Importance Score: 40 / 100 🔵
Cherry Jones, a celebrated and respected performer, has reprised her role in the acclaimed drama series, The Handmaid’s Tale. First appearing in the second season of the Hulu series, Jones portrays Holly Maddox, the mother of June Osborne. The character’s fate remained uncertain after it was revealed Holly Maddox had been captured and dispatched to the colonies.
Holly Maddox’s Return in Season Six
Viewers’ questions were finally addressed with Holly’s return in the season six premiere of the dystopian narrative. The episode revealed that she had successfully escaped the colonies and sought sanctuary in Alaska. Currently, Holly is working as a physician, providing aid to refugees arriving in Alaska, and has been reunited with her daughter, June, and granddaughter, Nichole.
Who is Cherry Jones?
But who is Cherry Jones, the talented actress who embodies the character of Holly Maddox?
Early Life and Education
Born in Tennessee to a teacher and a florist, Jones was encouraged by her parents to cultivate her passion for acting. During her youth, she attended a local drama school, nurturing her burgeoning talent.
Her dedication to acting deepened, leading her to graduate from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.
Career Highlights
Following her graduation, Jones’s career flourished with roles in numerous films, television programs, and theatrical productions. Her performances in stage productions of “The Heiress” and “Doubt” garnered her two Tony Awards for Best Actress.
Television Roles
On television, Jones gained prominence for her memorable roles as Barbara Layton in “The West Wing” and President Allison Taylor in “24.”
Her versatility is evident in her appearances in acclaimed series such as “Transparent,” “Succession,” “Black Mirror,” and “American Crime.”
Film Roles
Jones made her big-screen debut in “Light of Day” as Cindy Montgomery. Since then, she has appeared in a variety of films, including “Ocean’s Twelve,” “Wine Country,” “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” and, more recently, “The Sky is Everywhere.”
Personal Life
Jones was previously in a long-term relationship with Mary O’Connor for 18 years. After their separation, she began a relationship with Sarah Paulson. Jones publicly acknowledged Paulson, also an actress, during her acceptance speech at the 2005 Tony Awards, where she received the Best Actress award. Their relationship concluded in 2009.
In 2015, Jones married filmmaker Sophie Huber, and the couple has now celebrated a decade of marriage.
Joining The Handmaid’s Tale
In The Handmaid’s Tale, Cherry Jones first appeared in season two, episode three, via flashback sequences. Elisabeth Moss, the lead actress portraying June Osborne, expressed her enthusiasm about Jones joining the cast.
In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Moss stated, “Cherry was my fantasy choice.”
Showrunner Bruce Miller also emphasized that Holly was intended to be a significant character from the beginning. “We’ve been thinking about her a lot. June’s mother is a big character in the book and representative of an interesting kind of feminism that was seemingly more of that time,” he noted.