From left: Homeland’s Claire Danes, The Americans’ Keri Russell, Bates Motel’s Vera Farmiga, American Horror Story: Coven’s Sarah Paulson, Mad Men’s Jessica Pare and The Good Wife’s Julianna Margulies were photographed April 26 at Jack Studios in New York City.
Styling by Carol McColgin.
Russell was coaxed back to series television by FX Networks president John Landgraf to play 1980s-era Russian spy Elizabeth Jennings. Her breakthrough role came in 1998 as New York City college student Felicity Porter in J.J. Abrams’ CW drama Felicity.
On Russell: Burberry Prorsum top, skirt and high-waisted brief, Salvatore Ferragamo bralette, Dana Rebecca earrings.
Danes was one of the youngest actors ever to receive an Emmy nomination when she was recognized at age 15 for her work on ABC’s My So-Called Life in 1994. She since has won two Emmys for her portrayal of Carrie Mathison on Homeland and another for her work in HBO’s Temple Grandin.
On Danes: Thakoon dress, Jamie Wolf earrings, Jennifer Meyer rings.
Nine-time Emmy nominee Margulies won the 2011 lead actress in a drama Emmy for her work as lawyer Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife. She won a supporting actress Emmy in 1995 for playing nurse Carol Hathaway on NBC’s ER.
On Margulies: The Row dress, Irene Neuwirth earrings and bracelet.
"It's funny: When The Good Wife came to me, it came in such a backhanded compliment," says Margulies. "Ashley Judd was offered this script, but she's turning it down. Now, I'm going to give it to you, but first, we're going to Helen Hunt. And if Helen Hunt passes, it's all yours."
Paulson earned an Emmy nomination for the 2012 HBO film Game Change and another for her work in season two of American Horror Story: Asylum. In the most recent season of FX’s anthology series, Coven, she played New Orleans witch Cordelia Foxx.
On Paulson: Honor dress, Jennifer Meyer earrings, EF Collection bracelet
An Oscar nominee for 2009’s Up in the Air opposite George Clooney, Farmiga earned her first Emmy nomination in 2013 for her portrayal of Norma Bates in Bates Motel. Her younger sister, Taissa Farmiga, stars opposite Sarah Paulson in FX’s American Horror Story anthology.
On Farmiga: Chloe top courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue, Burberry Prorsum skirt, Commando brief.
A native of Montreal, Pare got her big break on the 2004 WB series Jack and Bobby, in which her future Mad Men co-star John Slattery played her father. She joined the cast of Mad Men in 2010 to play Don Draper’s (Jon Hamm) secretary Megan, whom he eventually would marry.
On Pare: Vionnet top, J.W. Anderson skirt courtesy of Moda Operandi, EF Collection necklace and ring, Eva Fehren earrings, W. Britt ring.
"It's funny, though; sex has never been something I've done in my career — at all," says Russell. But I don't mind it on this show. It may be the nature of them being spies helps inform the characters. It's not sexuality for sexuality's sake."
A candid moment between actresses Paulson and Farmiga while setting up.
On the last piece of acting they saw that made them jealous:
PAULSON: I can't pronounce her name, but the woman from Blue Is the Warmest Color, Adele … ? That performance is so extraordinary. How do you say her last name, 'cause I'd really like to know. Adele Exarch … She's French. Can you help me out? Adele Exchar …
MARGULIES: Idina Menzel? (Laughs.)
“I just wrapped The Good Wife a few weeks ago, and I go back to work in July. But as daunting as the long season is, I’m thrilled, I’m secure, I have a job! It is quite a blessing to be on a television show,” says Margulies.
“It’s creepy when your belly’s up against them. You’re like, ‘This is wrong,’” says Russell on doing sex scenes while pregnant.