Armando Iannucci, the creator of the Emmy-winning series “Veep,” addressed the speculation that the show’s main character, Selina Meyer, was inspired by Kamala Harris, now a presidential candidate. In an interview with The Guardian, Iannucci firmly denied any intentional connections between Harris and the character played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Iannucci acknowledged that similarities might be observed, such as both women being elevated to the vice presidency and eventually stepping into the president’s role, but he clarified that these parallels are purely coincidental. The creation of “Veep” involved extensive research, including discussions with individuals who had experience working in the Vice President’s office, to ensure the show’s authenticity.
Veep Creator Armando Iannucci Denies Selina Meyer Was Inspired by Kamala Harris
He further explained that Selina Meyer’s character was more a reflection of certain political traits, notably vanity and vindictiveness, which he likened to Donald Trump rather than Harris. Iannucci expressed his hope that viewers would not associate the negative aspects of Selina Meyer with Kamala Harris, particularly as she was about to become the Democratic nominee for president.
Following Joe Biden’s exit from the presidential race and his endorsement of Harris, “Veep” experienced a significant viewership increase. Despite this, Iannucci remains supportive of Harris and wishes that her association with the show does not affect public perception of her, emphasizing his rooting interest in her political success.
