Ep 78. Natasha Lyonne

Conan O'Brien returns with another exciting episode of "Conan" in 2019, featuring the talented actress Natasha Lyonne. In this episode, Conan O'Brien interviews Natasha Lyonne in a candid conversation where they discuss her work in "Russian Doll," her role in "Orange Is the New Black," and her career as an actress in general.

The conversation starts with Conan O'Brien discussing Lyonne’s childhood and early life. She shares that she was a bit of a rebel and often got into trouble with her parents. Growing up in New York City, Lyonne was exposed to the arts from a young age. She shares how her mother, who was a theater producer, inspired her to become an actress.

They then dive into her recent work in "Russian Doll," a Netflix show created and produced by Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler, and Leslye Headland. She explains how personal the show is to her and discusses the importance of telling stories that come from a genuine place. Lyonne also shares how she experimented with the structure of the show and uses different techniques to keep the narrative fresh and engaging.

Conan then shifts the conversation to Lyonne's role in "Orange Is the New Black." She talks about the show's impact and how it portrayed female characters in a more dynamic and nuanced way. Lyonne opens up about her character Nicky and her struggles with addiction. She explains how her own experiences with addiction helped her bring a level of authenticity to the role.

The conversation takes a turn as they discuss Lyonne’s filmmaking career. Conan praises her short film, "Cabiria, Charity, Chastity," which stars another "Orange is the New Black" alum, Laverne Cox. She describes the process of making the film and how she called in favors from her friends to help make it happen. Lyonne and Conan also discuss how difficult it can be to make a movie, especially as a woman in the entertainment industry.

As the interview wraps up, they discuss Lyonne’s future projects. Lyonne reveals that she's working on another project for Netflix and is excited to continue pushing boundaries and telling unique stories. Conan ends the interview by thanking her for her time and sharing his admiration for her work.

Overall, this episode is a must-watch for fans of Natasha Lyonne and anyone who wants an insight into the world of acting and filmmaking. Conan O'Brien's casual yet insightful interviewing style, mixed with Natasha Lyonne's warmth and wit, make for an engaging and entertaining conversation.