Interview with actors Bryan Cranston, Hope Davis, Michael Stuhlbarg, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Andrene Ward-Hammond, and Rosie Perez and EP Joey Hartstone

TV Interview!

Interview with actors Bryan Cranston, Hope Davis, Michael Stuhlbarg, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Andrene Ward-Hammond, and Rosie Perez and EP Joey Hartstone of "Your Honor" on Showtime

Interview with actors Bryan Cranston, Hope Davis, Michael Stuhlbarg, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Andrene Ward-Hammond, and Rosie Perez and EP Joey Hartstone of “Your Honor” on Showtime by Suzanne 9/20/22

SHOWTIME FALL TCA PRESS CONFERENCE
YOUR HONOR
Bryan Cranston – “Michael Desiato” (he/him)
Hope Davis – “Gina Baxter” (she/her)
Michael Stuhlbarg – “Jimmy Baxter” (he/him)
Isiah Whitlock Jr. – “Charlie” (he/him)
Andrene Ward-Hammond – “Big Mo” (she/her)
Rosie Perez – “Olivia Delmont” (she/her)
Joey Hartstone – Showrunner / Executive Producer (he/him)
Virtual via Zoom September 20, 2022
© 2022 Showtime. All Rights Reserved.

“Your Honor” picks up the saga of Bryan Cranston’s Michael Desiato as he struggles to move forward after the devastating events of Season 1 all while competing forces swirl around him with even greater intensity.

This was a TCA panel, so I’m not allowed to use the transcript. Here is a summary of the questions and answers. I hope you enjoy it! The second season looks just as great as the first one.

Peter Moffat created the show, based on an Israeli TV series. He had to bow out of the second season for personal reasons. This second season, he was replaced by one of the show’s writers, Joey Hartstone, as showrunner. The first journalist asked if they’re using any of Moffat’s ideas for the second season. Star Bryan Cranston explained about Moffat not being there, for any of us that didn’t know that news. He affirmed that the show is “in good shape” with Hartstone. Moffat left behind a Season 2 outline that they were able to use. Since the first season was about “the central character [who] compromises his principles and loses himself,” the second season “is about redemption” and where that fits in the world, along with “sorrow and forgiveness,” and do the characters carry on. Cranston was also asked about his character’s look and how that helped him make the transition for his character, Michael, to season 2. Cranston spoke at length about how his character is affected greatly by his grief, and how it affects others in his orbit. He also spoke about how Michael is affected physically, which he, as an actor, had to reflect. He maintains that Michael wouldn’t care at all about how he looks, in his grief.

Another reporter references a previous drama that Cranston played in called “Faust” and asks why audiences love to watch “guys who make the wrong decision.” Cranston says that it’s because it happens so much, which he credits to male testosterone making men “do stupid things.” Men’s egos make them think they can handle any situation. He mused about Queen Elizabeth’s recent passing and noted that he wished there were more women in power because he feels that the world would be in a better place without so much aggression. He believes most men are looking for a more “peaceful” and “civilized” world but don’t know how to find it.

The next press person asked the cast to each tell what their character has taught them about themselves. Cranston thinks that his character’s grief allowed him “to mature in understanding all of life and its ups and downs” because of the grief he goes through and how he handles things. Andrene Ward Hammond shared that she enjoyed playing such a “colorful” character as Mo, so it helped her to be more comfortable “to take up a little more space” instead of her usual position of being supporting. Hope Davis said iit was a relief to take breaks from playing Gina becaus she’s so unhappy. She revealed that when she and Michael Stuhlbarg (who plays her husband) go out into the real world, people look at them as if they’re “shocked and scared.” Stuhlbarg agreed with a “Yes, dear,” which was adorable. He went further to say that playing these people made them really appreciate their real-life families and how much they mean to them. Isiah Whitlock Jr. answered that playing Charlie taught him “a lot about friendship.” Playing this role made him think about how many good friends we have and how far we would go for them. Rosie Perez, who’s new to the cast, playing Olivia, feels that “patience and confidence breeds power” as it pertains to her character, who is so confident. She doesn’t try to excuse her emotions, even in “a male-dominated world.”

Another journalist shared that watching Cranston’s character, who felt like “the walls were closing in on him,” due to his bad decisions, it felt a little “claustrophobic. He asked if season 2 would have that same sort of feeling, or whether it would be transferred to one of the other characters.

Joey Hartstone replied vaguely that we may “sense that in some of the characters.” He maintained that the new season is a continuation on from the first season, except that all of the characters have been affected and changed by what happened in season 1. Davis added that season 2 examines the repercussions from the events of season 1.

The next reporter pointed out that it’s fun for viewers to watch Cranston “completely disembowel himself, set himself on fire, and then blow himself up in a role.” She asked him when he decided that this character could come back for season 2 with more story. Cranston was curious about whether there is life after such terrible grief and after he sets morality, etc. aside. He wanted to explore that honestly to say that there can be “a reconstruction of a human being if that person follows certain kind of human protocols to get back in touch with their humanity.” He added that it’s all their characters; not just his. He praised Rosie and her character for adding “a slice of life” to things that is different than season 1. He pointed out that her character can be more objective and that their characters don’t agree on things.

The actors were asked where they find the “light” and “humor” in a show with so much “angst” and darkness. Davis answered they often laugh while rehearsing because they’re having the opposite reaction to what their characters are going through. Hartstone chimed in at her request to say that there is some sarcasm in the dialogue. He believes that even though the characters are having a lot of “trauma,” there has to be “real moments,” some with “dark humor” that the characters go through with each other, since they’re family. Ward-Hammond praised the cast and crew, saying that they all joke around a lot. “We have to find the levity in all of our drama.”

Perez related that she told Cranston and Hartstone, right after she was hired, that she knows a lot of federal prosecutors and people in law enforcement. When she watches other shows or movies, she doesn’t see them acting like real people in those positions. They tend to joke around a lot and make fun because they’re not the ones in trouble, “going to jail” or “being taken down.” She enjoyed listening to their stories and laughed along with them. She wanted to bring that to her character. She laughed a lot playing the role and watching Cranston’s reactions.

The next question was to Perez, asking about her character, Olivia, and what she does in terms of going after the Baxters and taking revenge. She wasn’t sure if she could say much without giving away the story, so the reporter asked, instead, what drives her or what her motivation is to get justice. Perez answered that she cares about the victims and their children as well as the “rule of law” and “justice.” These are her driving forces. She wants to convey the questions, “Does that mean that they are a degenerate that we should toss aside, you know? Or do we hold them accountable, let them pay their debt to society, and move on?”

Then Stuhlbarg was asked how he’s able to get into the dark place as an actor and then shut those feelings off when he has to. Stuhlbarg shared that he does a sort of “purging” of those feelings as he acts, so he’s able to leave it behind. He references the previous question about finding humor in the dark situation.

He was asked another question about whether he might be concerned that he’s been cast as a bad guy so much recently. Stuhlbarge replied that he enjoys playing “well-rounded” characters and figuring out what motivates them. He went on in detail to talk about his character in this show as well as the one he played in “Dopesick.” He enjoyed the challenges of the role. Ward-Hammon added that we all have “a bit of goodness” and that’s what makes “the best villains.” She feels that it’s that goodness that stops them going any further with their evil deeds. Cranston explained that all of the characters “have multiple facets to their personalities,” they’re not just all good or all bad. This “complexity” makes the audience pay attention.

Davis and Stuhlbarg, who play the married couple The Baxters, were asked about what more they could want from Michael now that his son died. Davis replied that she thinks Gina wants him to suffer as much as possible, whereas Stuhlbarg’s character Joey just wants “peace,” so he’s trying to “please his wife.” The other actors joked around about how Davis phrased her answer, which was a bit funny.

A journalist asked them about how the characters handled their grief differently. Michael ignores his grief, grows a long beard, loses weight, etc. but the Baxters don’t and are able to keep gong. He/she wants to know what the difference is between the parents and the father. Davis countered that Gina is in a “dark place” and is blaming her husband, so she’s not dealing with the grief that well. Stuhlbarg believes that Jimmy has to keep going because he has other kids and won’t allow himself to be “swallowed up by despair” the way Michael does. The reporter asked a clarification question that I didn’t quite understand. I mean, they already pretty much answered it. Davis tried to convey how Gina is feeling – her sense of emptiness and hopelessness in her grief. Stuhlbarg pointed out that their children are adults, so they’re just “forging forward as well as they can under these circumstances,” which doesn’t always work. Cranston added that there isn’t just one way for a person to deal with grief.

Next, a journalist asked Cranston what the process is to create a “great drama” that is “unique and authentic.” Cranston answered that it would take a longer answer, but he would start with “what is the concept” or “theme.” He related that the first season was interesting because it had “universal” themes, like “what would you do to save the life of your child?” Then, “would you be willing, knowingly, become a criminal in order to do that?” Then you go through each step and build it until the answers are not so easy or “clean.” That “ripple effect” is what happened to Michael. The second season explores beyond that to see how all these lives were affected by what happened the first season, and then Olivia coming in to make her own identity. He said that any good series, “has to stay malleable so that you can continue to shape it and grow.” He believes that part of the actor’s role is to bring in their own ideas to the show (not just go by the script and director). They all have to work as a team and then the showrunner has the final look at what they’ve developed. He sees it as a giant puzzle that they have to put together, without knowing what the final picture is supposed to look like. He noted, “It’s a fascinating process.” Then he added that it starts with the ideas and the story, and whether it’s important or resonates.

Isiah Whitlock Jr. was asked the last question about what kind of effect growing up in a large family had on him…whether it made him want more attention or made him want to be an actor. He answered that it made him want to take care of himself because no one else would if he didn’t do it. He added, “And that has stuck with me for my entire life. I just do things for myself. I figure things out. If somebody wants to chime in and help, it’s appreciated, but I don’t expect anyone to be there.” He thinks that helped him a lot as an actor because he learned to trust himself.

I didn’t ask a question for this one because I came in late, due to another commitment. I enjoyed listening to it, though.

MORE INFO:

SHOWTIME DEBUTS TEASER AND KEY ART FOR SEASON TWO OF YOUR HONOR

SHOWTIME® DEBUTS TEASER AND KEY ART FOR SEASON TWO OF YOUR HONOR

Series Starring Oscar® Nominee and Emmy® Winner Bryan Cranston To Return on Non-Linear Platforms on Friday, January 13 And On Air on Sunday, January 15 at 9 PM ET/PT

A person with a beardDescription automatically generated with low confidence

LOS ANGELES – November 16, 2022 – SHOWTIME has released the teaser and key art for the second season of YOUR HONOR, starring and executive produced by Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad). The 10-episode season will debut on demand and on streaming Friday, January 13, 2023 and on-air on Sunday, January 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The first season ofYOUR HONORranks as the top debut season ever on SHOWTIME. 

To watch and share the teaser, visit: https://youtu.be/pxFNLf60tfc.

