Kaitlin Olson & Rob McElhenney Discuss Emmy Nominations and ‘Deadpool’ Cameo

For the second Emmy Awards in a row, married actors and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” co-stars Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney have been nominated simultaneously. Olson is nominated again for her role as Deborah Vance’s daughter DJ on HBO/Max’s “Hacks,” while McElhenney is back in the running as one of the executive producers of FX’s “Welcome to Wrexham,” nominated for unstructured reality program.

“It’s exciting,” McElhenney shared on Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, where the duo spoke about their jam-packed schedules. He humorously mused about the lack of awards in the McElhenney-Olson household and the satisfaction of being acknowledged by their peers.

McElhenney recalled jokingly considering placing his Emmy statue on the nightstand, just to remind Olson of his win. “Or maybe make it into a lamp so that she can see it as she comes into the room,” he quipped.

During the podcast, McElhenney joined from the Variety studios while Olson, taking a break from filming her new ABC series “High Potential,” joined via Zoom. For 30 minutes, they chatted about their Emmy nominations, the upcoming season of “Sunny,” McElhenney’s unexpected cut from the film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” and even entertained the idea of hosting the Emmys.

As seasoned actors, McElhenney and Olson are each other’s fiercest supporters and harshest critics. McElhenney praised Olson’s Emmy-worthy performance in “Hacks,” particularly her emotional scenes with Jean Smart, who plays Deborah.

Olson recounted her pride in McElhenney’s involvement with the Wrexham football team and the subsequent TV show. She admired his vision for creating a documentary about a small town united by its sport. She admitted finding it challenging to ignore on-camera presence but noted that she isn’t in that position often anymore.

McElhenney confessed he underestimated the commitment required for the Wrexham project, with its 365-day engagement and immense off-season activity. The personal exposure was another daunting aspect, as he realized he was presenting himself, not a character.

“Welcome to Wrexham” has not only won an Emmy but also led to significant success for the football team, with two consecutive league promotions. A third promotion could place them near the Premier League.

Olson is wrapping up 13 episodes of “High Potential,” where she plays a single mom using her exceptional mind to solve crimes. She relished the opportunity to portray a complex, intelligent character and was anxious but pleased with McElhenney’s positive feedback on the pilot.

As Olson finishes “High Potential,” work on Season 18 of “Sunny” is already underway. McElhenney discussed the dedication required to complete the eight-episode season, emphasizing their commitment due to the network’s support and the audience’s continued interest.

Hosting the Emmys is a notion they found flattering but unlikely due to their busy schedules. McElhenney humorously noted the anxiety involved, questioning whether they’d enjoy the experience as much as the audience would.

One notable absence in the entertainment landscape is McElhenney’s role in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” from which he was cut. Despite the disappointment, he maintains a humorous outlook, hoping to playfully incorporate the experience into “Wrexham.”

During the podcast, hosts discussed comedy series acting categories and kicked off Phase 2 Emmy voting.

Source: Variety