Julianna Margulies on playing an LGBTQ+ character on "The Morning Show"

Emmy award-winning actress Julianna Margulies joins "CBS Mornings" live to talk about the latest season of "The Morning Show."
Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings” co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and 8 a.m. ET on CBSN.
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[@dwtsglee]

There are zero queer women who are upset about Julianna Margulies playing a lesbian. In fact there are many who have dreamt of this moment. Gotta love straight people saying that we have an issue...

[@farisshah6060]

Well…Kristen Stewert made a big deal about this issue and express her disapproval of letting straight actors playing LGBTQ+ characters.

[@dwtsglee]

@@farisshah6060 and she can have that opinion as a queer actress. But as far as I can tell, there hasn’t been discussion on Julianna specifically. Also, all of these situations aren’t the same.

[@carolineneisha]

Seconded. All I’ve seen in the queer community is celebration of the way the character and Margulies’ performance. The only places I saw talking about it as an issue were bloody Us Weekly and THR.

[@farisshah6060]

My point is that you simply blaming “straight people for saying that we have an issue” when in reality is there are other queer people out there that believes lgbtq+ characters should only be played by lgbtq+ actors (& that includes Kristen). Not that I agree with her because what is Carol without queen Cate Blanchett.

[@dwtsglee]

@@farisshah6060 and my point is that to bring this conversation up in this particular instance, when queer women are obsessing over her playing a queer role is just a misfire. Like I said, each situation is different, and the reason why Julianna is getting far more recognition nowadays is because queer women are loving on her right now. And sure are there queer women out there that probably think what Kristen thinks? Sure. But the conversation around Julianna specifically has not been centered around that. It has been centered on loving the fact she is playing a queer role.

[@gi8228]

I'm a lesbian and we're all simping for her... I haven't seen anyone in the community saying she couldn't play a lesbian. that was a dumb question

[@ohthelovelypoems]

Same, the one person objecting here is a male who claims to be an actor.

[@IWantToMature85]

@@ohthelovelypoems he's an ex-football player

[@farisshah6060]

Kristen Stewart didn’t specifically said about Julian. But she expressed her disapproval on straight actors playing LGBTQ+ characters in the past

[@amcra1]

That wasn’t his question, dip

[@carmenw7549]

@@farisshah6060 Kriten's problem is not being gay, she is not that good at acting, she should express something on that.

[@lolah42]

Who in the LGBTQ+ community said they had a problem with her playing a character who is gay? They need to cite their source and not just blanket the entire community. We are to be known as accepting and I for one, have no issue with this. She plays Laura Peterson to perfection! Thank you Julianna Margulies for the dignity, intelligence, and stunning portrayal of Laura. I hope you are on for the entire run of the show!

[@abigailh6422]

She deserves so much more recognition! She’s such an amazing actress, her character has made The Morning Show so much better

[@gauravvikalp]

She, In not so many words said that she’s sexually fluid- and honestly, that made me a little happy :). Good for her!

[@IWantToMature85]

Why call her that? All women try to say stuff like that now, but if she was then she would have said it without being subtle.

[@IWantToMature85]

Why call her that? All women try to say stuff like that now, but if she was then she would have said it without being subtle.

[@calisongbird]

@@IWantToMature85 Nope. Go to 5:10, she said “My response also would be we’re all making assumptions as to who I am and what my past is, and what all of our pasts are.” She’s saying people are just assuming she’s straight.

[@ohthelovelypoems]

@@calisongbird And you're making an assumption that she's not straight.

[@jasoneaton9477]

And now???

[@5BIRDOG5]

Eloquent, charasmatic, well spoken, deliberate and gentle! This woman is what we should all strive to be like!

[@menectus8959]

As a gay woman I can’t wait for the time when being gay, or an actor/actress playing gay, is not newsworthy enough to be asked in an interview like this!! I love this show and Julianna is amazing!! 🥰 Kudos to how she graciously handled that question!! Thank you for your wonderful representation!! 🙇‍♀️

[@mazharulhimel]

Gay😂

[@dulcesosalopez5568]

How beautiful she is and how smart to respond is our Laura Peterson 👌🏼

[@iamjohancastellanos]

I ADORE her and the character she plays on TMS.

[@duncanbleak3819]

She is stunning!

[@Zaddy34]

I'm sorry but to all the LGBTQ+ people out there offended that she's straight and playing a gay character, I'm gay and I 100% want to see all my straight celebrity crushes playing lesbians, in fact, I live for these moments lol.

[@carolineneisha]

I’m not even sure these people exist in significant numbers tbh. I’ve only seen her celebrated

[@Mirielenable]

YEEEEEES! DEFINITELY! Why would I be upset to watch my celebrity crushes playing queer women (and kissing women)? Many times this is the only reason I watch a tv series

[@jamessibson7453]

@@Mirielenable the reason why her character was made gay!

