Two decades on from his breakthrough role as Marc St. James in Ugly Betty, Michael Urie is commemorating a significant milestone in his acting career with an inaugural Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Brian in the Apple TV+ show, Shrinking. Reflecting on his journey, Urie shared, “I’ve been grappling with imposter syndrome for as long as I can remember. Even before I realized my calling towards acting, I questioned my ability to become an actor. It seemed like a wildly unachievable goal.” Today, he is in an enviable position where he occasionally receives text messages from notable actors like his co-star, Harrison Ford. “It’s not a frequent occurrence, but each time his name flashes on my screen, it feels surreal.”
In the Apple TV+ series Shrinking, Urie’s character Brian is portrayed as the closest friend of Jason Segal’s character, Jimmy. Jimmy is a devastated widower reeling from losing his wife due to a tragic event caused by a drunk driver, Louis, portrayed by Brett Goldstein. Louis is later introduced to Jimmy’s friends in the second season. Urie explained, “Introducing this character to the series was profoundly moving and a bold decision for a comedy show. The onus fell on my character to bring this element into the storyline.”
Commenting upon the enduring popularity of Ugly Betty, Urie didn’t shy away from expressing his enthusiasm for a reboot. “Absolutely,” he said. “Every one of us would be willing and excited to come back. The bond we formed while working on that project still remains strong. I genuinely believe a reboot would be incredibly engrossing.” His excitement over his Emmy nomination was quite evident when he went viral for sharing a screenshot of a congratulatory text from none other than his co-star, Harrison Ford.
“Everyone’s been familiar with Harrison Ford for their entire lives. He’s a renowned figure in every household, a bona fide movie star. Having his contact on my phone, even though we don’t exchange text messages frequently, is truly bizarre every time,” laughed Urie. “It’s a fortunate experience that still feels unreal every time I see a message from him.”
On the subject of his character in Shrinking, Urie pointed out how secondary characters can often bring a powerful dynamic to a narrative. They provide a fresh vantage point, add unseen elements, provoke conflict, and further the plot in interesting ways whilst maintaining a careful equilibrium to not be the main focus of the narrative. He embraces his role and the influence it possesses on the story’s progression.
Apart from Shrinking, Urie is also featuring on Broadway in a popular show called “Oh, Mary!”. When asked about his experience, he genuinely exclaims, “It’s thrilling to be a part of a widely acclaimed production. It’s invigoration to be ensconced in such a vibrant atmosphere.”
It is not only contemporary theatre where Urie is showing his prowess on stage, as he is also set to take on a venture of performing Shakespeare off-Broadway. He will be starring in Richard II, which is set to open in October. His enthusiasm for the role is palpable. “Yes, I am both elated and excited for the new venture. Delivering Shakespeare’s words on stage is always a thrilling experience.”
His involvement in the theatre community extends further towards being a part of ‘Pride Plays’. This initiative aims at giving voice to numerous talented playwrights who often find it difficult to have their work staged. On being asked about it, Urie explains, “It’s an incredibly rewarding initiative. The opportunity to empower underrepresented voices in theatre is something truly worthwhile.”
Lastly, the conversation veered towards Ugly Betty once again. When asked if he would consider reprising his role in a potential reboot of the show, and where his character, Marc St. James, might be in the present day. Giving a thoughtful pause, Urie responded, “That’s a fascinating question. Yes, I absolutely welcome the idea of a reboot. All of us – the entire team – would. Our camaraderie remains unbroken. A reboot could indeed be an interesting venture.”
The post Michael Urie Bagged First Ever Emmy Nomination for Apple TV’s Shrinking appeared first on Real News Now.
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