On her new Netflix sitcom “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” the 46-year-old actress plays the age-appropriate Jacqueline Voorhees — but also the 14-year-old version of the character in flashbacks.
Krakowski is no stranger to the race for Supporting Actress – Comedy. She was nominated four times for her role as Jenna Maroney on the critically beloved “30 Rock,” but hasn’t been called to the ultimate podium yet.
After re-teaming with Tina Fey and Robert Carlock for “Kimmy Schmidt,” perhaps this is Krakowski’s year. And if not, she’s perfectly happy just being invited as part of the ensemble.
TheWrap: What was the toughest thing you had to do this season? Krakowski: It’s not the toughest, but it was the most surprising that I got to play my 14-year-old version of self in my flashbacks and through my childhood years. When I read that and it said, “Jacqueline at 14, played by Jane Krakowski,” I was like, “Yes! Only in the world that Tina Fey and Robert Carlock create could I at 46 play my 14-year-old self.”
What was the most fun thing you got to do this season? I would say it’s the same. There was so many great moments — it’s hard to pinpoint one — because every episode I would get, I would be like, “Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe this. This is so awesome.”
One of the joys of working with Tina and Robert — and I felt this through the seven years of “30 Rock” as well — they write such amazing characters. I feel like they write these characters and they want you to dance like no ones watching within them.
Let’s assume that somebody has never seen your show. What would you say to persuade them to watch it? “Doesn’t Netflix have like a 29-day free trial …?”
“Come for ‘Kimmy’ and subscribe for the rest!”
Who else on your show really deserves an Emmy, and why? That’s such a hard question. Everybody is incredibly inspired in what they do. I really do hope that Ellie and Tituss [Burgess] will be recognized.
And I’m going to say [songwriter/composer and Fey’s husband] Jeff Richmond, because I think he has given everyone such musical joy — not only in “Kimmy” with “Pinot Noir” as the theme song — but also everything from “Muffin Top” and “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” at “30 Rock.” It’s long-deserved that he be recognized for the musical joys he has given us.
I hope the show gets recognized because that means we all get to go!
Are you a binge-watcher, or a once-a-weeker? I’ve become a binge-watcher, but out of necessity because I’m a mom to a 4-year-old. So I can only watch the shows that I’m longing to see at very unusual times.
If nominated, which episode would you submit and why? I feel like we’re putting the cart before the horse. I only hope we all get to make that choice!
TheWrap's Emmy Party: Stars of 'Empire,' 'Silicon Valley,' 'American Crime,' 'Jane the Virgin' (Photos)
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"American Crime" creator John Ridley
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"Silicon Valley" stars Thomas Middleditch and Kumail Nanjiani
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The London Hotel in West Hollywood
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"Empire" star Kaitlin Doubleday
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"American Horror Story" star Finn Wittrock
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Justin Baldoni and Jaime Camil
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"Modern Family" executive producer Christopher Lloyd
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TheWrap's cover star "American Crime's" Richard Cabral and guest with Elvis Nolasco
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"Chasing Life" star Richard Brancatisano
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"Dark Matter" star Marc Bendavid
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"Jane the Virgin" stars Jaime Camil, Yael Groblas, and Justin Baldoni
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"Scandal" star Joe Morton
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"Power" creator and executive producer Courtney Kemp Agboh
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"Justified" star Joelle Carter and Danielle Panabaker
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"The Flash" star Danielle Panabaker
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"The Flash" star Rick Cosnett
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"Rectify" star Abigail Spencer
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"The Flash" Danielle Panabaker and "The Originals" Leah Pipes
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"Modern Family" creator Christopher Lloyd and son Eli
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"The Slap" star Michael Nouri and "Bosch" star Titus Welliver
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"The Night Shift" star Robert Bailey Jr. and Christina Smith
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"American Crime" star Elvis Nolasco
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"You're the Worst" stars Kether Donohue and Desmin Borges
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"American Crime" creator John Ridley and "Being Mary Jane" star Stephen Bishop
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TheWrap Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman, "Empire" star Kaitlin Doubleday, and Executive Editor Joseph Kaspch
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MySpace Founder and present CEO of SGN Chris DeWolfe
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"Survivor's Remorse" Erica Ash and "Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll" star Elaine Hendrix
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Wrap's Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman and executive editor Joseph Kapsch flanked by "Jane the Virgin" stars Yael Grobglas, Justin Baldoni and Jaime Camil
"Complications" star Lauren Stamile and Beth Riesgraf
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"American Crime" star Richard Cabral
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"UnREAL" star Breeda Wool
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"Jane the Virgin" star Yael Grobglas
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"Bosch" star Jason Gedrick
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"Wet Hot American Summer" creator David Wain
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"Power" star Lela Loren
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"Jane the Virgin" stars Justin Baldoni, Anthony Mendez, and Jaime Camil
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Disney Channel "Teen Beach Movie 2" John DeLuca
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"The Expanse" Cas Anvar and "Homeland" and "Blood and Oil" star Shaun Toub
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"Being Mary Jane" star Stephen Bishop
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"Silicon Valley" star Suzanne Cryer
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"Jane the Virgin" Yael Grobglas
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"Ballers" star Donovan Carter
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"Empire's" Kaitlin Doubleday and "Episodes" Mircea Monroe
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"Jane the Virgin" stars Justin Baldoni and Jaime Camil smooch TheWrap Editor in Chief Sharon Waxman
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"Sex&Drugs&RocknRoll's'" Elaine Hendrix, "Better Call Saul's" Patrick Fabian, "Dark Matter's" Marc Bendavid, "Chasing Life's" Richard Brancatisano and "Complications" actresses Beth Riesgraf and Lauren Stamile gather for a group shot
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"The Last Ship" star Travis Van Winkle
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"black-ish" star Jeff Meacham
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"Homeland" star Shaun Toub
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"The Expanse" star Cas Anvar
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"The Fosters" star Keean Johnson
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"Better Call Saul" star Patrick Fabian
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"Ray Donovan" star Kerris Dorsey
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"Survivor's Remorse" star Erica Ash
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DJ Resin Eight
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"The Comeback" star Robert Michael Morris
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"How to Get Away With Murder" composer Rupert Parkes and guest
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Elaine Hendrix and Patrick Fabian
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"Survivor's Remorse" Erica Ash and "Ray Donovan's" Pooch Hall
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TV industry players celebrate the best in television on the rooftop of London Hotel in West Hollywood at 2nd annual event