Marvel’s Daredevil on Netflix is quite possibly one of the most complete series out there right now when it comes to acting, directing, production, writing, etc. Obviously the lead characters are portrayed by brilliant actors like Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll and Eldon Henson, but what truly makes the show standout is the incredible supporting cast it possesses as well.

Amy Rutberg is a part of said cast and as a fan of the show, it is hard for me to imagine it without her witty quips and the contrast she brings to the other characters. With that being said, Daredevil is only part of Rutberg’s busy schedule and luckily for me, I was able to catch her for a quick conversation where we talked a bit about that hectic schedule, as well as the talent she is surrounded by and, of course…heated car seats. I mean it is winter after all. Check out the full interview for yourself below.

BRANDON: Thank you so much, Amy for taking some time out of your day to speak to us here at Lemonade. How is life treating you? How are the holidays going so far?

AMY: December is an insane month in New York. First of all, the weather is so unpredictable here, so it’s like freezing, it’s snowing, it’s raining. You don’t know what to wear. And it’s just a lot of events and parties. I’m also shooting various projects so it’s been really crazy. I’m actually, flying to California next week. I could not be more excited. I mean, poor Southern California with all the fires. It’s such a shame, but I can’t wait to land and not be in a million layers of clothing.

B: I totally hear you there. Here, it’s probably not as quite as cold as New York. I think it’s about 47 here today, but it’s raining and it just felt gross. I’m so happy I have heated seats in my car. That was the major epiphany for me today, “that was a good, good, good idea when you bought that car, Brandon.” *laughs*

A: Aren’t those great? I know.

B: Oh, I know. So great.

A: Heated seats. It’s such a small, little luxury , but you feel like a billionaire when you have heated seats.

B: And the best part is when you can turn it on for the passenger’s seat and be like, “Yeah, this one is on me. I’ve got the heated seats for you.” *laughs*

A: *laughs* Sadly, subways and taxis don’t come with heated seats.

B: I know we’ve got a lot more to talk about, but I’ll start off with Daredevil. I know you can’t talk about the future of Daredevil because Marvel put’s a chip in your brain, right? If you talk about it, they shut you off.

A: Yes, yes exactly. Just kidding. *laughs*

B: *laughs* But we’ll talk about the last season, and you play Marci. I believe you’re also referred to on the wiki fan page for you, it says alternate names “Meat Grinder in the Pencil Skirt“, which I believe was a nickname from Karen on the show.

A: You’re totally right.

B: *laughs*

A: I’m still trying to figure out if it’s a compliment or not.

B: I think it is. I would just take it as a compliment.

A: What does “meat grinder” mean?

B: I think it just means that you go to work, you know.

A: Like, tough, right?

B: Oh yeah.

A: Like, I churn them out.

B: Yeah, exactly. I think it’s a compliment, especially since it was coming form Karen, right, because she probably, for one both admires and is jealous of Marci, you know?

A: Well, I don’t know. I will say, you didn’t ask me about this, but Deborah Ann Woll, who plays Karen, is one of my favorite people, and she’s one of my favorite actresses. I think that Deborah Ann Woll is a couple of years from being the next Jessica Chastain, in my opinion.

B: You know, I don’t disagree with you at all. I have never had the pleasure of actually interviewing her, but I have seen interviews with her, and she seems like the most sweetest, down-to-earth person, as well. I think she’s fantastic. I 100% agree with you.

A: She brings you down to earth. She’s also very smart, and she is super talented. I mean, that’s why I think Marvel is basically putting her in every possible show. They’re just like, “Let’s put her in all the shows.” So talented. I’m a big, big fan. Deborah Ann Woll can call me a meat grinder any day. I will take that from her.

B: Your character, by the way, I mean that’s the thing about Marvel. They only pick the perfect people for the characters there. So, I’ve got to ask you, what is it like on that set? The cinematography is unbelievable when you watch that show. What is it like working in that sort of environment where everything is just so precise and beautiful?

A: Well you know, you never know when you’re shooting or how scenes are going to turn out, especially when we were shooting the first season of Daredevil, we were the first Marvel network show. And during the first season when I got the job, I didn’t even know I was doing Daredevil. They had a pseudonym for it, and I knew that Marvel was behind it, but I wasn’t actually entirely sure. By the time I got to set I knew what it was, but when I auditioned for it I had no idea what I was going in for and what I was doing. The cool thing about Marvel, since having worked on many episodes with them is that opposed to other television shows, they use a lot of European directors, and they don’t use your typical network director who have done a lot of hour-long procedurals on network shows. They hire these former cinematographers from Europe who’ve done a lot of badass action stuff.

B: Yeah, for sure.