In season two, some will seek salvation in response to the tremendous loss they suffered, while others will seek revenge. Michael Desiato (Cranston) has lost the will to live and any semblance of the upstanding judge he once was before the death of his son, Adam. But his life is thrown yet again into chaos by the arrival of Olivia Delgado (Rosie Perez), a laser-focused federal prosecutor determined to bring down a major crime organization. Meanwhile, crime boss Jimmy Baxter (Michael Stuhlbarg) is looking to go legit, but a war is brewing at home with his formidable wife, Gina (Hope Davis), who has other ideas for the family business. Moreover, daughter Fia Baxter (Lilli Kay) is forced to reckon with the true nature of her family as she deals with the fallout of her boyfriend’s shooting by a bullet that was intended for her brother, Carlo (Jimi Stanton), who is now more determined than ever to follow in his father’s criminal footsteps. Eugene Jones (Benjamin Flores Jr.), who mistakenly shot Adam, is on the run. Big Mo (Andrene Ward-Hammond) has big plans for her empire but little faith in Little Mo’s (Keith Machekanyanga) allegiance. New mayor Charlie Figaro (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) aims to keep the peace among the warring factions, but senses betrayal by an unlikely source. And Michael and his mother-in-law, Elizabeth (guest star Margo Martindale), uncover the truth about his late wife, Robin’s, murder, while Detective Nancy Costello (guest star Amy Landecker) unearths some startling revelations of her own. The domino effect of Adam’s death threatens everyone, and they will all be pursued by their enemies at every turn. Ultimately, the question remains: How far are you willing to go to protect what matters most to you?

YOUR HONOR is executive produced by Emmy nominees Robert and Michelle King and Liz Glotzer. Emmy-winning producer Cranston and Emmy-nominated producer James Degus (All the Way) executive produce the series for Moonshot Entertainment. Joey Hartstone is executive producer and showrunner. YOUR HONOR, produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions, is based on the Israeli series Kvodo created by Ron Ninio and Shlomo Mashiach. Rob Golenberg, Alon Aranya, Ron Ninio, Shlomo Mashiach, Ram Landes, Ron Eilon and Danna Stern also serve as executive producers.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount, owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNELand FLIX®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go towww.SHO.com [sho.com].

Michael Desiato

Played by Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston

BRYAN CRANSTON is an Academy Award® nominee, and Emmy®, Golden Globe®, SAG, Tony® and Olivier Award winner. Cranston was most recently seen in THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN as well as EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE, and on the big screen starring opposite Kevin Hart and Nicole Kidman in THE UPSIDE. On television, Cranston is best known for his portrayal of Walter White on BREAKING BAD and as Hal in MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE.

Cranston made his Broadway debut as President Lyndon B. Johnson in ALL THE WAY and went on to produce the film adaption of the play through his production company, Moonshot Entertainment. Cranston recently finished a Broadway run of NETWORK based on the iconic film by Paddy Chayefsky. Moonshot Entertainment has developed a multitude of television series including SNEAKY PETE, THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR BOYS, PHILIP K. DICK’S ELECTRIC DREAMS and the animated series SUPERMANSION.

Aside from his acting career, Cranston is a New York Times bestselling author of A Life In Parts, where he revisits the many roles he’s played on and off camera, but ultimately his memoir is about the transformative power of hard work.

Gina Baxter

Played by Hope Davis

Hope Davis

Hope Davis, having extensive experience in theater, television and film, is one of the most versatile and poised actors working today. Davis recently starred in FOR THE PEOPLE. Her other TV credits include the critically acclaimed Emmy® nominated series AMERICAN CRIME as well as the hit series WAYWARD PINES. Davis also starred in the leading role of matriarch Katya O’Connor in ALLEGIANCE and had a multi-episode arc on Aaron Sorkin’s THE NEWSROOM. Davis received an Emmy nomination for her work on IN TREATMENT and was also honored with both Emmy and Golden Globe® nominations for her portrayal of Hillary Clinton in the film THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP. She can be seen opposite Anna Kendrick in LOVE LIFE. In 2003, Davis was named Best Actress by the New York Film Critics Circle for her work in two of the year’s most critically acclaimed independent features – Alan Rudolph’s THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS and the Oscar® nominated AMERICAN SPLENDOR, for which Davis also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. Davis was seen on the big screen in Danny Strong’s REBEL IN THE RYE, opposite Sarah Paulson, and in Marvel’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo. Her other film credits include Simon West’s WILD CARD; Anthony Fabian’s LOUDER THAN WORDS opposite David Duchovny; Henry Alex Rubin’s DISCONNECT; Shawn Levy’s REAL STEEL; Michael Winterbottom’s GENOVA; Charlie Kaufman’s SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK, opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman; THE HOAX directed by Lasse Hallström; THE NINES, with Ryan Reynolds; CHARLIE BARTLETT, with Robert Downey Jr. and Anton Yelchin; and THE FAMILY TREE, opposite Dermot Mulroney. Davis was also part of an ensemble cast in the television series SIX DEGREES and the miniseries MILDRED PIERCE directed by Todd Haynes.

In theater, Davis received a Tony nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Annette Raleigh in the Broadway run of God Of Carnage. Her other theater credits include Red Barn at the National’s Lyttelton in the West End; Camino Real at the famed Williamstown Theatre Festival; Pterodactyls; The Food Chain; The Iceman Cometh; Ivanov and David Mamet’s Speed-The-Plow.

Michael Desiato Gina Baxter

Jimmy Baxter

Played by Michael Stuhlbarg

Michael Stuhlbarg

Michael Stuhlbarg has long been a lauded actor in the New York theatre world, but it wasn’t until he played Larry Gopnik, the lead role in the Coen Brothers’ A SERIOUS MAN, that he earned serious recognition from the film community, including a Golden Globe® nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture.

His other films include Luca Guadagnino’s CALL ME BY YOUR NAME; Guillermo del Toro’s THE SHAPE OF WATER; MISS SLOANE with Jessica Chastain; DOCTOR STRANGE; Denis Villeneuve’s ARRIVAL; STEVE JOBS, directed by Danny Boyle; TRUMBO with Bryan Cranston; MILES AHEAD with Don Cheadle; Edward Zwick’s PAWN SACRIFICE; Steven Spielberg’s LINCOLN; Woody Allen’s BLUE JASMINE; CUT BANK; HITCHCOCK; MEN IN BLACK 3; Martin Scorsese’s HUGO; Ridley Scott’s BODY OF LIES; Tim Blake Nelson’s THE GREY ZONE; Sophie Barthes’ COLD SOULS and Martin Scorsese’s short homage to Alfred Hitchcock, THE KEY TO RESERVA. He most recently appeared in the feature film SHIRLEY starring alongside Elisabeth Moss.

For television, Stuhlbarg played the role of New York City mob boss Arnold Rothstein on the award-winning series BOARDWALK EMPIRE. He has recurred on the series TRANSPARENT, season three of FARGO, THE LOOMING TOWER (for which he earned an Emmy® nomination) and TRAITORS written by Bashsheba Doran.

In 2005, Stuhlbarg was a Tony Award nominee and a Drama Desk Award winner for his performance in Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman. He has also been honored with the New Dramatists Charles Bowden Actor Award and the Elliot Norton Boston Theatre Award, the latter for his performance in Long Day’s Journey Into Night. The actor’s other Broadway credits include the National Actors Theatre productions of Saint Joan, Three Men On A Horse, Timon Of Athens, The Government Inspector; Ronald Harwood’s Taking Sides; Sam Mendes’ revival of Cabaret and Tom Stoppard’s The Invention Of Love. Stuhlbarg has worked numerous times with the New York Shakespeare In The Park Festival. His critically acclaimed credits include Twelfth Night, the title roles in Richard II and Hamlet, for which he won a Drama League Award, and most recently as the title role in Tim Blake Nelson’s Socrates. Other Off-Broadway credits include The Voysey Inheritance, for which he earned the Obie and Callaway Awards and a Lucille Lortel Award nomination, and Cymbeline, reprising his role in a U.K. stint of the production. Stuhlbarg received a Drama League Award for Old Wicked Songs, and a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Measure For Pleasure. He can also be seen in The Grey Zone.

Charlie Figaro

Played by Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Isiah Whitlock Jr. is a veteran theater, film and television actor. He most recently starred as Melvin in Spike Lee’s DA 5 BLOODS. His other notable film credits include BLACKKKLANSMAN, PETE’S DRAGON, CEDAR RAPIDS and the voice of River Scott in CARS 3. Additionally, he can be seen in Spike Lee’s SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT, 25TH HOUR and CHI-RAQ, as well as CHIPS directed by Dax Shepard; PERSON TO PERSON directed by Dustin Guy Defa; DETACHMENT directed by Tony Kaye and SHE HATE ME written and directed by Spike Lee. Other films in which Whitlock appears include CORPORATE ANIMALS, ALL SQUARE, LYING AND STEALING, BROOKLYN’S FINEST, TWELVE, MAIN STREET, CHOKE, 1408, ENCHANTED, PIECES OF APRIL, EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU, THE SPANISH PRISONER, EDDIE and GOODFELLAS.

On television, Whitlock starred as Senator Clay Davis on the acclaimed series THE WIRE and as Detective Burl Loomis on the series THE GOOD COP opposite Josh Groban, Tony Danza and Monica Barbaro. He appeared on the series THE MIST and SURVIVOR’S REMORSE, and he also played the role of Gunnar on the pilot THIN ICE. He recurred on the Emmy® winning comedy series VEEP as Secretary of Defense General George Maddox. Whitlock was also a series regular on LUCKY 7 as Bob Harris and has appeared on numerous television series INCLUDING ELEMENTARY, ATLANTA, LUCIFER, LIMITLESS, THE CARMICHAEL SHOW, LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, LAW & ORDER: SVU, THE BLACKLIST, GOTHAM, LOUIE, SMASH, CHAPPELLE’S SHOW, RUBICON, MEET THE BROWNS, HUMAN GIANT, NEW AMSTERDAM, MADIGAN MEN, WONDERLAND, NEW YORK UNDERCOVER and the documentary LIBERTY!, as well as THIRD WATCH and ED.

Whitlock was nominated in 2002 for a Lucille Lortel Award as Best Featured Actor for his work in Four that enjoyed a renowned Off-Broadway run at the Manhattan Theatre Club. The Iceman Cometh, Merchant Of Venice and Mastergate are among his Broadway credits, while his Off-Broadway credits include Farragut North for the Atlantic Theatre Co. and the Geffen Playhouse, The Cherry Orchard, Everything That Rises Must Converge, Up Against The Wind, A Lesson Before Dying, High Life, Edmond, The American Clock, White Panther and The Illusion. He was also part of the national tour of the play The Piano Lesson, in the title role of Boy Willie.

Big Mo

Played by Andrene Ward Hammond

Andrene Ward Hammond

Ward-Hammond’s screen credits include 61st Street, Manifest, The Righteous Gemstones, Claws, Star and the films Just Mercy, Instant Family, The Hate U Give and Loving. She is repped by Grandview, Alexander White Agency and Myman Greenspan.

SHOWTIME HIT DRAMA SERIES YOUR HONOR SECOND SEASON TO PREMIERE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 13

** PROGRAMMING UPDATE ALERT ** 

SHOWTIME® HIT DRAMA SERIESYOUR HONOR  SECOND SEASON TO PREMIERE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 

Photo credit: Andrew Cooper/SHOWTIME

LOS ANGELES – October 31, 2022 – The premiere date for the SHOWTIME® drama series YOUR HONOR has shifted. The 10-episode second season of the series starring Oscar® nominee and Emmy® winner Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) will debut on demand and on streaming Friday, January 13, 2023 and on-air on Sunday, January 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The first season ofYOUR HONORranks as the top debut season ever on SHOWTIME. 

