Melissa Mccarthy

What was it like working with Marielle Heller?

Marie is one of the few people that – and she would never do this, but – if she said, “I have something I want you to do, [but] you can’t read it,” I’d be like, “OK.” Which is not something I’ve ever said before. There was just a great comforting sense that you knew who was in charge. We really looked to her to lead us in the greatest way, but she did it with such a light touch.

What part of the shoot tested you most?

I think the play on stillness. I’ve played so many strong, challenging women that have kind of been energy-forward. I felt that Lee was much more turned inward and did a type of deflecting that was, “I will wait you out in the hope that you’ll go away.” And it usually worked.

Did playing Sean Spicer help you get into the mindset of someone who can justify lies they tell?

I wasn’t examining him. I said we must always use his words. I don’t want to make things up. I just want to hold the mirror up and let his own words reflect back because they’re crazy enough. AM