Claire Danes on playing Carrie: "I'm always monitoring the depiction of her condition"

"Homeland" star Claire Danes sat down with "CBS This Morning" co-host Norah O'Donnell to discuss playing the bi-polar, impulsive character Carrie Mathison.

[@jettisone]

She's so talanted. Carrie is such a complex role but she pulls it off so well

[@ashimavivek]

Interviewer was so right when she said 'I want to interview Carrie'. Claire Danes is such a brilliant actress. Want to see more of Homeland.

[@illsmith8162]

she seems so down to earth! more so than most actors do in interviews I watch. I love claire Danes and homeland

[@lotusliberty2529]

My boyfriend learned from my disorder by watching Carrie Mathison on Homeland

[@sweetnothings12]

she looks gorgeous in this interview!!

[@65g4]

agreed just so beautiful

[@celestecelestial90]

The colors she’s wearing are flattering on her. She has beautiful gray blue eyes.

[@infinitalocura]

I love her she looks so chill and beautiful

[@firespawn0006]

My favorite tv character

[@Arakko-i7h]

1:24, 2:50 Why is Carrie's bipolar disorder one of her strengths? Bipolar has what appears to be an enhanced ability to organize data and make connections between bits of information in different categories. In fact, he is a professional methodologist. The job is to teach people to be data analysts. It is not by chance that he gets sick after doing this job for three or four years. Anyway, he is very good at this job - so much so that he can almost sleep. When people present a problem to the bipolar person, he understands it very quickly. I believe it is because it has an internal model of how the world works that it is effective for organizing new data quickly. There's even an analysis of your model's path posted on the bulletin board, just a reminder of how everything relates to everything else. People like Carrie (or whoever writes her character) and other bipolar are trained in many different analytical techniques. When you combine this with a strong sense of empathy and an artistic inclination (eg a musician), I think it makes it easier for them to separate and reconstruct pieces of information that are apparently unrelated in a coherent story, it happens that it hides more quickly than most others. I'm not sure if the intensity has a lot to do with it, because the intensity has a more different focus. For most bipolar people, love is a major concern. In fact, it is the reason for existence. You see this on the show with Carrie's obsession with Brody. She needs intensity and, most of all, she needs love. She will die without him. Well, if the character is like a bipolar, she will die without him. In fact, wasn't it when she took all those pills? When did she not return to Cia after the mission in Lebanon? Anyway, it is this type of thinking that seduces and addicts. Bipolar enter these mental frames and do not want to leave. When they make connections, it's like fireworks exploding from the inside. Interestingly, this has always happened to Carrie, I believe. I still remember a period when the character's thoughts seemed to be going so fast that they really upset him. I thought her brain was thinking too fast because it knew it was going to die and was trying to think as much as possible before it happened. Why would Carrie die? Brain cancer, we would think. I'm glad it was bipolar instead. And I had read once about a species of tree or something that, when threatened by drought, would flourish and generate much more bulky seeds. He knew he was going to die, so he put all his energy into creating seeds. I thought something analogous might be going on in a bipolar person's brain. I don't know how many people can make a connection like that, now it's the kind of thing that I think happens to bipolar people more often. The manic phase of bipolar disorder may have some effects that would certainly affect your strengths as a researcher. My emphasis is added to these aspects: Very elevated mood; Excess activity (hyperactivity); Increased energy; Racing thoughts; Talking a lot; Very high self-esteem (false beliefs about self or abilities); Very involved in activities; Very upset (agitated or irritated). Of course the flip side is that she'll have a major crash once in a while if not treated consistently.

[@maqsoodbaha1025]

Love that serial My fav Carrie mathison hero of homeland I have seen all that 7 season and now I m waiting for the 8th season

[@hulonthesurvivor5884]

Great shows. Great work.. New fan!!

[@ColinPoole]

"I've never done a series where I got to visit a character for an extended period of time" she forgot about My So Called Life entirely.

