Stephen Root discusses starring in the new film ‘The Long Haul’

Emmy-nominated actor Stephen Root spoke with this journalist on the red carpet of the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, where he was there to promote the new film “The Long Haul,” which was written and directed by David Drake.

Aside from Root, the talented cast features three-time Emmy winner Margo Martindale, Cole Sprouse and Yalitza Aparicio.

The synopsis of this road drama is: CJ (Margo Martindale), a seasoned truck driver who has spent her years traversing the American Southwest, has meticulously constructed a life of distance from her past. However, a letter from the parole board threatens to dismantle the walls she has painstakingly built. CJ, facing the prospect of retirement and a reckoning she has evaded for years, must finally find the courage to pause and contemplate her future.

“Margo and I have been friends since the late ’70s. We’ve only gotten to work together once, so I’m very happy that we got to do this movie,” he said.

On being a part of the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, Root said, “It’s great to be here… and it’s not 95 degrees.”

Root is drawn to playing his character, especially since “he has sympathy for an old friend who is hurting.” “My character is a very sympathetic character,” he admitted.

On the lessons learned from “The Long Haul” screenplay, Root reflected,”It taught me that I was smart enough to get involved with a film that has a good screenplay.”

“It’s about helping friends. It really is about helping friends, and that’s what we are all doing in this very difficult time right now,” he acknowledged.

Root also recalled his time making the film “To Leslie,” which earned a “Best Actress” Oscar nomination for Andrea Riseborough.

“That film was shot during COVID, and it was shot in 18 days,” he said. “It was similar in terms of ‘The Long Haul’. It’s a run and gun, really quick shoot, and it was a blast.”

Regarding his definition of the word success, Root said, “Success means being a working actor, which is what I have been able to do.”

Read More: Rave review of “The Long Haul.”