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The old men ofThe Old Manhave spent decades calling the shots.
Alia Shawkats Parwana Hamzad, wearing a headscarf and a determined gaze, has ascended.
And whats the aftermath?
Shawkat, who joins our video call wearing anArtists4Ceasefire pin, has lots of praise for the series nuances.
Now she knows this truth, and shes just like, I need you to do this for me.
Its the least you could fucking do.
I was very jazzed about Parwana being in charge of the mineral deposit.
How did you react to that ending?I was very into it.
When you do a TV show, you never know how long its going to go.
I was like, What is this real arc?
Shes protecting her father, but at what cost to her?
What is she doing in the long run for herself?
She takes his role, but in a way that shes paying the price.
Shes healing old wounds.
Shes like, I had to lose a part of myself because of what you did.
This is the aftermath of what happens.
She is a leader like Hamzad is.
I saw some of her mothers ability to manipulate.
Theres Harpers sense of right and wrong.
Am I being too sentimental in thinking that every parent affected her?No, I think youre right.
Shes learning these qualities in herself as they arise.
Sometimes you surprise yourself.
Shes definitely not a perfect person.
I mean, with the Russian mercenary we humanize him.
He had a family and kids, and shes like, Yeah, but you gotta go.
Youre basically playing three characters.
When you see Angela in the first season, theres a lightness and this idea of control about her.
Everythings kind of quick.
Shes at a playground talking to him, and her voice is a little smaller.
Then with Parwana, theres a crack.
Shes emotional and angry, and all these feelings that shes never really allowed herself to be.
And shes messy, you know?
Its very much myself that I bring into it, usually different stages of my life.
Theres lots of pieces of me.
But my lifes about to change.
By the time all the strikes happened, I had my kid.
He was healthy, it was great, and then I came back.
Ill tell you about it later, Dad.
But right now I need you to help me.
[Laughs] It was great how it mirrored my journey.
Did you think about that at all?Im so glad that that translates.
In my personal story, my father came to the States and built a life out of having nothing.
And this show really plays on that in a very Shakespearean way.
I feel very privileged to play a character like this because she is grappling with those two things.
Now shes able to reconnect to that part of her roots.
Its so morbid and upsetting.
But art reflects life in that way, I guess.
We dont have this kind of healing moment of I love you, which is also very truthful.
Shes a very tough character.
We would talk about the choices Jacqueline was making.
She was like, I dont think she would show much affection to Parwana.
When they hold hands,Igrab her hand at the funeral.
Shes not someone who has expressed any warmth physically.
And for my character, I see her and Im like,I have to take her place.
I have to do this for her.
I love the scenes with Jacqueline.
She puts me in check so much.
Shes really the wisest one of everybody, because shes the only one not emotionally reacting.
She also had to learn so much Dari, and I was always so impressed with that.
Shes doing full scenes in the language.
The power dynamic has really shifted in that scene.That was actually the last scene we shot of the season.
Theres, like, 12 shots under the table.
We kept joking, How many more angles are we gonna get on this thing?
But it does work.
Thats why it has this tension, because theres all these micro shots that create this atmosphere.
But being with Jeff and Amy was a joy.
Theyre just so funny and giggling all the time.
Yeah, Im your daughter, but I dont look up to you anymore the same way I did.
It really felt like we were playing with something more intense.
And when the lights shine from the cars, it felt almost like it does when you watch it.
There was this weight to it that felt really badass.
I felt very in myself, playing that strength.
I watched it with my parents last night, and my dad was like, Youre so cool!
He was really into it.
Theres no indecision from her.
How did you refer to her in that moment?
And I crossed it out and wrote Parwana.
I dont think anyone noticed except me; I was like [nods and smiles in approval].
Not to compare it to trans rights, but its like a dead name, I think.
I think shes happy to see him.
She loves him, but she also hasnt forgiven him for what he has done and what shes learned.
Now she knows this truth, and shes just like, I need you to do this for me.
Its the least you could fucking do.
There is no Comeon, Dad.
God willing, therell be another season.
How much she allows him back in, Im interested to see.
Shes a little grizzled after what shes had to do.
Shes tired and doesnt really have patience for them.
I imagine her on her private jet afterward, having a hard drink.
And Dans like, Are you okay?
And shes like, Yeah, I dont want to talk to you right now.
