Chrissy Metz explores different facets of her acting abilities in her latest role. At 46, Metz is known for her memorable role as Kate Pearson in This Is Us. Her performance as a loyal sister dealing with personal insecurities brought her critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination. This allowed her to participate in diverse projects, including The Hunting Wives and the Broadway musical & Juliet.
Metz takes on a new challenge in Nocturne, a dark crime drama streaming on Apple TV, which started on October 30. She plays Ida, a mother tormented by the unresolved disappearance of her children. Speaking to PEOPLE, she discussed her approach to this complex role at the show’s New York City premiere on October 20. She finds the balance between Ida’s grief and persistent hope intriguing, describing it as a challenge she embraces.
“We all have layers and complexities and we don’t always get to see them,” Metz explains. “Everyone thinks of me as the girl who cries a lot on TV. I embrace that, but I also want to show different sides of me.”
Metz shared that moving into a series with a darker theme was not difficult. Her transition was smoother because she identifies as a person with varied emotional depths. For her part in Nocturne, she immersed herself in the story by staying present and doing thorough research. She praised her fellow cast members, describing the ensemble as “wonderfully built,” which helped her deeply connect with her character.
Nocturne takes inspiration from Lars Kepler’s bestselling novels, Lazarus and The Sandman. The story centers on Jonah Lynn, played by Liev Schreiber. Jonah is an ex-soldier turned homicide detective who relocates to a small town in Pennsylvania seeking tranquility. However, his life turns chaotic when serial killer Jurek Walter, portrayed by Stephen Graham, targets him, forcing Jonah to fight for his family’s safety. The cast also includes Zazie Beetz, Rory Culkin, Poorna Jagannathan, and Gary Carr.
Metz fondly remarks on the camaraderie among her castmates. She shares an anecdote about discussing music and singing with Stephen Graham, noting how much she learned just by observing the talented cast in action.
Audiences can catch new episodes of Nocturne every Friday on Apple TV.
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