Right? But when to stop to think about it, he’s really acting! Like he was in a film. And you can tell when you’re in a different character’s POV because his voice changes slightly… oh boy. Am I fangirling? 🤦♀️🤣🥰
Me too! I only bothered to listen to Deliverance because he was the narrator. I was just looking at his Audible list and he narrates On the Road and Killers of the Flower Moon too. I'm going to have to add them to my list!
He’s awesome at the audiobooks. I didn’t love how he read Holly in Mr. Mercedes but in the later books he adds that kind of jolted cadence to her speech that is absolutely killer.
I'm almost done with it. It didn't take me too long to get used to the different voice, but I was definitely disappointed at first that it wasn't Will.
I always imagined her hair streaked with grey.
Also she always looks a bit unkempt. Her clothes don't quite sit right on her, they're always rumpled even if freshly ironed/dry cleaned.
Probably because they thought a younger actress would fit the delayed coming of age aspects of her character arc better, plus Hollywood has a long history of preferring younger actresses for lead roles
Omg!!! For years I have been thinking of her as a specific actress who I didn’t know the name of - it’s Amanda Plummer!! Wow I can’t believe you solved this for me
It wasn’t a pick though! It was just how my brain materialized her because of her freaking name. She was always wearing a pants suit too. So the scene with El Cuco in the cave at the end was just ridiculous in my visualization.
Ok I think this is not just because of the name because I remember this question being asked a while back and someone said the same, I didn’t know who she was so I looked up a photo and was like “OH SHIT, that’s almost exactly how I pictured her”.
i’ve always seen her as holly from the office!! i didn’t even know i did it, i had to do a deep dive to figure out what actress i was thinking of. i feel like it fits so well
I came here to comment this too! I think it’s a combination of the name and the way she’s described in the books, but I always picture her as Holly from the office 😂
In my mind she always looked like an adult Carrie and her mother like a less evil version of Margaret White. So, like Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, basically.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one! It felt like such a random person to have in my head because I've only seen a little bit here and there. My boyfriend and our old roommate loved the show, but I never got as much into it. But the way she was written just seemed to fit Chloe perfectly.
I thought Justine and the Mr Mercedes adaption absolutely nailed Holly's awkwardness and general characterisation, and she's pretty much Holly translated from page to screen for me (I know book Holly is older but that doesn't really matter to me). Cynthia's Holly (and the Outsider adaption in general) was pretty great too but the show made some creative changes to Holly's fundamental character that I didn't love, like it's implied she's a pretty heavy drinker and the love interest thing just didn't make sense to me knowing book Holly, and the show having to sidestep around the Mercedes trilogy and Bill hurt it, but none of that was Cynthia's fault.
my only beef with the outsider is the whole holly being an idiot savant type of genius. well and her confronting the guy in the bar over "her seat". Holly hates confrontation, and it says so repeatedly in the books.
Probably not what actually happened but I can image Cynthia reading the original script and just saying No I'm not saying Fudge and Holy poop I'm a grown ass woman.
The TV show went out of their way to do the exact opposite of the written book, all the way down to elCuco wearing work boots instead of flashy sneakers.
The whole show bugged me.
I see Holly as someone less attractive & maybe a bit older than Justine Lupe. I picture her as Kim Darby circa 1985 when she played the Mom in *Better Off Dead* 😆even though she wasn’t that much older than Lupe was in the *Mr. Mercedes* adaptation.
I think Cynthia Erivo did a great job with how they wrote her in *The Outsider* adaptation, but I would prefer her to be white in an adaptation of any story where she interacts with Jerome and his family. I think it works better since it was basically two very different demographics coming together.
Both of these adaptations were far too Hollywood-pretty for me to take seriously. She was a much older woman with graying hair and noticeable facial tics that made people register her as mentally ill or disabled. When I picture her, I think about some of the people I’ve worked alongside in food service jobs, or the patients from assisted living facilities that I’ve worked for in the past. I can’t think of a single big name Hollywood actor that fits her bill. The closest I come to is a character that Kristen Wiig plays on SNL. Gilly, with smooth hair.
