During a recent early morning chat, Ever Carradine shared about life, parenting, and what to expect through the eyes of Naomi Putnam in season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu. As a consummate professional there were no spoilers, just more than a few well-nuanced hints that this is the biggest season yet!
Joshua Estrin: You studied Anthropology and Sociology. How and when did the acting bug bite?
Ever Carradine: In retrospect, I was bitten by the acting bug at birth. I know some actors start down one road in their academic endeavors and have an epiphany. I somehow made a “wrong” turn, meaning no disrespect to Anthropology or Sociology. It was just never a fit or even an afterthought for me.
JE: You have been a consistently working actor in an industry where good work is often hard to find. What advice would you give other young actors just starting out?
EC: The most important thing is a commitment to doing the work. I know that sounds a bit cliché, but it’s true. In doing the work, I don’t mean to state the obvious, learning your lines and showing up on time and prepared. That’s the easy part and part of what it means to be a professional. By “doing the work”, I mean making the decision that you are all in and willing to be afraid, vulnerable, and often unsure. These are all the things that will make someone a better artist. Ask questions, lots of questions, and if the answers don’t make sense, ask more questions. Allow yourself to be seen and heard without feeling as if you have to figure it all out in the first few minutes. Never be afraid to bring your entire self to a role and never apologize for doing so.