On this season of TNT’s Murder in the First, we have been graced with the presence of actress Laila Robins, who plays out lesbian character, Jamie Nelson. If you haven’t seen the show, Jamie is an attorney who is trying to save a teenage boy from death row, after he was found guilty of murdering 18 people on a school bus. Throughout the season, we have also watched Jamie attempt to save her failing marriage to Holly, coming to realize that perhaps the relationship isn’t right for either of them.
As Season 2 comes to an end with tonight’s finale, we had a chance to speak to Laila about what its like for her to play a queer role (for the second time) and the input she got from lesbians on set.
AfterEllen: First things first, I have been having a great time watching you on this show and am cheering you on every week!
Laila Robins: Aw, thank you!
AE: When you auditioned for the role as Jamie, did you know the character was a lesbian?
LR: I didn’t audition! It was just offered to me. So I read a couple of scripts and watched the previous season to see the flavor of the show and learned she was a lesbian when I read the script.
AE: This wasn’t your first time playing a lesbian on screen, though. For some who might not know, you played a lesbian in Concussion as well.
LR: Yes I played a woman in Concussion who was sort of experimenting with her sexuality. That was my only other time playing a lesbian role.
AE: And have you found it any easier or maybe more difficult playing a lesbian role than a straight role?
LR: Hm, no, I actually feel pretty relaxed about it. I don’t really see it as any different than playing a straight role.
AE: Great answer, Laila.
LR: It’s funny, there were people on the set who were asking some of the lesbians on set whether what we were doing in the scene was realistic. Some of the men were asking them, “Do lesbians show affection in that way?” and they would respond, “Uh, yeah we are just like any other person!”
AE: Oh, really? Thats cool! Do you remember a time when they would say, “No, do it this way” or “That’s not how we do it”?
LR: No, I don’t remember a time when they really corrected us on anything. It wasn’t as if there was a designated lesbian expert walking around on set! [laughs]
AE: So do you do anything specific to prepare for lesbian roles?
LR: You know, I really didn’t do much to prepare for it. I met the actress who was playing my lover, Holly, and we just kind of approached the scene like any other two people who are in love. We didn’t even really discuss the “Who’s on top” type of questions-we just had a love relationship.
AE: So, I want to talk a little bit about Jamie and Holly’s relationship. Holly was upset with Jamie because basically she was putting her career in front of her marriage, but for the viewers we were a little frustrated because Holly already knew what Jamie did for a living prior to this case, so why all of a sudden is it a problem now? What do you think Jamie thinks about that? Do you think she was thinking the same thing?
LR: I think when she first met Holly, she was involved in the courtroom and it was intense and that aspect of Jamie’s personality and life was hard for Holly, so then she chose to get out of the courtroom and teach law at Stanford. They kind of had a quieter life for a while but then this case kind of pulled her back in to wanting to go back.
AE: So do you think basically Jamie chose her work over Holly at that point?
LR: I think she knew that the bug had bitten her again and it was an important aspect of her personality and the life she wanted to lead and that maybe she wasn’t the best choice for Holly. I think she fell in love with Holly but she eventually sees its just not going to work.
AE: Yeah. Toward the end, Jamie said to Holly we don’t bring the best out in each other, it seemed like Jamie was starting to realize that maybe this relationship wasn’t going to work.
LR: It was a sad but kind of mutual parting in the end.
AE: So let’s talk about that restaurant scene when you used one of my favorite TV lines of all time:”Without me, you would be just some bay area dyke teaching crafting out of your garage.” That’s one of the best things I’ve ever heard.
LR: [laughs] I know, everyone got such a kick out of that one on set. We were kind of joking saying this should be put on a T-shirt! Everyone loved that line.
AE: Yes! I would buy that shirt! So what were your thoughts on that line because I would have had a hard time keeping a straight face trying to say that seriously!
LR: There were takes that were kind of intense where the crew was chuckling quietly to themselves when I would say it, but I personally was never tempted to laugh-but everyone else was!
AE: I’m interested in knowing what these lesbians on set you would all refer to for advice thought of that line?
LR: Oh, they thought it was so funny and really accurate. The crafting thing, though-do a lot of lesbians craft?
AE: I really don’t feel like we do but what do I know, which is why that line is so funny….it must have been your delivery. And then it was used against you by the bartender. Speaking of the bartender, am I reading the signal wrong or was there some kind of spark there between Jamie and this bartender?
LR: Oh, I think Jamie is feeling a nice connection with her but when she goes over to talk to her boyfriend she realizes she’s straight.
AE: I was hoping that was just a friend that she was kissing hello, but you are telling me that is her boyfriend. I’m disappointed.
LR: That is definitely intended to be her boyfriend.
AE: Okay, well can you tell me if we can expect any type of love life to blossom for Jamie in the finale?
LR: I can’t talk about the finale. [laughs]
AE: Okay, fine, no hints for us! I want to talk about Dustin for a second, and Jamie’s relationship with him. She has kind of become a motherly type role for Dustin and has really tried to help him and you can see he is leaning on her more and more.
LR: Hm, motherly….
AE: Or maybe not motherly, but protective/nurturing kind of way.
LR: Oh, yes. I think she has become a little more emotionally involved in this case and has been more nurturing to him as the show has progressed. She cares about him, but I’m not sure I would say motherly. [pauses] I’m sorry, I just got a little distracted, I got home to New York last night after being out of the country and thought I lost something and was in a panic but I found it and I am all good now!
AE: Well, that’s good news! So, you live in New York?
LR: I do live in New York, but I was out in LA filming the show for three and a half months and I had a blast filming it. It was a really good card for me, for a woman at a certain age to play a role that’s professional and yet sexual and I loved that aspect of it. I appreciated that.
AE: Yes that was one thing we the viewers really appreciated about Jamie, was seeing not only a lesbian on TV in general, but an older, successful lesbian in this powerful role.
LR: Oh that’s great, I am really glad to hear that! Oh and I know that everyone has been doing this live tweeting thing but I am so old school, I am barely on Facebook, much less tweeting.
AE: I will admit I did try to find you on Twitter and was bummed you aren’t on there, but that’s okay! I also want you to know that we are advocating for the return of Jamie in Season 3.
LR: Oh, thanks so much, I appreciate that! I didn’t see last week’s because I was out of the country so I need to watch that one.
AE: So you are watching it when the rest of us see it? You haven’t seen them all yet?
LR: Yeah, I watch them when they come out, and get this: I don’t even have a DVR! I have a friend record them for me so I can watch them there. I have really got to catch up to the 21st century. Next season maybe I will start tweeting.
AE: Yes! So do you know if you will be a part of next season?
LR: Um, I don’t know. Every season they focus on a different case, so I am not sure if they will have me back yet or not.
We’ll be waiting for the T-shirt. Murder in the First‘s Season 2 finale airs tonight at 10/9c on TNT.
Follow Erin Faith Wilson on Twitter: @erinfaithwilson
