Cristin Milioti has officially become an Emmy nominee, and her excitement extends beyond her personal achievement. In an interview with Gold Derby, she expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’m so honored to be personally nominated, but also to see the amount that we got and to see so many of our departments get recognized — that was truly the most thrilling part.”
Cristin Milioti’s Emmy Nomination: A Celebration of Talent
Cristin Milioti has officially become an Emmy nominee, and her excitement extends beyond her personal achievement. In an interview with Gold Derby, she expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’m so honored to be personally nominated, but also to see the amount that we got and to see so many of our departments get recognized — that was truly the most thrilling part.”
The Penguin: A Show of Recognition
HBO’s The Penguin, where Milioti portrays the fierce and unpredictable Sofia Falcone, garnered a remarkable total of 24 Emmy nominations, solidifying its status as one of the year’s most acclaimed shows. This series not only marked Milioti’s first Emmy nomination but also recognized her co-stars Colin Farrell and Deirdre O’Connell.
A Standout Performance
Milioti’s compelling portrayal of Sofia has been celebrated as one of the season’s standout performances — a gripping exploration of power and unpredictability. The series, a gritty extension of Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe, immerses Milioti in Gotham’s dark underbelly, where she navigates the rise and fall of Farrell’s Oz Cobb.
Immersive Production Experience
For Milioti, the production of The Penguin was astonishing. “Every single one of our departments was firing on all cylinders,” she notes. “Even being in the Falcone Mansion — that’s all on a soundstage, but so much of it is built. You can go through from room to room to room, and it feels like it is kind of endless. Every little detail down to the photographs that the camera would never even pick up — it’s incredible.”
Realism Enhances Performance
This realism directly influenced her performance. “When you’re in something that is that beautifully executed, it certainly helps the acting, because you feel immersed. You can forget that you’re on a soundstage,” she explains.
Memorable Moments in Episode 4
Sofia emerges as a commanding force in Episode 4, titled “Cent’Anni,” which Milioti describes as “one of the most exciting things I’ve ever read.” She recalls her excitement upon reading the script for the first time, highlighting two pivotal moments: “One is when I kill the woman in Arkham… and the second is the sequence [where Sofia is wearing] the yellow dress at the dinner with my family — and then killing them all. I will never forget those. They felt monumental.”
The Thrill of Unpredictability
What makes Sofia so captivating is her unpredictability — a trait Milioti relished. “The fact that she’s unpredictable is incredibly fun to play,” she shares. “After a certain point, she really does what she wants. Being able to play someone that powerful and that adheres to no laws or rules is incredibly thrilling. You put on a big fake fur coat and you have a gun in your hand and a sack of cash — you feel pretty cool. I’m not going to lie.”
Collaboration with Co-stars
Milioti credits her co-star Farrell, noting their scenes crackle with danger, betrayal, and dark charisma. “To know him is to love him,” she says. “He’s such an extraordinary actor, and also an incredibly generous and kind and very funny human being. I just felt really cared for by him. And he’s so talented — it’s stupid.”
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Acting opposite Deirdre O’Connell (who plays Oz’s mother, Francis) also left a lasting impression. “It felt like getting into the ring with a prize fighter and getting KO’d over and over — but liking it,” she laughs. “There’s so much going on there. Every take was so unexpected. She’s one of our best, and I love the ways in which she’s getting recognized.”
Looking Forward to Emmy Night
As for Emmy night itself, Milioti is eager to embrace the celebration. “This is such a rote thing to say, but it’s an honor to be nominated — and it is. I’m just very excited to put on a gown and drink a couple glasses of wine and celebrate together.”
Musical Aspirations
Despite her accolades, Milioti remains connected to her musical roots. “I would love a movie musical — are you kidding? I really miss singing a lot,” she shares, reflecting on her Tony-nominated role in Once and her 2013 Grammy win for the cast recording. “The day we found out we won, we were rehearsing as a cast, so we were all together when we found out, which is very cool.”
Future Projects
While details about her next project remain under wraps, Milioti hints, “I’m currently filming a horror movie.”
The Penguin is currently streaming on HBO Max.
