I must say, Natasha Lyonne has truly captured my heart with her exceptional performances in various roles throughout her illustrious career. Among all her remarkable work, her portrayal of Nicky Nichols in “Orange is the New Black” stands out as a masterpiece that resonates deeply. Her raw talent and personal connection to the character shine through every scene, making it an unforgettable performance.
This article contains discussion of addiction.
Some facts about life are undeniable. For instance, the sky appears blue, tax season will always pose challenges, and Natasha Lyonne is an invaluable asset to our country – there’s no room for argument in any of these cases.
Following her early acting career as a child actor in both New York and Israel, Lyonne has been gracing our screens for many years, captivating audiences with her distinctive raspy voice and untamed red curls. Now, let’s dive into the top five projects where Lyonne took center stage.
To create a fair comparison, we’ll set aside minor appearances and focus on leading roles that truly showcase an actor’s talent. So, Natasha Lyonne’s voice cameo in “Uncut Gems” and her brief appearances in “Knives Out: Glass Onion” and “New Girl” won’t be considered for this list. This selection spans from time-traveling comedies to heart-wrenching Netflix dramas, as well as expansive TV series. Here are five outstanding roles by Natasha Lyonne on both the big and small screen, all of which are exceptional (although ranked, they could also be considered a five-way tie for first place).
5. But I’m a Cheerleader!
But I’m a Cheerleader!” is renowned in queer film history, with much credit going to Natasha Lyonne’s powerful portrayal of Megan Bloomfield, a cheerleader who finds herself at a conversion therapy camp after displaying affection towards women. This film isn’t all somber moments; it also includes quirky indicators like Megan being a vegetarian and enjoying Melissa Etheridge’s music. Set at the True Directions camp, Megan encounters Graham Eaton (played by Clea DuVall, a longtime friend of Lyonne). Despite the hostile environment, they instantly connect. Their blossoming love leads to their expulsion from the camp. Initially, Megan’s parents reject her, but eventually, they accept her and her relationship with Graham. Now free, Megan and Graham can embrace their love fully.
In a flawless portrayal, Chloë Lyonne embodies Megan, transitioning seamlessly from her initial innocence (even casually mentioning the film’s title with a bewildered tone) to her bold defiance against her traditional parents and True Directions. This early role by the young actress is truly captivating. If you haven’t seen “But I’m a Cheerleader!”, this might just be the perfect moment for you to discover it.
4. Russian Doll
As a devoted fan, I’ve watched Natasha Lyonne grace our screens for years as a supporting character. But in 2019, that all changed with the release of “Russian Doll,” a Netflix original series co-created by Lyonne, Amy Poehler, and Leslye Headland (who later contributed to the “Star Wars” spinoff “The Acolyte”). This captivating series kicks off at Nadia’s (Lyonne) birthday party, where she encounters an odd phenomenon: she dies repeatedly, only to find herself back in her bathroom mirror amidst the celebration. The repetitive delivery of “sweet birthday baby” by Greta Lee adds a delightful touch of humor to this strange predicament. Regardless of how or where Nadia dies, she always returns to her bathroom, prompting her to explore why this loop is happening in each iteration. During these cycles, she crosses paths with Alan (Charlie Barnett), another individual experiencing the same conundrum, who later appeared on “The Acolyte.
As a devoted fan, I must admit that while Season 2 of “Russian Doll” didn’t quite live up to the brilliance of its first outing, with the inclusion of Annie Murphy from “Schitt’s Creek,” it added an interesting dimension. However, looking back, I believe the show could have been a flawless miniseries. That said, Natasha Lyonne shines brighter than ever, elevating the series even in its less impactful moments. From her hilarious death sequences to her time-traveling escapades on the subway in Season 2, Lyonne’s performance as Nadia is nothing short of extraordinary. Her unique blend of humor and depth is what keeps us all invested, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else anchoring this captivating show quite as effectively.
3. His Three Daughters
Among all the entries on this list, “His Three Daughters” stands out as the most poignant, with Natasha Lyonne delivering an exceptional performance in the 2024 Netflix film. She shares the screen with Elizabeth Olsen and Carrie Coon, who play her on-screen sisters, making for some formidable acting partners. Azazel Jacobs’ movie, which he both wrote and directed, features Lyonne as Rachel, the non-biological sister of the on-screen family who lives with their ailing father Vincent (Jay O. Sanders). Rachel’s relationship with Katie (Coon) and Christina (Olsen) is strained, as she frequently clashes with them over issues such as smoking inside the apartment, which they insist she do outside. However, people outside the apartment often tell her to return, causing further disagreements among the siblings about the rent-controlled apartment and its future ownership upon Vincent’s death.
The film has a play-like quality, showcasing the exceptional talents of Coon, Olsen, and Lyonne in a captivating way for nearly 90 minutes. These remarkable actors, leading the industry today, engage in a dynamic interplay that delves into challenging and somber territories. However, it’s Lyonne’s comedic instincts and charm that prevent things from becoming overly grim. In the end, they arrive at a resolution that guarantees Lyonne’s character, Rachel, a joyful conclusion.
2. Poker Face
Following “Russian Doll,” it became apparent that Natasha Lyonne was ready to spearhead another series, and fortunately for us, Lyonne teamed up with Rian Johnson to develop the clever and amusing police procedural series “Poker Face.” This is an exclusive production for NBC’s streaming platform Peacock. In the role of Charlie Cale, a casino employee on the run from her boss after a death occurs at her place of work, Lyonne delivers a performance that is bold, witty, and intelligent. An intriguing twist in the storyline is revealed as Charlie finds herself solving a different murder in each episode, which showcases her unique ability to discern when someone is being dishonest. This skill might seem far-fetched in less capable hands, but Johnson and Lyonne make the concept utterly believable in the series’ highly successful first season, captivating audiences upon its debut in early 2023.
Over the course of Season 1, Natasha Lyonne teams up with an array of remarkable guest stars such as Judith Light, Hong Chau, Chloë Sevigny, Simon Helberg, Tim Blake Nelson, Jameela Jamil, Stephanie Hsu, and Cherry Jones. These stars join forces with her to tackle a range of utterly bizarre crimes. Fortunately, the show has been renewed for a second season, meaning Charlie’s TV crime-solving days are far from over. “Poker Face” provides an ideal platform for Lyonne’s bold, brash, and witty persona, but among all roles, one stands out as exceptional.
1. Orange is the New Black
Natasha Lyonne shines brighter than ever in “Orange is the New Black” as Nicky Nichols. While Piper Kerman (Taylor Schilling) serves as the central character, Jenji Kohan’s bold series revolving around a minimum security prison uses Piper to introduce other inmates, particularly queer women and women of color, into the limelight. This groundbreaking show has significantly boosted the fame and career of Laverne Cox, a transgender actress whose character Sophia’s storyline was influenced by her real-life journey. Nicky Nichols, a recovering drug addict, is one of these characters, famously portrayed by Lyonne in an early scene with fellow inmate Lorna Morello (Yael Stone).
In a striking parallel, actress Natasha Lyonne’s history mirrors that of her character Nicky – she battled addiction to heroin and was hospitalized due to health issues linked to drug abuse in 2005. It’s evident that Lyonne’s own experiences lend authenticity to her portrayal of Nicky. Although Nicky is humorous, vulgar, and captivating, it’s the heart-wrenching scenes depicting her ongoing battle with sobriety that truly demonstrate Lyonne’s acting prowess and versatility as a performer.
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2024-09-24 15:00