Cynthia Erivo Opens Up About Playing Multiple Characters in ‘Poker Face’

Cynthia Erivo, the Oscar-nominated actress, recently shared her unique experience of playing multiple characters in a single episode of the second season of Poker Face, the crime dramedy series created by Rian Johnson. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Erivo described the challenge as “absolutely insane,” revealing how she had to portray up to four characters in one scene.

The actress, best known for her role in Wicked, will portray five sisters in a single episode of the upcoming season of Poker Face. Although she knew this would be an enormous challenge, she was excited to take it on. “I knew my mind would be split into so many different spaces, but I thought, ‘Oh, if not now, when?'” Erivo explained. “I’m always up for trying something I’ve never done before, and I wanted to do this. I wanted to see what it would be like to split myself into multiple characters at once, to see if I could pull it off.”

Erivo revealed that playing multiple characters required a significant amount of preparation. She used different costumes, wigs, and voices to help distinguish the various personalities. However, even with all these techniques, she still found herself feeling “crazy” at times, acting opposite herself. “I’ll play one side, and I’ll have a lovely stand-in doing the other side,” Erivo said. “I still have to remember what I did on one side to make sure my reaction fits with what I did on the other, so I can make sense of having a conversation with myself.”

Poker Face, which stars Natasha Lyonne, follows Charlie Cale, a woman with the unusual ability to detect lies. As Charlie travels across the country, she solves various mysteries. Erivo’s episode, which features her as multiple sisters, is part of the highly anticipated second season, set to premiere on Peacock on May 8.

Erivo also discussed the hectic nature of shooting the episode while balancing her schedule promoting Wicked with Ariana Grande. “We were in the middle of everything, doing everything, going everywhere,” the actress and singer recalled. “I had 11 straight days of filming this little one in New York… To say I was mentally exhausted is an understatement. I’d get to the end of the day and not even really know my own name. I’d be like, ‘I don’t know where I am.'”

She described the whole experience as “really crazy,” but added that it was “in the best way possible.”

This behind-the-scenes glimpse into Erivo’s Poker Face experience highlights the challenges and rewards of playing multiple roles in a single production. It also demonstrates her dedication to the craft, as she embraces new challenges and pushes her limits. The upcoming season of Poker Face promises to offer even more suspense, mystery, and intriguing character dynamics, thanks in part to Erivo’s performance.

With the premiere date for Poker Face Season 2 fast approaching, fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see Cynthia Erivo’s impressive performance in one of the most ambitious roles of her career. The show, already praised for its clever storytelling and Lyonne’s captivating lead role, now has even more to look forward to as Erivo steps into multiple personalities for a thrilling and mind-bending episode.

In summary, Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of multiple characters in Poker Face is one of the most anticipated aspects of the second season. Her willingness to embrace new challenges, even under extreme pressure, showcases her incredible talent and versatility as an actress. Fans can’t wait to see how she tackles this multifaceted role when Poker Face returns on May 8, promising a new level of excitement and intrigue in the series.