Summary
- Erivo's standout performance as private detective Holly Gibney in "The Outsider" impressed viewers.
- Holly Gibney offers a refreshing take on the thriller/horror detective stereotype.
- Despite being underrated, "The Outsider" garnered high ratings, showcasing Erivo's talent.
Before she wowed everyone with her incredible Oscar-nominated performance as Elphaba in the beloved and successful movie adaptation of Wicked, Cynthia Erivo had an impressive movie, TV, and stage career. She played Ambia in an episode of the AppleTV+ anthology series Roar, Lisa in two episodes of the comedy Broad City, Harriet Tubman in the 2019 biopic Harriet, and The Blue Fairy in 2022's Pinocchio.
While Erivo has played several fascinating roles, her appearance in a Stephen King miniseries stands out. Although this miniseries could be considered underrated as it didn't get as much attention as some of his other projects, it's worth checking out. Erivo's performance is one of the best things about it and she deserves just as much praise as she has gotten for her work in Wicked.
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Who Did Cynthia Erivo Play In The Stephen King Miniseries The Outsider?
Cynthia Erivo played brilliant and compelling private detective Holly Gibney in The Outsider, the 2020 HBO miniseries adapted from Stephen King's 2018 novel of the same name . Holly is also a character in Stephen King's 2014 book Mr. Mercedes. The miniseries is so great that it makes fans wonder if King's work should only be adapted for TV. Holly works on the case of Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman), a baseball coach who becomes the prime suspect in young Frankie Peterson's murder.
Like the 1990s It miniseries, The Outsider accomplishes a lot in just ten episodes, and Erivo adds several layers to Holly's character. Holly finds patterns of similar crimes and wonders if there are other potential suspects. Holly also discovers a mysterious creature, which makes The Outsider one of King's best supernatural stories. It's this combination of a tragic and grounded crime story with the paranormal that makes Erivo's performance stand out so much. While there have been countless perceptive detectives in the thriller and horror genre, Holly is special.
TV drama/horror/thriller detectives often have a huge ego, but Holly is confident, soft-spoken, and particular. She's a joy to watch as she interacts with the other characters and continues to figure out clues and puzzle pieces. Vewers genuinely want her to solve the case and, of course, be safe. Unlike some horror and thriller characters, she doesn't make silly decisions that put her in harm's way. She's aware of the high stakes and risks of her job, but she wants to help people so she forges ahead anyway. After watching beloved dramas like True Detective, people sometimes grow tired of the classic private investigator trope and want something new. Holly is a fantastic example of how well-written this kind of character can be.
Although other adaptations of King's work, like The Dark Tower and Oz Perkins's The Monkey have gotten more buzz and hype than The Outsider, Holly makes the miniseries worth watching. The series was a hit with critics and has a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 81% rating on the Popcornmeter, which is fairly high. Anyone looking for a smart story with some great performances should check it out. While it's sad that The Outsider didn't get renewed for a second season, Erivo's performance is excellent and is reason enough to celebrate these ten episodes.
What Did Cynthia Erivo Say About The Outsider?
Cynthia Erivo talked about playing Holly Gibney in The Outsider in several interviews. There are new Stephen King adaptations being announced all the time, but Erivo's strong performance is one reason why The Outsider is so underrated and so smart. When speaking to Goldderby.com, she said that Holly is unique and explained:
"I've never really met anyone like her. I knew she would be a challenge for me to take on.”
Erivo continued:
“In my head, she’s the Outsider. Not just because she came from somewhere else… she’s just sort of on the edge of it all the time.”
In an interview with "In The Envelope" for Backstage.com, Erivo talked about her acting career and how she wants to keep learning. She said:
“I’m in a state of newness probably every day. I’m always having to learn, I’m always having to re-center. Because if it was always like I’m walking on a wonderful, even floor, I wouldn’t learn anything. If it feels like I’m slightly walking on a tightrope every time, having to rebalance myself, then that’s where the learning comes.”
Erivo will star in Wicked Part Two: For Good, which will be released in 2025. Her other upcoming projects include the movies Children of Blood and Bone, Blink Speed, Carrier, and Prima Facie, according to her IMDb page.
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