Working with Ellis this season was an enriching and unique experience, as he is not only my co-star but also showrunner Oppenheimer’s husband. It was a rare opportunity to collaborate with such a talented actor who approached his role with great care and caution. I believe our characters’ complex relationship has resonated with many viewers, offering a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.
Here’s a more conversational rephrasing:
Cat Missal acknowledges that her character is facing a tough time during this season, particularly in episode six where Bree suffers significantly by its conclusion.
In the second season of Meaghan Oppenheimer’s Tell Me Lies, I found myself embroiled in a complicated romance with none other than Professor Oliver (Tom Ellis), when I discovered that my boyfriend Evan (Branden Cook) had been unfaithful. This revelation unfolded amidst the chaotic lives of Grace Van Patten, Jackson White, and the rest of the show’s ensemble, all dealing with their own messy situations set within a college backdrop.
In this fresh predicament she finds herself in during this season, even though I might not always concur with many of her decisions, I can understand the sense of urgency and drive that propels her,” Missal explains to The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s certainly not a typical ‘good versus evil’ scenario.
However, as the dynamic between Bree and Oliver progresses and evolves, it adds complexity to the situation, given the multiple romantic interests involved. Moreover, it raises questions about how this development may affect Bree and Evan’s relationship, since they are set to marry in the 2015 timeline as portrayed in the flash-forward scenes.
Missal discusses with THR about her experience collaborating with Ellis, a lively Friendsgiving scene filled with a high-spirited game of slapshots, and the current state of her character’s relationship with Evan. She also hints at the extent of the turmoil that will unfold in the last two episodes.
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What was it like returning to work with everyone again after such a hit first season?
We’re thrilled to tackle a production as captivating and vibrant as this one. There’s an abundance of intrigue that unfolds, and it’s not just the job – we’re close-knit friends off the set too. Coming back after a hiatus, it was electrifying to bring our enthusiasm to the table.
In the current season, your character appears more innocent and easily influenced. Compared to last season, how have you managed to portray this change in character development?
In the first season, some of her personality traits become evident, yet it’s fascinating portraying a character like this due to her intricate past. I believe she’s more intelligent than viewers might initially perceive. Often, when working on the material, I keep in mind that she’s quite adaptable, capable of seamlessly changing herself to fit what others require at any given moment, be it with friends or romantic partners. This chameleon-like nature is probably why she feels let down so frequently, as she continually strives to meet the expectations and images others have of her. However, she’s consistently making an effort to do better.
Wondering if perhaps Bree sought a sense of connection when she chased after Oliver, following her pain inflicted by Evan?
I think playing on that thing I said before, which is she’s just let down most of the time, this is just another example of that. I think she feels hurt, but it’s happened to her so many times before that maybe she’s trying something else. She’s saying, “OK, well, I need something for myself.” So she goes out and searches for that, and that’s not to say that Oliver doesn’t manipulate her and play on her naïveté — the dynamic is clearly there. It’s such a power play. But as much as that is the key dynamic there, I think there’s an underbelly of — especially later, towards the end of the season — an undercurrent of her just trying to manipulate the situation to get him to stay in any capacity.
This season, we observe Bree experiencing a range of feelings, particularly when she begins to measure herself against Oliver’s wife, Marianne (played by Gabriella Pession). As an actor, how do you manage dealing with such intense emotions?
I’m managing to stay focused and centered amidst the intense work we’re doing on this show that deals with challenging, emotional situations. It’s been a great help having such supportive co-stars who are going through similar experiences. We can lean on each other during tough times. As an actor, it’s a rare privilege to delve so deeply into such powerful material and give my all to the role. I feel incredibly fortunate for this opportunity.
Given the increased number of intimate scenes this season, what steps did you take to prepare yourself for these portrayals?
Having intimacy coordinators on set is a must. It helps so much, because it’s such a technical thing. And so in the rehearsals of those types of scenes, it can get mechanical even. And the intimacy coordinator is there not only to help us navigate the tough situations, but also to make sure that it like looks passionate and real and sensual. It’s so helpful. As an actor, it’s something that comes along with the job, especially on this show. It’s such a big part of the show. But I think it’s really integral to the storytelling as well.
How was your experience collaborating extensively with Ellis during this season, given that I understand he’s the showrunner for Oppenheimer and is married to him? Was there anything you picked up from him as a performer?
This is indeed an extraordinary circumstance, yet I consider myself fortunate and thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a phenomenal performer. They handled the material with prudence and empathy, as always. Our shared goal was to deliver a top-notch performance. We wanted the audience to embark on this journey with us, witnessing not only the strain this relationship imposed, but also the bond between these characters that might have been unexpected. I believe Bree makes every effort to orchestrate this scenario, and as it unfolds and develops, so does the affection and concern between them.
Is it possible for us to discuss that disorderly Friendsgiving as well? What was your immediate thought when you discovered from the script that you would be performing slap shots?
We were incredibly excited! It felt like saying, “Can you believe it? We get to play fight!” And indeed, when we got on set, it turned out to be quite intricate and detailed. However, the experience was fantastic! We filmed it for an extended period, approximately two days. So it was challenging, but incredibly enjoyable.
In episode six, it’s revealed that Bree is dating an older man, which worries Evan greatly. To what extent do you believe her feelings were influenced by his response to this revelation?
It seems to me that Bree appears more intelligent than people might initially perceive, given her introspective nature. Unlike other characters who are outwardly defensive, Bree expresses herself from a place of empathy, with underlying defensiveness hidden beneath the surface, often suppressed. Evan’s statement strikes a chord because it resonates with something she knows deeply and that’s why it hurts her so profoundly, especially since it comes from someone who she believes has contributed to her current predicament. This interaction clearly impacts Bree. Initially in the episode, we see her exuding confidence as she embraces a new self-image, but by the end of the episode, she’s visibly shattered. Over the next two episodes, I believe we will observe the extent of the harm inflicted upon her and how it leaves lasting scars that can’t be easily healed.
Is there anything you have taken away personally from your character this season?
Undeniably, she’s an exceptional friend. To put it another way, there comes a point to forgive and move on, as well as a moment to tolerate certain behaviors from those around us. If you’re truly loyal, you’ll stand by during difficult periods but know when it’s time to part ways. In essence, if any of your real-life friends resemble characters from this show, make haste and run away as quickly as you can.
At the moment, you can watch the first six episodes of season 2 of “Tell Me Lies” on Hulu. Fresh episodes are released every Wednesday. To get more insights about this series, check out interviews with Grace Van Patten, co-stars Sonia Mena and Alicia Crowder, as well as showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer, who shares a significant moment from season 2, on THR now.
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2024-10-02 22:57