[@NOC1TIME]

Among the greatest assembly of actors I have had the good fortune to see. The writing is eye popping to watch.

[@kennyyg]

love Claire

[@dragonboy718]

we love u Claire!

[@crunchycactus1566]

Her glare is so fucking intense I feel like if she yelled at me I would cry!

[@Arakko-i7h]

4:12 “I was intimidated by her darkness… but I was also excited by her. I loved her intelligence, and her strength, and her power. She’s just so in my nervous system, and in my muscles… she’ll always be there.” ↳ Claire Danes on Becoming Carrie Mathison Here's why Homeland should do a season 9 without Claire Danes as Carrie. The spy thriller might be coming to an end, but it's more relevant now than ever. After eight years, dozens of wild twists and more than a few significant character exits, Homeland will be drawing to a close in 2019. Earlier this month, Claire Danes confirmed that she plans to put Carrie Mathieson to rest after 12 final episodes. So that's that... right? Except, it doesn't have to be, and, we'd argue, it shouldn't be. Homeland deserves a life after Carrie, and here's why. The show started out with a very specific premise, loosely adapted from the Israeli series Prisoners of War: Carrie, a dogged CIA agent with bipolar disorder, becomes involved in a relationship with US marine Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a newly-freed prisoner of war who may have been brainwashed by Al-Qaeda. But, in a bold and risky move, Homeland blew up its original format (no pun intended) just a few episodes into its second season. It dispensed with the Brody character altogether a year later and has since evolved to become a mirror on our times, albeit one that's larger than life. Series boss Alex Gansa has suggested that a time jump in the upcoming season eight will help the show avoid any direct references or parallels to Trump. But since it dropped Brody, Homeland has told new stories by reflecting the geopolitical situation off screen: from a plot concerning allegations that Iran was 'cheating' on its nuclear deal to introducing a right-wing shock jock character in Brett O'Keefe (Jake Weber), the show post-2013 has been all about contemporary America and its relationship with the rest of the world. Though the buzz around the show has undoubtedly faded since the early days, it's actually become a more substantial and more interesting drama since it ditched some of the more familiar spy-thriller tropes and begun delving into the seriously murky world of government policy and international relations. So to bring Homeland to a close at a time when real-world politics is becoming increasingly unpredictable and volatile feels short-sighted. There's an opportunity now to tell gripping and complex stories about an America that's seriously divided, from the man on the street to the highest reaches of government. The problem, of course, is that Danes is done with playing Carrie. But is that really a deal-breaker? The Homeland of today looks and feels very little like the show that first hit our screens in 2011, with not just a radically altered premise but also an almost entirely different cast. Unquestionably, Danes is brilliant on Homeland, as is fellow series veteran Mandy Patinkin as her conflicted mentor Saul Berenson. But that doesn't mean the show couldn't go on without either or both of them. Losing Carrie and/or Saul would have a significant impact, but arguably no more than losing Brody, or later Rupert Friend as troubled CIA hitman Peter Quinn (So incensed were these angry fans, demanding that the show's creators explain themselves.). Losing those two key characters was a blow to Homeland, but a blow that the show withstood, changing and growing in the aftermath. The same would be true of any cast departure, even Carrie's. Homeland has reinvented itself before and it could do so again. But seeing as Gansa and his writing team have been plotting the show's conclusion since at least 2017, odds are that we won't get to see the show explore a new format without Danes at the forefront. And that's a pity. Because, if nothing else, this difficult period in America's history offers up opportunities for film and TV - and especially politically-minded shows like Homeland - to deliver challenging and provocative storytelling.

[@byzinski]

I feel that the series ended perfectly. Any more episodes or seasons in my opinion would of been boring EXCEPT FOR CLAIRE DANES who could read a phone book 📕 and bring tears to my eyes. I picture Claire Danes in a leading role similar to the Scarlett Johansson movie ‘Under The Skin’

[@bhk110]

Stop saying she's damaged. She was born with an amazing intuitive gift that led her to become CIA.

