Claire Danes joins Charlie Rose for an in-depth conversation about her acclaimed role as Carrie Mathison in Homeland. From the pressures of portraying a bipolar CIA officer to the psychology behind the performance, Danes shares how she prepared for the role, the impact of the series on her life, and why Homeland resonates so deeply with American audiences.
00:00 – Introduction & Homeland premise
01:06 – Carrie Mathison: Between breakthrough and breakdown
03:05 – The rise of cable TV and binge culture
04:30 – Homeland’s cultural resonance
06:05 – Carrie’s character and moral ambiguity
08:38 – CIA patriotism & isolation
10:11 – Real CIA influence on the role
12:00 – Portraying bipolar disorder authentically
14:00 – Carrie’s emotional life and fear of intimacy
16:00 – Brody’s character complexity
18:00 – Manic-depression and acting challenges
21:28 – The Carrie-Brody dynamic
24:10 – Pregnancy subplot and character evolution
27:00 – What makes Carrie virtuous and heroic
28:43 – Intelligence and mania as a gift and curse
30:24 – Comparing Carrie with Temple Grandin
32:00 – Physical acting and mental illness
35:00 – Discovering hidden aspects of self through acting
37:00 – Yale, women, and rediscovering herself
40:00 – Confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning
42:00 – Career doubts and finding roles again
44:00 – Building Carrie’s physicality and CIA insight
46:00 – Mandy Patinkin’s musicality in acting
48:00 – Interrogation scenes and spy tradecraft
51:00 – Respect between spies & statecraft themes
52:30 – What’s next for Claire Danes
53:15 – Final thoughts and gratitude
This rare long-form interview covers:
Claire’s thoughts on Carrie’s complexity and patriotism
The challenge of portraying mental illness with authenticity
Her preparation through CIA consultations and research
Insights on working with Mandy Patinkin and Damian Lewis
Reflections on the third season and behind-the-scenes stories
Her take on acting, identity, and life after Temple Grandin
Why she left Yale and how it shaped her as an artist
Recorded at the peak of Homeland’s cultural impact, this interview offers a vulnerable, sharp, and inspiring look at the craft of acting and the politics of prestige television.
Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage.
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