YOUR HONOR stars Cranston as Michael Desiato, a respected New Orleans judge whose upstanding life is derailed when his teenage son’s accidental hit-and-run killing of the son of notorious crime boss Jimmy Baxter (SAG Award winner Michael Stuhlbarg) led to a high-stakes game of lies, deceit and impossible choices. Emmy nominee Hope Davis (Love Life, American Crime) stars as Jimmy’s wife, Gina, who is at times more dangerous and driven than her husband, and Isiah Whitlock Jr. (The Wire) stars as Charlie, a local politician and Michael’s best friend. Andrene Ward Hammond stars as Big Mo, the formidable leader of the Desire Gang, with Keith Machekanyanga as Little Mo, her right-hand-man. Lilli Kay stars as Fia Baxter, Jimmy’s daughter who is forced to reckon with the true nature of her family as she deals with the aftermath of her boyfriend’s shooting (by a bullet that was intended for her brother). Jimi Stanton is Carlo Baxter, Jimmy’s only surviving son who wants to follow in his father’s criminal footsteps; and Benjamin Flores Jr. is Eugene, whose attempt to avenge his brother’s death has created a new chain of events that threaten to start a war on the streets of New Orleans. Season two guest stars include Oscar and Emmy nominee Rosie Perez (The Flight Attendant),Emmy winner Margo Martindale (The Americans) and Amy Landecker (Transparent).

YOUR HONOR is executive produced by Emmy nominees Robert and Michelle King (The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Evil) and Liz Glotzer (Evil, The Good Fight), with Joey Hartstone (The Good Fight) serving as showrunner and executive producer for season two. Emmy-winning producer Cranston and Emmy-nominated producer James Degus (All the Way) executive produce the series for Moonshot Entertainment. YOUR HONOR, produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions, is based on the Israeli series Kvodo created by Ron Ninio and Shlomo Mashiach. Rob Golenberg, Alon Aranya, Ninio, Mashiach, Ram Landes, Ron Eilon and Danna Stern also serve as executive producers. 

SHOWTIME DEBUTS OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR SECOND SEASON OF YOUR HONOR

SHOWTIME® DEBUTS OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR SECOND SEASON OF YOUR HONOR

Series Starring Oscar® Nominee and Emmy® Winner Bryan Cranston
To Return on Non-Linear Platforms on Friday, January 13
And On Air on Sunday, January 15 at 9 PM ET/PT

LOS ANGELES – December 13, 2022 – SHOWTIME has released the official trailer for season two of YOUR HONOR, starring and executive produced by Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad). The 10-episode season will debut on demand and on streaming Friday, January 13, 2023 and on-air on Sunday, January 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The first season ofYOUR HONORranks as the top debut season ever on SHOWTIME. In season two, some will seek salvation in response to the tremendous loss they suffered, while others will seek revenge and they will all be pursued by their enemies at every turn. Ultimately, the question remains: How far are you willing to go to protect what matters most to you?

To watch and share the official trailer, visit: https://youtu.be/SQf1pv_yTD0.

YOUR HONOR is executive produced by Emmy nominees Robert and Michelle King (The Good Wife) and by Liz Glotzer (Evil). Emmy-winning producer Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Emmy-nominated producer James Degus (All the Way) executive produce the series for Moonshot Entertainment. Joey Hartstone (The Good Fight) is executive producer and showrunner. YOUR HONOR, produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions, is based on the Israeli series Kvodo created by Ron Ninio and Shlomo Mashiach. Rob Golenberg, Alon Aranya, Ron Ninio, Shlomo Mashiach, Ram Landes, Ron Eilon and Danna Stern also serve as executive producers.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount, owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNELand FLIX®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go towww.SHO.com [sho.com].

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

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Interview with the cast of “Let The Right One In”

TV Interview!

"Let the Right One In" cast on Showtime.

Interview with actors Demián Bichir, Anika Noni Rose, Madison Taylor Baez and Grace Gummer; and EPs Andrew Hinderaker and Seith Mann on “Let The Right One In” on Showtime by Suzanne 9/20/22

This was another TCA panel – this one from Showtime.  I really enjoyed the episodes I’ve seen of this show so far. It’s a very good drama that just happens to have some vampires. Demián Bichir plays a man (Mark) whose little girl (Eleanor) is a vampire, so he works tirelessly to keep her alive (no matter what he has to do) and to try to find a cure for her.  There’s a lot of mystery about whether the vampires have a virus or what. Madison Taylor Baez plays the little girl. I’ve interviewed her a few times. The first time was for the TV show “Selena,” where she played the young Selena. More recently was for her competing in “America’s Got Talent.” She is an amazing singer. I doubt she’ll be singing in this series, though. Too bad because I know Anika Noni Rose is also a great singer. Hey, if they can do it on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”….  I have to also note that I loved Demián Bichir in this fun primetime soap a few years ago called “Grand Hotel.” I was very upset when they canceled it.  Anyway, Grace Gummer plays a scientist (Claire) who finds out that her brother is an ailing vampire. Their father has been trying to find a cure, too. Anika Noni Rose plays a cop (Naomi) that lives next door to Mark and Eleanor with her son, Isaiah. It’s a really interesting drama with a lot of family drama as well as the supernatural stuff. It’s unique in that way. The vampires are not “cool” or “sexy” like in many shows. They’re more like addicts and victims. Anyway, it’s really good, so make sure you watch it. It airs tonight, Friday, Oct. 7 on streaming and OnDemand, and then it airs on Sunday on Showtime.

SHOWTIME FALL TCA PRESS CONFERENCE
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
Demián Bichir – “Mark Kane” / Producer (he/him)
Anika Noni Rose – “Naomi Cole” (she/her)
Madison Taylor Baez – “Eleanor Kane” (she/her)
Grace Gummer – “Claire Logan” (she/her)
Andrew Hinderaker – Showrunner / Executive Producer (he/him)
Seith Mann – Director / Executive Producer (he/him)

Virtual via Zoom
September 20, 2022
© 2022 Showtime. All Rights Reserved.

Here is the introduction in our panel to the show: Next up we have the new Showtime genre-bending thriller “Let the Right One In,” starring Oscar nominee Demián Bichir. Bichir and Madison Taylor Baez play father and daughter, Mark and Eleanor, whose lives have never been the same since Eleanor was turned into a vampire a decade ago. Keeping the secret and staying alive present not only terrifying but emotionally-charged challenges, especially when Mark and Eleanor become enmeshed in the lives of others. “Let the Right One In” will premiere on streaming and on-demand Friday, October 7th, before its on air debut on Showtime Sunday, October 9th.

I tried very hard not to give spoilers in my question, so the producer gave me a pat on the back for that. First I mentioned that Maddie was on AGT recently and how well she sang. Then I asked my question: “Why does Demián’s character..I don’t want to give any spoilers; but, at the end, he does something kind of monstrous even though he’s human, and he is doing it for human reasons. Why does he choose to do that rather than, say, choose a few different other people and get the blood gradually without doing what he did?” I know, that was a very tortured question…

Producer Andrew Hinderaker offered to let Demián answer, but Demián let him instead. He said, “I want to commend your ability to ask a very specific question without spoiling. That was incredible.” Aw, that was such a nice thing to say. He alluded to “certain rules” in the show (as all vampire stories have), that they’re trying to stick to. Also, he said that Mark (Demián’s character) is trying to keep his child from starving, so he’s under pressure to do that, and quickly. He referenced the other producer, Seith, who had spoke earlier about the “core and the center and the lengths that we go to to take care of our children, and so there are specific rules that will only make that clear as we go forward. That’s what I’ll say to try to answer as eloquently as you do without spoiling anything as well.” I blushed and thanked him for his compliment. No one has ever called me eloquent before!

The other press asked their questions. Demián was asked what attracted him to the project and to tell us how he became producer as well. Demián spoke at length about how much he loved the original film, and how great the showrunner Andrew and EP Seith are. He said that when they audition actors, the actors audition them as well, “to make sure that they are wonderful people, knowledgeable and, you know, cultured if we are lucky.” He was very impressed with how Andrew was able to turn the movie’s story into a series. He had worked for Showtime before and remembered how brave they are when they let them create and say whatever they want. He said that he gets emotional talking about the great cast, especially “these three beautiful ladies.” He made a soccer analogy (what they call fútbol in his country) when he said, “I’m only as good on the field as when I have a beautiful team around me. And I have to say it’s been a tour de force every time we have scenes together, and it’s been wonderful.” He’s very grateful for all that he’s been given by Showtime, the cast, Tomorrow Studios, Andrew and Seith. He didn’t really answer the second question, but he gave a great answer, anyway.

The producers were asked to tell us how they took the movie and made it into a TV show, such as what they added and what they took away. Andrew answered first. He was touched by Demián’s words and agreed that they’re all having the same wonderful experience. He loves seeing his cast on Zoom. He says they’re “really just an extraordinary team of people and team of artists.” He believes the movie was the best horror movie ever made as well as very moving. He likes to begin with an emotional connection. The relationship between the two children in the film (one of whom is a vampire – not really a child) is “just astonishingly beautiful and poignant and poetic, and so there’s an opportunity to use that as an aesthetic inspiration.” That’s how they came up with the relationship between Eleanor and Isaiah. He wanted to use the parent-child relationship to explore the idea of a child struggling with addiction. He felt that it was “this incredible gift” to take these seeds in the film and create a new story for the show, to “explore the lengths that this father would go to to keep his daughter alive.” He reiterated that the characters in the TV series are brand new and not the same as the ones in the movie. It’s set in NYC in the current day (the movie was set in Stockholm, in 1980). They also created Naomi and Isaiah as well as the other family with a vampire, where Claire is the sister. Although it’s a new story, he feels that it’s “a love letter to the film.”

Seith chimed in to say that he also loved the movie, and the book. He was blown away by the pilot and the relationship between Mark and Eleanor. He admired the way he took this “beloved movie and found room to create a whole new dynamic.” He praised the way Andrew wrote the characters, which made him excited to work on it.

Another reporter, who hadn’t seen the movie, wanted to know if there would be some sort of explanation to explain what happened in the movie for the TV viewers who didn’t see it, especially regarding how the vampire infection came about.

Andrew joked that they need that reporter in the writer’s room and then asked Maddie to answer the question. Maddie said in a cagey way, “there’s definitely a way that all of this started, and it may or may not be answered. It most likely is, but, yes, you will get background information sometime this season.” Grace added that you don’t have to watch the movie to know what’s going on with the show or to enjoy it (and that’s true, for sure).

The group was asked why they think vampires are so popular in TV, since there are so many new vampire shows coming out. Andrew answered that, compared to all of the other monsters, vampires are the “most human.” They look and talk like us and their method of attack is “intimate.” He thinks we find them “exciting and thrilling.” They love writing for them on this show because they are so “deeply human,” which also makes it “more terrifying.”

Seith was asked how much he uses of the two previous movies, how he distinguishes the new series from those, what choices he makes and how much he shoots at night.

Seith admitted that he’s never seen the American remake of the Swedish film and didn’t want it to influence him. He feels that there’s “more love” in Andrew’s script than there was in the original movie (and more relationships). He wanted to make the city feel very “cold” and “harsh,” like the film, but with more light and love in the center of it. They used that metaphor when they shot the show. He spoke about how the show is different from the film by necessity. They loved the original but then had to “do your own thing.” He and Andrew had to rely on their own instincts as filmmakers to do that.

Maddie was asked what kind of physical and emotional adjustments he had to make “to become this predatory, dark character.” The reporter was impressed with her animalistic movements and asked if she had to train specially for that.

