Cynthia Nixon Shines In Two Radically Different Roles On Max Shows

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The behemoth of a punch-down originated on Max-produced powerhouse stars. As usual, the streamer proceeded to upload a split-screen contrast of the very different characters portrayed by Cynthia Nixon in The Gilded Age and And Just Like That…, with the words, “Two very different characters, one incredible actress.” And they really hit the nail on the head there.

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The post gracefully demonstrates Nixon’s capacity for acting in an uptight, 19th-century socialite Ada Brook from The Gilded Age and a very free-spirited Miranda Hobbes from Sex and the City revival series. Nixon herself states, “No, I think Ada and Miranda are very, very, very different,” which is indeed an understatement.

Fans poured praise upon Nixon: “She really is incredible. I don’t even think of her as her other characters when I’m watching her,” declared a user. That is truly transformative acting when you completely forget you have ever seen this person play anyone else. Another said, “I love seeing the juxtaposition between both characters. The only thing similar is that they’re both from New York City.” Which, let’s be honest, kind of is Nixon now.

One sour user loved to stir the pot, stating, “Yeah, Gilded Age doesn’t require you and KC to get naked while SJP stays covered up like a nun… but is paid like Julia Roberts… Love both shows, just saying.” Oof. Somebody is still mad about those SATC salary negotiations, isn’t it?

The timed post is truly on point-the channel made sure everyone knew about the premiere of The Gilded Age Season 3 tonight at 9 p.m. That little marketing shove ahead of an anticipated season launch should showcase one of their stars. Nixon is a killer in both shows, but the reversal of typecasting worthy of accolades for the buttoned-down Ada is just too much fun coming after so many years of the floating persona of Miranda.

Well, it is really something for Nixon to bring so much depth to these two characters. In less capable hands, Ada could have become a caricature of a stuffy period piece, whereas Miranda might have become caricature of her former self. Fortunately, Nixon injects so much detail into both that she fully convinces you these are real people and not just fictional characters on screen.

This post has sparked some really interesting discussions about actor range and typecasting. In an industry where most actors seem doomed to applying at one shade or another of the same character, Nixon disappearing into such wildly different roles is proof of her talents. It reminds one why she has continually found work after all these decades – when you are this good, people will always find new ways to employ your craft.

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With the return of The Gilded Age to its third season and And just Like That… continuing, it will be quite a chase seeing where Nixon takes that character next. If history is any lesson, we are in for more deeply textured, unexpected performances that really cement why she’s one of today’s most versatile actors. Not bad for someone who concurrently suffered the pain of being branded “just” a sitcom star.