Why Carrie Preston Was Thankful for Julia Roberts’ On-Set ‘Duplicity’

Julia Roberts’ On-Set Strategy: Why She Was “Mean” to a Co-Star.Actress Carrie Preston recently shared a surprising story about working with Julia Roberts. She revealed Roberts was intentionally “mean” to her during the filming of the 2009 movie Duplicity. The candid disclosure came during an interview on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast.Preston explained that this behavior was a deliberate professional choice. Roberts gave her a fair warning before the day’s filming began to help her performance in a difficult scene.

A High-Pressure Acting Experience

The scene required Preston to cry on cue while Roberts’ character glared at her. Preston’s character had slept with Roberts’ character’s boyfriend, played by Clive Owen. She described the environment as intense and high-pressure, especially with an unfamiliar crew.According to Preston, Roberts approached her earlier that day with a hug and a warning. She said she would not speak to Preston for the rest of the day to maintain the necessary tension. This technique helped Preston access the raw emotions needed for the scene.

The Purposeful Tension Pays Off

Preston acknowledged the method was exactly what she needed. She said it would have been much harder if they had been friendly right before the emotional shoot. The strategy proved highly effective for the final performance.Once the cameras rolled, Roberts’ cold stare triggered the required response. Preston started sobbing authentically. After the successful take, Roberts had the entire crew applaud Preston’s work, creating a memorable and positive conclusion to the challenging day.

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The incident highlights Julia Roberts’ deep understanding of her craft. Her calculated “meanness” was a generous act to support a fellow actor. This story reveals the professional dedication behind one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars.

Thought you’d like to know

Why was Julia Roberts mean to Carrie Preston?

Roberts intentionally created distance to help Preston get into character for an intense scene. She gave a warning beforehand, explaining it was for the benefit of the performance.

What movie were they filming?

The incident occurred on the set of the 2009 corporate espionage film *Duplicity*. The movie also starred Clive Owen and was directed by Tony Gilroy.

How did Carrie Preston react to this?

Preston was initially nervous but found the technique incredibly helpful. She has expressed gratitude for Roberts’ professional approach, which resulted in a powerful scene.

Have they worked together before?

Yes, they first worked together on the 1997 romantic comedy *My Best Friend’s Wedding*. Preston described Roberts as a consummate professional even at a young age.

What was the public response to this story?

The anecdote was widely reported by outlets like People Magazine. It was generally received as a positive example of an actor supporting their colleague.