She replied that when she first got the script, she knew that she would have to go to “certain lengths,” which she had to accept. It worked out for her. She fell in love with the role right away. She spoke of late nights with blood all over her face but said that it was all worth it. She didn’t go through any particular training for her “unnatural movement” but just did it the best way she could. She’s excited to see the finished project.

The next journalist was a latina, who said that she was excited to see latinas in a fantasy world. She asked Demián and Maddie about working together and what we should expect from them in the series this season. Maddie said that she always enjoys working with Demián because she learns so much, and they formed a bond from working together and hanging out, which they took into their scenes. She said that he’s “just an amazing person, an amazing actor.” Demián said that he feels the same way about her. He was a child actor, too, so working with children always reminds him of those days. Watching Maddie and Ian makes him admire how much fun they have playing, and he praises the producers for creating such a great space where, even though it’s a dark show, the children can play and have fun. He said that Maddie is a “because she’s a true professional,” so she makes everything easy. She’s also never taken a break from the shooting, other than going to school. She’s always prepared, even though the role is very physically and emotionally demanding. He relates that it took a toil on him, he “was drained,” but the kids were not.

Another reporter asked how Maddie’s singing (which she loves) “informs” her acting and vice versa. Maddie gave a very intelligent answer about how singing and acting both get different aspects from each other. They both use different movements and emotions. She likes to take the styles from singing into her acting.

Grace was asked a tough question about where she finds her character’s “moral center,” since her brother is a vampire and her father is kind of a jerk. She feels that’s the main theme of the series: Where does the moral center lie? Her character was not in the movie. The writers gave her an impression of what Claire was like, and they answered her questions about her very well. She reveals that Grace is “very complicated” and “does very questionable things to save her brother and to find a cure.” She sees her as an “adversary to Demián’s character.” The show toes the line between good and evil. She believes everyone lives in the grey zone as three dimensional, complicated people.”

Grace was also asked if her family enjoys vampire stories, and has she shown them this series. Grace admitted that she had never been into them before, and she hadn’t seen the movie at first. She loved it, once she saw it. She learned a lot about vampires from this show and the movie.

Andrew was asked what their “vampire rules” are because every vampire movie or show seems to have their own rules. Andrew didn’t want to spoil too much but did tell us that vampires have to be invited in (alluding to the title of the show). Also, a line in the novel says that being a vampire is like an infection, and they repeat that in the movie, so he discussed that idea with a virologist. The doctor was happy to talk about vampires. The vampires can’t go in the sun and only eat blood. I thought this part was interesting. The virologist “talked about the part of the brain that very specifically manages pigmentation in the skin that acts as a shield for UV radiation from the sun being the same part of the brain that deals with the flight or fight mechanism and the mechanisms that would exist that would shut off the body to accept anything but oxygenated blood.” That became the idea for Claire, a scientist, who is trying a cure or treatment for her brother, and for Mark, who’s trying to find the same for his daughter. Obviously science can’t explain all of it, such as being invited into someone’s home. They tried to be as realistic as possible with the vampire mythology being explained by science to a certain extent.

Grace added that the vampires on the show are more like real people who happen to be victims. They’re not just “scary monsters or violent predators,” which is what makes them different from other vampire movies or shows. He added that because of these mechanisms in the brain, the vampire attacks “can be quite vicious and quite violent,” which is why Naomi is investigating “these homicides that are so gruesome and so violent in their nature,” which seem to be done some kind of monster.

Anika was asked how her character being a detective brought to her character and how it informed her “as a human being.” Anika thinks that her being a cop means that she’s more watchful than most neighbors and notices more. Mark and Ellie are hoping that they’ll be more comfortable there, but they can’t really be, since they live next door to Naomi. She always suspects the worst of people (even though she wants to see the best in people). Andrew praised the way she answered that question. He just spoke to the writing and how the characters and their stories weaved together well.

Seith praised the way Andrew wrote Isiah to be such a three-dimensional character because he wasn’t in the film. He likes the story between Isaiah and his mom, and how she tries to be a good parent to this bullied boy, but sometimes she fails (like most parents do).

Anika was asked how it works for her character to be the single mom as well as the hunter and how that affected her approach to the role. Anika praised the writing because Naomi is written as a real person and not your typical TV mom. She loves that this character is a hunter as well as loves her child. She often has the conflict between being a good mom and being a hunter or protector. She loves how Naomi is multifaceted and who changes constantly because of all that she’s juggling. She expressed that as an actor, she doesn’t like the “mom role” usually because it’s boring. Naomi, though, “is dealing with her own issues, who is tortured with her own things, but also has the capacity for great, strong, intense love, which makes for really good decisions and really bad decisions all in the same space.”

Anika was also asked whether she ever wanted to make any changes to the role or script. She explained how actors often know the character very well and want to ask questions or suggest changes, but in this case, they were very open to her questions and suggestions. They didn’t view it as a challenge, like some writers or producers would. She’s “grateful to be in this space.”

Demián has his own restaurant in Mexico, so he was asked how much of that real life experience he brought to this role (because Mark works as a chef). He told us about how he came to New York when he was 22, “trying to learn English,” and he “worked at a Mexican restaurant” while he was starting as an actor. He and his friend opened a restaurant in Mexico that’s been there “for 22 years,” and he still loves to go there and cook. He compares cooking to the theater, “from picking up the right products and picking up the right elements and making sure that everything’s right there on the table before you begin cooking. This is so similar to art in general.” He agreed that this helped him with the role. He’s very happy that Mark is a cook.

MORE INFO: Trailer

key art for "Let The Right One In" on Showtime

SHOWTIME ANNOUNCES PREMIERE DATE AND RELEASES OFFICIAL FIRST-LOOK TEASER FOR NEW THRILLER LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

The 10-Part Drama Will Debut on Non-Linear Platforms on Friday, October 7
And Premiere On-Air on Sunday, Oct 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

A picture containing person, nightDescription automatically generated

Photo: Francisco Roman/SHOWTIME

LOS ANGELES – July 26, 2022 – SHOWTIME will debut its new thriller drama LET THE RIGHT ONE IN on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers on Friday, October 7, before making its on-air debut on Sunday, October 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Led by Oscar® nominee Demián Bichir (A Better Life), the 10-episode series from Tomorrow Studios (Snowpiercer) also stars Tony winner Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls, Power), Grace Gummer (Mr. Robot), Madison Taylor Baez (Selena: The Series), Kevin Carroll (Snowfall), Ian Foreman (Merry Wish-Mas), Jacob Buster (Colony) and Nick Stahl (Fear the Walking Dead).

To watch and share the first look of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, visit: https://youtu.be/_abIA–OY3Y.

Inspired by the original hit Swedish novel and film, the series centers on Mark (Bichir) and his daughter Eleanor (Baez),whose lives were changed 10 years earlier when she was turned into a vampire. Locked in at age 12, perhaps forever, Eleanor lives a closed-in life, able to go out only at night, while her father does his best to provide her with the humanblood she needs to stay alive. With these emotionally charged and terrifying ingredients as a starting point, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN will upend genre expectations, turning a naturalistic lens on human frailty, strength and compassion.

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is executive produced byaward-winning playwright, writer and producer Andrew Hinderaker (Away, PENNY DREADFUL) who also serves as showrunner. Seith Mann (HOMELAND, #FreeRayshawn, Raising Dion) is also an executive producer and directed the pilot, as well as multiple episodes. Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements are executive producers for Tomorrow Studios (an ITV Studios partnership).Alissa Bachner is co-executive producing, and Bichir serves as a producer on the series.

Demián Bichir Nájera (born August 1, 1963) is a Mexican actor. After starring in telenovelas, he began to appear in Hollywood films. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in A Better Life.

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

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Eleanor (Madison Taylor Baez ) about to bite Isiaiah's (Ian Foreman) neck on "Let The Right One In" on Showtime

Queer As Folk Cast List

Nathan, Stuart and Vince

UK Cast List

Stuart Jones – Aidan Gillen
Vince Tyler – Craig Kelly
Nathan Maloney – Charlie Hunnam
Hazel Tyler – Denise Black
Bernard Thomas – Andy Devine
Romey Sullivan – Esther Hall
Janice Maloney – Caroline O’Neill
Sandra Docherty – Alison Burrows
Donna Clarke – Carla Henry
Rosalie Cotter – Caroline Pegg
Baby Alfred – Alfie Robinson
Alexander Perry – Antony Cotton
Lisa Levene – Saira Todd
Christian Hobbs – Ben Maguire

Brian and Justin

U.S. Cast List

Brian Kinney – Gale Harold
Michael Novotny – Hal Sparks
Justin Taylor – Randy Harrison
Emmett Honeycutt – Peter Paige
Ted Schmidt – Scott Lowell
Lindsay Peterson – Thea Gill
Melanie Marcus – Michelle Clunie
Debbie Novotny – Sharon Gless
Professor Ben Bruckner – Robert Gant
Jennifer Taylor – Sherry Miller
Vic Grassi – Jack Wetherall
James ‘Hunter’ Montgomery – Harris Allan
Detective Carl Horvath – Peter MacNeill
Daphne Chanders – Makyla Smith
Cynthia – Stephanie Moore
Gus Peterson-Marcus – Logan Hoover / Kegan Hoover
Dr. David Cameron – Chris Potter
Blake Wyzecki – Dean Armstrong
Tracy – Lindsey Connell
Christopher Mark Hobbs – Alec McClure
Ethan Gold – Fab Filippo
Gardner Vance – Carlo Rota
Rodney – Gary Brennan
Drew Boyd – Matt Battaglia
Police Chief Stockwell – David Gianopoulos
Passerby – Diane Higgins

Queer As Folk 2022 cast

U.S. Reboot (2022)

Mingus – Fin Argus
Shar – CG
Ruthie O’Neil – Jesse James Keitel
Julian Beaumont – Ryan O’Connell
Noah Hernandez – Johnny Sibilly
Brodie Beaumont – Devin Way
Brenda Beaumont – Kim Cattrall
Marvin – Eric Graise
Bussey – Armand Fields
Daddius Miller – Chris Renfro
Judy – Juliette Lewis
Jake – Brandon Gilpin
Jack Cole Jordan – Benito Skinner
Ali – Sachin Bhatt
Mina – Delish Da Goodness
Winston Beaumont – Ed Begley Jr.
Laveau Contraire – herself

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Interview with Noah Weisberg

TV Interview!

Noah Weisberg of "Super Pumped: The Story of Uber"

Interview with Noah Weisberg of “Super Pumped: The Story of Uber” on Showtime by Thane 3/17/22

It was a pleasure to speak to him about the show. I’ve known the controversies surrounding Uber for quite a while, so I enjoyed watching a series about it. This is such a great show, and it’s clear that everyone involved loves it and puts forth their best efforts.

 

Enjoy the video! We’ll have the transcript up soon…

Check out our other Interview with actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kyle Chandler and Uma Thurman; and EP/Writers Brian Koppelman, David Levien, and Beth Schacter of “Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber” on Showtime 2/23/22

MORE INFO:

Babak Tafti, Noah Weisberg and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a scene from "Super Pumped: The Battle of Uber"SUPER PUMPED

“TK — You’re going to love my nuts.” Quentin / Noah Weisberg

Last week, audiences had the opportunity to watch the premiere episode of Showtime’s “SUPER PUMPED: The Battle for Uber”. In the opening scene, you meet Quentin, played by rising star Noah Weisberg (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist).

