Linda Cardellini Takes Us from Boy Meets World to Bloodline and Dead to Me

We’ve shared a good deal from our Collider Connected episode with Linda Cardellini including her thoughts on Laura Barton’s role in the MCU, a possible Freaks and Geeks reunion and her experience working with Josh Trank on Capone, but that’s only scratching the surface of our full conversation.
If the response to those previous articles is any indication, I know I’m not alone when I say, Cardellini is and has been one of my favorite actors for years and years. Whether it was falling head over heels for the ensemble of Freaks and Geeks, watching her nail the slapstick comedy on Kenan & Kel, seeing her make an indelible impression on Mad Men in a guest starring role, or absolutely commanding the screen alongside Christina Applegate in Dead to Me, Cardellini consistently delivers, truly enhancing every single film or show she’s in. With that in mind, who better to feature on an episode of Collider Connected?
In this extended interview, Cardellini walks us through a whole bunch of major milestones in her career including her very first gig working as an extra, being called a “home-wrecker” after guest starring on Boy Meets World, committing to a lengthy run on ER, being part of one of the biggest film franchises of all time, and so much more. You can watch the full interview at the top of this article, and if you’d like, scroll down for a time code breakdown of the entire conversation.
Dead to Me Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Netflix.
00:33 - Cardellini discusses her early inspirations and what made her say, “I’ve got to be an actor!”
02:34 - What was the role that gave Cardellini the confidence that she could really make a career as an actor?
04:00 - Finding the balance between the eagerness to take as many opportunities as possible and the need to pick and choose the gigs to best shape her career; the first time she ever worked as an extra.
06:05 - Cardellini was a guest star on many very popular TV shows in the 90s; which is the one that made her the most nervous to jump into?
08:05 - The most challenging part of moving from theater to television.
09:00 - Revisiting her episode of Kenan & Kel and working on Good Burger.
10:30 - Cardellini talks about breaking up Cory and Topanga on Boy Meets World.
12:27 - What Cardellini learned from all of her early guest starring roles; choosing Freaks and Geeks over other opportunities.
14:55 - How does Cardellini feel about the possibility of a Freaks and Geeks reunion?
16:35 - Cardellini looks back on working on ER; did she know it was going to be such a longterm thing when she first signed on?
19:50 - What was it about Bloodline that made Cardellini want to commit to another series?
21:50 - Did her experience on Bloodline give her more confidence in jumping into another Netflix series?
22:57 - Who signed on for Dead to Me first, Cardellini or Christina Applegate?
25:05 - Cardellini addresses playing “the wife” in movies and how she decides whether or not to take those roles.
27:31 - Cardellini on the seamless flow of Judy’s back and forth with Jen on Dead to Me.
29:05 - Does Cardellini have a favorite scene from Dead to Me?
31:28 - Dead to Me Spoiler Warning! Cardellini addresses Dead to Me spoilers including filming Jen and Judy’s big fight in Episode 9 of Season 2 and discussing how they approached Judy forgiving Jen for the murder.
37:47 - Has Cardellini played the Dead to Me drinking game?
38:28 - How did Cardellini feel about Laura Barton’s arc in the MCU?
39:49 - Were the Fantastic Four rumors a concern for Cardellini when considering whether or not to work with Josh Trank on Capone?
42:57 - Who is someone Cardellini has worked with that’s changing the industry for the better?
#LindaCardellini #Netflix #DeadToMe
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[@saint_yves]

Almost 50 years old and she's still beautiful!

[@jflores85]

I loved her as Velma.

[@movieman82us]

God, I love her. And she guest starred in one of my all time favorite tv shows, Person of Interest. A great episode too. And I absolutely love Bloodline. She was a good Velma too. I need to see Dead to Me. Just for her. Such an incredibly underrated actress.

[@Mr_M_]

Dead To Me is great, but it's emotionally draining to watch. I loved it, but after finishing these two seasons I definitely need to watch something uplifting because it makes you feel like shit 😂

[@JMAC85]

@@Mr_M_ I just binge watched it all, it’s reassuring that it wasn’t just me that felt that way 😂😢

[@scottsummers4234]

Dead To Me is such a delightful show. Love both Applegate and Cardellini. Outstanding work in the show!

[@raizatenorio13]

she is the best.🤍✨

[@Yoshi-im3sz]

Freaks and Geeks ❤️

[@razkable]

for sure deserved 3 seasons..it would of gotten funnier i feel..now by season 4 it would of jumped the shark but it deserved to have like 55 episodes

[@wheemusic]

I love Linda, she always seems so thoughtful and kind :). Also, huge compliment to this interviewer - she asked great questions, knew her material well, and really listened to answers. It was a real conversation, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you!

