When you think of Alia Shawkat, you probably picture the dry, ironic wit of Maeby Fünke or the spiraling chaos of Dory Sief. She has this specific brand of "cool girl" energy that feels modern, even when she's playing someone stuck in a rut. So, when it was announced she’d be stepping into the 1950s world of I Love Lucy for Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos, people were intrigued.
But honestly? Most people completely missed the point of her character.
In the film, Shawkat plays Madelyn Pugh. If that name doesn't ring a bell, it should. Pugh was the powerhouse writer behind the scenes of the most famous sitcom in history. She wasn't just "one of the writers"—she was the woman who actually dreamed up the physical stunts that made Lucille Ball a legend. If Lucy was stomping grapes or stuffing her face with chocolate, Madelyn Pugh was the one who made sure the physics of the gag actually worked.
Why Alia Shawkat was the Perfect "Firewall"
Sorkin’s version of Madelyn Pugh isn't just a background player. She’s the "firewall." That’s a specific phrase used in the movie during a tense moment between Shawkat and Nicole Kidman’s Lucille Ball.
Lucille pulls Madelyn aside and basically tells her: I need you to protect me. In a room full of men—including head writer Jess Oppenheimer (Tony Hale) and Bob Carroll Jr. (Jake Lacy)—Madelyn was the only one who could look at a script and see if Lucy was being infantilized. She was the filter. Shawkat plays this with a sort of weary, sharp-eyed intelligence. She isn't there to be "wacky." She’s there to be the smartest person in the room who knows she’s still, legally and socially, a second-class citizen.
Shawkat’s performance in Being the Ricardos is remarkably restrained. While Kidman is doing the heavy lifting of "being" Lucy, Shawkat is doing the heavy lifting of being a woman in 1952 who has to be twice as good as the guys just to keep her seat.
The Reality vs. The Sorkin-ism
Now, we have to talk about the "Sorkin-isms." Aaron Sorkin is famous for his rapid-fire dialogue. You know the vibe: people walking fast down hallways while talking like they’ve been rehearsing for three years.
Shawkat handles the dialogue like a pro. But it’s worth noting that the real Madelyn Pugh might have been a bit different. In her memoir, Laughing with Lucy, Pugh comes across as incredibly humble. She called herself a "Girl Writer." That was her actual title at CBS.
In Being the Ricardos, Alia Shawkat gives Pugh a bit more bite. There's a scene where she challenges Lucy on the "Guess Who" gag at the dinner table. It’s a moment of friction that highlights the central tension of the film: the difference between a character being "funny" and a character being "smart."
- Fact check: The real Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll Jr. wrote together for over 50 years.
- The Shawkat spin: Alia makes you feel the weight of that partnership. It’s not just a job; it’s a symbiotic relationship where she provides the logic to Bob’s absurdity.
The "Older Madelyn" and the Documentary Frame
One of the weirdest—and most divisive—parts of Being the Ricardos is the documentary framing. The movie jumps between the 1953 production week and "present-day" interviews with the older versions of the writers.
While Alia Shawkat plays the younger, 1950s version of Madelyn, the legendary Linda Lavin plays the older version. It’s a cool bit of casting. Lavin has that same sharp, no-nonsense energy.
🔗 Read more: Young Sheldon at Computer: What Most Fans Get Wrong About the Tandy 1000
This structure allows us to see how Madelyn evolved. In the 50s sequences, Shawkat portrays a woman who is carefully navigating a minefield. She has to support Lucy’s genius while also standing up to her when Lucy’s perfectionism turns into bullying. It’s a delicate balance. If she pushes too hard, she’s out. If she doesn’t push enough, the show loses its edge.
Honestly, the chemistry between Shawkat and Jake Lacy (as Bob Carroll Jr.) is one of the film's unsung highlights. They feel like a team. They have that shorthand that only people who spend 14 hours a day in a windowless room together can have.
Breaking the "Girl Writer" Mold
What most people get wrong about Shawkat’s role is thinking she’s just playing a sidekick. She’s actually the audience's moral compass.
When the Red Scare hits and Lucille Ball is accused of being a Communist, the writers' room becomes a pressure cooker. Madelyn is the one who sees the human cost. She isn't just worried about the show's ratings; she’s worried about her friend.
Alia Shawkat brings a certain "modern" sensibility to the role without it feeling anachronistic. She doesn't feel like a 2021 actress playing dress-up. She feels like a 1950s woman who was born ahead of her time.
📖 Related: Why She Never Cried In Front Of Me Lyrics Still Hits So Hard
A Note on the Accuracy of the Writing Room
Sorkin takes a lot of liberties. Let’s be real. He compresses several years of drama into one single week.
- The Communism accusation.
- Desi’s alleged infidelity.
- The pregnancy announcement.
In real life, these didn't happen simultaneously. But in the world of the film, they create a "perfect storm" that requires Madelyn Pugh to be the anchor. Shawkat’s performance is the steadying force. While everyone else is screaming or crying, she’s sitting there with a pencil, trying to figure out how to make a joke about a dinner party work.
Actionable Insights for Fans of the Film
If you watched Being the Ricardos and found yourself wanting to know more about the real woman Alia Shawkat portrayed, there are a few things you can do to get the full story.
Read "Laughing with Lucy"
This is Madelyn Pugh’s own memoir. It’s far less dramatic than the Sorkin movie, but it’s fascinating. You’ll see that she wasn't just a "firewall"—she was a structural engineer of comedy. She describes how she would actually test out the physical gags herself to make sure they were safe for Lucille.
Watch the "Fred and Ethel Fight" Episode
The movie centers around the production of this specific episode (Season 1, Episode 22). Go back and watch the actual episode. Look for the writing credits. When you see Pugh and Carroll’s names, think about the scene in the movie where Shawkat is fighting for the integrity of the characters. It changes how you see the sitcom.
Explore Alia Shawkat’s Other Work
If you only know her from this movie, you’re missing out. To see the range she brings to "smart but trapped" characters, check out Search Party. It’s a completely different vibe, but it shows why Sorkin trusted her with a character as complex as Madelyn Pugh.
👉 See also: I Told Jesus Roberta Flack: What Most People Get Wrong
The "Red Scare" Context
If the political subplot confused you, look up the actual HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) testimony of Lucille Ball. The film dramatizes it heavily, but the core fact—that Lucy registered as a Communist in 1936 to please her grandfather—is 100% true. Understanding the real-world stakes makes Shawkat’s quiet, observant performance even more impactful.
Alia Shawkat didn't need to do a caricature of a 1950s secretary. She gave us a portrait of a pioneer. In a film filled with big, Oscar-baity performances, her version of Madelyn Pugh is the one that actually feels the most human.