«It takes time to learn to love yourself»
By Céline Fontana, TV Magazine, 2025	Home   Cette page en Français

The artist is set to receive a Crystal Nymph Award honoring her career at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, where she will also discuss The Girlfriend, a TV show she produces, directs, and stars in, set to premiere this fall on Prime Video. From Santa Barbara to House of Cards, she has made a mark on television history across very different genres. On the big screen, she remains forever linked to The Princess Bride and Forrest Gump, as well as The Crossing Guard, She's So Lovely, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and Adore. Robin Wright also discovered, through House of Cards and her feature film Land, the joy of stepping behind the camera to direct her peers and carve her own path. Discreet and rarely interviewed, she gave us an exclusive conversation from the U.S. ahead of her appearance at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, where His Serene Highness Prince Albert will give her a Crystal Nymph Award on June 17.

You're about to receive a Crystal Nymph Award honoring your career. What does that mean to you ?

It's an honor to have been in this business for nearly forty years. You feel blessed to have worked consistently, to have been selective. You're recognized for those choices, for your body of work. And you think, "That's incredible !" Once again, I've been very lucky to land the roles I've been offered and to work with such great directors. But also to be able to direct. I love working with other actors and seeing what they bring to a project.

In 2014, you won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for House of Cards. Did that change anything for you ?

When you start out very young in this business, like most of us do - in your early twenties - you have to learn to love yourself, to gain confidence, and to overcome your fears. That takes time and experience. I was fortunate enough to do that within this industry, and I'm very grateful for it.

You've said you never dreamed of becoming a star, but rather sought longevity...

It's not so much about fame as it is about wanting to keep working. By seeking a certain consistency, you stay in the game.

But you still became a star...

You know, some people can't step outside without being bombarded with questions or followed by paparazzi. People don't see them as they really are. That's never been the case for me. I don't have that kind of relationship with fame. I'm not a big star. I live a normal life. People don't recognize me on the street. Or if they do, they sometimes come up and compliment my work, and I just say, "Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

What's the origin of The Girlfriend, a series for Prime Video you've just finished and that we will discover at fall ?

It's a psychological thriller adapted from the 2007 novel by Michelle Frances. I spent four years producing it, acting in it, and directing several episodes. I was also involved in the development and the writing. Doing all of that at once was a massive amount of work - but I loved it. Originally, I was only asked if I wanted to direct the series, and I said yes because I thought it would be fantastic to direct Olivia Cooke (House of the Dragon). Then they asked if I would also act in it, to help secure financing more quickly, and I agreed. But that wasn't the initial plan. The story revolves around two women "in love" with the same young man - one is his mother, the other his girlfriend. A trailer will be revealed at the Monte-Carlo Festival.

What did you like in your character ?

What resonated most with me was the unconditional love a parent has for his child. And when you feel that someone is toxic for your child, you become very protective and do everything you can to free them from it.

Beau Willimon, the creator of House of Cards, said : "Robin has a natural presence, and even when she doesn't say a word on screen, she has this ability. We needed a woman as strong as her husband." Do you see yourself that way ?

Of course, I'm like this - at least I think so. And that's what they needed. That kind of presence emerges when you feel something deeply or are lost in thought. That's when it really shows on screen. It was one of the main topics we discussed in developing the script - how Claire Underwood would express herself compared to her husband, Frank. I thought he should be the speaker, more talkative, while I would be quieter - more like an eagle, watching and observing everything.

What made you want to direct ?

I think it was simply being part of House of Cards for so many years. I learned so much by watching other directors and asking questions - like why they chose a specific lens. Eventually, I felt ready. I think I always wanted to direct, but I was afraid I didn't know enough, so I took the time to learn and observe. One of the producers asked me, "Why don't you direct an episode ? See how it goes." It was such an incredible experience that I ended up directing ten episodes while acting in them !

Can you bring a personal touch to a series the same way you can in a film ?

Not really in House of Cards - we were clearly bound to a specific style, and that was a gift in a way because you had to stick to it. You could bring your own touch, of course, to each shot or in how you directed an actor in a scene, but we followed the visual and narrative guidelines originally set by David Fincher.

Your film Land (2023) was a tribute to nature and its power to heal...

The story was about a woman who had lost her husband and son in a terrorist attack, and who needed to withdraw from civilization, to overcome her grief, find peace, and continue living. You know, people sometimes need to disconnect. At that moment, she needed a break, to be alone. I've felt that too.

What values did your parents pass on to you ?

The message was : "You have to work, find a purpose, build a career, and be independent." That's what I got from my parents - and it was great !

And what have you passed on to your children (Dylan, 34, and Hopper, 31) ?

Values of compassion. Helping those who have less, being kind, caring, and loving. We live in such a selfish, egocentric, cruel world...

Is it possible to stay positive in such a world?

It's the only choice we have, isn't it ? Because we don't really have control over how the world turns, we have to choose to be positive in it.

You know France well - what do you enjoy most about it ?

It's a beautiful country - but above all, your food is amazing !