[@jamessibson7453]

You need to get a life if you live for that!?

[@lauracurriero303]

@@jamessibson7453 Says the one who has issues with what other people find enjoyful, maybe you should take your own advice!

[@KCNwokoye]

Fantastic actor and highly intelligent individual. Excellent response to the haters. Those getting mad are people who often get mad at just about anything and everything. I wish them peace of mind. What is yours will come to you always. Just be true to yourself and do the work. Her character is awesome on the show.

[@annydecramer8505]

Juist

[@mattp.3949]

Her role as Laura on 'The Morning Show' is not the first time Julianna Margulies played an LGBT character. She played one in the 2000 film 'What's Cooking?' with Kyra Sedgwick as her life partner.

[@inigojuancarlos]

Damn she’s brilliant! As always.

[@elisabetesilva5827]

What a great interview 👏👏👏 Julianna Margulies you are 100% right: you are a actress that gets pay to pretend to be someone else!!! That’s what we call ACTING and you are a great actress 👏💐👏

[@felixabrams5452]

No one would play it better than her she is gold and I enjoy watching her

[@ThatRedhedd]

Great response regarding her ability to act in any role of a character of her race and gender, regardless of sexual orientation, marital status, being a mother, etc.

[@juanmirelesii4540]

I have yet to hear anything from the LGBT+ community regarding her character. I love her character and as a gay man I can say she is perfect for the role!

[@AliceP.]

I like her stance on it, as she put it. I'm gay and over the years I've been quite confused about this whole discussion, because it does happen at times that a straight person gets cast as LGBTQ and then later on they'll say or tweet something terribly homophobic. I don't think that anyone in the community has a problem with straight actors playing LGBTQ _per se_ (if anything we like it), but it's inevitable to feel cheated when we've invested ourselves emotionally and gave lots of views to someone who ends up disrespecting us. So anyway, tricky situation, but she seems trustworthy :)

[@BrendaSoler0820]

What a great interview to Julianna 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Her answers are so intelligent and so truthfully. This character, Laura, is so perfect for her, she is such a strong women a portrait Laura with so much perfection!!! The writers also did a great job on each of L dialogues 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ciara2009]

My God, what a delusional question! You're not gay, why are you playing gay?! Yes, because there is such a profession as an ACTOR, there is such an understanding as TALENT! To take on the role of mediocrity, just because it's gay, watch such films and TV series for yourself, I want to enjoy TALENTED PEOPLE! #JuliannaMargulies you are beautiful !!!

[@calisongbird]

Julianna Margulies basically outed herself as bisexual: At 5:10, she said “My response would be we’re all making assumptions as to who I am and what my past is, and what all of our pasts are.” Good for her!

[@ciara2009]

@@calisongbird No, she's not saying she's bisexual. This is the answer of a person who does not want to answer the question. This is the "new ethics" with its terrible laws, forcing people to confess and apologize for it is not clear what.

[@Ashley--L]

I love Julianna's answer. She's brilliant. My heart jumped a little bit when she said we are all making assumptions as to who she is

[@KgirlsX]

My heart did the same thing

[@Mirielenable]

I'm, for sure, not one one of the queer women upset about Julianna Margulies playing a lesbian. She's perfect on the character 😍😍

[@TheZekedurham]

She's fantastic and how prophetic that a year ago she basically said women can't play men and vice versa. Love that!!

[@anymitrauma88]

Love her in the show😍😍😍

[@b.l.8611]

Julianna is so good on The Morning Show. Great role for her.

[@fureyize]

WHAAAAT? The Good Wife was MASSIVE and it’s hard to believe that people would recognize her based on her (beautiful) voice. I still see Alicia Florrick when I see her but probably my unconditional love for the show clouds my judgment.

[@keis5554]

Well said! Great interview.

[@curetiamhices289]

Matt Bomer is a gay man who has played straight roles. Did the LGBTQ community tell him not to? Did the straight community get all upset? I don’t know for sure, but would guess not.

[@carolineneisha]

I’m not aware of anyone in the community upset, tbh

[@FirstLast-bs8cb]

No, because this is manufactured outrage. Gay people aren’t mad at straight people playing gay. This is something made up by straight people.

[@edweinb]

Just discovered The Hot Zone which she stars in. Very good so far. Great character.

[@msredux]

God I love her voice

[@ladycoco1808]

She is beautiful and sexy. She is of Greek origin

[@andreashore7379]

I was so happy she was playing a lgbtq character because in my head Alicia Florrick was gay the whole time

[@youtubehandle-]

Beautiful Julianne Margulies!

[@marqueshsmartins]

OH MY GOSH, WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE QUEEN JULIANNA INTERPRETING LAURA? SHUT UUUUP!!!

[@cadaclillies]

She is doing a great job. The only reason I watch is because of her and Reese. I love them both.

