#michael lucas

Helen Norville and Dale Jennings, and the scene from The Newsreader that none of us will forget ❤️📺🌟

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Throughout The Newsreader, Helen’s mental health struggles had been at the forefront of the story, and built in depth as the seasons went by.

It’s something that both Anna Torv and Michael Lucas had consciously developed since the very beginning, and in Season Three, they built it to an emotional crescendo, including Helen being given a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.

But how would Helen react to this diagnosis? In S03E03, after Helen had not been on air, Dale checked on her at her place. She was despondent and crestfallen, explaining to Dale that she had been seeing a therapist, who told her she had a “personality disorder.”

“I mean, you must have seen it.” She cried to Dale from deep in her bones. “You’re the only person who’s ever told me the truth. Why wouldn’t you tell me?”

Dale held her tight, and she sobbed in his arms.

Both Michael and Emma Freeman were astounded by the scene that Anna, Sam and the camera crew brought together. It was completely improvised, and what viewers see is the first take.

“It was the most exciting, fun, hard but amazing night’s filming we’ve ever done.” Michael said on Anna’s Emsolation Podcast episode.

“It was so incredibly powerful…” Emma also shared in an interview for the Equity Foundation Podcast. “I couldn’t believe we had captured [this], by just giving the space and the floor to the actors.”

Helen and Dale pressed play on Sinead O’Connor and sat on the floor together, Helen detailing her diagnosis and therapy. He asked her if she felt different; which she did not, and she looked him in the eye, her lip trembling.

“Did you see that?” She questioned him.

Dale shook his head, and replied softly but surely, “All I see is you.”

That’s all Helen, and indeed all of us, want; to be seen and held, and to feel loved and supported, no matter what.

Relief washed over Helen, realising Dale had always loved her for exactly who she was. She kissed his cheek and drew him into her arms.

“Thank you,” she whispered, grateful that he had been there, and that he had only ever seen just his Helen all along.

Emsolation Podcast - Anna Torv Interview (2025):

Michael Lucas’ Tweet (2025):

Equity Foundation Podcast - Emma Freeman and Joanna Werner (2024):

Back in January they briefly discussed Heated Rivalry, and Michael mentioned he knew of people and productions that had already rethought their approach to gay intimacy, because now they had proof that not only was it not a detriment, but it is an actual selling point.