Poker Face’s Secret Weapon? Natasha Lyonne’s Star Power!

It wasn’t a secret that Rian Johnson, the creator, would be the initial celebrity gracing the red carpet at the start of Peacock’s second season of the mystery show “Poker Face”. He was clearly the one to blame for being there first!

This person, known for their versatile roles as writer, director, and executive producer on the popular Peacock series, admitted, ‘I’m usually the first one at parties, a bit uncomfortable initially, but I end up helping with the refreshments.’ It can be chaotic, they acknowledged, but there’s a silver lining: ‘I’ll be in bed by 9:30 p.m.'”

Or more casually:

“On parties, this Peacock series whiz is usually the early bird, helping out with the food and drinks, despite feeling a bit awkward at first. It can get hectic, they admit, but that means an early night for them!

Even though we didn’t verify his stated curfew, it seems Johnson might have gone out a bit past that time, given the photos from the after-party with his frequent collaborator Natasha Lyonne, who was the final high-profile figure to walk the red carpet. The gap in time allowed for numerous opportunities for those working on the project to praise her skills on the show, where she plays a lead role, contributes to the writing and direction, and serves as an executive producer. As it moves into its second season, the program is generating buzz for her multifaceted involvement.

The Lyonne-Johnson relationship blossomed during the production of the show: “We have an incredible time working together. I collaborate with one of my closest friends, Natasha, and this season in particular we were fortunate to bring on board many fantastic guest stars, many of whom are long-time friends of Natasha.

Johnson described the list of guest stars as “impressive,” and it certainly was: John Mulaney, Cynthia Erivo, Melanie Lynskey, Margo Martindale, Justin Theroux, Kumail Nanjiani, Awkwafina, Method Man, David Alan Grier, Simon Helberg, Richard Kind, Simon Rex, Taylor Schilling, Kevin Corrigan, GaTa, Patti Harrison, Sherry Cola, David Krumholtz, Natasha Leggero, B.J. Novak, Rhea Perlman, Jason Ritter, Lauren Tom, Corey Hawkins, Ego Nwodim, Sam Richardson, Giancarlo Esposito, Katie Holmes, Gaby Hoffman, Ben Marshall, Haley Joel Osment, John Cho, Alia Shawkat, Carol Kane, Lili Taylor, Geraldine Viswanathan, Adrienne Moore, and many others.

He acknowledged the allure of Lyonne’s gravitational pull that drew many viewers in, and he praised her exceptional application of skills in the fresh episodes. The weekly mystery-comedy crime series continues its journey, chronicling the exploits of Charlie Cale (Lyonne), a wandering individual with an extraordinary knack for detecting lies, which she utilizes to solve various enigmas during a road trip in her Plymouth Barracuda.

He recognized Lyonne’s attractive pull that enticed numerous viewers, and he lauded her impressive use of talents in the latest episodes. The crime comedy series with weekly mysteries continues to depict the escapades of Charlie Cale (Lyonne), a nomadic character who has an extraordinary talent for discerning truth from lies, using this ability to unravel various puzzles during a road trip in her Plymouth Barracuda.

Johnson shared that viewers watching the show might underestimate how much effort Natasha puts into her work. She’s dedicated, passionate, and meticulous, ensuring her performances appear effortless on screen. Additionally, Johnson mentioned that Natasha directed two episodes this season, which he found impressive as she excels just as much behind the camera. In fact, Johnson believes Natasha is naturally gifted for directing, with a keen eye for detail and an ability to absorb information quickly.

Last Thursday evening at Hollywood’s American Legion Post 43, there was an abundance of love displayed on the red carpet for Lyonne.

Taylor Schilling

The actress, who collaborated with Lyonne on Netflix’s ‘Orange is the New Black’, replied, ‘I’ll follow Natasha wherever she asks me to go.’ In ‘Poker Face’, she portrays an FBI agent chasing Charlie who’s in deep trouble. ‘She’s really giving Charlie a hard time,’ the actress describes her character. ‘If given the chance, I’d even go to Mars with her. There are only a few people I trust that much, and Natasha is one of them. I’ve admired her since our first meeting, and over time, I’ve witnessed her mind at work in so many fascinating ways. Now, it seems like everyone can see the brilliance inside her, and I believe this understanding will only continue to spread. Natasha’s mind is simply amazing – one of the most extraordinary I’ve ever encountered.’

Simon Helberg

For Natasha, discovering a vehicle that truly supports her extraordinary and one-of-a-kind abilities is almost like a miracle due to her vast array of talents. She’s such an unusual character, and this production fits her perfectly. It’s as if it was designed for a [John Cassavetes] movie starring Jonathan Winters, which never happened but should have. Natasha is simply brilliant, passionate, and the script is exceptionally brilliant. They were able to gather a premier league of writers, actors, and directors – all of whom are incredibly talented filmmakers, making it something like a dream for her. The veteran actor who portrays FBI agent Luca Clark once again takes on his role, continuing to navigate his way up the ladder with his usual fumbles.

Simon Rex

The actor portraying the former baseball player shared that since he was previously acquainted with Natasha, joining the cast felt quite natural. He found it intriguing to observe her active participation in aspects like decision-making, rewrites, and shot setup. It was inspiring for him to realize that she’s a director, especially given her own show which she produces, writes, and directs. To him, it seemed like the ultimate dream job in Hollywood.

Melanie Lynskey

Lynskey remarked, “She’s incredibly gifted,” referring to the actress who portrays a kind-hearted charity worker who encounters a man (Cho) at a hotel bar, eventually joining him in his room for some underhanded dealings and more. I admire the casual, authentic feel of her acting that she consistently brings to her roles. It suits her perfectly. Her on-screen partnership with Rian is exceptional.

GaTa

In every role she takes on, she’s consistently hilarious. Off-camera, however, is where her true magic shines. Moments like offering direction to the crew or inspiring fellow actors with motivation – these are truly captivating to witness.

Natasha Leggero

The actress, who portrays a nurse connected to Method Man’s character (and let’s not forget, we’re mixed up in some shady activities), praised another individual saying, “She has exceptional style, far surpassing many in Hollywood. I’m not implying anything negative about Hollywood, but sometimes it can lean towards the ordinary.” She continued, “This woman has unique inspirations and she masterfully incorporates them into her projects. Moreover, she is decisive about what she desires and manages to achieve it. It’s truly fascinating to observe such creativity and determination.

Margo Martindale

The seasoned actor, who portrays the leader of a spiritual institution with a hidden gambling addiction, finds her incredibly engaging to collaborate with. He shares that she presents unexpected, delightful ideas, making the experience enjoyable. In essence, he describes her as lively and entertaining.

Tony Tost

The showrunner who came aboard for season two was full of praise for her, describing her as ‘a whirlwind of creativity.’ She’s not just the character Charlie, but she’s also constantly thinking like a director and producer. While playing Charlie, she’s already considering how to make each scene unique and unexpected, focusing on camera angles and framing. At the same time, she’s thinking about logistics and locations. The set culture reflects her vibrant personality, making it an intensely creative and non-stop environment where there’s always something new happening.

2025-05-07 19:55