Originally from Guilford, Connecticut, Becki Newton has been acting and performing since the age of thirteen. Becki’s appearances led to her features in Ugly Betty, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, How I Met Your Mother, and countless other works. Becki is a renowned actress and an aspiration for radiating positive energy. Becki reflects upon her personal and professional acting journey through her role in The Lincoln Lawyer.

Can you tell us about your character and how she has evolved in the last three seasons?
I have loved every minute of playing this character. From the very beginning, it was clear that there are so many layers to her. In Mickey’s phone, she is listed as “wife #2”, and as the seasons have progressed it is clear that she is so much more than that. We don’t know too much about Lorna and Mickey’s history, but it is clear that there is so much love and respect between them. Throughout season one, she showed her dedication and loyalty to Mickey and the law firm. In season two, we saw how much she was willing to juggle and how much she throws herself into everything she does, from planning a wedding to taking the bar exam all while supporting Mickey and the law firm. In season three, we see her step into a court room and become a lawyer, standing side by side with Mickey. Her evolution has been incredible to play.

What can fans expect from Lorna Crane in this season of The Lincoln Lawyer?
This season fans can see Lorna become the lawyer she always dreamed of being. She does it her way, without losing any of her bold tactics (and outfits) along the way.

What is your most memorable moment from filming this season?
There was a small moment, right when Lorna was about to approach the judge for the first time as a lawyer. We see, just for a quick second, a moment of doubt on Lorna’s face. This was my favorite moment. Because her trajectory has been so fast and furious, I loved that there was a pause that showed a moment of insecurity. It keeps her human to know that underneath all the bravado, intelligence, and self-confidence, Lorna is someone who really wants to do well and not let anyone down, especially herself.

You've landed roles in drama, comedy, and more. How do you balance these different roles and is there one that you enjoy the most?
I believe drama and comedy are much more similar than people realize. One thing people forget is that Ugly Betty was actually a drama! And even though on paper Lincoln Lawyer is a legal drama, I am often running through the office holding a very funny looking pug trying to solve a murder. I have learned that it’s really not about changing what I do based on the label of the show, and that it’s more about finding the energy and truth within each scene.

**Left:**
Outfit by Dolce & Gabbana
**Right:**
Outfit by Versace

Ugly Betty was a comedic show. What was your favorite thing about working on such an iconic comedy?
Ugly Betty was an experience that changed my life and career forever. It was a masterclass in how to act both on camera and off. I was surrounded by the most incredible humans. To this day, Michael Urie is one of my greatest friends and inspirations. He is the godfather of my fourth child, and after she was born he came to my house just to sit and hold her for hours while I chased my other kids around. I call him any time I have a career question, but usually it’s just an excuse to talk to him because any time I hear his voice, I feel so happy and grateful that such an angel of a human exists.

Who is your biggest inspiration?
There are so many! Maya Rudolph is a big one. I’m drawn to people whose lives outside of work feel as full as what happens on screen. I also admire people who aren’t afraid to pivot, no matter how crazy it may seem at the time. Ted Humphrey, who created The Lincoln Lawyer alongside Michael Connolly, was a lawyer in DC and decided to move to Los Angeles to become a writer. How cool is that? Abbey Elliot is someone I have found very inspiring. Her work on The Bear is so grounded and fearless. I could watch her all day. She is someone who brings her comedy into her work in such a beautiful and effective way.

How do you think your biggest inspiration has impacted your roles and work?
I can’t specifically point to one person’s influence when it comes to my work, but I do know that I have benefitted from watching so many people around me for so many years. I am always drawn to brave and bold choices and have been lucky enough, particularly in The Lincoln Lawyer, to have writers and producers who support and embrace those choices.

Out of all of your works, are there any characters that you felt a personal connection with?
I always try to make each character as personal as possible. When I look back at Amanda on Ugly Betty, for example, our worlds felt very far apart. She was a wannabe fashionista working at a fashion magazine. I had never been on a red carpet before. I was able to tap into her insecurities pretty quickly because chances are we had more in common than it appeared. I didn’t have a lot of experience on television sets, and the Olive Garden commercial I had filmed weeks before Ugly Betty started was airing during commercial breaks. I tried to tap into her insecurities to balance out her hyper-confidence. Usually, those two things go hand in hand. I feel a deep personal connection to Lorna, perhaps because I’ve been living with her for these last four years while juggling motherhood. She wants to do well and help everyone around her be the best version of themselves, while also trying to take giant leaps personally. Last season, Lorna was taking the bar exam while planning a wedding and running the law office. I had days where I was feeding my fourth child while in the makeup chair while running my lines. We both aspire to be master multitaskers and hate the thought of letting any one person or facet of our lives suffer.

**Left:**
Outfit by Versace
Shoes by Jimmy Choo
**Right:**
Top by Dolce & Gabbana

How has becoming a mother influenced your perspective on work?
It has changed my perspective immensely on work. The Lincoln Lawyer was the first time I brought a baby to set with me. Netflix and A&E were so incredibly supportive and set up a nursery for me next to the court stages. Every time the director yelled “cut” I would run to sit with the baby. The hair and makeup team would hold her while I got my makeup touched up. I felt what it was like to have the support of a village, and mostly how lucky my daughter was to be surrounded by such positivity. In the past, after I had kids, I always felt such a conflict between home life and work life and struggled to feel good about either. This experience taught me how much one can enhance the other. I believe a lot of it comes from the showrunner Ted. When I called him and told him I would be having a baby right as season two was going to begin shooting, his immediate response was, “How wonderful!”. I’ll never forget that, and I believe his response really shaped my experience as a working mom of a newborn.

What personal goals do you have for the next year?
I hope to knit as much as possible! No matter how busy I am, there is always time to knit. And write letters. I love writing letters to people I love.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?
Well, we just adopted a 110-pound tortoise who will definitely outlive me. So, my legacy will be my tortoise named Wordle. Or perhaps more figuratively, I would want people to remember me as someone willing to adopt a tortoise.

Dress by Roberto Cavalli
Boots by Manolo Blahnik

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Becki Newton
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: David Higgs
Fashion Stylist: Jessica Paster
Hair: Kiki Heitkotter at The Wall Group
Makeup: Kindra Mann at TMG
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Anna Yim

Becki Newton Shares her Excitement for the Lincoln Lawyer Season 3