[@OWLSPECIAL]

love homeland

[@rdar1213]

To Colin Poole: She didn't finish "My So Called Life", they stopped the show in the middle and never finished it.

[@estifanico]

OMG the TV host is GORGEOUUUUUUUUUS!!!!!

[@loosey5]

Raff French I'll take Danes.

[@mortenbolstad9423]

Danes is way hotter

[@justgivemethetruth]

I'd rather see an interview with the writer. I cannot believe the twists and complexity of these plots ... and they are so relevant and topical. I started out very skeptical about season 7, but not it is going great guns, like a roller coaster, and I am hooked again! Amazing show

[@martagenovevaleon4450]

Love rupert friend!!!

[@Shadow7758]

I had to stop watching because of spoilers

[@TheRigo385]

Claire Danes ❤

[@gubernatorial1723]

On Letterman at the same time Danes wore black eye make-up. A defence, like the Lone Ranger? Letterman didn't deny his maleness ever. But any male is quite capable of understanding proper behaviour mentally and applying it. She seems easier here.

[@mdicolarn]

How are they working in the death of the actor that played Carrie's father ?

[@samnyc2]

My favorite show... for many reasons...but she "always...does the right thing" NOT. She is a selfish, egotist who thinks the world revolves around her. She listens to no one, endangers everyone she comes near, almost killed her own baby and yes has sex with the kid whose whole family she personally dropped a bomb on. I could go on, but the point is she is a pretty good representative of those that think "the end justifies the means". The actor deserves many awards for playing this deranged character.

[@pinkyc.villanueva9008]

samnyc2 h

[@mbelkaid]

Whatever happened to WTC7

[@martagenovevaleon4450]

Excelente !!!estoy esperando la 6 temporada!!!

[@justgivemethetruth]

2:50 - "I'm always monitoring the depiction of her condition" ... Carrie's bipolarity is very often a convenient gimmick. When they overdo it it's like she becomes a cartoon character. Still a great show, my favority, but like anything you have to make an effort to overlook the problem parts.

[@JamesShelnutt]

I loved Homeland when I had Showtime, unfortunately I moved and didn't have the channel anymore at my new residence. Heheh, I'm actually watching her right now in Terminator 3, so funny coincidence there.

[@stonaraptor8196]

she's in T3? XD?

[@xxxfirehuunterxxx]

Stona Raptor I watched T3 ages ago, and after watching Homeland, I'm surprised that she was in there. XD

[@stonaraptor8196]

***** ya i thought the same thing xD

[@markosgraveyard]

You just fucked my mind. Wow, I didn't know until now.

[@andreasthomassimo8198]

You should be the next sarah connor

[@deinemuddaisdoof]

i am sure it is just acting, absolutely nothing else

[@nigelsanderson7621]

Best western hotel under tabletop mountain

[@thejasviholla87]

I love u marry me mathison

[@Taylorhypersensitivefox]

She is married.

[@bhk110]

Claire does bipolar justice

[@cibriosis]

I think claire danes is more than bipolar..in fact i've meet people like her and they are quite deceptive..i myself have bipolar aswell as other related issues and so i can identifiy the subtleties. in other words just because she doesnlt show it does not mean she has no relation to the state of the character...or maybe it's just me

[@sg72646]

My wife gave up watching Homeland after season 2 because Claire Danes' character drove her mad. I have just finished the whole 8 seasons in my man cave and feel gutted that it's finished. Absolutely brilliant series!

[@justgivemethetruth]

I love this show, but I have to say, the plot, the writing and the characters are better and make more sense than the Carrie character. Carrie is very over the top on Homeland, and often it doesn't really add much but fake suspense to the scene. She does a great job playing Carrie, but the premise of Carrie is kind of cartoonish. The show is wonderful though, best thing currently going.

