Betty Gilpin Finds Empowerment in the Raw and Intimate Moments of Three Women
Betty Gilpin, known for her roles in GLOW and Mrs. Davis, takes on a new, emotionally charged character in the Starz series Three Women, based on Lisa Taddeo’s critically acclaimed novel. The series explores the complex desires of three women at different stages of their lives, all on a journey of self-discovery. For Gilpin, portraying Lina, a suburban homemaker stuck in a passionless marriage, has been one of her most transformative and liberating roles yet.
In a recent interview, Gilpin discussed the unique experience of bringing Lina’s intimate story to life, the importance of authenticity in the portrayal of female desire, and how this project allowed her to embrace vulnerability on screen like never before.
A Collaborative and Respectful Set
From the moment she stepped onto the Three Women set, Gilpin knew this project would be different. The cast and crew, she says, were all deeply invested in telling these women’s stories with authenticity and respect. “We were all so in it,” Gilpin explained. “Every department cared so much about the details, whether it was Lina’s living room or the intimate moments she shares. Everyone was holding the story together.”
Gilpin noted that the collaborative atmosphere created a space where she could fully immerse herself in Lina’s world. “It was the freest I’ve ever felt on a set,” she said, describing the environment as one where every creative choice was accepted and valued. This allowed her to dive deep into the emotional complexities of Lina’s character, who reconnects with an old flame in an attempt to reclaim the passion missing from her marriage.
Empowerment Through Intimacy
One of the most significant aspects of Three Women is its honest portrayal of female desire. Unlike many TV shows and films that gloss over the reality of intimate moments, this series aims to show the raw, emotional truth behind them. For Gilpin, filming the sex scenes in Three Women was a powerful experience. She admitted that she used to dismiss such scenes as obligatory or formulaic in other projects, but in this series, they felt essential to the story.
“These scenes were about more than just physical connection,” Gilpin explained. “They were about Lina realizing what she wants and going after it, even when society tells her she shouldn’t. The way these moments were handled, with so much care and thought, made them some of the most emotional scenes to film.”
Gilpin emphasized the importance of stripping away the male gaze and focusing on what feels real. One scene, in particular, involves Lina having sex while on her period—a moment rarely depicted in mainstream media. This choice was intentional and stayed true to both the novel and the characters’ experiences. “It was important to show these scenes as they are in real life—messy, imperfect, and real,” she said. “We wanted to tell a story about women’s desires without sugarcoating it.”
Finding Power in Lina’s Imperfections
Playing Lina also gave Gilpin the opportunity to embrace her character’s imperfections. In a world that often pushes women to present a polished, idealized version of themselves, Lina is refreshingly unfiltered. “Lina is someone who doesn’t know how to mute herself,” Gilpin explained. “She’s raw, unpolished, and incapable of holding back, which made her so fun to play.”
For Gilpin, portraying Lina’s unapologetic nature was a liberating experience. She shared that filming moments where Lina dances freely at a bachelorette party, for example, pushed her out of her own comfort zone. “When I first read that scene, I felt so embarrassed. I thought it would be cringe-worthy,” she admitted. “But Lina wouldn’t feel embarrassed, so I had to let that go.”
The experience of playing such a bold, emotionally transparent character has stayed with Gilpin, teaching her to embrace her own vulnerabilities both on and off the screen. “I’ve learned that it’s okay to be messy and imperfect. That’s what makes us human,” she reflected.
A Journey of Female Strength
Three Women shines a light on the inner strength of its characters, even as they navigate pain, loss, and desire. Gilpin’s portrayal of Lina brings to life the resilience that comes from embracing one’s true self, flaws and all. “These women are strong, not just in big, dramatic ways, but in their ability to keep going, to keep wanting more, even when they’re told they can’t have it,” she said.
In playing Lina, Gilpin found herself learning from her character’s relentless pursuit of what she desires. “Lina doesn’t apologize for wanting more from life, even when it makes people uncomfortable. That’s something I’ll take with me,” she said.
Moving Forward: What’s Next for Betty Gilpin?
After the emotional journey of Three Women, Gilpin is already onto her next project, filming the miniseries Death by Lightning, in which she stars alongside Michael Shannon. Set in Budapest, the series dives into the life of President James Garfield, with Gilpin playing Crete Garfield.
While she’s excited for what’s to come, Gilpin remains proud of her work on Three Women. For her, this series represents more than just another acting role—it’s a step forward in portraying women’s stories with the depth, nuance, and honesty they deserve.