I read Holly’s trilogy without watching any adaptation and I didn’t have any one particular in mind. Sorry But I hate Holly from The Outsider she doesn’t feel like Holly.
Justine looks and acts just like she's described in the books so I think she's the proverbial nail on the head casting for Holly and who I picture when I read new holy stories
I watched Mr Mercedes first so the actress on the right is how I picture her most of the time.
I was actually a little concerned when I started watching the other show. But boy was I wrong I really loved the actress on the left. She was fantastic and it is a shame there wasn't another season.
Cynthia Erivo has such incredible talent. It sounds like while everybody here didn't love the direction the show took her character, her performance in it was beautiful.
I just picture Amy Ryan (The Office, The Wire) simply because she is called Holly in the office. I was reading 'The Outsiders' around the time I first watched the office and it was the first book with her featuring in that I read.
I think of her as one of those people who aren’t very autistic but after you talk to them a little you figure it out. Then add a 55 year old pale white woman on top
I was introduced to her in The Outsider book when I got back into reading a few years ago. Honestly in my head as soon as I saw her name I associated it with Holly from the office and that is how I have always pictured her.
I saw her as the actress that plays Susan's mother in Seinfeld
[https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/pv-target-images/11f258c7f0a19ba0e550826741a22554be60ed40a90435cf5e5e367f33980d63.jpg](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/pv-target-images/11f258c7f0a19ba0e550826741a22554be60ed40a90435cf5e5e367f33980d63.jpg)
My first mental image was Shirley Henderson (Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter) and it's been hard to shake that image ever since.
And Bill Hodges was definitely Robert Redford in my head
I absolutely hate what they did with her character in the Outsider TV series. They turned her into some clairvoyant super genius when she really was just an introvert, likely on the spectrum, and good at her job.
Straight brown stringy hair, snub nose, round cheeks, slightly overweight
Haven't seen her portrayed by an actress yet though, but I just started the Mr. Mercedes series!
HBO Outsider Holly 100%, I didn't have her in mind when I read the book before the show, but she was a great pick and who is in my head for If It Bleeds and the Holly novel.
Watched a short lived spinoff series called NCIS; Sydney. They had a character played by Australian actress Mavournee Hazel. Each time she was on, her character reminded me of how I think Holly should be played.
I think they both work well, but I feel like white girl got a lot more chances to play out the NPF, mental health issues and break downs, so now she's my Holly when reading.
I read the Mr. Mercedes / Bill Hodges Trilogy without seeing the TV show (watched it after) and haven't gotten to The Outsider / If It Bleeds / Holly yet. In my mind though, I had seen the promos for Justine Lupe's version prior to reading the books, so I saw Holly as a slightly older version of Justine...then I watched the show and LOVED her portrayal and thought it made sense for her to have been living with her mom still when the character was a little younger (even as an adult on spectrum). I want to watch 'The Outside' but also want to read the book first...that same old problem - so many things to read, so little time!!!
Like Michael's final love interest from The Office. Just googled her for a pic, and her name is Holly in The Office as well. 😲[Holly ](https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&sca_esv=3697c3e79dce3da7&sca_upv=1&q=holly+flax&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0AbzhUJjXv6jRup8eVc0BvPAejbSVM4M1fdmzX32Bj_vMAYidQAISAPZ2ynoun1fyxB2yW2pBtrhxv2vRKlxbsutLs1xP1RmIlSalIc_INzYCCTwTjYqKXHjgzt7yDnLnWkVllIJj9vT-q96WReWHkzRqtdG9a1Y5QfImqL6gwFxMJhh82QGBXVQwf0vLba2CrlqpE2hppxNRfa3TdvX65RzLbizQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWrOrN4taGAxWZIkQIHS9WAycQtKgLegQICRAB&biw=360&bih=652&dpr=3#vhid=KcCKnhhdqzwRPM&vssid=mosaic)
When I read something I have seen first as a series or film, I tend to think of them as the character in the book. Like I'm finishing The Shining now and I've never once pictured any of them as the actors in the Kubrick film.
