Work in Progress: Melanie Lynskey

Podcast: Work in Progress with Sophia Bush
Host: Sophia Bush
Guest: Melanie Lynskey
Release Date: June 26, 2025

1. Introduction to Melanie Lynskey’s Career

Sophia Bush welcomes the iconic Melanie Lynskey, celebrating her extensive career spanning over 30 years. Melanie is renowned for her diverse and thought-provoking roles in film and television. Currently, she stars alongside Christina Ricci in the highly acclaimed Showtime series Yellowjackets, which has been nominated for ten Emmy Awards. Melanie is also set to lead the film Pike River opposite Robin Malcolm, directed by Robert Sarkees, which explores the profound impact of a disaster in New Zealand. Additionally, Melanie recently appeared in HBO's critically acclaimed The Last of Us.

Notable Quote:

"Melanie has become an industry staple. She has amassed a plethora of gorgeous, thought-provoking roles across film and television over the course of 30 years." ([04:58])

2. Building a Deep Friendship

The conversation delves into the deep, almost sibling-like bond between Sophia Bush and Melanie Lynskey. Despite not spending much time together, both cherish their connection and the sense of safety and understanding they provide each other.

Notable Quotes:

Melanie Lynskey: "You make me feel safe that way. Like the way my closest friends make me feel." ([05:52])

Sophia Bush: "I feel the same." ([05:40])

3. Parenting and Emotional Expression

Melanie and Sophia discuss their experiences as parents, emphasizing the importance of allowing their children to express emotions freely. Melanie shares an anecdote about explaining weddings to her four-year-old daughter, highlighting the process of fostering an environment where children feel safe to express their feelings and desires.

Notable Quotes:

Melanie Lynskey: "The more you can give them and the more kindness you can show them and the more you can permit their feelings, the more you'll be able to help them refine those feelings." ([14:36])

Sophia Bush: "She’s a very deeply feeling child, and her need to express herself and say how she's feeling is so great." ([13:02])

4. Personal Struggles and Growth

Melanie’s Journey with Anger: Melanie opens up about her intensive five-day therapy after a breakup, where she confronted years of suppressed anger. This breakthrough allowed her to embrace her emotions healthily, leading to profound personal growth.

Notable Quotes:

Melanie Lynskey: "I realized, like, oh, I'm scared that I'll start feeling angry, and then I'll just be bitter and angry forever." ([24:00])

Melanie Lynskey: "I felt like something passed through me, like, I took a deep breath in a way I never had before." ([67:46])

Sophia’s Battle with an Eating Disorder: Sophia shares her decade-long struggle with a restrictive eating disorder, reflecting on how compassionate support from her then-boyfriend initiated her path to recovery. She emphasizes the importance of external validation in overcoming self-destructive behaviors.

Notable Quotes:

Sophia Bush: "People have been like, oh, I hate my body, too. I have an eating disorder, you know? ... It was this compassionate moment that shook me." ([26:43]-[27:05])

5. Societal Pressures on Women and Body Image

Both hosts reflect on the societal expectations placed on women regarding body image and emotional expression. They discuss the internalized pressures to suppress anger and the importance of reclaiming the right to express a full range of emotions.

Notable Quotes:

Melanie Lynskey: "We are the generation where all our therapists talk to us about having a toolkit because clearly our parents didn't have any." ([14:36])

Sophia Bush: "I remember reading so much feminist literature and being very aware of the issues with body image and society." ([30:58])

6. Navigating Relationships Amidst Personal Chaos

Melanie recounts how she met her partner amidst personal turmoil, highlighting the role of therapy and intuitive guidance in forming meaningful relationships. Sophia shares her own journey of meeting her partner, emphasizing the serendipitous and healing aspects of their relationship.

Notable Quotes:

Sophia Bush: "Jason and I were talking the other day, and I was like, everybody's boring... He adores you, too." ([69:28]-[71:21])

Melanie Lynskey: "It was such a real journey... I've never taken a deep breath like this, so that was nice." ([67:40]-[68:40])

7. Experiences with Fame and Celebrity Encounters

Sophia and Melanie discuss the challenges of fame, including awkward encounters with other celebrities. Melanie shares a humorous and heartwarming story of meeting Megan Thee Stallion, highlighting the genuine connections that can form despite the pressures of celebrity status.

Notable Quotes:

Melanie Lynskey: "I lost control of my physical body and gasped that loud into her face... She likes your show." ([82:04]-[83:37])

Sophia Bush: "If she sees me from that period of time, she would be so shocked." ([70:50])

8. Collaborating on Yellowjackets and On-Set Dynamics

The hosts explore the unique dynamics of working together on Yellowjackets, a show that has significantly impacted the entertainment landscape. They discuss the necessity of strong chemistry among cast members and the supportive environment they've cultivated, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notable Quotes:

Sophia Bush: "We would leave each other these Marco Polos where we were just talking... everything came out and it was so bonding." ([60:41]-[62:14])

Melanie Lynskey: "It's never going to be easy when there's a group of people who are so close-knit." ([59:22])

9. Embracing Personal Growth and Acceptance

Sophia reflects on her journey towards accepting positive aspects of her life, a theme that resonates with Melanie’s own path of emotional acceptance. They emphasize the ongoing nature of personal growth and the importance of continuously striving to improve oneself.

Notable Quotes:

Sophia Bush: "I still am learning to accept good things... I'm trying to be a better parent to her and learn more about her." ([85:23]-[86:58])

Melanie Lynskey: "You wanna get just on the other side of the neutral... full but easy." ([88:16]-[88:43])

10. Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

As the conversation winds down, Melanie and Sophia share their hopes for future seasons of Yellowjackets and their ongoing commitment to personal and professional development. They express gratitude for the support they've received and the progress they've made in their personal lives.

Notable Quotes:

Melanie Lynskey: "I wanna know if we're gonna get a four?" ([62:19])

Sophia Bush: "I just feel I'm very grateful to be parenting at this age." ([73:53])

Conclusion

Work in Progress with Sophia Bush featuring Melanie Lynskey offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of two accomplished actresses navigating the complexities of personal growth, parenting, and professional success. Through candid conversations, they explore themes of emotional expression, societal pressures, and the enduring strength of female friendships. This episode serves as an inspiring testament to embracing both one's strengths and ongoing journey towards self-improvement.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Melanie Lynskey on Emotional Safety:

  "You make me feel safe that way. Like the way my closest friends make me feel." ([05:52])

• Sophia Bush on Her Daughter’s Emotional Depth:

  "She’s a very deeply feeling child, and her need to express herself and say how she's feeling is so great." ([13:02])

• Melanie Lynskey on Suppressed Anger:

  "I realized, like, oh, I'm scared that I'll start feeling angry, and then I'll just be bitter and angry forever." ([24:00])

• Sophia Bush on Overcoming Eating Disorders:

  "It was this compassionate moment that shook me." ([27:05])

• Melanie Lynskey on Therapy and Toolkits:

  "The more you can give them and the more kindness you can show them and the more you can permit their feelings, the more you'll be able to help them refine those feelings." ([14:36])

• Sophia Bush on Accepting Positivity:

  "I'm trying to be a better parent to her and learn more about her." ([85:45])

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the conversation between Sophia Bush and Melanie Lynskey, highlighting their personal and professional journeys, while providing insightful quotes to emphasize key points.