“TK, you’re gonna love my nuts,” says Quentin, before pitching the Safe Rides Fee: a surcharge added to each trip to cover added costs of ensuring safety… except Uber isn’t taking any extra measures to ensure safety. Paired with a cheap safety video made for drivers, the fee just provides the illusion of care, while bringing in hundreds of millions in profit for Uber. “Wow, I do love your nuts,” Travis responds.

At the end of the episode, we witness the initial moment Travis Kalanick, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, hires Quentin after Quentin claims himself as “an asshole”. “That’s the right answer. Because if you’re not, you’ll never make it at Uber.” TK responds.

Noah Weisberg‘s Quentin will be featured in 6 out of the 7 episodes of Season One as Head of the Uber Tech Department. As Quentin becomes TK’s right-hand tech man, he finds himself carrying out TK’s (often illegal) technical changes to the app, overriding laws in order to make the most money possible.

Weisberg most recently played ‘Danny Michael Davis’ on the fan-favorite NBC series ZOEY’S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST on both its seasons. Prior to that, Weisberg starred as ‘Willy Wonka’ on the national tour of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.

Television credits include recurring roles on Fox’s MODERN FAMILY, TNT’s MAJOR CRIMES, and NBC’s LAW & ORDER, and he has guest-starred on numerous series including CBS’ THE WISDOM THE CROWD, CBS’ THE GOOD WIFE, TBS’ FRANKLIN & BASH, Fox’s BONES, CBS’ BAD TEACHER, NBC’s THE NEW NORMAL.

Noah is also well-known from being part of the Original Broadway casts of ELF – THE MUSICAL, ENRON, LEGALLY BLONDE, and the Off-Broadway revival productions of THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA and DAMN YANKEES. Weisberg also wrote, directed, and starred in the award-winning short film THANK YOU KINDLY, co-starring Kimiko Glenn.

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1798631/

Website: www.noahweisberg.com

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Noah Weisberg of "Super Pumped: The Story of Uber"

Interview with the cast of “Yellowjackets” Part 2

TV Interview!

Christina Ricci, Samantha Hanratty, Tawny Cypress, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Ella Purnell of "Yellowjackets" on Showtime

Interview with actresses Christina Ricci, Samantha Hanratty, Tawny Cypress, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Ella Purnell, and producers Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Jonathan Lisco and Karyn Kusama of “Yellowjackets” on Showtime by Suzanne 8/25/21

SHOWTIME SUMMER 2021 TCA VIRTUAL PRESS TOUR
YELLOWJACKETS
Virtual via Zoom August 25, 2021
© 2021 Showtime Networks Inc. All rights reserved.

Part 2:
Christina Ricci (she/her), “Misty Quigley”
Samantha Hanratty (she/her), “Teen Misty Quigley”
Tawny Cypress (she/her), “Taissa Turner”
Jasmin Savoy Brown (she/her), “Teen Taissa Turner”
Ella Purnell (she/her), “Teen Jackie Taylor”
Ashley Lyle (she/her), Creator/Executive Producer/Showrunner
Bart Nickerson (he/him), Creator/Executive Producer/Showrunner
Jonathan Lisco (he/him), Executive Producer/Showrunner
Karyn Kusama (she/her), Executive Producer/Director

This was a two-part panel for the show, and this is the second part. See the first part here. The show premieres Sunday, November 14. Don’t miss it!

It has a large cast, but the focus for both panels was on the women (the stars of the show). I asked Tawny Cypress and Jasmin Savoy Brown if they could speak a little bit about what it was that drew them to this project, how they got to know each other, and whether they did anything to try to sync their characters teen-Taissa and adult-Taissa together.

Cypress loved the project right away, in part because she’s from New Jersey (where the characters are from), so she enjoyed being right in there with her character and the soccer team. She told us, “Her vulnerabilities come out fairly quickly, so it was great to see where she cracked. It’s always fun to play people who crack a little bit. Like when she had the scene with Shauna and the pilot, you know, You can see her — that she’s not — maybe not the one in charge. And that drew me to her. Because it’s easy to play somebody powerful, but it’s more fun to play somebody who just thinks they’re powerful. And then as far as connecting with Jasmin, it was very easy. We connected early on. We get together a lot. We talk about the character a lot. We talk about the scripts a lot. We lived one building away from each other. We actually have the same landlord. All this weird stuff.”

Brown pointed out the “weird random” fact that they were the only ones in the entire cast and crew that both brought their cats there (to the filming) and that both are the tortoiseshell breed. Cypress agreed that they had a lot of things in common that were cool and led to a connection between them. She added that they do talk about the scripts a lot. One time Brown texted her at the beginning to ask if they say “EE-ther” or “EYE-ther.” They also go through different types of movements. They “try and keep her a nice through line.” Cypress added that the fact that the script is so well written shows the through line.

Brown chimed in to agree that “The writing is incredible. And that’s what drew me to this project. Along with what the women said in the prior panel. Women are the most important thing in my life. My female relationships, friendships. I was raised by a single mom. I have a ton of aunts. And I was an only child, and so my female friendships were the most important thing from early on. And I love any script, any piece of art that examines female relationships and how complex they are. I felt the writing was incredible. I love dark, mysterious stuff. And, also, I hadn’t worked for a few months and was on vacation when I got the audition. And that’s always how I know that something’s good, if it brings me home from vacation. So, I went — because I’m turning right back around.”

The next reporter asked the actors to answer a hypothetical question, “if you crashed on an island, how do you think you would fare? And not meaning killing people and eating people, but just in general with survival… How do you think that you would do?”

Christina Ricci jumped right in to answer that she loves TV shows like “Survivor,” so she thinks she would do really well. Also, she added, “I know how to do pull—ups, because I know if you fall off a cliff, you need to be able to pull your body weight onto things.”

Brown joked that she wouldn’t want to crash with Ricci, then. The women kept joking around about what they would do. Samantha Hanratty mentioned the show “Naked and Afraid.” Ricci thought that Hanratty would shoot first. Cypress piped up to say that she definitely would shoot first. Ricci also mentioned that she could be helpful and build a fire.

The next journalist asked a long question that was a bit hard to follow. He spoke a little about Ricci and Hanratty’s character, Misty, who starts out as a bit shy (and bullied), but then changes quite a right once they crash. He/she asked what it was like playing such a “quirky” character and wondered if she knew girls like this in school (not the extreme part of the character, of course).

Ricci spoke at length about how she and Hanratty met and discussed the character. She there could be “many different interpretations” of Misty. She described Misty as “socially inept” as well as “so emotional and emotive, but unable to really mold those emotions to fit with other people and to be socially successful.” Then, once this type of person becomes an adult, and life has punished her, and she doesn’t have the protection of childhood, she’s left just “”functioning, getting through with the passive aggression and the artifice. Because I feel like artifice is something you learn as a coping mechanism in adulthood.”

Hanratty took her turn to talk about how much fun it was to play Misty. We learn more about her in the second episode as we see her at age 13 and her past (before the crash). She wants people to like and accept her instead of bullying her, yet she’s constantly rejected. She’s a very optimistic person that refuses to be sad about how she’s treated. We see when she does get broken by what happens. She finished, “I think we see glimpses of it with me, and then you definitely get to see with Christina kind of where those shattered pieces are. It’s really magical to be able to work with Christina on that.”

The producers were asked about the plane crash and what happened, which she describes “pretty graphic.” She wonders how they decided where to draw the line for what viewers would see.

Nickerson answered the question. They never talked about it specifically. He just feels that he can watch it as an audience member and decide whether it’s too much (“distracting”) or not.

Lyle agreed with what he said and explained that they didn’t want to focus on the plane crash and the aftermatch so much as why it happened, such as “How did they get from point A to point B?” They start out as a championship team, working together. She joking interjected, “It really wasn’t so much about, you know, the sports, by any stretch of the imagination. Spoiler alert: not really a soccer show.” The show is about how they worked together as a group, and then they start falling apart over the season. She quoted the actress who played young Shauna, Sophie Nélisse, who said, “the circumstances bring out both the best and the worst in them.” They wanted to answer the question, “Who do these women become?”

Nickerson thoughtfully said that other producers probably have a different because they’re “”laying the groundwork to … shoot it,” but he and Lyle are “reacting to some of what you created in terms of the visuals of it.”

Karyn Kusama felt that the extreme moments in the flashbacks help to answer the bigger question of the series, which is, “What are human beings capable of?” As she put it, “to go from keggers and carpools and, you know, winning a soccer match in high school, to something so extreme that’s meant to happen, you know, 18, 19 months later, it begs that question.” It creates a set of question inside the women that “help drive the whole series and enrich the larger question of the series.”

The next question was for Ella Purnell, who plays Jackie. We see her before the plane crash, where she’s the team captain and able to get everyone to do what they need to do. However, when they’re on the island, she loses her grip after she makes one bad choice (leaving someone on the plane). The journalist asked Purnell what might Jackie be going through during this drastic change? And for her, or the producers, should we make any assumptions about the fact there’s no adult Jackie either in this panel or in the first episodes we’ve seen (unlike the other characters), and she wants to know if they’re worried the audience might predict something happened to her.

Purnell seemed a little bit surprised by the long question. What she loves about the role she said, is that Jackie’s attitude is really all just “a front,” which no one knows until she makes that mistake in the second episode. “And the stark contrast between Jackie’s social stand in Episode 1 and 2 is amazing. I love playing it. I think that when you — you take these kids out of the society that they’re in and that they’re building of high school, you know. Who’s the popular one? Who’s the nerd? They’re all athletes. But that kind of hierarchy system that they’ve created and participated in. And you put them in this unbelievable life or death scenario.” She says that people can surprise themselves, and in many different ways, when “the true essence of who you are comes out.” Jackie is interesting because instead of “flight or fight,” she freezes. She wants to take control and act like she did back in Jersey, she’s frozen in place, because she’s so young and in shock. She believes that’s very frustrating for Jackie – not knowing where she stands. It’s not normal for her. “She loses her footing. She has no idea who to be out here. Whether she picks that up or doesn’t pick that up throughout the rest of season, you’ll find out. But it was definitely fun to play, like, that very sharp decline of sort of social standing between the episodes.”

Lyle repeated that show has “a lot of twists and turns over the course of the season,” but what’s imoprtant is “why” rather than “what.” She concluded with, “take that as you will.” Obviously, she didn’t want to give too much away. Nickerson countered that he would rather viewers “read a lot into everything and sort of, like, go in like a million different directions with it and just have like a great time.”

The next press person asked Ricci and Hanratty about their character, Misty. He said, “The character that you’re playing has absolutely no cachet, zero, prior to the plane crash, and then suddenly she is the linchpin for this entire survival. But in the process of doing that, one action that she takes creates the fact that they’re going to be stuck there for a very, very long time. And I’m wondering what — how does that psychologically affect her in her later life, knowing what she has done? It’s got to have some type of ramification in her adult life.”

Ricci explained that for Misty, everything is about her, and her “wants and her longing and her needs. And, so, when they crash, you know, and she does finally become important…she creates a situation in which she will stay important.” She didn’t want to speak for the younger version of the character, but she doesn’t think Misty has any regrets (about what she did) as an adult. Instead, when things get interesting for her as an adult, she’s “thrilled that her life might become exciting again.” Her adult life is not great. Being stranded on the island was the highlight of her life (unlike the other characters on the show).