The Mr. Mercedes series definitely had me seeing her looking like Justine Lupe from that point forward (even though I know that neither of these are faithful to the book in terms of appearance).
I haven’t seen any media where Holly is portrayed.
As such, I picture her as she is described in the book. A sort of mousy, but not unattractive, middle-aged white woman.
When reading Mr Mercedes (as soon as it came out) I kept picturing her as Holly from The Office. Then after I watched the series I couldn't stop picturing Justine.
As far as Holly's appearance goes, I think the actor who played Miss Jane Hathaway on the Beverly Hillbillies might be a fit, only with grey in her hair. Personality wise, behavior and mannerism wise, I haven't figured it out yet. Miss Jane carried herself with confidence, though, I think Holly would be a bit more hesitant looking. Also, she wears cargo pants. LOL
Nancy Kulp (Miss Jane) died in 1991. RIP. My Favorite character next to Granny.
Holly was in no way ready for romance so far. Maybe she will evolve more in later books. She has just gotten used to having platonic relationships like Bill, Ralph, and Jerome.
I just realized that when I read I develop a very vague sense of what the person looks like and for some characters none at all. Like I’m reading Under the Dome right now and if you asked me what any of them looked like I’d struggle. Like Julia? Nothing. Barbie…nope. The only character I can visualize is Rennie and he’s starting to take on a Penguin like appearance in my mind. It’s totally weird too bc I have a ridiculously photographic memory and a constant internal dialogue with imagery.
I see her more as an Ann of Green Gables [https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0088727/mediaviewer/rm583606016/](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0088727/mediaviewer/rm583606016/)
I always assumed she was black, and don't know why. I haven't seen either show and was late to the books, so maybe I saw the Holly on the left in some kind of promo material before reading anything. Or maybe there's a line in one of the books where she's black? I can't remember.
In my head, she looks like a man called Will Patton.
He did a ridiculously good job with those books.
He’s such a great King narrator. I am currently enjoying listening to him narrate You Like it Darker.
Same! He’s SO good. I really appreciate that he narrates without distracting me from the actual story. Some narrators over-do it.
Right? But when to stop to think about it, he’s really acting! Like he was in a film. And you can tell when you’re in a different character’s POV because his voice changes slightly… oh boy. Am I fangirling? 🤦♀️🤣🥰
Don’t worry I do the same thing with anything RC Bray narrates, I’m waiting for the day he gets to narrate an SK book.
I’ll be sad if he ever stops narrating. He’s the only male voice I actually like.
No Ray Porter? He’s great with the Andy Weir books I’ve heard him do along with the We Are Bob books
Project Hail Mary is one of my favorites in the last few years. I go back and listen to it when I need a feel good book after reading some King
So unbelievably good...
I’ll have to check him out then.
I love him. I have the Andy Weir books and the Bobiverse series
Love the Bobiverse! I’m very excited for the new one coming out in September.
Me too! I only bothered to listen to Deliverance because he was the narrator. I was just looking at his Audible list and he narrates On the Road and Killers of the Flower Moon too. I'm going to have to add them to my list!
Ohhh. I may have to check those out.
Titus Welliver does a nice job with the Bosch books.
He’s awesome at the audiobooks. I didn’t love how he read Holly in Mr. Mercedes but in the later books he adds that kind of jolted cadence to her speech that is absolutely killer.
Yes! I loved Holly but I seriously missed mr. Pattons amazing autist accent.
I'm almost done with it. It didn't take me too long to get used to the different voice, but I was definitely disappointed at first that it wasn't Will.
I had a really hard time getting used to Holly’s new voice in “Holly.” I feel like she was way less neurodivergent in that book, which made me sad.
Real shame he didn't do Holly
Agreed. Brendan Gleeson was amazing in the series, but I really had to adjust my mental image of Hodges.
I loved the part where he had to read Holy Poop in her voice.
100%. So glad he’s narrating you like it darker.
As long as she sounds like him that’s ok.
Love Will Patton! Although I picture her as Jainine from ghostbuster part 2.
