Move over A-listers — there’s a new leading lady on the scene, and she’s got four paws, a sassy strut, and credits that roll like royalty.
In the twisty, turbo-charged finale of Poker Face Season 2, all eyes were on Natasha Lyonne… until she showed up. That’s right — Rootbeer, Lyonne’s 15-year-old maltipoo (and full-time scene stealer), made her dramatic debut, effortlessly walking into the final frames like she’d been born for the spotlight. Spoiler alert: she kind of was.
“She does a real good job, Rootbeer,” Lyonne shared in a wink-nod moment that melted hearts faster than a hot dog on set.
Rootbeer appears just as the story reaches fever pitch — a high-stakes car chase, a safe house inferno, and Lyonne’s Charlie on the run from the FBI. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a fluffball of pure charisma trots into frame, standing confidently in the middle of the highway like she knows she’s about to change the trajectory of the episode… and maybe the series. Charlie scoops up the wandering pup (cue the collective gasp of joy from DOGUE readers everywhere), and the duo hitchhikes into the sunset, renegades on the run — now as a dynamic duo.
But Rootbeer isn’t just a cameo. She’s credited, darling — officially listed as “the scamp” in the episode credits. And if that’s not cover star energy, we don’t know what is.
Lyonne has a long-standing history with her four-legged companion. As she told Entertainment Weekly, Rootbeer was just five months old when she “kidnapped” her and brought her to the Orange Is the New Black set. Since then, Rootbeer’s been a loyal sidekick, frequent visitor to sets, and, as Lyonne lovingly admits, “a nepo baby.” Honestly? Same.
Behind every iconic moment is a muse — and this finale had one with a wagging tail.
So what’s next for Rootbeer? More screen time? A red carpet run? A DOGUE cover? Whatever it is, we’re ready! Because when a dog can outshine car crashes, mob assassins, and FBI drama with nothing but a confident trot and a little side-eye… that’s not just talent. That’s star power.