[@jan_c]

Great interview but camera work was all over the place!

[@lordemiley]

Well said!

[@Ilalang1604]

I love her 🙏🏽

[@user-gb4mf4ct]

She's timeless

[@mysticredknight]

That is why we call this acting. That is what they do, they play different parts. Nothing wrong with this.

[@blackrosetheodorah4036]

She has Played a lesbian before so I am happy

[@CoachingHigher]

I adore her brain and the character is inspiring me to do so much

[@msredux]

Is the backlash real? I haven't seen any bad comments about her playing a lesbian, I'm a lesbian and I love her.

[@lalelu1202]

I am on twitter with *a lot* of fellow gay people and I have not seen any mention of anything like that in the slightest. I would say the overwhelming majority in that lgtbq+ fandom thought she did a great job portraying this role. I also find the sentiment to only have queer people play queer characters hugely problematic as this would mean everyone would had to publicly be out and that is just not the case and shouldn't have to be the case. More queer actors playing queer? Sure. But being out as a prerequisite is just not it.

[@albertoguerrero007]

Boy! Was she prepared for that question ! It pays to be prepared and not sound like a fool or disrespectful.

[@carmemsale5898]

Discussão sem nexo. Ela é uma atriz pode interpretar o que ela quiser... Essa mulher é maravilhosaa!!

[@reverendriff5597]

I'm distracted by the Wonder Bread background...

[@IWantToMature85]

Nate tried to get her in trouble.

[@Opotomuss]

Her response was clear and well spoken and really shows how mature she is as a person. Damn she just got hotter .

[@LadySamurai88]

I love her acting!

[@EmF95573]

A true Sarah Lawrence alum ❤️

[@deejahj8933]

AliciAaaaaaaaa....!!!!!! I love Julianna....

[@juliefisher5377]

She's phenomenal 😍 ❤

[@sharonglee8159]

Love her 👏🏾🙌🏾

[@jjprentiss9192]

We don’t have a problem with straight people playing gay people it’s actually more inclusive so they can know what it’s like and how scary it can be the straight people are saying this because they don’t like us (some of them) this question has been brought up in the community yes but we don’t have a problem with it

[@jasminelexia643]

You know she has played a queer character before. In the film What’s cooking she played a lesbian girlfriend but it’s only know that people seem to have a problem bc of something Kristen Stewart’s said. I love Kristen Stewart but her word isn’t everything. Julianna is magnificent in this role and I can’t imagine anyone else playing Laura.

[@thebrethrenmatthew2389]

Good answer.

[@giordanotirelli6028]

Happy birthday julianna from italian boy live in rome

[@princhipessa1969]

Juliana does a great job!! I’m ‘fluid’ no label .. . Been in a relationship with a lesbian for 7 years … it’s not a “part” you just are … Reese & Juliana are as realistic as anyone can be. Love them together.

[@aritramarik4487]

I loveee herrrrrrr

[@consamenezes1176]

Ela é lindaaa❤😊 com esse cabelo preto e esse olhar morno doce cativante! Amooo❤❤❤😊

[@carybdalyvideo]

Your "stamp on it"...like the subtle push back.

[@p0rnany0ne]

Who’s working the camera? Are they new?

[@johanamartinez9016]

It’s actually the person choosing the camera angle to air. Camera operators stay on their mark and don’t chose what gets seen necessarily

[@jamesspencer1529]

She is getting called out for playing a LGBTQ person by the LGBTQ community.So do straight people complain when a LGBTQ person plays a straight person? Unbelievable.

[@pilarmr5050]

It's not true. We all are happy with she playing a lesbian.

[@carolineneisha]

*By some folks who like to complain…not the whole community. I’ve actually heard no LGBT+ person be anything but excited about both her and Reese.

[@sw9618]

@@pilarmr5050 True

[@roter13]

Are straight actors told to hide their sexuality because it could ruin their career? Are straight people persecuted for who they love? Shut up!!

[@ohthelovelypoems]

@@roter13 Calm down Junior, plenty of out actors and other professionals working in TV, film and theatre in this day and age.

[@glogler]

Who is the Camera Man, because they are all over the place.

[@user-dg8le6ut1u]

Apology NOT Accepted.

[@user-hd8nl8bz7u]

Tolle Schauspielerin, echt toll 🎉

[@calisongbird]

Julianna Margulies basically outed herself as bisexual: At 5:10, she said “My response also would be we’re all making assumptions as to who I am - and what my past is, and what all of our pasts are.” Good for her!

[@absolutaVZL]

Oleéeeeee!!!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[@altonhumes5782]

The Best or NOTHING.... THAT'S What Julianna Margulies is, and how you oughtta be in ALL things. #CBSMornings #BeTheBestorNothing. #BestInTheDay.