Hanratty added that before the crash, Misty “was always everybody else’s biggest cheerleader.” She was really rooting for the team to do well. Hanratty discussed with the producers that “maybe Misty is not so good at love, but obsession. And she kind of replaces those two. And, so, she is really obsessed with these girls, and just loves them, but, you know, in her own way. But has never really felt that in return.” When the plane crashes, she takes over while everyone else is still in shock. She has “some medical background and kind of does what she can.” They talked about whether her parents were doctors, so she’s looked at medical books growing up as well as taking the “Red Cross babysitter training class twice.” She finally hears people talking about her in a positive, which thrills her and gives her a reason to go on. She makes this decision (as the reporter mentioned) to keep going with that purpose for as long as possible, and doesn’t feel bad about it. To Misty, “”It’s exciting and it’s liberating and thrilling.”

The producers were asked about whether there might be “something” out in the woods with the soccer team, and it’s possible that it came back with them and is still around in the present. He asks if there might be some sort of supernatural element to show, or something more realistic. He added that in case they can’t really answer that question, he would like to know “what was the human meat actually made out of, and how does it taste?” Ha ha! Good way to handle that question.

Lyle said that the meat was venison (deer meat), which was difficult for Hanratty, who’s a vegan in real life. Hanratty answered that she didn’t eat the venison. She and Brown both at “Beyon Meat” instead (a vegan alternative beef).

Lyle tried to answer the supernatural question. She said they discussed what types of inspirations they would draw on, such as “Rosemary’s Baby.” They were interested in the line between “genuine supernatural phenomenon or sort of a mass hysteria or some sort of madness that takes hold. And so that’s a line that we’re going to be playing throughout the show.” Very interesting.

Nickerson explained that it was difficult to answer the question without spoiling things for the viewer.

Kusama had an interesting way to answer the question. She mused, “I do feel like what the show does in Season 1 that is surprising — and I’m going to throw this — I’m going to throw this bit to Jasmin and to Tawny. Because I think what we’re doing is we’re exploring what ‘supernatural’ means. In this case, it’s about the mysteries of human behavior. And in many respects, Jasmine’s Taissa is one of the most competent in the wilderness, but also suffers terrible trauma very deeply. And when we see Tawny as adult Taissa, she in many respects is the most together and competent, and yet there’s still so much mystery underneath all of that.” She then asked Brown and Cypress to talk a little about how they played Taissa with the idea in their heads of of “what’s possible in human behavior.”

Brown thinks that Taissa’s strength and weakness is the same: she’s very competent and smart, and she can see the world in a realistic way. It “offers solutions, but it doesn’t offer a lot of comfort, at least not on a deeper emotional level… I’m a nerd for the enneagram, so I did a lot of enneagram research and presented her with what I think Taissa’s enneagram number is, and everything that means, and we discussed that. It was a really good tool for me, and she is a very practical person.”

Cypress agreed that “practicality is her strong point. She’s definitely most comfortable at the helm. And as far as the genres go, she seems, like, to have her entire life together. Everything’s on the up and up, and then of course the mysteries start happening, and all of the sudden we’re in, you know, a completely different feeling for the show. And coming to that as an actor, you know, it’s — I don’t really have a reference to have started with, so it was really just acting mystery as drama for me. And that’s how I approached it, anyway.”

The last press person asked if it was difficult for the younger actresses to put their careers on hold (when they’d barely started) wait for the show for two years (between the pilot and filming the rest). Hanratty nodded, so he asked her what it was like during those two years, and what did she do in the meantime, and how did it feel?

Hanratty confessed that she’s an impatient person, so she was a bit on pins and needles, waiting to hear if they would film the rest of the series. Then, because of COVID, she moved home with her parents, so she wasn’t as focused on getting work as she normally is. She started getting more anxious later on.

MORE INFO:

ABOUT THE SHOW

Created and executive produced by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson (Narcos), the one-hour drama series, YELLOWJACKETS stars Melanie Lynskey (Castle Rock), Oscar® and Emmy® nominee Juliette Lewis (Camping), Emmy® nominee Christina Ricci (Z: The Beginning of Everything) and Tawny Cypress (Unforgettable).

Equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama, YELLOWJACKETS is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later, proving that the past is never really past and what began out in the wilderness is far from over.

The series also stars Warren Kole (Shades of Blue), Ella Purnell (Sweetbitter), Samantha Hanratty (SHAMELESS), Sophie Thatcher (Prospect), Sophie Nélisse (The Book Thief), Steven Krueger (The Originals) and Jasmin Savoy Brown (The Leftovers). Jonathan Lisco (Animal Kingdom, Halt and Catch Fire) joins Lyle and Nickerson to serve as executive producer and showrunning partner.

Produced for SHOWTIME by studio Entertainment One (eOne), Karyn Kusama (Destroyer, Girlfight) executive produces and directed the pilot. Drew Comins of Creative Engine also serves as executive producer.

Christina Ricci (born February 12, 1980) is an American actress. She is known for playing unconventional characters with a dark edge. Ricci is the recipient of several accolades, including a National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Satellite Award for Best Actress, as well as Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, and Independent Spirit Award nominations.

Ricci made her film debut at the age of nine in Mermaids (1990), which was followed by a breakout role as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family (1991) and its sequel. Subsequent appearances in Casper and Now and Then (both 1995) brought her fame as a “teen icon”. At 17, she moved into adult-oriented roles with The Ice Storm (1997), which led to parts in films such as Buffalo ’66, Pecker and The Opposite of Sex (all 1998). She garnered acclaim for her performances in Sleepy Hollow (1999) and Monster (2003). Her other credits include Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Prozac Nation (2001), Pumpkin (2002), Anything Else (2003), Black Snake Moan (2006), Speed Racer (2008), and The Smurfs 2 (2013). Despite being known predominantly for her work in independent productions, Ricci has appeared in numerous box office hits – to date, her films have grossed in excess of US$1.4 billion.

On television, Ricci appeared as Liza Bump in the final season of Ally McBeal (2002), and received acclaim for her guest role on Grey’s Anatomy in 2006. She also starred as Maggie Ryan on the ABC series Pan Am (2011–12), and produced and starred in the series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (2015) and Z: The Beginning of Everything (2017). As well as voicing characters in several animated films, Ricci provided voices for the video games The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon and Speed Racer: The Videogame (both 2008). In 2010, she made her Broadway debut in Time Stands Still.

Ricci is the national spokesperson for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

Samantha Lynne Hanratty (born September 20, 1995) is an American actress. Her first lead role took place in 2009, portraying Chrissa Maxwell in An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong. In 2011, she played the role Whitney Brown in the film The Greening of Whitney Brown. Hanratty is considered a Celebrity Friend for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Tawny Cypress (born August 8, 1976) is an American actress. She has appeared in various television and stage plays. She starred as Cherie Rollins-Murray on the television series Unforgettable, on the second and third seasons. She previously had recurring roles on several TV series, including Fox‘s drama K-Ville as Ginger “Love Tap” LeBeau, Simone Deveaux on the TV series Heroes, and Carly Heath on House of Cards.

Her mother is of Hungarian and German extraction and her father is Accawmacke American. Tawny Cypress was born and raised in Point Pleasant, New Jersey and now lives in New York City.

Jasmin Savoy Brown (born March 21, 1994) is an American actress best known for her role as Evangeline “Evie” Murphy on HBO‘s The Leftovers. She also provided the voice and motion capture for Phin Mason / Tinkerer in Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Ella Summer Purnell (born 17 September 1996) is an English actress best known for her roles in the films Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), Churchill (2017), and Army of the Dead (2021).

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Girls in "Yellowjackets" on Showtime

Interview with the cast of “Yellowjackets” Part 1

TV Interview!

actresses Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nélisse, Juliette Lewis, and Sophie Thatcher, and producers Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Jonathan Lisco and Karyn Kusama of "Yellowjackets" on Showtime

Interview with actresses Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nélisse, Juliette Lewis, and Sophie Thatcher, and producers Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Jonathan Lisco and Karyn Kusama of “Yellowjackets” on Showtime by Suzanne 8/25/21

This was part of Showtime’s TCA Virtual Press Tour for this show. There were two panels, and this is the first. It’s a really good show that jumps back and forth between the past (when the girls were teenagers) and the present (when they’re all older). They’re part of a soccer team that is flying to the finals when their plane goes down in the Canadian wilderness. They have to do terrible things to survive.

I also enjoyed these panels because the person who ran them was a really nice guy, and he ran them very efficiently. The show premieres Sunday, November 14. Don’t miss it!

SHOWTIME SUMMER 2021 TCA VIRTUAL PRESS TOUR
Virtual via Zoom August 25, 2021
© 2021 Showtime Networks Inc. All rights reserved.

YELLOWJACKETS
Part 1:
Melanie Lynskey (she/her), “Shauna Sadecki”
Sophie Nélisse (she/her), “Teen Shauna Sadecki”
Juliette Lewis (she/her), “Natalie Scatorccio”
Sophie Thatcher (she/her), “Teen Natalie Scatorccio”
Ashley Lyle (she/her), Creator/Executive Producer/Showrunner
Bart Nickerson (he/him), Creator/Executive Producer/Showrunner
Jonathan Lisco (he/him), Executive Producer/Showrunner
Karyn Kusama (she/her), Executive Producer/Director

The Upcoming drama “Yellowjackets” premieres on Sunday, November 14th.

Here was my question: “Good morning everyone. My question is for EP Bart Nickerson. There have been quite a few “Lord of the Flies” type shows with teens, like “100” and “Society,” etc. Can you tell us what you think makes your show different – besides the fact that it’s a female soccer team and that we see them later, in their 40s?”

Nickerson replied that he hadn’t really seen those other shows, so he couldn’t speak to the comparison. He feels that the two elements I brought up (being a female soccer team and seeing them later on) were important parts of the premise that give them “a lot of different places to go.” He felt that other shows probably wouldn’t be that similar without those elements. These elements are able to give us insights into the characters’ psyches in ways we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.

I thanked him and then told him how much I enjoyed the episodes I saw (there were two, I believe).

The rest of the questions were from other journalists in the panel. Melanie Lynskey was asked what she thought when she first read the script, whether she wanted to do it – what her first impression was (particularly since she has to do a lot of really strange things, particularly “where small animals are concerned.” She replied that she was “so excited to read something that was so different” and with a real edge to it. She said the writing was “tense” and also centered on women, each of which was interesting and well written. “By the end of the pilot, I felt like I knew everybody, and they were all unique individuals.” She jumped at the chance to sign up, even though she normally doesn’t like to sign long-term contracts for shows. She didn’t have her usual doubts about the show.

That journalist then asked Sophie Nélisse and Sophie Thatcher (“The Sophies”) what they thought of the “pretty harrowing plane crash sequence” and compared it to various movie plane crashes. Nélisse said that the plane set was “very claustrophobic” and somewhat “tilted to the side” which helped with the realism of their situation. When they saw it in person the first day, it helped them feel scared and get into their characters more. Thatcher added that she felt, “it was a really immersive experience.” They didn’t have to act very much. Also, it was their first day since they’d shot the pilot (two years before, because of the pandemic), so they went right into shooting and all felt “this adrenalin rush” that they all had. It added to the intensity of the situation.

Lynskey was asked to compare her role in “Heavenly Creatures” to her role here (since it was a similar role in the 90’s). She also asked if Nélisse was aware of Lynskey’s past roles in the 90’s and whether she used any of her earlier performances for playing her as a younger person.

