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Spoilers forOrange Is the New Blackseason six ahead.
Phillips also opened up returning to acting to play an addict afteryears of her own recovery.
How did you both get cast?
But they had nothing to do with it.
I love Mackenzie Phillips!
Russell:I actually auditioned with a young Barbara scene in the library.
I really thought there was no way I would book it.
Im working with these iconic actresses Mackenzie and Kate Mulgrew and Im supposed to be top dog.
I didOne Day at a Timebecause itsOne Day at a Timeand its Norman and its Rita Moreno.
But I had told my agent not to submit me for roles because I love my counseling work.
But then she called and said, I know you said not to, butOITNBcalled.
Are you kidding me?!
Who wouldnt wanna do that?
Its such the antithesis of me.
Youd be crazy to say no.
The bleak setting really helped.
You feel like youre in prison when youre on set theres no color, its very gray and dusty.
Almost her entire adult life has been spent in prison.
Because it isnt for me anymore, but I still know what it feels like.
We filmed for 16 hours that day.
Natasha [Lyonne] and I were like, Oh God, if we have to eat anymore pudding…
But the next day, because Id been in restraints and thrashing around, my body really hurt.
I felt like I got beat up.
But you just have to commit.
You cant care how you look.
I walked away from my scenes thinking how dark it was to live that way.
I felt bad for Barb that that was the highlight of her day.
No, I feltso free.
My recovery was protected.
I have a great sense of humor about it because I dont live that way anymore.
I can understand that my past is my past.
We spent a lot of time with the cameras rolling, no dialogue.
Mackenzie and I just had an entire silent conversation from across the room from each other.
All in this silence.
It bonded Mackenzie and I because it was all coming from a deep place within us.
Not to diagnose these women, but did you find one sister to be more disturbed than the other?
Meanwhile, Carol never exhibited any basic humanity.
The murder was her plan.Russell:I think they clearly are both sociopaths.
But Carol doesnt seem to have any sort of conscience.
They both use people to their own advantage and lack empathy for anyone but themselves.
Barb decides to use it to bring people down instead of lift them up.
Barb just stopped using, but she didnt work on her issues.
She just goes, He he he, who can I kill?
Young Carol and Young Barb, played by Ashley Jordyn and Lauren Kelston, have quite the fan following.
Whats funny is Ashley and I have become friends.
We met on the set and bonded and weve hung out since weve wrapped.
The casting is so spot-on and they play so well off each other.
For example, the lollipop.
So then I bought a bag of Tootsie pops and told the writers about my idea.
In one of the flashbacks, we had Ashley have a lollipop, too.
I loved the idea of this psychopathic killer with candy.
Phillips:Oh my God, its amazing.
Ive seen people saying there needs to be a prequel spinoff.
I love that they got someone with big teeth and the same kind of small face.
You could see that years in prison could turn that beautiful actress into what Barb becomes.
young!carol denning was a raging lesbian and thats the teapic.twitter.com/uT53e1L5oL
Have you seen theCarolas gay iconmemes?
Im happy for Carol.
I work more as a director in upper management now and I can work remotely.
It would be nice if more acting opportunities start materializing.
Im almost 60 years old and Im having the best time of my life.
This interview has been edited and condensed from separate conversations with Phillips and Russell.
