Hair – Michael David Warren
Makeup – Loren Canby
Styling: Jensen Edmondson
When Nina Bloomgarden learned that she had scored the role of Violet Thompson in Peacock’s new true-crime love story The Resort, it’s safe to say she was overjoyed to work with Palm Springs writer Andy Siara and Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail.
“Things start to get interesting when you put all of those names together,” the actress exclusively tells GRAZIA USA. “I got excited to read the script, and when I did read the script, it was so far from what I expected because you read it and you think it’s going to be something like The White Lotus, and it was so vastly different with all of the twists and turns.”
The series, which premiered on July 28, is like a “Jurassic Park meets the Twilight Zone,” Bloomgarden says, adding that the viewer doesn’t know what to expect next.
The brunette beauty notes that her character is not in the first episode, but that is what made the process more interesting because she would keep getting more information without knowing what was in store for her. “Then I found out that her mom is dead and passed away a year prior, and she’s dealing with that,” she says. “I started to see how complex this story was going to be and that really drew me in. Andy has an incredible mind and was really able to entangle all of the genres in a really special way.”
Hair – Michael David Warren
Makeup – Loren Canby
Styling: Jensen Edmondson
For Bloomgarden, it wasn’t too hard to get into character, as they are “so similar.”
“We’re close in age and she’s dealing with her mother’s loss and about one month before I got the audition, my own father passed away,” she notes. “It came at a kind of odd time in my life, and it was actually really nice to get to grieve through her. But there’s a lot of differences, too. Violet is extremely spontaneous, and I think that has to do with her grieving process. It was really interesting to jump into the differences of Violet and try to connect that in my life so I could try to emulate that.”
Ultimately, Bloomgarden is grateful for her time on set, as she got to be in the presence of some amazing A-listers, such as Nick Offerman, Cristin Milioti and William Jackson Harper. “Working with such an incredible cast was overwhelming,” she admits. “At times, I had to be like, ‘Am I good enough? Am I able to stand with these guys?’ But at the same time, I lucked out with the sweetest people. Everyone has a theater background, and so do I, so that was really nice because they all kind of understood the rehearsal process. There’s also a kindness that comes with theater actors, and there’s no room for any diva mentalities. Everyone was in it together and that was pretty amazing.”
The rising star recently finished shooting an Indie feature opposite Madelaine Petsch and Melissa Leo, and she also got to work alongside Kevin Hart and Andie MacDowell. “It’s mind-blowing,” she says of her success. “It’s been a real pinch me moment. To be with these people is like a masterclass.”
Hair – Michael David Warren
Makeup – Loren Canby
Styling: Jensen Edmondson
As for what’s next, Bloomgarden has a slew of goals in mind. “I’d love to do more dramas and get into that side of things,” she says. “The ultimate dream is to do a piece about New York or something, but I’d also love to write my own movie. I also would love to produce, and I might have something in the works, so that is exciting.”
“I think it scratches another itch because I’ve been acting since I was 12,” she says of expanding her horizons. “I come from a really creative family, and I’m always pitching to do more, whether it’s writing a poetry book or just creating in other ways. I’ve always wanted to write a screenplay.”
She adds, “I would also like to go back into theater — especially in New York. I’m born and raised in New York, but I think I will eventually make it back there.”
In fact, Bloomgarden is still shocked at how far she’s come: when she landed at JFK Airport, she saw her face on a billboard, which was promoting The Resort. “That’s really cool,” she gushes. “I was just so stoked to see our show getting out there.”
