Natasha Lyonne On Being A ‘Tough Guy’ And Finding Herself Inside ‘Russian Doll’

Natasha Lyonne is a survivor. On the Netflix series Russian Doll, which Lyonne co-created and stars in, her character Nadia keeps dying and returning to life. Determined to figure out what is happening to her, Nadia relives the same day countless times, each time trying to steer events toward a different outcome.

It’s a premise that strikes a chord with the actor; Lyonne herself nearly died of drug-related problems in 2005. Now recovered, she says her past near-death experience helped her connect with Nadia’s struggle.

“My very real experiences wildly informed … these questions about life and death and what’s it all about,” she says.

Lyonne says her work on Russian Doll has given her a new perspective on her own past: “It feels like quite the opposite of something painful or vulnerable or terrifying,” she says. Instead, “that pain or that fear is a type of touchstone to ultimate growth, release and relief.”

She laughs, then adds, “Terry, the headline is 'Everything’s Fine Now,’ you know? I mean, people love Russian Doll, so the good days are upon us!”