Best Of: Michael Shannon / ‘Pluribus’ Star Rhea Seehorn

Fresh Air

NPR

Tv & Film, Arts, Society & Culture, Books

4.4 • 34.4K Ratings

🗓️ 13 December 2025

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Michael Shannon understands he’s associated with some intense, menacing characters he’s played, like Agent Nelson Van Alden in ‘Boardwalk Empire.’ “I’m a big fella, and I got this giant head, and it’s not too difficult for me to seem intimidating I suppose, but it couldn’t be further from what I’m actually like,” he tells Dave Davies. In two new projects, though, Shannon plays good guys. He’s President James Garfield in the new series ‘Death by Lightning’ and he’s a prosecutor trying Nazi leaders for war crimes in the new film ‘Nuremberg.’

Also, we hear from Rhea Seehorn, star of Apple TV’s ‘Pluribus.’ The series has a sci-fi premise, but the themes of the show are more existential. Like, what is happiness? What is the importance of individuality? She spoke with Terry Gross.

Maureen Corrigan shares her list of the best books of the year.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	What are the best songs and albums for 2025?
0:05.2	All this month on All Songs Considered,
0:07.6	we're looking back at the most memorable music and milestone moments that tell the story of this past year.
0:14.4	To hear our take on what noises 2025 made,
0:17.6	search for all songs considered wherever you get podcasts.
0:23.3	Only from NPR.
0:31.5	From W.HY.Y. In Philadelphia, this is Fresh Air Weekend. I'm Dave Davies. Today, actor Michael Shannon, he understands he's associated with some intense, menacing characters he's played,
0:37.4	like Agent Nelson Van Alden
0:39.1	in Boardwalk Empire.
0:40.7	I'm a big fella, and I got this giant head, and it's not too difficult for me to seem intimidating,
0:47.3	I suppose, but it couldn't be further from what I'm actually like.
0:51.9	In two new projects, though, Shannon plays good guys.
0:55.0	He's President James Garfield in the new series Death by Lightning,
0:58.8	and he's a prosecutor trying Nazi leaders for war crimes in the new film Nuremberg.
1:04.0	Also, we hear from Ray Seahorn, star of Apple TV's Pluribus.
1:08.2	The series has a sci-fi premise, but the themes of the show are more existential,
1:12.8	like, what is happiness? What's the importance of individuality? Later, Maureen Corrigan shares her
1:18.7	list of the best books of the year. That's coming up on Fresh Air Weekend. This message comes from
1:25.3	Wise, the app for using money around the globe.
1:28.4	When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees.
1:34.5	Join millions of customers and visit Wise.com. T's and C's Apply.
1:39.9	This is Fresh Air Weekend. I'm Dave Davies.
	...

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