[@KgirlsX]

As a lesbian trust us we are so totally fine with her playing a lesbian.. We are all simping hard 🥵

[@theandroids]

💯% Certified R A C I S T B I G O T

[@ukaserex]

Wait....Nate? Football Nate? Wow! Good for him!

[@hinkson7512]

Can I say I love her hair

[@importedvixen]

Sold soul

[@xfiler-gl7nc]

Newsflash she played a gay character in what’s cooking. So what’s the big deal now?!🤔

[@womanqween1912]

Y does all the women like this mutant look like Morticia from the Adams family

[@jusletursoulglobaby]

I'm realizing playing queer characters is a way for women of a certain age in Hollywood to keep getting key roles.

[@avilaomar10]

Can you give other examples??

[@josepha133]

Or maybe it's just that gay women exist and therefore gay characters exist and therefore female actors play gay characters from time to time.

[@jusletursoulglobaby]

@@josepha133 whooooooosh. please note: my comment speaks to how women over 40 typically dont get roles. over the past few years I'm seeing major stars getting roles, over 40 after NOT being in anything a while, by being queer. Julianne Moore, now her... there's a list tallying. .. what you wrote about queer characters existing has absolutely nothing, I mean NOTHING do with my point.

[@jusletursoulglobaby]

@@avilaomar10 the ones that instantly come to mind: Annette bening, julianne Moore, of course jennifer Beale but her roles seem to still be far and few... there are others. but what I've noticed is they're "hollywood old" and they play a queer character then I'll see them in a ton of things and they are central characters with full lives. seems as if playing a queer woman reignites their f-score in hollyood. normally after a certain age the women are only cast in roles that seem to downplay sexuality. no romantic interest, usually a mother or a wise aunt. there are exceptions, of course.... ohh Kate Winslet recently. Cate Blanchett too.

[@HoldenNY22]

I wonder. Why Gayle King was not there that day. A little to close to the character Julianna is playing ?

[@elenasashalyosha61]

ɪꜰ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ꜱʜᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀ ᴡᴀʏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴍᴏɴᴇʏ ᴏɴʟɪɴᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴍᴏʙɪʟᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪᴄᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀɴʏ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ? For more information ask me how

[@ohthelovelypoems]

Gail is not Oprah's lover. Give it a rest

[@GodsGirl4K]

What a distasteful comment

[@HoldenNY22]

@@ohthelovelypoems - it does seem that way.

[@HoldenNY22]

@@GodsGirl4K I don't so.

[@mikeodonnell6799]

KJP has broken up with her long time lover. is the pressure of the job behind that? I am pro-vajazzle as many people know

[@KgirlsX]

As a lesbian I can say we are all falling for her! Not once has anyone said she shouldn't be playing a lesbian.. Trust us we are FINEEEE with it

[@aimeevargas4016]

That scene was so obviously scripted and memorized. I can feel the timing of the pauses.

[@Chris-yr6gu]

Drama sells.

[@micheal6901]

Im a black man, its difficult for to see a black with that hair cut, on a morning show

[@Khadar106]

You’re definitely not black you stupid troll. A black person wouldn’t refer to another black person as “a black” get a life you Russian bot.

[@dorothyabdul9657]

You're a black man that needs to go back to school✍

[@narcissist31]

the new season of the morning show is the most woke piece of crap I have ever seen. On the surface we are suppose to care about the problems of those anchors on those morning shows, earning their millions then going home to the new york penthouse apartments and acting like their problems are so bad.

[@dianaalvarez8779]

Cry harder

[@Mdtv1982]

This woman is awful! NEXT!!!!

[@robertsherley]

👎👎👎

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Crazy how we praise women slapping men, but a man slapping a woman is considered abuse. 😒

[@travishillsthedarkangelbun504]

I know right.

[@Marigeousp]

what?

[@anymitrauma88]

🤡

[@tp9587]

oh shut up

[@jusletursoulglobaby]

no, it's not crazy. and umm its tv so, you know... it's not real

[@JoshuaFazeli]

That was not a good answer to the LGBTQ question.

[@qwahaxahn]

I'm sorry but not only she has all the points, she expressed her opinion respectfully. People have taken this matter one step too far already. This is what acting is about.

[@ohthelovelypoems]

I'm a lesbian and theater minor and it's absolutely ridiculous that some in our community say that only gay people should play gay roles. A director should always pick the right person for the part, simple as that!

[@JoshuaFazeli]

@@DB-wq4nl you are bigoted and have no idea what people of LGBTQ have gone through in the profession.

[@JoshuaFazeli]

@@DB-wq4nl we have been forced to play Straight roles bc NOBODY wrote regular roles for LGBTQ people unless it was a niche play every 5 years. Stop the madness of your bigotry.

[@pilarmr5050]

@@ohthelovelypoems Im a lesbian and I agree.

[@cursospemav535]

She is stunning!