Lorraine Bracco Talks Netflix’s ‘The Union’ and Other Acting Projects

Lorraine Bracco as Lorraine McKenna in ‘The Union.’ Photo courtesy of Netflix.

Academy Award nominee Lorraine Bracco (“Goodfellas”) chatted about her starring role in Netflix’s “The Union” and her other acting projects.

‘The Union’ on Netflix

In “The Union,” New Jersey construction worker Mike McKenna (Mark Wahlberg) goes from being an ordinary guy to an aspiring spy when his high school sweetheart Roxanne (Halle Berry) recruits him for an espionage mission.

Bracco plays Mike’s mother, Lorraine McKenna. The film premiered on Netflix on Friday, August 16. “Wasn’t that a fun movie? It was fun,” she exclaimed.

About working with Mark Wahlberg as the lead actor and producer on “The Union,” she said, “It was amazing working with Mark. We had such a great time filming it,” she admitted.

“Mark is a great guy, and I could pass for his real mother. The truth is… I’m almost 70 now, so it was a young pregnancy,” she said with a sweet laugh. “And a sequel would be nice. I would love that!”

On Monday, August 19, Bracco will host a special benefit screening of the Oscar-nominated film “Red, White and Blue” at Sag Harbor Cinema, along with co-hosts Christie Brinkley, Katie Couric, Bobbi Brown, Heather Reynolds, Monica Forman, Anne Keating and Susan Lacy.

Katie Couric will be in conversation following the screening with filmmaker Nazrin Choudhury, Dr. Catherine Birndorf and Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown.

The film is written and directed by Nazrin Choudhury. The synopsis is: A poor single mother has to leave the state for a necessary abortion.

“I hope people watch it, and I hope a lot of people register to vote,” she stressed. “That’s what I think is amazing. Nazrin did such an incredible job. This is a 23-minute short film and you will never forget it.”

25th Anniversary of ‘The Sopranos’

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of “The Sopranos.” She played Dr. Jennifer Melfi, the psychiatrist for mob boss Tony Soprano (played by the late James Gandolfini). The role earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations, and to this day, “The Sopranos” is the gift that keeps on giving.

“I feel 25 years older,” she said with a sweet laugh. “What’s great about it is that it’s reminiscent of ‘Goodfellas,’ and people still watch it and still love it. ‘The Sopranos’ hasn’t aged badly.”

“Even during COVID, a lot of parents weren’t able to watch it with their kids, and it gave them the opportunity to rewatch it, and they were able to show it to their kids,” she admitted. “It’s incredible. It’s just special, and the generations go on.”

Bracco had wonderful words about working with actresses like Edie Falco and Kathrine Narducci on that show. “I love Edie and I love Kathrine,” she exclaimed.

Podcast ‘Talking Sopranos’ with Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa

Bracco said she enjoyed doing the “Talking Sopranos” podcast with Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa.

“It was great to be on their podcast,” she said. “Those two are really fun and I love them. Michael, Steve and Edie are all working and it’s really fun to see that.”

Live-action film of ‘Pinocchio’

Bracco enjoyed doing the live-action film “Pinocchio” on Disney+, which was directed by Robert Zemeckis. She voiced Sofia, the seagull who knows Geppetto (Tom Hanks) and who befriends Jiminy (voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

“That was fun,” she said. “Who wouldn’t want to work with Robert Zemeckis? It was cute, and it was a small part, but it was a fun part. Don’t we all want to be cartoon characters?”

‘Welcome to Mama’s’ on Hallmark

In the Hallmark romcom “Welcome to Mama’s,” she played the title role of Mama opposite Melanie Scrofano and Daniel di Tomasso.

“That was cute. I love working; it keeps me active and young,” she said. “Melanie and Daniel were both amazing! I like dealing with different actors, different roles and characters. It’s still really fun for me.”

Stage of her life

Regarding the title of the current chapter in her life, Bracco said with a sweet smile: “I’m not dead yet.”

Advice for young and emerging actors

For young and aspiring actors, she said, “Read, read, read. And when you audition, do it for yourself and not for anyone else.”

Superpower of choice

If she had a superpower, it would be to “fly” and “not be jet lagged.” “Jet lag is not easy,” she admitted.

Success

As for her definition of the word success, she revealed: “Grandchildren.” “I have three grandchildren… two girls and a boy,” she said.

Final thoughts on the film ‘The Union’

To fans and viewers, she concluded of “The Union”: “This movie is so much fun, and God knows… you have to love both of them: Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry. He’s great; I loved him.”

“The Union” is available to stream on Netflix by clicking here.

Want to know more about Lorraine Bracco? Visit her official homepage and follow her on Instagram.