Lynskey noted that “probably wasn’t alive” when she started in the business. She didn’t think of that role specifically, but she did think about her own life and relationships with women. She said that her feelings for the women she made friends with on this show made her want to cry. She said, they “are the most precious thing to me.” She really loved how the story “got to the heart of female relationships,” since her own female friends were so important to her growing up. It was a more complex writing of girl friends than most scripts have.

Nélisse agreed that she was born in 2000 and added that she hadn’t watched Lynskey’s work before she got the part. Once she did get cast, she watched some of her work online. She knew she wouldn’t be able to match the high pitch of her voice, and she didn’t think they looked that similar. However, she’s “very honored to be able to play her younger self.” She added that this character of Lynskey’s is so different from any others that she just focused on having chats with her over coffee and discussing the character, so they would make sure they were in the same place about her and what happens to her in the show.

The next question was for the executive producers. The reporter asked about the casting of the actresses, since they had to match up so well (even taking hair, makeup and costuming into account).

Ashley Lyle revealed that, “It was a long and tortured process.” However, they were lucky to be able to cast some of their actresses, such as Lynskey, fairyl early on. She added, “Which was an absolute dream come true.” They mostly focused on getting the most talented people for the roles instead of making sure they all looked alike. Then they matched up photos of the people they wanted to try to see if it would work. She credits the actors with being talented, understanding the story and filling the shoes of their characters. She finished with, “it’s really about the spirit of the character more than anything else, in my mind.” She answered that question so well that no one else had to say a thing.

Lynskey was asked what it was about the character that really made her want to do the show. Lynskey hesitated, thinking of what to say, so Juliette Lewis jumped in. I guess she felt left out because no one had asked her a question yet! That was kind of funny. She said that the script was one of the best she’d read in over 10 years. She praised it a lot, saying it was “riveting,” just reading it, which is very unusual. She also said, “I’m always interested in dichotomies or contrasts and all these multi—layered problems within a human being. And I just loved the way my character is bourgeois on the surface, or, you know, faking her way through life. And then with this, like single—purposed mission to go home and find out a few things.” She admitted that when you say yes to a role, you’re always hoping that it will turn out as well as you think it will. She liked hearing the way the whole season will play out. Also, she’s a big fan of Lynskey’s, mostly because of her earlier work in “Heavenly Creatures.” She said the role was a dream because of the story being so exciting and how much potential it has for future stories.

Nélisse agreed with Lewis. She stated, “The arc of the characters is so interesting. I think what I really loved about it is that for our storyline, we’re just — the younger kids are kind of put in a situation where you get to know yourself on, like, a deeper level. And I think we’ve all imagined what it would be like to be facing a life and death situation. And it brings out the worst in us, but also the best in us.” She found that conflict to be the most interesting. You think you know how you might act in that type of situation, but you don’t really know until you’re faced with it. We get to see “how far these women will go, and how they have to rely on each other but are also kind of against each other.” She loves her character and how introverted she is. She watches the action that’s going on, but as the show progresses, “inside of her a slow burn, that will develop as the show goes on, and you can see how she’ll start to, like, speak for herself and have a voice and find her voice.” The character’s arc is what interests her.

Thatcher spoke up to say that she admires her character’s “grit and her resilience, and how from the very beginning she just remains true to herself, and her lack of filter.” She admitted that in real life, she’s been trying to “incorporate a lot of those qualities into who I am. And it’s cool, because I get to live — like half of my time is living that on camera, and just to, like — it’s empowering. And I think that says a lot about the script and how rich and complex Natalie is. Yeah, there’s a very — she’s incredibly layered. She has this sensitivity that’s not really brought out until a couple episodes in. And I don’t think anybody was expecting that side. She has this — so much lightness in her that she’s really hiding and masking. Because — I don’t know. She’s a teenager. But she’s really, really complex. And she’s made a profound impact on me, which is rare.”

The next press person asked Juliette, who started acting in some pretty tough roles when she was very young, what did she think of it then, and did she have any advice for these younger actresses now who are doing this “really serious series.”

Lewis answered that she really took a shine to her “Sophie,” Sophie Thatcher, whom she admired for being an incredible young actor. She loves that their speaking voices are similar (deep). She pointed out that, “I’ve always been attracted to what I call the “primal energies” and “high stakes” genre or dramas, which is what I cut my teeth on early on. That’s so fun…I always had this empathy as a kid for hardship in others. And when I would look at people and imagine their worlds, I just had a sensitivity, oddly, to pain. And emotionality. I don’t know why, but I had it in myself.” She spoke more about this ability to transfer others’ pain to herself for her character, using her imagination. She thinks children already have the ability to play “make believe” when they’re young, and they can develop that into “theatrics” as they get older, for acting.

The next man wanted to know about what the actors who each play the adult and teen versions of the character talk about, when they get together to discuss the characters, and whether they include “the cadence of their voice” or other things.

Lynskey let us know that the characters had certain secrets that they didn’t know at first, so they had to find them out from the producers, which is usually the case with TV series. They had to piece the parts of her together, based on what they were told. They also had a long discussion about “Shauna’s kind of innate self—confidence and belief in herself, and the fact that she’s like quite a sexual being who is quite secure in her sexuality.” She enjoyed the fact that they were “subverting the expectation of” Jackie being “the beautiful, popular one, while Shauna held her own and knew who she was. The two actresses came at it from the same place and built the character together.

Nélisse agreed that Lynskey had it dead on. She did admit that it was difficult because the adults and teens don’t shoot at the same time, so they didn’t always have time to speak about it. She didn’t always know what Lynskey was doing. However, they kept Shauna’s “personality and her spirit and her journey in mind” while adding in some personal details from her own life because she relates to the character very well.

Lewis credited the “magic of casting” because she and Thatcher “felt a kinship.” Their character, Natalie, is “expressed in her exterior, in her clothes and her music.” Lewis spoke to EP Ashley Lyle quite a bit about Natalie’s attributes. She’s an artist who didn’t really express herself. She is “a natural athlete.” Most importantly to her is that she and Thatcher shared music from that era that the younger version of her character would like.

Thatcher agreed that the music was important to Natalie, so it was important to her as well. She recalls speaking with Lewis on the phone about how Natalie dresses is important to her. She brought up specific things that she hadn’t thought of. It really opened up her mind to the possibilities. She and Lewis both can really relate to the character, so she agreed that they did have a “kinship.” They discussed people Natalie would admire, such as (German singer) Nina Hagen. They both had a very clear image of what she would be like, and what she strived for. They were very lucky to be on the same path about the character.

The penultimate journalist asked how Lynskey and Lewis felt about the two younger actresses acting like them (whether they were successful or not). Lynskey answered that she felt like she really “won the lottery” after watching Nélisse play the character in the pilot. She praised her for having “so much emotional intelligence and depth.” She said that the younger actress was just natural at playing the character and that it really wasn’t like an imitation of her. There were a few things she noticed that they did in a similar way, such as “looking out from under their eyebrows.” Also, they both gave her a certain type of “physicality.” Mostly, she was just very grateful.

Lewis said that she felt the same way that Lynskey did, that she really lucked out. She wants to claim her, but says that Thatcher is really her own person. She said, “The casting was phenomenal. And Sophie’s phenomenal, because she’s Natalie. She’s our Natalie who’s all in the teenage land.” She talked about how teenage girls are before they evolve into womenhood and put on certain faces for life. She really praised her voice placement once again. Thatcher told her that she watched her to find that low pitch. Some of her expressions were also similar.

Lynskey was asked what the best and worst parts of her job are, since she’s been acting since she was really young.

Lynskey put it very well when she replied, “I think any of us would probably say the best part of the job is the moments between action and cut.” She went on to explain how she feels when acting, “something transcendent happens where you leave your body a little bit and you don’t know what’s going on, and something magical happens between you and another actor.” She also added that it’s “beautiful” seeing the talented young actors on a project like this one, who have so much enthusiasm and are so good at what they do, and they have strong voices. The worst part, she admitted, is “having to get up early. Even though I have a two year old now and I have to get up early every single day, it’s just still — just not how I’m made.”

MORE INFO:

ABOUT THE SHOW

Created and executive produced by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson (Narcos), the one-hour drama series, YELLOWJACKETS stars Melanie Lynskey (Castle Rock), Oscar® and Emmy® nominee Juliette Lewis (Camping), Emmy® nominee Christina Ricci (Z: The Beginning of Everything) and Tawny Cypress (Unforgettable).

Equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama, YELLOWJACKETS is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later, proving that the past is never really past and what began out in the wilderness is far from over.

The series also stars Warren Kole (Shades of Blue), Ella Purnell (Sweetbitter), Samantha Hanratty (SHAMELESS), Sophie Thatcher (Prospect), Sophie Nélisse (The Book Thief), Steven Krueger (The Originals) and Jasmin Savoy Brown (The Leftovers). Jonathan Lisco (Animal Kingdom, Halt and Catch Fire) joins Lyle and Nickerson to serve as executive producer and showrunning partner.

Produced for SHOWTIME by studio Entertainment One (eOne), Karyn Kusama (Destroyer, Girlfight) executive produces and directed the pilot. Drew Comins of Creative Engine also serves as executive producer.

Melanie Jayne Lynskey (born 16 May 1977) is a New Zealand actress. She is known for playing quirky, soft-spoken but headstrong characters, and works predominantly in independent films. Her accolades include a New Zealand Film Award, a Hollywood Film Award and a Sundance Special Jury Award, as well as Critics’ Choice Award, Gotham Award, and Golden Nymph Award nominations.

Sophie Nélisse (born March 27, 2000) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her Genie Award–winning performance in Monsieur Lazhar, as Liesel Meminger in the film adaptation of the best-selling novel The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, and as Caroline in The Kid Detective.

Juliette Lake Lewis (born June 21, 1973) is an American actress and singer. She is known for her portrayals of offbeat characters, often in films with dark themes.[2] Lewis became an “it girl” of American cinema in the early 1990s, appearing in various independent and arthouse films. Her accolades include a Pasinetti Award, one Academy Award nomination, one Golden Globe nomination, and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

The daughter of character actor Geoffrey Lewis, Lewis began her career in television at age 14 before being cast in her first major film role as Audrey Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989). She went on to garner international notice for her role in Martin Scorsese’s remake of Cape Fear (1991), which saw Lewis nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as the Golden Globe in the same category.

Sophie Bathsheba Thatcher (born 2000)[1] is an American actress who made her feature-film debut in the 2018 American science fiction feature length film Prospect. Thatcher’s work on stage includes productions of Oliver, Seussical, The Diary of Anne Frank, and The Secret Garden.

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The cast of "Yellowjackets" on Showtime

Interview with Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney

TV Interview!

 

"American Rust" cast

Interview with Jeff Daniels, Maura Tierney, Bill Camp, David Alvarez, Alex Neustaedter, Julia Mayorga, Mark Pellegrino, Rob Yang (he/him) and showrunner/EP Dan Futterman of “American Rust” on Showtime by Suzanne 8/24/21

This is such a talented cast. We usually only get one question, at most, for these TV Critics Association press panels, so I was very torn about whom to ask a question. Thankfully, I was able to ask questions of Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney, and then later, David Alvarez, so I was ecstatic. I asked Jeff about the motivations behind what his character, Del, does, in the first episode, to cover up for Grace’s son, who appears to have murdered someone.  Then I asked Maura a rather lame question about being in a triangle between him and Mark Pellegrino’s character (Virgil). She gave it a much better answer than it deserved. Then I asked David about his character, who is a little away from what the others are doing, since his character, Isaac, wanders around town a bit. However, he’s quite important to the story. He did the best he could, not wanting to share spoilers.

