While speaking to Dern this afternoon about Jurassic Park’s 20th anniversary, we sneaked in our condolences about the series and told the actress how much we had appreciated her character, a socially awkward idealist and activist. “Thank you so much,” Dern said. “You saying that is like telling me that you love my sister. I love her so much.”
Less than two weeks after HBO announced what it called “a very difficult decision,” Dern revealed that she is still trying to process the news after embodying the character, who earned her a Golden Globe last year, for two years: “I think we are trying to figure it out. I think we are all a little stunned to say goodbye. As much opportunity as there is to sort of close a door to anything you’ve made. . . . I kept the door open wide for Amy. Because I’ve had to live with her a few years now. And I’ve never felt more attached to a character, more protective, or more defensive of a character. You know, there’s grief in saying goodbye to someone like that.”
As Jellicoe would, Dern is trying to find the silver lining in the decision. “But the great news is—and the difficult news, for all of the people that love us—is that we, those of us who relate to Amy, can keep her alive inside of us forever,” she told us. “Maybe not the most complicated parts, but hopefully the part that demands an honest voice whether people like it or not.”
Although she would not go into detail, Dern confirmed that she and White had mapped out a third, post-Abaddon season for the characters. After we suggested a Kickstarter initiative, Dern said, “Yeah! But the fans have been amazing. . . . The critics, the journalists, it’s been unparalleled. I’ve never seen anything like this level of support so that’s been amazing for us, and we are really grateful.”
