51-year-old Sarah Jessica Parker’s newest role involves playing a woman whose marriage is falling apart on the HBO TV show “Divorce.” Recently, Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick spoke to reporters at the NYC premiere of her show about what it’s like to play someone in a troubled relationship.
When reporters asked if her role reflects her life at home, she said no–and explained how that’s the joy of acting (seriously people):
“What I do on screen doesn’t cross the placenta, do you know what I mean? I play all sorts of parts that I suppose one would wonder — but that’s my job, that’s what’s interesting to me, that’s why I wanted to tell this story and that’s why I was originally interested in this idea and finding writers who could create a tone and an environment and a landscape that would be interesting and exciting.
You know, any job is very separate for me — it always has been. I love being consumed by a part that I’m playing… I don’t relate to it. It feels so specific.”
Broderick, 54, chimed in, adding that while the show exposes the realities of marriage, it’s also fun taking part in fiction–which he knows well as a fellow actor:
“It’s kind of fun — and also, it’s fiction, you know. I thought it wasn’t really mean, I thought it was bad-tempered. It wasn’t sadistic or anything like that. It’s uncomfortable, but I think it’s saved because it’s funny and human. [Divorce is] on a lot of people’s minds, unfortunately… [The show] does expose some of the uglier sides of marriage,” he said. “But it’s also humor — it’s funny.”
Together, the couple have three children–their son James, 13, and twins Loretta and Tabitha, 7. Having kids, as any parent knows, means it’s essential to have a sense of humor, which Broderick pointed out:
“For me it’s essential. Humor is a great diffuser with 7-year-olds and a 13-year-old!”
When it comes to their kids, the Jewish parents confessed that they don’t talk about their acting roles–Broderick explained it’s just easier not to:
“Maybe I should have, but I have not done that. I avoid pretty much anything that might be difficult.
I’m pretty good with the kids, I think. I haven’t told them about this show. James … he’s so smart and reads everything. I’m sure there’s nothing for me to tell him.”
“Divorce” premieres this Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on HBO. Can’t wait to watch it, especially considering it’s such a different role for Parker post-“Sex in the City.”
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