, Tal Anderson, Tina Ivlev, Merritt Wever, and Shailene Woodley. How do you stack up the competition?
I can’t believe I get to be in this group of women. I’ve watched all of them. Me and my family have sat and discussed the performances they’ve given. We look at the world differently because of the choices they made in those performances. I’m getting teary-eyed, but it’s absolutely true. The way they challenge you, the way they moved me, it was profound, and it has had an actual impact on the way my family and I view the world. My daughters and I watch those shows, and it means a lot to us. It really is an honor to be nominated. I loved doing this show, and you’re gonna tell me that on top of that, you’re gonna group me in with this incredible group of women, and say, “Kudos”? It’s a great day.
If you’re lucky enough to win the Emmy, who’s somebody that you definitely will thank in your speech?
Well, I mean, Vince and Rhea. But of course, my husband and my kids and my family. Your family is your first audience when you’re a crazy, weird little ham like I was. And instead of saying, “Hey, weirdo, pipe down,” they go, “Oh my god, this is great, do more!” That impacts the rest of your life. Even if you never go on to become a performer, create an environment where everyone is encouraged to be however crazy they can be. All the people who love and support you — that’s a lot of people. It’s actually too many people. There’s a lot of music that would play me off.
What is your reaction to Law & Order star Mariska Hargitay being this year’s Emmy host?
Mariska Hargitay is a delight of a human and she is one of those people who supports people — not just in the arts, but in the world. It matters to her that people feel supported. Having someone like that bring that energy and that joy that she just has, I think we could all really use a little bit of that all the time.
It’s been 15 years since a woman hosted the Emmys, so it’s about time.
What?! Yes, it’s always “about time.” I mean, they’re never like, “It’s been one year since a man hosted.” That’s not how that works. I don’t know why we keep getting to be like, “Oh, women are good at this?” They’re people. It’s not that hard. If you see women as people, then it all works out.
Are you planning on coming to the ceremony in September?
I don’t know, I’m gonna have to wash my hair. I’m kind of busy — I’m gonna check my calendar. [Laughs.] Listen, I’ll go anywhere they invite me! I love to be around this group of showbiz people. I understand that people might say, “Ugh, more awards?” But television and the stories we tell through it are becoming a place where we can finally connect to each other in a more and more divided space. So, why not celebrate when you can?
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