[@amp-litude]

4:19 eight :)

[@محمد-غ9ق3ه]

نجحوا لانهم بذلوا إصرار وتضحية

[@thejasviholla87]

The difference btw acting n real life is micro small

[@dymproductions]

+Thejasvi H then you know nothing about acting

[@thejasviholla87]

+dymproductions she is acting so natural means she is good actor but in some other genre she would could have the same traits of acting and expression in real life she may have different life friends n situation but I suppose she has penetrated the character great ... The actors tend to repeat some can't come out after watching lot of tv n Internet ... Some do change pattern after time n years n some gifted actor totally different person :) :) am Right right

[@carlynnalexander238]

but she's crazy

[@martacarolinasuarezmaceira5236]

Desde México de terror donde todo pasa desapariciones forzadas, torturas y holocausto a normalistas de Ayotzinapa,represión, como nos hace falta Carrie para acabar con los malos politicos infames.

[@JohnGLewis1964]

"Homeland" ... is one the favorite shows of B. Obama ... ? No doubt this evidences this man is a chump in more than one way. All of our Presidents now, after G. H. W. Bush, are chumps.... Hopefully it will not get any worse, but I doubt it.

[@freyawoods1575]

okay, mate.

[@dymproductions]

+John G. Lewis what's wrong with a President...or anyone having a life

[@JohnGLewis1964]

+dymproductions He should not be wasting much time watching television in the first place as the President of the U.S.; he should not be indulging himself, or flattering himself, with the use and abuse of power; he should be reading books, contemplating, talking with advisers, etc. ... For example: Should even Homeland Security, the National Security Agency, and the FBI all exist... or is one enough ....? But for a president in love with power, and deluding himself into believing that using the government to force or leverage people into 'better' socio-economic spheres at the expense of justice to others and public peace .... is a good thing will ... surely watch and love Homeland, yes. -- J. G. Lewis

[@dymproductions]

John G. Lewis And I'm sure he does all that. But if it hasn't struck you yet, he is a human being like all of us. He has a family and a life. If someone was to isolate themselves for 8 years in the way you say, they would literally shut down from so many conditions. It's not an abuse of power to have a personality. Putting politics aside, I think it's quite nice to see a President with character and personality.

[@JohnGLewis1964]

dymproductions Very well... I grant this. True, I my comments were to a good degree exaggerated & unbalanced.... I apologize.

[@thejasviholla87]

She is bi/polar not a actor she is true bipolar

[@RaikenXion]

To be bluntly frank I always found Claire Danes quite ugly ever since I first saw her in Romeo+Juliet. But since shes gotten older now shes really matured into a very attractive woman.

[@laraoneal7284]

I read she is a transgender. Look it up for yourself. Don't take my word for it. Whatever it is CD is boring AF.

[@n_ielsen25]

I love Carrie she's so funny and crazy😂😂😂

[@maclanshiron7845]

i watch homeland season 3 last episode 3 time i wish she said one time i love you brody

[@davidpearlactorteacherbizman]

Amen..suprised

[@SALIMSHA1971]

I would be the happiest man on earth if I had her as my wife.

[@altide8784]

How do you know? Maybe she would treat you poorly :o)

[@K-Blao]

Crazy how the reporter said exactly what I was thinking in that I see Carrie I don't even see Claire

[@sophoasopcjquirino7614]

linda linda

[@harrysliame6496]

You're lucky if you watched all the episodes ..damn we don't have these kind of shows here

[@CyborgNinja7]

Good interview, but those spoilers are atrocious.

[@BenNZ-j9n]

dunno about incredibly capable

[@iamcynophilist984]

still waiting for season 6 and hoping peter quin will be there

[@georgies5737]

He's brain dead...

[@iamcynophilist984]

Georgie S he is there in season 6..we can hear his voice in trailer

[@Meredith.A]

the first three seasons of this show were magical..I still.love the show but I really connected the season 1-3 the writing was.sooo damn good and the plot was amazing easy to understand and wasn't too layered.