[@stinkfinger1942]

Linda's something special!

[@anishanicole]

She really did her research on Linda. Honestly I’m impressed. Great interview by the way!

[@betsyrocks]

I loved Linda in Bloodline

[@Brook11223]

I remember her character from Boy Meets as a potential love interest for Cory Matthews. Then in the Girl Meets World spin-off they introduced her character's son but her character didn't make an appearance.

[@AscendedXSaiyan]

She was probably too busy to reprise her role. I mean her career since BMW has just...taken off!

[@Brook11223]

@@AscendedXSaiyan Curran Walters from Titan's played her son.

[@amienfadhillah]

She aged gracefully

[@kpag3030]

I never rooted for either of them to get away with what they’ve done. I root for them to find a way to do what they really want to do deep inside which is bring themselves to a point where they have to tell the truth. And to feel the weight of the consequences while also getting to feel the release of owning up to their mistakes. The brilliance of this show is how they deal with grief, guilt, forgiveness, family, and friendship through the difficult subject matter. The way they take these characters who have done horrible toxic things to each other and make you want a happy ending for them. And to me, the way they depict Jen in that “I’m a piece of shit” moment is so real and so honest it makes me feel like they didn’t trick us into liking despicable people. Then she gives herself up and tried to do the right thing and that is really the heart of the story. Similar thing with Linda but really it’s Jen that the story is trying to understand. Judy is the catalyst for Jen to finally explore and understand her pain and grief and self understanding. It’s really well done and Christina’s performance and how she makes those super intense emotional moments feel real and believable is just amazing. She taps into something so authentic that is very rare to see. Linda is fantastic too but Christina really does something special here. When she admits to punching her husband in the face... that’s another moment where I completely believe her character.

[@blabla5938]

Omg just finished watching mad men for the first time, and I was looking online with her that lasts 30 minute+ but I couldn't find any, so this is great.

[@gabrielaalexandra_uckg]

love her!!

[@KyloRen4238]

Linda Cardellini 🧡 Show 1. Velma Dinkley, Asian Masseuse, Blueberry Muffin, Condoleeza Rice, Girl's Mother, Jem, Jerrica Benton, Jessicake, Mom McStuffins, Sophia Petrillo - Robot Chicken 2005 - 2022 Movies 2. Sara - Daddy's Home 1, 2 2015 - 2017 3. Velma Dinkley - Scooby-Doo 1, 2 Monsters Unleashed 2002 - 2004 4. Heather - Good Burger 1997 Game 5. Cordelia Starling - Lollipop Chainsaw 2012

[@weedy1718]

Thanks for the interview! 👍😁

[@flavienemmanuel8591]

Great job perri

[@willtheangrydudeist9120]

Ohhhh Cardellini.... ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@The_Fat_Fury]

I was confused about who she was from BMW and then she started talking and it clicked! Also, I'm one of the few people that think Cory should've ended up with her character.

[@dariohernandez1105]

Hahaha. Nice. I agree.

[@KyloRen4238]

Happy Birthday Linda Cardellini. UR beautiful. I watch Scooby Doo all the time, in a tape. I was a kid. Great movie, and Scooby Doo 2. Good Burger is pretty kool. Robot Chicken is great comedy. Seriously! Daddy's Home is great. And I love the game Lollipop Chainsaw. It's awesome, killing zombies is awesome and fun. Velma Dinkley is so smart and amazing. I love Good Burger. My favorite place is Whataburger and Peter Piper. She's beautiful, love u Velma. May the Peace be with u Cordelia Sterling and Velma Dinkley. From Harlingen Texas. June 25, 1975 June 25, 2023 through June 25, 3023

[@adarshhota688]

I love dead to me

[@jasonbusch8475]

I shipped Cory and Lauren, I won't lie.

[@jerryjohnson575]

Linda she is someone I would like,,,,,, she has a good vibe,,,,,,,, cute in her own way,,,,, I like her hair and and eyes ,,she has a kind look,,,,,

[@reyalexandro]

I had the biggest crush on her when she was on ER.

[@teenstalkmovies2833]

IT'S THE SKI LODGE GIRL!!!!! She ditched Cory for Hawkeye. Smart move.

[@Disney65Fan]

She'll always be Velma to me from Scooby Doo

[@JMAC85]

JUDY HALE FOREVER!!!!!!!!

[@kpag3030]

E.R. Was a fuckin great show.

[@razkable]

she will always be the one who broke up cory and topanga for a while to me...love lauren...

[@Chessbox09]

Looks like a young Jessica Biel

[@tstain4582]

She looks like pokemaine

[@Your-BestNightmare]

Lol, first hit my radar as Samantha on G'ma's boy. Great job on interview