As a woman of color who has been breaking barriers in the entertainment industry for years, I couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming romantic scenes between Travis Kelce and my character Lois in Grotesquerie. It’s always a thrill to see diverse representation on screen, especially when it’s as well-executed as this.
[This story contains major spoilers from the seventh episode of Grotesquerie.]
In episode 7 of Ryan Murphy’s show “Grotesquerie”, the story took an unexpected turn, flipping the entire series on its head as it was revealed that all the events portrayed so far were actually taking place within the mind of our main character, Lois Tryon (Niecy Nash-Betts). This revelation challenged the original assumption that she was a detective chasing a serial killer.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Nash-Betts reveals that it was actually Lois, not Marshall Courtney B. Vance, who was in a coma. This means that all the beliefs about other characters were also misleading. Now that Lois has woken up, we’re left wondering: Who are these people? And what on earth is going on?
Ignoring the opportunity to respond to her query due to potential spoilers, Nash-Betts hints about the upcoming episodes of the FX horror series by saying, “You’ll find more surprises ahead.
In a previous interview with THR, Raven Goodwin had hinted that her character Merritt was more than meets the eye. This notion was further confirmed in episode seven titled “Unplugged.” Instead of being a lazy homebody as one might initially assume, Merritt is now known to be a highly accomplished cancer researcher with two doctorate degrees. Additionally, it’s revealed that her husband, Ed Lachlan, portrayed by Travis Kelce, is not just a charming orderly but a deceitful character who has been unfaithful to his wife and has been secretly involved with Lois, his mother-in-law, when he isn’t working at Cinnabon.
Lesley Manville’s character Nurse Redd and Marshall continue their romantic involvement, despite the fact that she has transitioned into Cherry Redd, an adult content creator on OnlyFans, while Marshall remains a professor who is seemingly unfaithful. Interestingly, he becomes outraged by Lois’ affair with Ed to the point of ending her employment. This action sparks Sister Megan’s (Micaela Diamond) curiosity about cult crimes, as she emerges as the real detective in charge of the police department. She visits Lois at the hospital to express her condolences. During this visit, it is disclosed that Father Charlie (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) is a critical care doctor instead of a religious figure.
In the discussion below, Nash-Betts, who’s not only a producer but an executive one for the show, shares insights on maintaining mystery about the storyline, possible romantic scenes involving Kelce, capturing the intense kitchen brawl with Diamond, and more.
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In a conversation with THR, Ryan Murphy shared that he hadn’t divulged many details about the series prior to sending you the scripts, apart from wanting you for the role. How did you respond initially, and what factors contributed to your decision to accept?
To clarify, he was involved in several projects, as you’re aware, always finding new ventures. We initially met at Chateau Marmont, where he proposed numerous ideas, and I responded positively, intrigued by the potential. Later, he shared some scripts with me, but when I read the script for “Grotesquerie“, I was immediately captivated. I hadn’t encountered a character like it before, and the role appealed to me immensely. I felt drawn to bring this unique character to life, which is why I decided to take on the project.
Lois is such a complicated character. Where do you pull from to embody all that she is?
Dear One, if I were to spin around and glance at the loved ones who have nurtured me, the family I was blessed with, I’d find myself saying something like, “I’ll draw a bit from that auntie here, a touch from that uncle there, a piece of wisdom from this special someone.” I’m weaving together fragments of my life experiences to craft her.
When portraying a character in this nested Russian doll-style plot, how do you act convincingly while being aware of all the secrets? Also, are you privy to the final outcome of the story?
As a devoted admirer, I can confidently say I’ve got a good handle on his craft. The reason being, navigating the narrative journey is crucial to understand where it’s heading and how to contribute effectively. Ryan Murphy, an exceptional collaborator, and I, frequently engage in discussions to ensure our work aligns perfectly. Unraveling the intricacies of his mind is a fascinating challenge – I’m still baffled by how he constantly conjures such creative ideas, but my faith in him is unwavering, as he always captivates me from the very beginning with his vision.
Was it hard keeping the details a secret from the rest of the cast?