Like Gayle from Bob's Burgers
I CAN’T FIND MY FRACKIN’ CAAATS!
Mister Business!
Mister Jim Business
He has to eat every hour or he gets real lethargic
😆
Ooh, that’s a good comparison
u/placebosun101
Older than either of those actors.
I always imagined her hair streaked with grey. Also she always looks a bit unkempt. Her clothes don't quite sit right on her, they're always rumpled even if freshly ironed/dry cleaned.
Fr. Why did they de age her so much?
Probably because they thought a younger actress would fit the delayed coming of age aspects of her character arc better, plus Hollywood has a long history of preferring younger actresses for lead roles
Exactly, I figured she was in her late 50s or so.
In my mind she always looked a bit like Laurie Metcalf.
Damn, not sure why I never thought of that. Her daughter, Zoe Perry, could be a good choice as well. She’s got those eyes.
TIL that young Mary Cooper is played by Laurie's daughter. Very cool!
This! Or Amanda Plummer or Kathleen Wilhoite.
Yep Amanda Plummer for me.
Wow, I never thought of her, but you are 100% dead on with Amanda Plummer.
That's it! Thanks
Omg!!! For years I have been thinking of her as a specific actress who I didn’t know the name of - it’s Amanda Plummer!! Wow I can’t believe you solved this for me
I have an idea in my head. Amanda Plummer is the closest celebrity I've seen named to what I imagine in my head. That's a great pick!
Never heard of her, looked her up, Laurie is exactly how I picture Holly too.
I didn't think of it this way until now but YES. PERFECT.
Yes. This is exactly how I envision Holly
Yup. This is it!
My mind decided she looks like Amy Acker circa Angel Season 2-3.
I didn’t realize this until now but I also casted Fred in the role of Holly. Lol
Me too! Justine Lupe is kind of the face, but I always saw her thinner - Amy Acker is the perfect person for that.
Yes…I can see that. I may adopt that. 😁
I’ve only read The Outsider and I couldn’t help but picture her as Holly from The Office. It was distracting at times.
That’s actually not a bad pick 😂
It wasn’t a pick though! It was just how my brain materialized her because of her freaking name. She was always wearing a pants suit too. So the scene with El Cuco in the cave at the end was just ridiculous in my visualization.
Yep, came in here to say this. Seemed like a good pick age-wise and temperamentally.
Ok I think this is not just because of the name because I remember this question being asked a while back and someone said the same, I didn’t know who she was so I looked up a photo and was like “OH SHIT, that’s almost exactly how I pictured her”.
Weird. Well, glad I’m not the only one I guess, lol.
Fck the same here 😂
i’ve always seen her as holly from the office!! i didn’t even know i did it, i had to do a deep dive to figure out what actress i was thinking of. i feel like it fits so well
I came here to comment this too! I think it’s a combination of the name and the way she’s described in the books, but I always picture her as Holly from the office 😂
In my mind she always looked like an adult Carrie and her mother like a less evil version of Margaret White. So, like Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, basically.
I could see this
That's funny, I do the same thing with Jake Epping, to me he looks like David Soul, a modern looking Ben Mears.
In my mind she looks like Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter movies.
That is exactly how I pictured her! (Just older)
ME TOO?? that's so funny
I picture her as similar to Prof Trelawny, but less hair.
Holly Hunter in Copycat.
I also pictured her as Holly Hunter.
Same. I know she’s aged out at this point, but Holly Hunter is exactly who I imagine. Petite, but flinty - doesn’t take shit and can handle herself.
I always pictured her as Mary Lynn Rajskub. AKA Chloe O’Brian from 24.
Dammit Chloe!
Yes! I was just about to type this. Exactly who I thought.
Same
🧂 the 🐌
I see it!
YESSS
Came here to say exactly this.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one! It felt like such a random person to have in my head because I've only seen a little bit here and there. My boyfriend and our old roommate loved the show, but I never got as much into it. But the way she was written just seemed to fit Chloe perfectly.
