A Great Actor Who Is Also a Perfect Celebrity
Emma Thompson is celebrated as both a versatile actor and an exemplary public figure, excelling across genres from dramatic films to comedy and awards hosting. Her performances in works like 'Wit' and 'Dead Again' showcase her range, while her wit and grace in public appearances reinforce her status as a beloved celebrity. Dan Zak, a senior editor at The Atlantic, shares his cultural favorites, including Thompson, the show 'Paradise,' and a unicorn painting named Stacy.
- ▪Emma Thompson is praised for her performances in films such as 'Dead Again,' 'Dead of Winter,' 'The Tall Guy,' and 'Wit.'
- ▪Dan Zak highlights 'Paradise' Season 2, particularly an emotionally powerful birth scene, as a recent tearjerker.
- ▪He owns a large oil painting of a unicorn named Stacy by D.C.-area artist Naomi Christianson.
- ▪Zak criticizes the TV show 'Jury Duty' and its latest season 'Company Retreat' for being confusing and emotionally draining.
- ▪He enjoys classic television like 'What’s My Line?' and admires author Ottessa Moshfegh, especially her novel 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation.'
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The Atlantic DailyA Great Actor Who Is Also a Perfect CelebrityCulture and entertainment recommendations from Dan ZakBy Dan ZakAlamy / Moviestore Collection LtdMay 3, 2026, 7 AM ET ShareSave This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.Welcome back to The Daily’s Sunday culture edition, in which one Atlantic writer or editor reveals what’s keeping them entertained. Today’s special guest is Dan Zak, a senior editor who works on features.Dan recently succumbed to the emotional pull of Paradise’s second season, and he enjoys watching Face/Off, just about any performance of Emma Thompson’s, and old episodes of What’s My Line?.
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