Q&A - Christina Hendricks (Joan Holloway)
Christina Hendricks chats with AMCtv.com about the direction of Season 3, weddings and another drunk exec gallivanting in his underwear.
Q: Now that we're into Season 3, are there things that still surprise you?
A: Oh yes, this season may be more surprising than ever! The show is about human interactions, so naturally, the deeper you go, the more twisted it can get. Now the audience is beginning to know and understand these characters extremely well, so there's that much more opportunity to explore who these people really are. Season 3 starts to go really deep.
Q: Having skipped ahead to 1963, we never get to see Joan's wedding. Are you sorry you never had a chance to wear a wedding dress on the show?
A: I never thought of that! I'm actually getting married this year, so I've probably had enough of the wedding dresses.
Q: Earlier this year, we did a piece on Mad Men's top ten shocking moments. What was the big shocker for you?
A: I would have to say that Roger Sterling riding one of the models like a horse in his underwear. [Laughs] Yeah, that was pretty shocking.
Q: In Episode 3, Joan sings a French ditty. Is there anyone's style you modeled your singing after?
A: Not really, I was just terrified! I'm really not a singer, and I don't speak French, so I was just trying to keep my head above water. The writers called me up and said, "Do you play the piano?" I said, "No I don't, but I do play the accordion." They were like, "Oh, even better!" It was really cool, because I got to take a few lessons and sort of freshen up. I always loved that instrument. It's so romantic and it's got this full, rich sound.
Q: We keep hearing about the Mad Men revues. Did you perform in one?
A: [Laughs] I have not performed in one! I have been there to support them, though. But now that they know I play the accordion, I don't know how much longer I'll get away with that.
Q: Joan seems to have emerged this season in particular as a style icon. How do you feel about that?
A: It's absolutely a collaboration with the costume designer, Janie Bryant. Janie has amazing talent. Each woman on the show has a distinct style. I loved the dress I wore when Joan hosts the dinner party, the black one with red flowers. It was very Spanish. All the dresses I get to wear are pretty fabulous.
Q: What's the most interesting encounter you've had with a fan since the show aired?
A: People generally come up to me and say really sweet things. But I do get a big kick out of it when people think I'm January or Elisabeth. They'll fight me on it! I'm like, "No, really! I have the red hair, see?"
Read an interview with Christina Hendricks from Season 2 ยป
You really play the accordion? How flipping cool!
Please let Joan come back soon! Sterling Coop needs you! I need you!
Mr. Arend is one of the luckiest men on earth. I wish you both eternal happiness. Wish I could be there to see you in your wedding dress. I can only imagine how beautiful you will look.
I should also add that, judging by the cool way he proposed, you are pretty lucky too!
I second all that has previously been posted....hope AMC posts some photos (video?) from the wedding.
...It's so great, they are getting married on my parents' anniversary, Oct. 11 (1941) -- !!
Thanks Christina, for helping to make curvy girls hot again! Can't wait to see where Joan lands this season.
....."Joan" is possibly my favorite character. She just gets better and better and there is no one on TV like her, which I attribute to Christina and her amazing acting. So happy she finally gets to show off her chops in a great role.
I read an interview with Matt in which he said Joan was a totally different sort of character - somewhat in the background - until Christina came along and made her so fabulous.
Loved Joan in the lawnmower scene. Everyone else is standing there gawking in shock at Guy screaming and writhing on the floor, and here comes Joan, running down the aisle like a superhero, to save his life. She never hesitated or lost her head.
Maybe Joan should go to medical school and become the surgeon!
All the best to Christina and hubby in their new married life!
We need more of Joan this season! I missed her so much in "723", and her role was so short in "Souvenir". Joan is my favorite character on the show, and ditto OldSoul555! I agree that it's so wonderful to see a naturally beautiful woman with real curves on TV! So many of the actresses today look like skeletons with fake breasts to attempt to hide their eating disorders.