Answers with Julie Ann Emery

Answer 1

You star as Betsy Kettleman on "Better Call Saul," AMC's prequel to "Breaking Bad". Betsy is the wife of Craig Kettleman, the county treasurer who is accused of embezzlement. What was it about Betsy that drew you to audition for her role?

Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, AMC, my pal Bob Odenkirk, and the words "Breaking Bad Spin Off" were plenty to draw me to any role on that show. The icing on the cake was that I do not think we have seen a female character quite like Betsy Kettleman before.

Answer 2

Was there anything you did to make your role your own that wasn't originally scripted for you?

I do a lot of backstory and research work for every role, it is my process to step into the character's shoes. I also spent a lot of time watching interviews with politicians and their wives, considering who Betsy's heroes are and how she tries (and fails) to emulate them. However, this particular process was incredibly collaborative. We spent a lot of time on set with Vince exploring the characters and who they are. Bob Odenkirk was nice enough to rehearse with us in our off time. And Jeremy Shamos (Mr. Kettleman) and I spent an enormous amount of time together exploring the Kettlemans, who they are, and why they are the way they are. I never felt I "had" Betsy in my grasp on any given episode until I was with Jeremy finishing each others' sentences.

Answer 3

What is your favorite part about filming on the "Better Call Saul" set?

The people, the people, a thousand times the people. Kind, giving, and brilliantly talented every last one.

Answer 4

"Better Call Saul" brings the storylines of "Breaking Bad's" Mike Ehrmantraut and Saul Goodman back to television. What is it like working with Jonathan Banks and Bob Odenkirk?

Two of the most stand up guys in the industry. I had worked with Bob on FARGO, so seeing him on set was like sitting down to iced tea with an old friend. And Jonathan is just a fabulous, old school, cool cat of a guy. Despite his character, he is very sweet in real life.

Answer 5

What's one storyline in Season 1 that really surprised you? Was there a scene or episode that when you read the script you couldn't believe?

Episode 7 "Bingo" was such a Kettle-centric gift. I could not believe where they took the characters. To build a character like Betsy and then tear her apart like that, was an actor's dream come true. Big hats off to the writers with deep gratitude to Gennifer Hutchison for digging so deep into Betsy's headspace and director Larysa Kondracki who dove right in with me. She never left me hanging out to dry performance wise. So grateful for those two fabulously talented ladies.

Answer 6

First with "Breaking Bad" and now with "Better Call Saul"...Vince Gilligan is a bona fide mastermind. What's one little known fact about Vince that audience members might be surprised to know?

He is the nicest man on Earth. He loves to see the people around him get credit for their work. He is from Virginia and still carries that Southern graciousness with him. It is a true pleasure to work for him and for Peter Gould.

Answer 7

You also are known for your role as Casey Sedgewick in the film "Hitch." Did you enjoy working in the rom-com genre or do you prefer more twisted plotlines like in "Better Call Saul"?

I prefer interesting characters. Casey was such a hopeless romantic and believed in love at all costs. I am more pragmatic than her, so she was interesting to explore. I have to say though, playing an unexpected villain like Betsy Kettleman is absolutely delicious as an actor.

Answer 8

You worked alongside Will Smith, Eva Mendes and Kevin James in "Hitch". What was it like to work with such a talented cast?

I love it when talent is NOT confused with temperament. That entire cast was talented and a group of nice people. We should put more value on those two qualities existing in one person than we do in this business.

Answer 9

You've juggled recurring and guest roles on several shows throughout your career. Do you prefer playing a variety of characters or a single character for multiple seasons?

Both have their advantages. Jumping from character to character is EXTREMELY satisfying to me. But there is also something wonderful about staying with one character over an extended period of time. You get to really explore them and take them on a winding and ever changing journey. I suppose it depends on the character and the writing.

Answer 10

Even though you have proven to be a versatile actress, do you personally feel there is one genre that suits you best?

I am generally more drawn to great writing and interesting characters than I am to a single genre. That sounds like a simple answer. But as a woman, a great three dimensional character can be harder to find than you think. That has been slowly changing over the last few years, I hope it continues.