Nobody in the My So-Called Life universe has quite the high impact-to-screentime ratio as the Christmas episode’s haunting angel, played by singer/songwriter Juliana Hatfield. I’m indebted to her for speaking with me after weeks of enduring interviews about her new album, Blood. (You can also catch her on tour starting in August.)
While still not quite ready to watch “So Called Angels” all these years later, Hatfield recalls the support and encouragement she received from everybody on that set, from the actors and directors to series creator Winnie Holzman. “She was so bubbly and great. I was also excited because she was married to the father in Breaking Away [Paul Dooley], which I loved. I thought that was so cool.”
Initially approached to record a song for the episode, she was soon convinced to play the ghostly teen who figures so prominently in the story. Though she might’ve taken an acting class or to, she could never shake the “fish out of water” feeling of being in front of the camera.
Despite this, or possibly even because of it, Hatfield’s performance remains haunting and unforgettable to this day.
So Beautiful it Hurts’ is neither endorsed by nor affiliated with ABC, The Bedford Falls Co., nor anyone involved with the making or distribution of “My So-Called Life.”