Christina Hendricks, renowned for her portrayal of the confident and assertive Joan Harris in the hit series "Mad Men," can personally relate to her character's fearlessness in pursuing what she wants, regardless of others' opinions.
In an interview with The Guardian, the award-winning actress revealed that her agency actually dropped her when she took on the role of Joan.
Hendricks recalled their reasoning, saying, "They said, 'It's a period piece, it's never going to go anywhere. We need you to make money, and this isn't going to make money.' They ended up dropping me." However, Hendricks's belief in the potential of "Mad Men" outweighed the fear of failure.
Having experienced disappointment with previous shows that were expected to be long-lasting, Hendricks decided to take a chance on the series she truly loved. She explained, "So there was no sure bet, and I'd already taken a chance on them. I felt, why not do the one you're in love with and take a chance on that?"
Eight years later, as the cast wrapped up filming the series finale, Hendricks described the bittersweet emotions surrounding the event. The cast spent the final day reminiscing and celebrating, staying together until 8 a.m. the next morning. Hendricks shared, "We all just stuck around. We didn't want to leave."
During the interview, Hendricks also revealed an intriguing fact about her travels. She often flies with her service dog, Zouzou, a cockapoo. She explained that she needed to take a photo of Zouzou for her identification as a service dog, allowing her to travel on airplanes. Zouzou, an anti-anxiety dog, provides comfort and calmness to Hendricks during her travels.
Reflecting on her past, Hendricks discussed her high school years, which were marked by torment and fear. Recalling the hostile environment, she said, "We had a locker bay, and every time I went down there to get books out of my locker, people would sit on top and spit at me. So I had to have my locker moved because I couldn't go in there... I felt scared in high school. It was like 'Lord of the Flies.' There was always some kid getting pummeled, and people cheering."
Since stepping into the shoes of Joan, Hendricks has experienced a surge in popularity, earning multiple Emmy nominations over the years. As she awaits the upcoming Emmy Awards, where she is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama, she eagerly anticipates the possibility of winning her first Emmy after five consecutive nominations.
Christina Hendricks's journey from being dropped by her agency to becoming a celebrated actress is a testament to her resilience, talent, and unwavering belief in the projects she holds dear.
