Stars Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain Prepare for Roles by Immersing Themselves in Iconic Music
In anticipation of their forthcoming series “George & Tammy,” actors Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain dedicated months to mastering the songs that made George Jones and Tammy Wynette household names. Their preparation included working closely with a vocal coach and even making a pilgrimage to Nashville for recording sessions.
“The studio where we recorded was right next to the cemetery where George and Tammy are buried,” Shannon shared. “We would visit their graves. It felt like a spiritual journey for us.”
The duo, both Grammy winners and members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, performed some of the genre’s most iconic songs, including “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “Stand By Your Man,” “Tennessee Whiskey,” and “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.” However, the reality of Jones and Wynette’s relationship during their peak was far from the fairy tale many fans envisioned for the couple often referred to as “the first lady and president of country music.”
Set to premiere on December 2 on Showtime, the six-part limited series reveals the complexities of their lives, highlighting how they coped with the pressures of fame and addiction, allowing their personal struggles, love, and heartache to shape their unforgettable performances. Chastain, whose production company Freckle Films was involved in the project, expressed her fascination with their story, particularly after viewing videos of their live performances, where their authentic and sometimes chaotic stage presence stood out.
“I was eager to learn what drove the emotions we saw on stage,” said the Oscar-winning actress.
Wynette passed away in 1998 at 55 due to heart failure stemming from chronic health problems, while Jones died in 2013 at the age of 81. Initially conceived as a feature film, the series was adapted by writer Abe Sylvia from the autobiography of Georgette Jones, the couple’s daughter.
“One of the central themes of the show is our tendency to look for someone else to save us through love, which is an impossible expectation,” Sylvia remarked during the Los Angeles premiere. “George and Tammy see in each other a potential source of salvation, which runs throughout the narrative.”
Chastain, who previously won an Oscar for her portrayal of Tammy Faye Bakker, drew inspiration from Wynette’s story—an empowered woman navigating a challenging environment filled with powerful men eager to exploit her talent.
“Nashville was particularly tough on women,” Chastain noted. “Yet, she showed immense bravery. She entered the scene as a single mother with a remarkable voice, determined to succeed.”
Meanwhile, Shannon faced the daunting task of portraying Jones during his darkest periods, as his self-destructive behaviour jeopardised both his marriage and career. Known as “No Show Jones” in the ‘60s and ‘70s due to his frequent absences from performances, Shannon reflected on the complexities of Jones’s relationship with music.
“George had a complicated relationship with singing,” Shannon explained. “He loved it, but his traumatic childhood experiences, where he was often forced to sing, lingered in his subconscious. He resented the idea of singing to survive.”
Both actors embraced the opportunity to wear authentic costumes; Chastain donned original stage outfits belonging to Wynette, while Shannon discovered he was taller than Jones, leading the wardrobe department to create replica Nudie suits designed by the legendary Nudie Cohn.
Shannon was particularly struck by the scene in which his character discards an expensive suit on the roadside during one of Jones’s drunken episodes. “That moment symbolises George’s lifestyle,” he said. “He had a great appreciation for fashion and design, but when he was in a bad place, he could easily abandon it all.”
The most challenging aspect for both actors was performing live during filming in front of hundreds of extras.
“You sing a cappella so they can capture your vocal performance,” Shannon described. “You have an in-ear monitor to hear the track, but the extras are right there watching you sing unaccompanied.”