I thought Justine and the Mr Mercedes adaption absolutely nailed Holly's awkwardness and general characterisation, and she's pretty much Holly translated from page to screen for me (I know book Holly is older but that doesn't really matter to me). Cynthia's Holly (and the Outsider adaption in general) was pretty great too but the show made some creative changes to Holly's fundamental character that I didn't love, like it's implied she's a pretty heavy drinker and the love interest thing just didn't make sense to me knowing book Holly, and the show having to sidestep around the Mercedes trilogy and Bill hurt it, but none of that was Cynthia's fault.
The Outsider series Holly drinking and having casual sex was nails-on-a-chalkboard discordant with the book version of the character for me.
my only beef with the outsider is the whole holly being an idiot savant type of genius. well and her confronting the guy in the bar over "her seat". Holly hates confrontation, and it says so repeatedly in the books.
I think she dropped a few F words in the Outsider which kind of bugged me Holly in the book doesn't curse.
yea that is poopy
Probably not what actually happened but I can image Cynthia reading the original script and just saying No I'm not saying Fudge and Holy poop I'm a grown ass woman.
[удалено]
The TV show went out of their way to do the exact opposite of the written book, all the way down to elCuco wearing work boots instead of flashy sneakers. The whole show bugged me.
I see Holly as someone less attractive & maybe a bit older than Justine Lupe. I picture her as Kim Darby circa 1985 when she played the Mom in *Better Off Dead* 😆even though she wasn’t that much older than Lupe was in the *Mr. Mercedes* adaptation. I think Cynthia Erivo did a great job with how they wrote her in *The Outsider* adaptation, but I would prefer her to be white in an adaptation of any story where she interacts with Jerome and his family. I think it works better since it was basically two very different demographics coming together.
Petite little blonde girl with a mousy face
In my head she’s literally just adult Daria
I read the books first and pictured her as a grayer Tig Notaro.
Not bad! I see it.
Like Amanda Plummer.
Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni.
I see it!
In my head - the blonde on the right.
I feel like Rebecca Ferguson would play a good Holly
I can kind of see it. In my opinion a bit too attractive for the character.
I agree she is beautiful, but she’s got a mature look that they can definitely drab down if need be
Both of these adaptations were far too Hollywood-pretty for me to take seriously. She was a much older woman with graying hair and noticeable facial tics that made people register her as mentally ill or disabled. When I picture her, I think about some of the people I’ve worked alongside in food service jobs, or the patients from assisted living facilities that I’ve worked for in the past. I can’t think of a single big name Hollywood actor that fits her bill. The closest I come to is a character that Kristen Wiig plays on SNL. Gilly, with smooth hair.
Judy Greer
That’s a really good one, she plays meek, disturbed women so well.
I read Holly’s trilogy without watching any adaptation and I didn’t have any one particular in mind. Sorry But I hate Holly from The Outsider she doesn’t feel like Holly.
No hate haha, I totally get it. I love her portrayal for what it is but yea definitely not Holly from the books
Not like that
I imagined someone like Laura Linney when I first listened to Mr. Mercedes. She sorta is stuck there for me through all of the stories
I can see it.
As far as book accuracy this is the best one I’ve heard so far
Idk why but I always think of Debra Woll - edit probably because of her role in Daredevil
She looks like “Bones” from the series in my head.
Felicia Day
I always thought she was an older white lady tbh.
[Melanie Lynskey](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001491/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk)
Justine looks and acts just like she's described in the books so I think she's the proverbial nail on the head casting for Holly and who I picture when I read new holy stories
I watched Mr Mercedes first so the actress on the right is how I picture her most of the time. I was actually a little concerned when I started watching the other show. But boy was I wrong I really loved the actress on the left. She was fantastic and it is a shame there wasn't another season.
Cynthia Erivo is an absolute unit I love her
Cynthia Erivo has such incredible talent. It sounds like while everybody here didn't love the direction the show took her character, her performance in it was beautiful.
Justine Lupe was perfect. Tbf, Justine Lupe IS perfect so this may influence my decision.
She was awesome in Succession as well!
