Margot Robbie, the acclaimed actress of Harley Quinn fame, once auditioned for American Horror Story: Asylum, and her performance left casting director Eric Dawson awestruck. In a candid interview on In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Dawson reminisced about Robbie’s pre-stardom audition and the indelible star power she exuded.
Unearthing a Star
Dawson vividly recalled Margot Robbie’s audition as one of his all-time favorites. He noted that Robbie’s charisma and star appeal were palpable the moment she entered the audition room. Her audition marked a pivotal moment, as it hinted at the imminent rise of a star. However, despite her stellar performance, the realm of possibility for casting Robbie had limits, considering her burgeoning stardom.
Asylum’s Stellar Cast
American Horror Story: Asylum, the second season of the iconic series, featured an ensemble cast that included Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, and Lily Rabe, among others. While it remains uncertain which role Robbie auditioned for, it is likely that she vied for the parts of Lana Winters, the journalist wrongfully institutionalized, or Sister Mary Eunice, the shy nun possessed by the devil.
The Road Less Traveled
The year of Robbie's audition, 2012, coincided with her appearance in the short-lived period drama Pan Am. However, her career trajectory took a remarkable turn when she portrayed Naomi Lapaglia in The Wolf of Wall Street. This pivotal role marked the beginning of her meteoric rise in the world of cinema, eventually leading to iconic characters like Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad and Tonya Harding in I, Tonya. If fate had aligned differently, Robbie might have joined the recurring roster of American Horror Story stars. In a twist of fate, the role of Harley Quinn, one of her most iconic portrayals, could have gone to another actress—a haunting thought for both casting directors and fans alike.
