Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Act season finale that may spoil your enjoyment in discovering its plotline. Read at your own risk.
The Act is about to come to an end, and Joey King, who plays the role of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, reveals it is no easy work to play her character. As the murder of Dee Dee Blanchard's (Patricia Arquette) will be put to a close on the small screen, what will happen in the season finale, titled "Free?"
Gypsy will be fighting for her life in The Act season finale by defending her actions. Mel (Chloë Sevigny) and Lacey (AnnaSophia Robb), on the other hand, will come to realize that things are not always what they seem behind closed doors.
In a recent interview with TV Guide, King revealed how playing Gypsy's role has affected her mental health. Fans and critics alike have praised the young actress' portrayal of the child who killed her mother. But despite her outstanding performance in The Act, the experience of taking a dark role takes its toll on her.
"Getting in that headspace was very dark," King admitted. "I'm not a method actor, so I never stayed in it, but it was so dark going to those places and making yourself think those thoughts and putting yourself in that person's shoes."
King revealed playing Gypsy's role in The Act is "very mentally taxing," but she is still proud of her portrayal. The 19-year-old star continued to say that it is part of the actors' dream to completely transform themselves into someone else's shoes, stripping all their ego and vanities. And it is what she does, so it is the first time that she can say she is proud of herself after watching her performance.
King also commended Arqueet for being one of the nicest people and best scene partner in The Act. They even became so close that the 51-year-old star even asked her to tell her if she needed to do another take or if she could improve her performance because she trusted her.
The Act tells the story of a Gypsy, a young girl whose mother makes her believe she is gravely ill. After learning the truth that she is perfectly well, Gypsy wants to be free from her mother and the only way she thinks she can do it is to kill her. Gypsy is now serving 10 years in prison for the crime, per Los Angeles Times.
Talking about The Act, King said the bottom line of the mother-and-daughter story is they both wanted to "love and be loved." However, Dee Dee's love for her child was so "toxic and unhealthy" that even though Gypsy loved her, she didn't get the affection a young girl needed from her mother.
Thus, Gypsy had to do things in secret, and she felt the guilt for it because she loved her mom. Gypsy never hated Dee Dee, she was only excited to do things on her own and wanted to break away from being alone.
The Act season finale, titled "Free," will be out on Wednesday, May 1, on Hulu. The network has yet to announce if it will renew the show for Season 2 or continue Gypsy's story.
