From ‘The Big Door Prize’ To ‘Succession’: Justine Lupe Deserves To Be A Leading Lady

The Big Door Prize, an Apple TV+ comedy based on M.O. Walsh’s popular novel, recently returned for its highly-anticipated second season. In addition to taking viewers back to Deerfield for more MORPHO machine mayhem and mysteries, Season 2 of the beloved sci-fi series reminds us just how much we love Justine Lupe.

Since the 34-year-old actor’s on-screen career kicked off in 2011, she’s appeared in a number of TV series and films — from Frances Ha, Cristela, and Younger to Sneaky Pete, The Non-Essentials, and Mr. Mercedes. She’s shown incredible on-screen range over the years, but her last three major TV roles — The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Succession, and now The Big Door Prize — saw her playing a love interest, girlfriend, or wife.

Despite existing in the background and getting limited screen time, Lupe thrives in supporting roles, exuding main character energy and stealing scenes whenever she gets the chance. We’re here to argue that Lupe is leading lady material, and it’s time she get casts in suitable starring role.

Lupe joined The Big Door Prize in Season 2 as Alice Wickstead, a high school music teacher, retired cellist, and budding crush of Chris O’Dowd’s Dusty. Shortly after we meet Alice in Episode 3, she asks and accompanies Dusty on a curriculum brainstorming teacher date at Giorgio’s, admitting she’s trying to go with the flow and release her need for control. The two end the night with an extended hug, sharing wholesome, yet palpable chemistry. And in Episode 5, which premiered on May 8, they reunite at the Italian restaurant for an astronomy field trip, sharing a squeal-worthy first kiss that takes their complex relationship (Dusty is still married, after all!) to the next level.

As Alice lets her guard down, she lights an exciting flame in Dusty — one that has us rooting for their romance despite our intense love of his wife, Cass (Gabrielle Dennis). Lupe’s ability to portray Alice as simultaneously awkward and confident, quiet and flirtatious, and shy yet humorous makes the character so likable so quickly. Understated and soft spoken, Alice oozes charisma, and as the series progresses, she encounters overwhelming frustration and heartbreak. The Big Door Prize shows one Lupe’s more earnest, down-to-earth characters, a nice juxtaposition from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘s Astrid Weissman.

On Amy Sherman-Palladino’s critically-acclaimed Prime Video comedy, Lupe garners big laughs as the wife of Midge’s (Rachel Brosnahan) brother Noah (Will Brill). Desperate to be accepted by the Maisel family, Astrid converts to Judaism and sets out to get pregnant in hopes of giving her in-laws the ultimate gift: grandchildren. Unlike Alice, Astrid has no chill. Lupe plays the chipper, frantic, fast-talking outsider with impressive levels of pep and passion, finding ways to stand out during chaotic family dinner scenes. The role is small, but Lupe makes it feel mighty. She hits every comedic beat in Astrid’s short nine-episode stint, showing she’s capable of nailing a more exaggerated style of humor than we see in The Big Door Prize and arguably her most iconic role on HBO‘s Succession.

As Willa Ferreyra, escort-turned-wife of eldest Roy boy Connor (Alan Ruck), Lupe plays a confident, quietly calculated, seemingly carefree queen who goes with the flow but stands her ground in a sea of ruthless in-laws. Throughout the series, Willa exhibits smarts, style, flawless hair, immense patience, and delightful sass. Whether she’s delivering epic zingers like “At least I’m only getting fucked by one member of this family,” tossing an iPad off a boat and screaming “BLAH!” or accepting a marriage proposal with “Fuck it!” Willa has spunk, and her scenes hit so hard because of Lupe’s magnetism and brilliant creative choices. Willa was only supposed to be in three episodes of Succession, but Lupe’s portrayal extended her stay, leading her to become one of the show’s most underrated characters.

From lighthearted comedies to dark satirical dramedies and beyond, Lupe has repeatedly proven herself a shining supporting star. The MORPHO machine may have told Alice she missed her calling as a cellist, but if Lupe were to stupidly spare her social security number to access her full potential, we have a feeling LEADING LADY (in a comedy series, a drama, a rom-com — you name it!) would be in the cards.

The Big Door Prize Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+.