Evan Rachel Wood Talks Full Frontal, Merkins In 'Mildred Pierce'

When it comes to costume dramas, every single detail must be authentic. Even when no costumes are involved. Ask Evan Rachel Wood.

The actress stars in HBO's upcoming miniseries, "Mildred Pierce," the network's adaptation of James L. Cain's 1941 novel. Wood plays Veda, co-star Kate Winslet's daughter, and she took inspiration from her on-screen mom -- and tragic on-screen rival -- for a very important scene. A nude scene.

"I was a lot more nervous than I thought I was going to be," Wood told xfinityTV.com. While Wood was debating whether she'd go through with it, Winslet spoke up.

"I looked at Kate and she was like, 'You've got to do it. Trust me, it's so brave. Put a merkin on and you'll be fine.'"

A merkin, otherwise known as a pubic wig, was required because the 26-year old needed to appear naked as those in the 1930's most often did. There is no bikini wax in the script, it seems. It wasn't just nudity; Wood had to go for broke with her character, as she plays divorcee Pierce's selfish, unappreciative daughter.

Talking in January, Wood was asked if she had taken a drink before the scene, to deal with the nerves. "No, unfortunately. That would have been a good idea. But I was dead sober," she told Fancast.com.

For a trailer that helps to explain Wood's role in the film, watch below. The five part miniseries debuts on March 27th. For more from Wood, click over to xfinityTV.com.

WATCH:

Comments

[DrMajorBob]

06:24 PM on 04/18/2011

The "extended love scene" never happened at all -- or at least, it wasn't broadcast. ERW is shown getting out of bed naked, entirely alone in the frame. There's a flash of pubic hair (two seconds) and ten seconds of torso and breasts, and that's it. All these comments before airing the series was just false publicity.

[jennbuh]

05:32 PM on 03/23/2011

I really don't like ERW. She's terrible on True Blood, and if I hear one more charming story about how she was naked for the film and Kate Winslet coached her I'm going to scream. I'm all for nudity, but she acts like she wants a medal for it. I understand that they want press for the miniseries, but I might've respected her more if she had said nothing and let her work speak for itself. When you have to blather on about your lady bits, you usually don't have brains or talent to back it up.

[me again]

03:39 PM on 03/23/2011

No jerkin the gherkin on the merkin.

[nermz345]

03:07 PM on 03/23/2011

I am here for no other reason then to point out the hilarity of the word merkin and its purpose. I totally get what it is used for, and if it works use it. Just the 8th grader in me thinks a pubic wig is fall on the floor funny. HBO has been advertizing this movie for months now. I'll catch if I catch it.

MERKIN!!!!... Teehee

[angrymanspokane]

12:05 PM on 03/23/2011

Do they make nut toupee's too?

[JoeMarasmus]

09:46 AM on 03/23/2011

I saw the black and white movie version of this years ago, so I'll definitely be watching.

Oh, and the use of the merkin is a good incentive too.

[Travis M]

06:32 PM on 03/22/2011

A pubic wig.. That's HILLARIOUS !!!

[Sean777]

03:43 PM on 03/22/2011

Evan Rachel Wood will look nice for the Red Sonja character

[nermz345]

03:10 PM on 03/23/2011

wait I thought rose mcgowan was supposed to play her. or are u just saying in general she'd make a good Red Sonja?

[Sean777]

04:02 PM on 03/23/2011

Since Robert Rodriguez and Rose McGowan split up the role is open, Evan Rachel Wood could be a good Red Sonja since Scarlett Johansson declined the role because she is busy with the Avengers movie. But Rodriguez who owns Red Sonja Copyrights is waiting to see how the new Conan movie plays out so no schedule for filming yet and the casting is still open for suggestions.

[jaslyn]

03:07 PM on 03/22/2011

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[mamacat]

02:36 PM on 03/22/2011

Nudity, schmudity, who cares? This wearing clothes thing is way over-rated, unless, of course, you are a gazillion years old like me, in which case they should pass a law forbidding nudity.

[Max Shaw]

12:48 PM on 03/22/2011

Looking forward to it! Anyone know if she's still dating Mariyln Manson?

[nermz345]

03:13 PM on 03/23/2011

IMBD.com is saying they've been apart since August 2010. But you never know they could be back together and it just hasn't been updated.

[RationalRadioJack]

11:58 AM on 03/22/2011

A pube WIG? Really? Who makes them? Are they hiring?

[13champlain]

10:51 AM on 03/22/2011

forget this...bring on the new season of Trueblood

[TexasTreader]

11:02 AM on 03/22/2011

I'm watching "being Human" these days, both the UK and US brands. It's True Blood without the cheese.

[13champlain]

11:18 AM on 03/22/2011

i like that show too...but I like a bit of cheese with my wine:)

[Oldbull 56]

12:27 PM on 03/22/2011

Is the US version similar to the UK one?...or are they very different from each other? I just started watching the US one but there's several seasons of the other I could catch up on if watching it wouldn't ruin the other.....

[DickTater]

09:31 AM on 03/22/2011

Merkins of Hollywood. When you want the very best.
Made only from the most pampered endangered dead Orangutan fur.
Wear it up, wear it down, or for a night on the town.

[mamacat]

07:04 AM on 03/22/2011

Looking forward to seeing the movie.