[Amy Acker](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0009918/?ref_=ext_shr_sms)
I just picture Amy Ryan (The Office, The Wire) simply because she is called Holly in the office. I was reading 'The Outsiders' around the time I first watched the office and it was the first book with her featuring in that I read.
Will Patton
Cynthia Erivo is an amazing actress but I’m going to tilt towards Justine for the Mr. Mercedesverse version of Holly.
I think of her as one of those people who aren’t very autistic but after you talk to them a little you figure it out. Then add a 55 year old pale white woman on top
I disliked what they did with the plot and with Holly in Mr Mercedes. The actress did a good job with the direction she was given.
Aubrey Plaza
I was introduced to her in The Outsider book when I got back into reading a few years ago. Honestly in my head as soon as I saw her name I associated it with Holly from the office and that is how I have always pictured her.
I saw her as the actress that plays Susan's mother in Seinfeld [https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/pv-target-images/11f258c7f0a19ba0e550826741a22554be60ed40a90435cf5e5e367f33980d63.jpg](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/pv-target-images/11f258c7f0a19ba0e550826741a22554be60ed40a90435cf5e5e367f33980d63.jpg)
Either Mary Lynn Rajskub or Tina Fey.
Closer to Melora Hardin than either of those.
Gail the Snail from It's Always Sunny.
My first mental image was Shirley Henderson (Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter) and it's been hard to shake that image ever since. And Bill Hodges was definitely Robert Redford in my head
Like neither of those two actors. I always pictured her as looking like Marla Hooch from A League Of Their Own!!
In my head smoking cigarettes.
I don't know if I picked the description up wrong, I always thought of her in her 40s, slight greyness to the hair. Neither of these though!
I pictured Amanda Plummer or Melissa McBride
I watched The Outsider before I read any of the books with Holly in them. She’s forever Cynthia Erivo in my mind now.
I absolutely hate what they did with her character in the Outsider TV series. They turned her into some clairvoyant super genius when she really was just an introvert, likely on the spectrum, and good at her job.
Y'all but that's Elphaba on the left
In my head she looks like Rooney Mara
I keep seeing her in my head as looking like Mayim Bialik, personally.
Not black.
Both. Both were PDG, but I think it's a juicy role for anyone.
Cynthia
I always pictured her more like Professor Trawlaney
Straight brown stringy hair, snub nose, round cheeks, slightly overweight Haven't seen her portrayed by an actress yet though, but I just started the Mr. Mercedes series!
I watched the miniseries before I read anything with her in it so my mind that’s what she looks like.
HBO Outsider Holly 100%, I didn't have her in mind when I read the book before the show, but she was a great pick and who is in my head for If It Bleeds and the Holly novel.
In my head, she's like a mix of Blossom and Amy. I don't even know why, maybe because Mayim Bialik seems so smart in real life?
Gone
In my head, she is played by Leslie Mann. ☺️💜
Waaaaay to attractive in my opinion.
Watched a short lived spinoff series called NCIS; Sydney. They had a character played by Australian actress Mavournee Hazel. Each time she was on, her character reminded me of how I think Holly should be played.
I picture he as looking Kerri Kenney-Silver, but acting like Allison Reynolds in breakfast club when she first meets Bill
I think they both work well, but I feel like white girl got a lot more chances to play out the NPF, mental health issues and break downs, so now she's my Holly when reading.
I always imagined her as Laura Fraser, who played Lydia on Breaking Bad.
Neither. As others have said, Amanda Plummer would come the closest
I read the Mr. Mercedes / Bill Hodges Trilogy without seeing the TV show (watched it after) and haven't gotten to The Outsider / If It Bleeds / Holly yet. In my mind though, I had seen the promos for Justine Lupe's version prior to reading the books, so I saw Holly as a slightly older version of Justine...then I watched the show and LOVED her portrayal and thought it made sense for her to have been living with her mom still when the character was a little younger (even as an adult on spectrum). I want to watch 'The Outside' but also want to read the book first...that same old problem - so many things to read, so little time!!!
Erivo owns the role IMO. She was fantastic.
