Rosanna Arquette cast in Ratched, after struggling to find work in wake of Harvey Weinstein accusations
The announcement that Rosanna Arquette has been cast in Ratched, Netflix’s TV show prequel to One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, should not be big news. After all, Arquette has proven and re-proven her skills as an actress in a wide range of films, including director Martin Scorsese’s After Hours, Susan Seidelman’s Desperately Seeking Susan, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, and David Cronenberg’s Crash.
But Arquette claims she has recently struggled to find work after accusing Harvey Weinstein of sabotaging her career following an incident in the ’90s when she rejected his alleged advances.
“I don’t have an agent,” Arquette said last month, at Variety’s Sundance Studio. “I think there’s backlash for sure.”
One person determined to rectify this situation is Sarah Paulson, who is both playing the titular role in Ratched and is one of the show’s producers. In an Instagram message posted Monday, announcing Arquette’s casting on the show, Paulson declared that Arquette’s difficulties “could not stand.”
“The story of Rosanna Arquette is a triumphant one — but it’s also disturbing,” wrote Paulson. “She was one of the first women to publicly speak out about Harvey Weinstein. I was stirred by several of her recent interviews where she was quoted as saying she couldn’t find work — or representation — this seems a direct consequence of her bravery. I am producing a new Netflix show, RATCHED, with Ryan Murphy — and we decided this could not stand.”
“Her body of work — from Desperately Seeking Susan to Pulp Fiction and beyond, has always been deeply inspiring to both of us,” Paulson continued. “So there will be a multi-episode arc for this extraordinary actress. Ratched starts shooting Wednesday and I say with great pride — welcome to our family, Rosanna. I am thrilled to be in a position, due to the empowerment of my friend and collaborator, Ryan Murphy, not to just act in a piece, but hire the talent showcased in it, as well.”
A post shared by Sarah Paulson (@mssarahcatharinepaulson) on Feb 4, 2019 at 1:06pm PST
Arquette commented on Paulson’s post, expressing her thanks for the opportunity. “Oh dear I’m on the side of the road in the rain seeing this. My gratitude and big love to both you and Ryan,” she wrote. “My friend Catherine Corpeny just told me about this post and I’m very honored to work with such gifted people. Thank you so much. What a gift. Peace love Rosanna.”
The cast of Ratched also includes Sharon Stone, Cynthia Nixon, Jon Jon Briones, Charlie Carver, Judy Davis, Harriet Harris, Hunter Parrish, Amanda Plummer, Corey Stoll, and Finn Wittrock.
