Sarah Paulson discusses difficulties of playing Ms Epps 12 Years A Slave

Join Jamaal Finkley, founder of BlackTree Media, as he sits down with the talented Sarah Paulson to discuss her powerful role as Mistress Epps in the acclaimed film 12 Years A Slave. This in-depth interview delves into the challenges Paulson faced in bringing such a complex and morally challenging character to life, the impact of playing Ms. Epps, and how the story's themes resonate today. 12 Years A Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, is based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free Black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the 1840s. Sarah Paulson's performance as the conflicted and tormented Mistress Epps earned critical acclaim and underscored her versatility as one of Hollywood's most dynamic actresses.

Sarah Paulson, known for her work in American Horror Story, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and various other critically acclaimed projects, discusses the nuances of portraying Ms. Epps, the importance of understanding history, and why 12 Years A Slave is a story that remains vital for all generations.

Interview Chapter Marks:
00:01 - Opening Scene: Intense Dialogue from 12 Years A Slave
00:51 - The Nuances of Portraying Ms. Epps
01:22 - Understanding and Humanizing a Complex Character
01:50 - The Modern Relevance of 12 Years A Slave
02:23 - Importance of Personal Stories in Understanding History
02:48 - Emotional Impact of Playing Ms. Epps & Filming in New Orleans
03:19 - Creating an Engaged Movie Experience for Audiences
03:48 - Discussing the Dynamic Between Solomon and Epps

A BlackTree Media Production
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[gezzarandom]

I must say Sarah's portrayal of Mary Epps was scary, she played a great villian.

[reby]

when she threw that bottle at lupita's charter i was like damn

[IamQuinnStar]

When she said if you hated me in the film then I did my job, I had to stand up and clap from my seat because I did. I really did she did a wonderful job

[sharlyt]

“If you hated me then i did my job.” 👍🏻
- A Real Thespian

[SLuMberMoOn]

She was great! Very striking in her performance in the movie...she made her character known for sure in this film...great actress!

[BaByXgIrL]

Her character was the scariest, indeed. I understood what Paulson just said about Mrs Epp's upbringing making her the way she was but It's so hard to even find an excuse to her cruelty. She was just evil. And to think that people like that existed.... It's hard for me to imagine how things were way back then. How hard life must have been. And how the white women felt "betrayed" and had no other way to get their revenge then to get the rival slave torn-down. Mentality is one incredible thing. And the saddest thing is if some (evil-natured) people nowadays had the possibility to still have slaves, they gladly would. (I know there's still slavery in the world but I mean, if it were..legal). Many people complain about too many slavery films being done (come on, there was just two in a row lol) but I personally think it's good. History has to be told. This shouldn't have happened and should never happen. These films just show the reality of how cruelly SICK the world can get.  

[dallisvon]

I hated her in this movie but I love her in American Horror Story 😊

[tntbandit]

Sarah did scarily wonderful! Her eyes throughout the film were so cold. I loved her answer to the first question, very poignant...and true. I think she did a great job with book to movie transfer because even in the book,  Solomon wrote about the Mistress as if he felt sorry for her, he knew she was a cruel bi*ch but he also understood way past his gender that this was a humiliated and cowardly woman and the only way she knew how 2 react was with utter terror and he was like that's the way she's gonna be, that's they way she'll always be since in her lifetime, things wouldn't have changed. I think Sarah should be proud of what she did in the film, not many actresses could play this without fear of how they're portrayed and getting in2 the mind of the character...but she did and Bravo! 

[joeyyysuda]

You know she’s a great actress when you hate her character’s guts

[HelloBombshell]

That’s exactly what I was thinking - that this should be a staple in High School for reading / watching. It was so beautifully done. Our history should not be ignored.

[EricAKATheBelgianGuy]

As an actor myself, let me say this:

We don't have to like the characters. What we have to try to do is understand them. I played a part like that, where I found it very hard at first to like my character. And to be honest, I still don't think I do. But I ended up getting some of the best reviews of my life.

[The_Relevance]

This woman sent chills down my spine in the movie! THATS GOOD ACTING

[HelgaCavoli]

Movies like this really help get knowledge to people about US History. The Help, Hidden figures, The Color Purple, Corina..

[DomainPublishing]

Wow she seemed so uncomfortable talking about it. Love her as an actress.

[oneiceb]

She is a good actress! She was a beast in this

[rha]

I think Paulson's analysis of the character Ms Epps is spot on with a clarity of insight. And so she was able to play it just right.

[majorpayne]

The woman in this film is sickening to the core. For the one below me saying there is no evil. Stop making excuses people like her knew good and darn well what they were doing and chose to carry it out. She is a product of her environment is not always an excuse, not all whites owned slaves. because some knew it was wrong. See, they didn't let their "environment" get In the way of their morals. We all have choices and she chose the dark side.

[mikemeeks]

Everyone in the movie did amazing. They all showed how great of actors they are. The viewers could feel real anger towards some of the actors. That's great acting when you can make the viewers feel the feelings you're trying to display.

[mothermovementa]

Paulson did such a great job I didn't even realise it was her.😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[anniesunshine]

Sarah P is an all around actress. Can play any part n make it hers really. Shes beautiful n so smart. Definatly an envy of alot of us!