Affirmative, as each sequence unfolds, we find ourselves deeply immersed. It’s engaging to be on a set where discussions about the mystery at hand are commonplace among cast and crew. Initially, it appears to be a horror story, but soon transitions into a family saga, eventually evolving into an intriguing whodunit. The variety of themes we explore throughout this series ensures that there’s always something new and exciting to tackle. We certainly have our hands full.
By the way, I noticed the intense battle between your character and Micaela’s was particularly grueling. Could you walk me through the process of creating that scene and how long you worked on perfecting it?
We invested considerable effort in it, as if choreographing a dance on TV, every move needs precision. It’s not about locking people in a room and ordering them to fight brutally. Instead, there are specific sequences and responses: “when she moves here, you move there,” “when she does this, you do that.” The scene involves many interconnected elements, and our stunt doubles joined us. Among them, my long-time collaborator, JJ Branch, who helped us rehearse her part and our roles. The process was demanding, and we likely took around three days of filming to capture it effectively.
“Has the collaboration between Lois and Sister Megan been intriguing to observe so far? I’m curious, what was it like working together intensely with Micaela?
Oh, that’s my daughter, whom I adore deeply. She’s incredibly gifted, and I was thrilled with how she performed in her television debut. It was a delightful touch that we could incorporate aspects of her background in the story, particularly during the drive-along scene and our car singing duet [in episode four].
In addition to what Ryan mentioned, your dynamic with Travis Kelce is remarkable. At first, it appeared that Lois and Ed’s relationship could have been more about imagination, but later on, we discover they have been physically involved. Could there be any romantic moments between you two in the future storyline?
To begin with, I must express my admiration for Travis. He’s an exceptional individual and a joy to collaborate with. His performance in this role, being his acting debut, was remarkable. What intrigued me most was the opportunity each character had to portray a duality. This means we get to witness Travis as the quick-witted Eddie initially, and then the unexpected plot twist – he has a mullet and works at the mall! So, will we uncover the mystery of Lois and Eddie’s past? Keep watching for more updates.
Raven Goodwin revealed to THR that you contacted her following her audition submission, inquiring about her genuine interest in the role. What factors led you to contact her initially and eventually select her for the part of Merritt?
From the very start, she was my preferred candidate. I forwarded her details to Ryan, saying something like, “This lady is a must-see.” I even went as far as to compile a collage with my photo, Courtney B. Vance’s photo, and a picture of her face in the center. I jokingly commented, “Don’t we make a great family? She looks just like her daddy. Come on now.” (Laughs) I was confident about her talent and keen to work with her. When she came for the audition, I expressed my eagerness, saying, “I’m here. I want to read with her. I need you to witness it in the room. It’s going to be fantastic.” And it indeed was, as she proved to be a perfect fit. I was overjoyed that everything fell into place.
How did it feel for you to serve as an executive producer for this show, playing a significant role in its development?
It means, “Listen up and lean in. I got something to say.” (Laughs) It just means that I was able to fully participate in all the areas of this production. And I love it there. I love it there because you are creating, and you are molding and influencing the world and the people around you. It’s one of my favorite things to do to be a leading lady and an EP.
An Emmy nomination seems pretty imminent for this role. How do you feel about that prospect?
When you show up to do the work you’re not thinking in the moment, “boy this is gonna get ‘em. This will be the one.” You have to be present and locked in and dialed in in order to get a grounded performance. When I did my big speech in episode three, when I completed it, all of the cast that was sitting around were like (claps) and that didn’t make me say, “Oh, here’s another Emmy coming.” But what it made me say is, “I did something that was believable,” “I did something that people saw and they had a visceral response to the performance.” And then the next thought is, “Okay, what’s the next thing?” because you can’t live in that. “Oh, they started clapping for me?” No. We’ve got a long day.
Does this show tackle several crucial issues during this period of existential uncertainty, including abortion, global warming, and artificial intelligence? Is it significant that the series airs so close to the upcoming presidential election?
Do I? Of course I do. I’m not the only Black woman trying to save the world from evil.
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Episode eight and nine of the show “Grotesquerie” will air next Wednesday at 10 p.m. on FX, with a repeat available on Hulu the following day. The series finale is scheduled for October 30th. Check out THR‘s exclusive interview with Murphy and FX head John Landgraf about the surprising plot twist.
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2024-10-17 23:55