Peacock’s Long Bright River is a Philly Love Letter

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For those with a Peacock subscription, this week brings an exciting new addition that’s perfect for binge-watching – a limited series adaption of Liz Moore’s novel “Long Bright River,” starring Amanda Seyfried. While the 2025 TV schedule mainly offers familiar procedurals, there are still some unexpected gems to discover.

During my conversation with the multi-talented actress from both Mamma Mia and the upcoming 2025 film Seven Veils, I found myself curious about her connection to Moore’s popular novel, given her childhood in Allentown, PA. When asked about this, Ms. Seyfried explained to TopMob the following backstory: She purposefully did not use accents as a deliberate decision when portraying her characters.

I found it relatable that Mickey doesn’t have an accent since I don’t have one either, considering Mickey hails from Philly, a place where I know many people without accents. I thought this was quite authentic and wouldn’t be a distraction. Moreover, I appreciated the specificity of keeping the story within Kensington, a neighborhood I wasn’t very familiar with. The way the characters communicate and the overall vibe of the community really captured Philly’s essence. Although we didn’t film it in Philly, we brought the Philly atmosphere to New York City. As for the characters’ cars and other details, like Wawa cups and donuts, they were all present.

As I delve into the eight-episode journey of Long Bright River, I find myself in the shoes of a Philadelphia police officer named Mickey, played by Seyfried. This character is determined to unmask a killer lurking within the City of Brotherly Love. Simultaneously, her story intertwines with her personal struggle for reconciliation with her sibling. The authentic Philly atmosphere is palpable in the squad room with its Wawa cups and convenience stores stocked with Utz potato chips, immersing us in the essence of this city.

The charming landmarks make the place seem even more appealing, and Mickey’s tragic family history adds depth as it unfolds on the city streets. On any given day in Center City, someone is likely discussing the Eagles’ chances of winning the Super Bowl while sipping coffee from a classic red cup adorned with a smiling goose.

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According to the actress playing The Housemaid character, great care is taken when depicting that location, despite the absence of accents. Co-star Nicholas Pinnock, portraying Truman Dawes (Mickey’s former partner), also shares his thoughts on this aspect as he plays a British actor who is sidelined after an extremely difficult day at work.

In support of Pinnock’s sentiments, Amanda Seyfried provided additional insights regarding the singing selection in “Long Bright River.

  • Nicholas Pinnock: “Well, I was doing some research with my dialect coach and Truman didn’t really have an accent because a lot of the African American community in Philly seemed not to, so we decided to make it as believable as possible, but not go for the accent.”
  • Amanda Seyfried: “But it was still an American, there was still a Pennsylvania vibe. You could have been from anywhere around there. … And it was interesting, like you don’t always have to go for that aspect, because we didn’t wanna distract anybody.”

My chat with those shining stars of Long Bright River was delightful yet subtly maintained its serious undertones, typical of the series. In fact, noticing such nuances might assist viewers in navigating the show’s somber and captivating atmosphere that tackles themes like homelessness, drug addiction, and compassion for individuals grappling with life’s hardships.

One might conjecture that Amanda Seyfried appeared relieved not to reenact the instance where she adopted a significantly altered voice for her character in “The Dropout.” This relief is understandable, given the palpable sense that the upcoming movie “Long Bright River” will lead both Amanda’s character and the viewers on a harrowing journey into some grim territories.

The basis for the Peacock streaming series is the novel “Long Bright River” by author Liz Moore, which can be bought from Amazon. This story jumps through time and follows Philadelphia cop Mickey as she searches for her missing sister Kacey. You’ll have the opportunity to read the mystery that served as inspiration for Amanda Seyfried’s latest limited series. Take a look at the deal!

For those eager to understand the art of watching “Long Bright River”, there’s no need for concern. Beginning March 13th, the full series can be streamed all at once, on any device that connects to Peacock.

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2025-03-12 05:07