Interview: How Kate O’Flynn Makes a “Forgettable” Character Completely Unforgettable on ‘Widow’s Bay’

Every once in a while, a character appears on television who feels instantly unforgettable. The funny thing about Patricia in Widow’s Bay is that, on paper, she shouldn’t be.

Patricia is, for the most part, an ordinary person, kind of mundane. She isn’t particularly glamorous. Her clothes, hair, and makeup never seem designed to draw attention. She works hard, keeps her head down, and often finds herself overlooked. If not for those mocking her behind her back, she would almost be invisible to some groups. Yet what Kate O’Flynn brings to the role transforms Patricia from an eccentric supporting player into one of the most memorable television characters of the year.

Widow’s Bay, created and written by Kate Dippold, has steadily grown from a promising hybrid genre series into one of television’s most enthusiastically discussed new shows. The ensemble is exceptional, with Matthew Rhys (The Americans) showcasing some unexpectedly sharp comedic instincts and Stephen Root (Barry) once again proving that few actors can make oddball characters feel so effortlessly real… and funny. Among a cast full of standout performances, O’Flynn continually finds ways to steal scenes.

Her facial reactions and the way she carries Patricia with such original body language and motions make her fun to watch even when she does not have a line. Even when Patricia is standing quietly in the background, your eyes naturally drift toward her.

Patricia is difficult to define, which is precisely why she works. She is awkward, determined, quirky, lonely, hopeful, and unexpectedly brave… even if not well thought out, running on pure instinct. She often seems like a square peg in a town full of round holes. You never quite know what she is going to do next, but you always understand why she does it. Beneath her eccentricities is a genuine desire to be seen.

That complexity is what O’Flynn understood from the beginning. “Well, aren’t we all of those things?,” asked O’Flynn. “I recognize all those traits in myself at different times. And I do think when you see a flawed human character, people respond to that because everyone recognizes it as a real person. She’s not a martyr. She’s not the cool kid. She’s not someone to pity. She’s a person.”

The observation feels like the key to Patricia’s popularity. She’s so human, not a character written or performed as a joke. Even when she’s at her most awkward, O’Flynn grounds her in humanity. Patricia is relatable not because she is extraordinary, but because she isn’t. Viewers see themselves in her insecurities, her desire for approval, and her determination to move plans forward despite setbacks.

Episode 4, “Beach Reads”, serves as a Patricia showcase, and it’s where O’Flynn fully demonstrates the range she brings to the role. The episode taps into Patricia’s enthusiasm, insecurity, heartbreak, and resilience to exist simultaneously. One moment you’re laughing at her ambitious party plans, the next you’re feeling the sting of her loneliness. But being Widow’s Bay, the episode delivers a heavy dose of horror in the hilarity. It’s one of the best hours of television this year and a masterclass in character-focused storytelling.

O’Flynn described Patricia’s desire to help others. “I think she’s always looking for a way to help, to be the hero, to be of service,” revealed O’Flynn. “To begin with, it’s more about getting approval from people. Then when she actually does it, it’s bigger than that, and she gets past that need for affirmation.”

One of the most memorable moments of the season was O’Flynn’s memorable dance sequence, in which after working with a choreographer, the actress incorporated some of her own ideas into the performance.

“I had a few of those moves in my back pocket, but I freestyled,” admitted O’Flynn. “I threw a few of my own moves in that felt right for Patricia. It felt important to get that free Patricia, unshackled in that moment. Buttoned up and restrained before then.”

It’s a small moment, but it captures the essence of Patricia, original, awkward, and yearning to be seen and accepted exactly as she is. O’Flynn seems to take advantage of every moment on screen, which is why we cannot stop watching her every move. Viewers are definitely seeing her now.

Watch my full interview with Kate O’Flynn for more insight into Patricia, and be sure to check out Widow’s Bay on Apple TV+.