Molly Parkerhas created a fascinating protagonist in Dr. Amy Larsen in the new FOX drama,Doc. She’s a complex character who definitely has some faults (and not the best bedside manner!), but she ends up havinga chance to reexamine her choiceswhen she loses eight years of her memories after a car accident. Parker isalready earning solid reviewsin this role, but she’s had other impressive parts in tons of projects over the years.With over 100 credits on her resume, Parker has shown off her rangein everything fromSwingtownandGoliathtoLost in SpaceandHouse of Cards(which netted her an Emmy nomination). Even with this fantastic career, Parker has still somehow managed to remain under the radar until now. This means that new fans of hers might not even remember the project that served as a breakthrough role.
‘Deadwood’ Is a Peek into the Underbelly of the Wild West
HBO’s Emmy-winning Western,Deadwood, initially aired from 2004 to 2006, and cemented Parker as a talent to watch out for. She plays Alma Garret, a high-society woman who travels out west with her husband. He has secured a claim in the gold-laden territory, butthe town of Deadwood in the 1870sis much different than the refined environments that Alma is used to. With her well-coiffed hair and fancy clothes,Alma definitely sticks out in a town that’s overrun with rough-around-the-edges men. The majority of the women in the town are sex workers or have more masculine mannerisms — like the wild Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert). Alma fiercely protects her femininity and works endlessly to retain her polish and her elegance, but her surroundings are filled with violent and out-of-control characters. Danger lurks around every turn, especially since all of these men are determined to cash in on getting rich, no matter what it takes. They have no problem resorting to murder in their pursuit of gold (or of power over the town).
Within the first several episodes ofDeadwood, Alma very quickly finds herself in a precarious situation, where she must use her intelligence to outsmart the town’s ruthless villain, Al Swearengen (Ian McShane). Throughout the show’s three-season run, Alma continues to evolve. Although she’s determined to retain some of her dignified facade, she is a woman who fights to overcome her circumstances (and to pursue her desires). Whether she’s falling for heartthrob Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) or struggling witha serious laudanum addiction, Alma has a quiet, restrained intensity that always pushes her towards survival. No matter how high the stakes are,Alma endures despite all the odds stacked against her.
This Is HBO’s Best Historical Drama Series
With its twist on traditional Western tropes and a standout ensemble cast, this historical drama still reigns supreme.
Molly Parker Gives an Impressive, Nuanced Performance in ‘Deadwood’
Although there are some flashier performances in the series (like McShane and Weigert), Parker’s depiction of Alma is a more understated portrayal that allows the show to offer another authentic, multilayered female character. Parker plays Alma as a woman with values (which are hard to maintain in a rough-and-tumble Western town), and her blend of vulnerability and strength illustrates the complexity ofbeing a woman in a misogynistic world. Parker was also able to create a compelling chemistry with her co-stars (especially Olyphant), and some of the most intriguing parts of the series are when Alma finds herself interacting with another character that pushes Alma out of her comfort zone. Just like withDoc, Parker demonstrates that female characters can show all sides of themselves; Alma’s range of emotions spreads the gamut from jealousy and anger to determination and bravery. In the hands of a lesser actor, Alma could have become just another supporting character, there to further the plot points of the men. But with Parker’s sensitivity and truthfulness (and the stellar writing of creatorDavid Milch), Alma becomesa full-fledged protagonist who is one ofDeadwood’s most engrossing characters.
Deadwoodwas ultimately canceled after three seasons,largely due to extremely high production costs(each episode cost $4.5 million to make) and declining ratings. There were fan petitions to save this truly unique series, but HBO decided to pull the plug in 2006. Luckily, fans were treated toa movie that came out in 2019, which provided an update on where the characters were several years after the action of the show took place. Even decades later, Parker was still able to infuse a captivating display of emotions to continue the legacy of Alma’s fascinating story. Now that Parker is starring inDoc, hopefully even more people will get to see this underrated, versatile actor at work, butDeadwoodis still one of the best examples of her immense talent.
Seasons 1-3 ofDeadwoodare available to stream on Max in the U.S.
Watch on Max
A show set in the late 1800s, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime.