A: And for the first two seasons, I didn’t really know in advance the Directors I’d be working with, and I didn’t even have access to full scripts the first two seasons. Only Charlie, Deborah Ann, and Elden did. And I’m sure Vincent D’Onofrio did as well. So it’s always a little bit…the mystery of it is kind of fun. You never really know what you’re getting into. When I saw Daredevil’s first season I was blown away by the art direction, by the action. I mean, Episode 7 in Season 1 is probably the best action I have ever seen in any film or television in my life.

B: Oh yeah, hands down.

A: Do you remember that fight scene?

B: It was incredible.

A: It was, like, a 15 minute fight scene.

B: I remember watching it and thinking, “This is incredible.” Because, like you said, even as viewers we didn’t know what to expect because that was the first series Marvel released on Netflix before Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and The Punisher.

A: Yeah. It’s incredible. I had no idea it would be as good as it was. The first season I never worked with Charlie. I only worked with Deborah Ann and Elden. I thought the dialogue was great, and I especially loved my dialogue and my scenes in the second season. I thought it was really snappy and funny. I was so honored that I was the first person to integrate Jessica Jones in Daredevil. I don’t know if you remember that from season two…

B: I sure do.

A: …but I mention Jessica Jones for the first time. I say something like, “Oh, he’s working for someone in the office, a girl by the name of Jessica Jones.” And I was like, “Wow, that’s pretty cool.”

B: So, anyway, love love love Marci. Love Daredevil. I know you can’t say what’s happening on the next season, but hopefully we might get to see you again as Marci. But I can say, we will for sure get to see you again on the next season of Taken, I’m sure you’ve been asked this before but do you have a particular set of skills you learned from years of experience to be on this show?

A: *laughs* It’s so funny that you mentioned that quote, because I did a really funny video on set when I was bored once of me doing that Liam Neeson impersonation, and I’m waiting to release it until it comes out because out of context it’s not as funny. But yeah, I actually have two shows coming up. It’s been a super busy year for me. I’ve actually shot, I think, eight different shows in one year.

B: Oh my gosh.

A: Yeah it’s been crazy. It’s been a great year. I’ve been in L.A., I’ve been in Toronto, I’ve been in New Orleans. Actually, I’m on NCIS: NOLA on January 2.

B: O.k., that’s coming up soon.

A: Taken was a great experience. Have you ever seen that guy Clive Standen in anything? He’s really good.

B: Yes I have.

A: Yeah, and he’s a total sweetheart. And I play a Senator’s wife, a southern Senator’s wife, and I think I’m allowed to say that I get kidnapped.

B: That’s the theme of the show, correct?

A: Yeah, I think that there’s a new kidnapping victim every episode. That’s why I don’t think that’s a surprise.

B: Yeah, exactly.

A: So, what happens after that gets very very interesting, I was excited. I don’t get to do any stunts on Daredevil, at least not yet, and it was really exciting to get to do some of that stuff in Toronto with that particular cast and crew. It was really fun. When I read the script for that episode of Taken, it was probably the best episodic of a network show I’d ever read. It was really exciting, and there were so many twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting. So, I hope people come out and watch the show.

B: No, absolutely. I think a lot of people too, from what I’ve heard, who have watched that show who had maybe even some skepticism going into it, have said that they’ve been really impressed by the adaptation from movie to TV, so yeah, if you haven’t got on that bandwagon, it’s definitely worth checking out.

A: Yeah.

B: Now, you did mention you were going to be on NCIS: NOLA, so what kind if character are you playing in that and how about that role?

A: I play a slightly sexy CIA on NCIS: NOLA and I got to work with Scott Bakula.

B: Oooooo!

A: I was so excited to work with Scott. All my scenes are with Scott. He’s the nicest guy, and he’s such a pro. I mean, Quantum Leap is probably before your time…

B: I remember Quantum Leap, and then reruns of it especially.

A: You do remember it?

B: Very vaguely. I was pretty young. I’m 31, so I’m kind of on that cusp…

A: You’re right on the cusp. I didn’t really watch much Quantum Leap, but I know Scott Bakula from his theater too, because he’s a song and dance guy. So, working with him was a real pleasure. He’s kind of quiet and he dissects the scene, and he’s always asking, “Are you happy? Are you comfortable?” He’s just really great. Shooting in New Orleans is probably the best possible place you could be shooting. It’s so fun and the food. Staying there for two weeks right in the center of the French Quarter. It was like a dream.

B: That’s one of those places that I’ve thought about, and I’ve heard a lot of people talk about as well, and it seems almost like a vacation out of the U.S. while in the U.S.

A: Exactly. Exactly. And I totally nerded out working with Scott Bakula.

B: Well I mean, think of all the stuff that he’s been a part of, right? So many iconic TV series as well. He’s a legend.

A: Yeah.

B: It’s crazy. I totally understand that, So, you said eight shows? That’s just incredible. They scheduled me for two interviews today and I thought, “Oh my gosh, I’m overwhelmed.” So I cannot imagine shooting eight shows in a year, You’re incredible. But, do you have any downtime ever?