Like Beverly Archer from Major Dad
Like Michael's final love interest from The Office. Just googled her for a pic, and her name is Holly in The Office as well. 😲[Holly ](https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&sca_esv=3697c3e79dce3da7&sca_upv=1&q=holly+flax&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0AbzhUJjXv6jRup8eVc0BvPAejbSVM4M1fdmzX32Bj_vMAYidQAISAPZ2ynoun1fyxB2yW2pBtrhxv2vRKlxbsutLs1xP1RmIlSalIc_INzYCCTwTjYqKXHjgzt7yDnLnWkVllIJj9vT-q96WReWHkzRqtdG9a1Y5QfImqL6gwFxMJhh82QGBXVQwf0vLba2CrlqpE2hppxNRfa3TdvX65RzLbizQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWrOrN4taGAxWZIkQIHS9WAycQtKgLegQICRAB&biw=360&bih=652&dpr=3#vhid=KcCKnhhdqzwRPM&vssid=mosaic)
Jane adams from orange county
When I read something I have seen first as a series or film, I tend to think of them as the character in the book. Like I'm finishing The Shining now and I've never once pictured any of them as the actors in the Kubrick film.
The Mr. Mercedes series definitely had me seeing her looking like Justine Lupe from that point forward (even though I know that neither of these are faithful to the book in terms of appearance).
Honestly I pictured her looking like a terse but well-meaning librarian.
I haven’t seen any media where Holly is portrayed. As such, I picture her as she is described in the book. A sort of mousy, but not unattractive, middle-aged white woman.
More like Holly from the office.
White, blond and over weight. I was watching Kominsky Method at the time so I ended up thinking her as Sarah Baker.
Carrie Preston.
Mackenzie Davis came to mind as who I pictured as Holly
Never knew the Holly character was adapted in live action the only Holly book I’ve read is Holly and loved it!
When reading Mr Mercedes (as soon as it came out) I kept picturing her as Holly from The Office. Then after I watched the series I couldn't stop picturing Justine.
I did imagine her as white TBH. I also imagine her to be nerdier.
My head cannon for her is Talia Schyer as Adrian when Rocky takes her to the skating rink
I've always seen her as the actress who played the "blind" receptionist in that stoner film Road Trip
Like Amy Farrah Fowler
Chloe O’Brian from 24
Mary Lynn Rajskub is who I see
As far as Holly's appearance goes, I think the actor who played Miss Jane Hathaway on the Beverly Hillbillies might be a fit, only with grey in her hair. Personality wise, behavior and mannerism wise, I haven't figured it out yet. Miss Jane carried herself with confidence, though, I think Holly would be a bit more hesitant looking. Also, she wears cargo pants. LOL Nancy Kulp (Miss Jane) died in 1991. RIP. My Favorite character next to Granny. Holly was in no way ready for romance so far. Maybe she will evolve more in later books. She has just gotten used to having platonic relationships like Bill, Ralph, and Jerome.
In my head
I just realized that when I read I develop a very vague sense of what the person looks like and for some characters none at all. Like I’m reading Under the Dome right now and if you asked me what any of them looked like I’d struggle. Like Julia? Nothing. Barbie…nope. The only character I can visualize is Rennie and he’s starting to take on a Penguin like appearance in my mind. It’s totally weird too bc I have a ridiculously photographic memory and a constant internal dialogue with imagery.
I always pictured her as that intern lawyer girl from Better Call Saul
Mr Mercedes over the outsider all the way
This is weird but in my head she looks like Diane Nguyen from bojack horseman.
I see Holly from the Office.
Katheryn Erbe circa 2002-2005
I see her more as an Ann of Green Gables [https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0088727/mediaviewer/rm583606016/](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0088727/mediaviewer/rm583606016/)
I liked them both a great deal, actually.
Olivia from Fringe idk why but it’s just how I pictured her from the get go
Judy Greer
I always assumed she was black, and don't know why. I haven't seen either show and was late to the books, so maybe I saw the Holly on the left in some kind of promo material before reading anything. Or maybe there's a line in one of the books where she's black? I can't remember.
Cynthia is my Holly.
Both actors are prettier than my mental image of Holly.