Imagine being on set with one of the biggest movie stars in the world, knowing she’s intentionally being 'mean' to you—and being thankful for it. That’s exactly what happened to Carrie Preston when she worked with Julia Roberts on the 2009 film Duplicity. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Julia Roberts really being mean, or was she a master of method acting in disguise? Let’s dive in.
During a candid conversation on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast, Preston shared her experiences working with Roberts, not just on Duplicity but also on her debut film, My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997). Reflecting on their first collaboration, Preston recalled, ‘We were both young actresses from Georgia, and there was this instant connection.’ And this is the part most people miss: Despite Roberts’s towering fame, Preston described her as ‘a total pro’ who made the set feel approachable—until Duplicity happened.
Fast forward to their reunion, and the dynamic shifted dramatically. Preston’s role in Duplicity was a brief but intense cameo, where her character sleeps with Roberts’s on-screen boyfriend, played by Clive Owen. ‘I had to cry on cue in a scene where Julia’s character despises me,’ Preston explained. ‘The pressure was immense, especially since I barely knew the crew.’ Here’s the twist: Earlier that day, Roberts pulled Preston aside and said, ‘I’m going to be mean to you for the rest of the day.’ But why? Was it personal, or was it professional?
Roberts’s ‘meanness’ wasn’t a snub—it was a gift. By distancing herself, Roberts helped Preston stay in the vulnerable emotional space required for the scene. ‘It was exactly what I needed,’ Preston admitted. ‘If we’d been friendly, then had to switch to hostility, it would’ve been impossible.’ Bold statement alert: This raises the question—is it ethical for actors to manipulate their co-stars’ emotions for a performance? Or is it just part of the job?
The scene worked flawlessly, and Roberts even had the crew applaud Preston afterward. ‘It was a cool moment,’ Preston recalled. But the real takeaway? Sometimes, what seems like unkindness is actually a strategic move to elevate the art. Now, here’s where we want your thoughts: Do you think Roberts crossed a line, or was her approach genius? Let us know in the comments!
Directed by Tony Gilroy, Duplicity follows corporate spies Claire (Roberts) and Ray (Owen) as they navigate a high-stakes romance. But the real drama? It might’ve been behind the scenes.