A: Yeah, I mean, there is downtime. In my downtime, if I’m not shooting, I actually do a lot of voiceovers. I do radio and television voiceovers for a ton of products, and so I spend a lot of time in recording rooms by myself.

B: That can be kind of refreshing.

A: Recording things, like, “Growth. It’s what we do. Miracle-Gro.” That’s, like, what I’m doing when I’m not shooting. It’s really fun, and it’s kind of a way to get out some interesting creative energy because you’re doing funnier stuff, because you’re always able to, like, rewrite the copy and have fun with it and do some of your own jokes and stuff. I really enjoy that. I also do a comedy show in New York at UCB. It’s called Gravid Water. UCB stands for Upright Citizens Brigade. It’s Amy Poehler’s improv theater that she started.

B: Oh, nice.

A: A lot of really amazing people have come out of it. We do this really fun show and we get great people to come guest in it. We’ve had Chevy Chase and Jason Sudeikis, well, Jason Sudeikis is actually a regular. He does it all the time. And, Amy Poehler’s done it. We just get great people, and it’s kind of an underground show. Like, people are in the know about it. It’s got a really young audience, and It’s always sold out. Tickets are like ten bucks. As soon as they go sale people wait around the block to get in, and then we have standing room. You have to keep it fresh, like, that kind of stuff. That’s why I live in New York, because I love being surrounded by art and I love it to constantly be a challenge, so, I really feel lucky to be here and be an actor here. It just has so much stuff going on. It’s really a privilege. I mean, I can remember in my early 20’s, sitting around L.A. and waiting for the phone to ring for an audition, and now, you know, it’s totally different. I’m so grateful for that.

B: That sounds so incredible. I can only imagine those – you mentioned Chevy Chase and Jason Sudeikis, I mean gosh, $10 to go? I guess you’ve got to get those tickets quick!

A: Can you imagine? And none of that is filmed or on the internet. It’s all happening live. You do these scenes with these godly, amazing talents, and it’s almost like a secret, magic part of my life that I get to go do that.

B: And it’s crazy, too, because both those guys have SNL ties and it’s crazy these days, especially with all the things you can do over the internet, and these indie shows that people are doing around the country as well where you actually get to see a lot of these comedic actors, and not just on SNL, but they end up having a broader reach. It’s pretty cool how we progress with art and everything.

A: Yeah, it’s great. And we get a lot of people from SNL on the show because it’s fun for them to be a little freer and not to have to worry about the national audience.

B: I don’t want to keep you too long, even though I could probably keep this interview going forever. I was going to ask you though…I’ve been doing a lot more TV and movie interviews lately, but we do a lot of music stuff, so since we’re at the end of the year and we have our favorites lists coming out. What has been your favorite stuff that’s come out of the music world in 2017?

A: Ha! Wow, I actually don’t have a great answer for you because the stuff I listen to is a little more old school. I’m not super up on new music. Ryan Adams, did his new album come out this year?

B: I do believe he did have a release this year called Prisoner. Yes.

A: O.k. Yeah, I like that album. I don’t want to sound nerdy because I’m not like a super…

B: We’re all nerds.

A: …I also have a kid, and so a lot of the stuff I listen to is the stuff she likes to listen to, which is not bad, but I’ve listened to the Trolls soundtrack probably a million times.

B: *laughs* You’ve heard Justin Timberlake a lot.

A: *laughs* But, like, who else have I been listening to? You’re a music guy, so now I’m getting embarrassed.

B: No, don’t worry about that!

A: Oh, Beyonce’s new album I’ve been listening to a lot. And, The Chainsmokers. I’m super into listening to The Chainsmokers and walking around New York. That, like, really energizes me.

B: I totally get that. That’s some good workout music there.

A: Oh, yeah it’s amazing workout music. And I’ll tell you my two favorite artists, and I don’t know if they’re cool or not, but I see them every time they’re in New York, are Ray LaMontagne and The Lumineers.

B: Oh, The Lumineers too. Their last album was incredible. If you haven’t seen their full music video for “The Ballad of Cleopatra”…incredible.

A: I actually have, and I’ve seen them four times in the last 13 months. I’m a big, big Lumineers fan. I’ve seen them in Brooklyn. I’ve seen them in New Jersey. I’ve seen them in Manhattan. I love Ray LaMontagne too. I got to meet him once. It was pretty cool.

B: That’s so cool. He is pretty great, you’re right. Well I will let you get back to your crazy busy life now Amy, but thank you so much! It was absolutely a pleasure chatting with you today.

A: It was a pleasure speaking with you too!

Check out Amy Rutberg in Daredevil, Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Netflix and also make sure to tune in to Taken, Fridays at 9PM on NBC (and streaming on NBC.com).

About Author

brandonenyeart Editor in Chief of Lemonade Magazine

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