Actress Amanda Seyfriend has recently revealed that she initially turned down the opportunity to play Elizabeth Holmes in the upcomingHuluseries,The Dropout. Holmes has proved to be quite the subject of public speculation and fascination as of late, with many viewers getting quickly addicted to the popular podcast by Rebecca Jarvis that is based on her life and happens to share the same name as the upcoming series.
In fact, Jarvis' podcast,The Dropout, was a main source of inspiration for theHulushow.The Dropoutfollows the rise and fall of Holmes, the founder of Theranos, who was later found guilty offraud and conspiracy chargeslast month. Holmes' rise begins with her dropping out of Stanford in order to devote all of her time to building Theranos, which claimed to have invented a new technological device that could automate and minimize blood testing - operating a full run of tests with just a single drop of blood, a simple prick of the thumb. As a result of her biotech company, which was valued at $10 billion back in 2013, she was titled “the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire.” However, the fame, success, and money didn’t last long for Holmes. Theranos was investigated in 2015 and eventually charged with fraud in 2018 due to its false claims. In total, 11 charges ended up being announced, although Holmes' personality and sense of self remains a complete mystery to the public.
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Comedian andSNLstar Kate McKinnonwas initially selected to play Holmes, but ultimately ended up not taking the role due to scheduling conflicts. Quickly after, the role was offered up to Seyfried, who has recently revealed her hesitation at first towards attaching herself to the project.According to The Hollywood Reporter,Seyfried was self-isolating in the basement of her townhouse in Savannah, Georgia due to battling COVID when she received the offer to play Holmes. The physical barrier of having to travel constantly in order to shoot the series in the West Coast as well as the intense pressure that comes with taking on the role of such an infamous figure were all major concerns to Seyfried.
She stated, “It’s really going to be difficult. It’s a huge challenge, but I can’t believe that I get a challenge like this. This is not just about showing all the points where this woman made bad choices. We’re investigating why we love a fall from grace, why we want to watch train wrecks.” Ultimately, despite her reservations and nerves against taking on the role, she ended up accepting the challenge of portraying Holmes. The preparation Seyfried explained came with tons of not only extensive research, but the art of perfecting the physical movements, gestures, and pitch that specifically embody Holmes.
Thetrailer that Hulu released for TheDropoutfeatures Seyfried’s voice at least two octaves lower in range, spiraling out of control as her life comes crashing down before her. Seyfried’s observation and interrogation of why people love to watch a good downfall, almost hoping for it to happen, is one that has far too long been ignored. If the world likes to witness the crumble, then it almost guarantees only more wreckage will ensue.