I hope you can watch this show, which is based on a best-selling novel…it has really good writing and acting. It’s a little dark and slow, so I hope that doesn’t disappoint anyone.

The TCA doesn’t allow us to take photos, recordings, etc. but here’s my article:

: “American Rust” Premieres on SHOWTIME: A Complicated Family Drama and Murder Mystery

On Sunday, September 12th, SHOWTIME is set to premiere its latest compelling drama series, “American Rust.” This intricately woven tale of family, crime, and the American Dream boasts a stellar ensemble cast and promises to captivate viewers from the very first episode.

“American Rust” is a gripping narrative anchored by the exceptional performances of Jeff Daniels, Maura Tierney, Bill Camp, David Alvarez, Alex Neustaedter, Julia Mayorga, Mark Pellegrino, and Rob Yang. Showrunner and executive producer Dan Futterman has masterfully adapted Philipp Meyer’s novel into a riveting television experience.

As the premiere date draws near, the cast and creative team gathered for a panel discussion to offer insights into the series and the unique challenges they faced during production.

A Year of Reflection and Adaptation

During the panel discussion, Dan Futterman shed light on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the production of “American Rust.” He shared that after a table read, the production had to be shut down temporarily. The yearlong delay provided a unique opportunity to refine the scripts, making them more efficient and practical for shooting under pandemic-related restrictions.

“We did lots of cutting of extraneous scenes,” Futterman explained. “You end up doing more of that in the editing room. But it was helpful to be able to do that up front.”

While the core story remained intact, the pandemic-induced hiatus allowed the team to streamline the narrative, ensuring it would be feasible to shoot given the constraints imposed by the ongoing health crisis.

Jeff Daniels: The Complexity of Del Harris

Jeff Daniels, who plays the central character, Del Harris, discussed the complexities of his role. Del is a character grappling with contradictions, a man of honor who struggles with addiction and often takes on the roles of cop, judge, and jury when under the influence of narcotics.

Daniels emphasized the character’s duality, saying, “A lot of what we’re going for in this is real people, their good and their bad, their strong and their weak. Just like people in real life.”

He also pointed out that Del’s commitment to the rule of law and his desire to do the right thing in a world where that is often challenged by circumstances sets him apart from other characters.

Comparing Del to Atticus Finch

When asked if Del could be compared to Atticus Finch, another iconic character he portrayed in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Daniels drew a parallel between the two but highlighted a crucial difference.

“Only in — much like Jim Comey, the three of them believed in the rule of law, believed in right and wrong, telling the truth. That’s where Del kind of veers off. He kind of fudges that. So that’s kind of where it ends,” Daniels noted.

He went on to emphasize that, despite the challenges Del faces, his commitment to doing the right thing remains a central aspect of his character.

The Challenge of Doing the Right Thing

Continuing the discussion on doing the right thing, Daniels remarked, “I guess you’ve got to fight for that nowadays. I guess you might not — maybe right doesn’t matter anymore. Maybe truth doesn’t matter. Maybe facts don’t matter. All the things that we’ve been living with for the last four or five years.”

Del’s unwavering commitment to the law and decency in a world where these values are often questioned or compromised is a defining characteristic that sets him apart as a character.

Navigating the Perils of Young Adulthood

David Alvarez, Alex Neustaedter, and Julia Mayorga, who play younger characters in “American Rust,” discussed the challenges their characters face as young adults. They emphasized that the series reflects the idea that young people’s lives can quickly take unexpected turns, highlighting the precariousness of youth and the potential long-term consequences of their actions.

Alvarez noted, “Each decision we make throughout the season is really important. It will impact the rest of our story and our journey and who we become as people.”

Mayorga added, “It follows you, and you can’t get rid of it. Maybe the truth comes out. It’s just difficult. I think you have to be mindful, even this young, of what we do.”

The younger cast members explored the theme of mistakes and their enduring impact, emphasizing that in today’s world, actions have consequences, and being mindful of one’s choices is crucial.

Jeff Daniels: Transitioning to Television

Jeff Daniels, known for his illustrious career in theater and film, addressed his transition to television over the past decade. He attributed this shift to the evolution of television and the opportunities it now offers actors.

“The honest answer is Jim Gandolfini made it happen,” Daniels said. He explained how cable networks like SHOWTIME, HBO, and streaming platforms have transformed the landscape of television, providing actors with diverse and challenging roles.

He also emphasized that television has allowed actors to delve deeper into their characters over the course of a series, an opportunity not always available in film.

A Riveting and Timely Drama

“American Rust” is a multifaceted drama that delves into the complexities of family, justice, and the American Dream. With its talented cast, compelling storytelling, and timely themes, the series promises to be a standout addition to SHOWTIME’s lineup.

As viewers prepare to embark on this journey through the rust belt of America, they can expect a gripping narrative that raises profound questions about morality, responsibility, and the pursuit of justice in a world where the lines between right and wrong are often blurred.

“American Rust” premieres on SHOWTIME on Sunday, September 12th, and is set to be a must-watch series for fans of compelling drama and thought-provoking storytelling.

MORE INFO: Teaser

"AmKey Art for AMERICAN RUST. Photo credit: Matthias Clamer/SHOWTIME.erican

ABOUT THE SHOW

Starring Emmy winner and Tony nominee Jeff Daniels (THE COMEY RULE, The Newsroom, Godless, The Looming Tower) and Emmy nominee Maura Tierney (YOUR HONOR, THE AFFAIR, The Report, Beautiful Boy), on Sunday, September 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The season will consist of nine episodes. Daniels also executive produces the series, reteaming with Oscar nominee Dan Futterman (The Looming Tower, Capote, Foxcatcher), who serves as executive producer, writer and showrunner. The series, currently in production in Pittsburgh, is co-produced with Boat Rocker Studios.

AMERICAN RUST also stars Bill Camp (The Queen’s Gambit), David Alvarez (West Side Story), Alex Neustaedter (Colony), Julia Mayorga (It Is Decidedly So), Mark Pellegrino (Supernatural) and Rob Yang (The Resident). The series is executive produced by Futterman, Daniels, Michael De Luca (Escape From Dannemora), Adam Rapp (The Looming Tower), Paul Martino (Inside Game), Katie O’Connell Marsh (Narcos, Hannibal) for Boat Rocker Studios, and Elisa Ellis.

Based on Philipp Meyer’s celebrated debut novel, AMERICAN RUST is a compelling family drama and a timeless story of wanting a brighter future while being held prisoner by the past. The story of survival and transcendence is told through the eyes of complicated and compromised chief of police Del Harris (Daniels) of a Pennsylvania Rust Belt town full of good people making bad choices. When news of a murder rips through the town, Harris must decide what lengths he is willing to take to protect the son of the woman he loves (Tierney).

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

 

Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney in "American Rust" on Showtime

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Primetime DVD Review: “Your Honor”

DVD Review!

"Your Honor" DVD cover

“Your Honor” Review by Suzanne 6/10/21

This was a very good series on Showtime. It’s what they call a “limited series,” meaning it’s just 10 episodes and there will be no more…at least, as far as we know. Anyway, Bryan Cranston stars as an upstanding New Orleans judge who has to bend or break the rules when his son gets involved in a hit-and-run.

I enjoyed the show when I saw a few episodes on Showtime, but it’s nice to have the whole series to watch. It’s very gripping and complex, and the performances are outstanding. It has a nice twist at the end. I think that this series is one that you’ll either love or hate.

Aside from a few deleted scenes, there are no extras on the DVD. That’s too bad. It would have been nice to hear interviews with the cast, writer, directors and more. Perhaps they’ll come out with a better DVD version later with all of that.

MORE INFORMATION:

Buy it here!

From CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment, SHOWTIME® legal drama YOUR HONOR will be arriving on DVD on June 15.

In his first return to television since “Breaking Bad”, Golden Globe® nominee Bryan Cranston stars as respected New Orleans Judge Michael Desiato in the limited series. After his teenage son Adam (Hunter Doohan, “Truth Be Told”) is involved in a hit-and-run incident, Judge Michael Desiato must tread carefully through a high-stakes game of lies, deceit and impossible choices. Unbeknownst to Adam, the victim is the son of much-feared crime boss Jimmy Baxter (Michael Stuhlbarg, Call Me By Your Name) and his wife, Gina (Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominee Hope Davis, The Special Relationship), who are both out for vengeance and will not stop until justice is served on their own terms.

YOUR HONOR
Street Date: June 15
Format: DVD
Description: The 10-episode legal thriller stars Cranston as Michael Desiato, a respected New Orleans judge whose teenage son, Adam (Doohan), is involved in a hit-and-run that leads to a high-stakes game of lies, deceit and impossible choices. Stuhlbarg stars as Jimmy Baxter, the much-feared head of a crime family opposite Davis as his wife, Gina, who might be even more dangerous than her husband.

The series also stars Carmen Ejogo (Selma), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (BlacKkKlansman), and Sofia Black-D’Elia (“The Night Of”). Guest stars include Maura Tierney (“The Affair”), Amy Landecker (“Transparent”), Margo Martindale (“The Americans”), Lorraine Toussaint (“Orange Is the New Black”), Chet Hanks (“Empire”), Lamar Johnson (The Hate U Give) and Lilli Kay (“Chambers”).

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

The opinions in these articles are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of TVMEG.COM or its other volunteers.

(L-R): Hunter Doohan as Adam Desiato and Bryan Cranston as Michael Desiato in YOUR HONOR, "Part Two". Photo Credit: Skip Bolen/SHOWTIME.

Primetime DVD Review: “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels – Season One”

DVD Review!

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels – Season One DVD cover

“Penny Dreadful: City of Angels – Season One” Review by Suzanne 9/25/20

This show was created by the same writer, John Logan, who created the original “Penny Dreadful” series on Showtime. Fans of that show will be disappointed in this new series because it’s not as supernatural and not as good. The acting is very good, and it’s filmed beautifully. The story is a bit of a mess, though. There are just too many characters and many different things going on, which makes it confusing.

I’m not saying it’s not worth watching — Nathan Lane alone is a reason to watch — but just don’t expect it to be as good as the original series. Also, Showtime canceled it, so there won’t be any more episodes. That’s too bad because Logan created a good time and place for us to enjoy. Perhaps season 2 would have been better.

MORE INFORMATION:

The thrilling drama Penny Dreadful: City of Angels – Season One is coming to DVD on September 29 from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment. Follow Detective Tiago Vega (Daniel Zovatto) and his partner Lewis Michener (Nathan Lane) as they explore a grim murder that took place in Los Angeles 1938.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels – Season One

Street Date: September 29, 2020

Format: DVD

Description: 1938 Los Angeles is a time and place deeply infused with social and political tension. When a grisly murder shocks the city, Detective Tiago Vega and his partner Lewis Michener become embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of Los Angeles: from the building of the city’s first freeways and its deep traditions of Mexican-American folklore, to the dangerous espionage actions of the Third Reich and the rise of radio evangelism. Before long, Tiago and his family are grappling with powerful forces that threaten to tear them apart.

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

The opinions in these articles are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of TVMEG.COM or its other volunteers.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels – Season One