In my humble opinion, working with such a talented and diverse cast like the one in Grotesquerie was truly a blessing and a learning experience. Lesley Manville, with her grace and depth, and Travis Kelce, with his humility and dedication, made every day on set an absolute delight. I feel fortunate to have shared this journey with them and the rest of the incredible cast and crew.
[This story contains major spoilers from the season finale of Grotesquerie.]
Throughout the span of ten episodes, the character Marshall Tryon, played by Courtney B. Vance on the show Grotesquerie, undergoes a significant transformation. Initially, he’s shown as a compassionate, unresponsive coma patient who’s at risk of his wife Lois (Niecy Nash-Betts) terminating life support. However, he soon regains consciousness and becomes a self-righteous husband, harboring resentment towards Lois for her past infidelities, despite his own lengthy affair with Lesley Manville’s character. In the season finale, Marshall finds himself facing a possible sexual assault charge and subsequently seeks support from a men’s rights group called the Mexicali Men’s Club.
As a dedicated gamer, I found myself utterly bewildered by the finale of that FX drama, leaving everyone guessing about a possible second season. Even Vance, who’s keeping his cards close to his chest regarding any theories on the identity of the serial killer “Grotesquerie” or how his character might evolve in future episodes, is no exception.
He shares with The Hollywood Reporter following the final episode that he’s unsure where Messy Marshall will appear next. “I can only hope it won’t be as chaotic,” he adds, “but considering Ryan Murphy’s world, it probably will be messy – let’s pray so – as we move into season two and beyond, aiming for more seasons.
Despite the sexist underpinnings of the men’s support group that is revealed in the season finale, the concept of discussing how to reconcile one’s differences is an important one ahead of Tuesday’s presidential election, says Vance, who spoke to THR earlier this year about the importance of voting while working on AMC’s 61st Street, saying at the time, “We have a choice to make. Either we … continue the mess, or we come in and go, ‘no, we’re going to go back to a time when people right things, or at least try to.’”
Today, he finds a striking resemblance between his feelings and the themes portrayed in horror series, reflecting on the current political climate. He expresses, “It’s time for us to gather and discuss the way we should navigate through existence. That’s what I believe we’re doing when we cast our votes. This election is essentially about shaping our future; deciding where we see this nation heading.
In a recent chat with THR, Vance discusses abandoning another project to join Grotesquerie, debates whether his character is portrayed as a victim or villain, shares anecdotes from his on-set conversation with Kelce, and expresses anticipation for potential future seasons of Grotesquerie, if Murphy’s plans for renewal come to fruition.
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Have you watched the finale of Grotesquerie and are you satisfied with how things ended?
I haven’t finished watching it yet, but I’m completely captivated by the series “Grotesquerie”. The production, design, acting, and casting are all exceptional, and I can see why Ryan Murphy is so successful. He has an incredible team to help him manage his numerous projects, ensuring that nothing gets watered down or overlooked. His ability to maintain high-quality standards across multiple shows is truly impressive. Although he can’t be everywhere at once, he has a talented group of people who ensure the production value and overall quality surpass those of any other television show.
How did you come on board to play Marshall?
He phoned me and proposed that I join his project, but I was just about to engage in another task, so I replied, “Oh, alright,” casually. I then informed him that I needed to make a few phone calls before getting back to him, and I contacted the producer of the project I had been planning on working on. I told him that Mr. Ryan had reached out to me, and since he was my point of contact, I had to respectfully decline his invitation. The producer appreciated my directness and felt relieved that I didn’t use an intermediary like an agent or manager to communicate this. He said, “You know, opportunities come back around in this business, we’ll connect again in the future,” and I’m grateful that I had the foresight to call him directly.
When did you first see the scripts for Grotesquerie and what were your initial thoughts?
Ryan told me that my character was not fleshed out, so I wasn’t going to see everything that he wanted me to see in terms of what the character was and what he was about. He said, “Don’t be deterred,” and I said, “I’m not, it’s a faith walk, I got you. I know it’s going to be what it’s going to be, but it’s going to be something that we are going to develop together as we go forward.” So it was a complete faith walk, as most of these are and I’m so glad and happy I did sign on. For my Emmy acceptance for [The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story], the first thing I said was, “Ryan Murphy, Ryan Murphy, Ryan Murphy.” So, there it is.
After reaching episode seven when the major surprise is disclosed, can you share your thoughts about who Grotesquerie might have been before the revelation?
It’s clear that we need another season to unravel this mystery. I find it quite intriguing and can hardly wait for more!
The ending leaves us questioning the real nature of Marshall – is he more of a victim, or perhaps even a villain? What do you believe?
It seems to me that both aspects are problematic. The family unit, unfortunately, appears to be in turmoil, and it’s clear we’re not providing the necessary support for our character Lois [Nash-Betts]. One would expect that someone with a demanding job like hers could find solace at home. Regrettably, this isn’t the case for us. Consequently, her turn to alcohol doesn’t come as a shock. We’ve inadvertently driven her to drink. Each of us has our own struggles; I grapple with sexual addictions, Merritt deals with food addictions, and my wife, my child, battles an addiction to alcohol. Despite her exceptional intellect, she frequently shows up at work intoxicated, giving orders and managing crime scenes. Observing her work is like watching Ryan Murphy juggle his ten shows simultaneously – it’s chaotic yet captivating.
At the end of the show, we are presented with the Mexicali Men’s Club. How would you interpret the recurring topic of male empowerment or men’s rights that is touched upon in this particular episode?
It’s clear that discussions among men are valuable and essential, especially at this juncture. After all, more conversations are always beneficial. I authored a book titled “The Invisible Ache“, which emphasizes the importance of men expressing themselves and sharing their feelings. It’s not surprising that men feel somewhat victimized. Ultimately, what we all need is open dialogue and mutual support. Men, in particular, are seeking support, and it’s crucial for us to provide it. Essentially, it’s about fostering unity and understanding among people. Regardless of where we go, we’re all here together, so let’s engage in meaningful conversations about our shared experiences – that’s how we navigate the complexities of life. In essence, I believe this election serves as a significant milestone [when we vote] in determining our future and the direction our country takes. So, I’m thrilled to learn that men are voicing their opinions. Open dialogue among men is indeed beneficial for us all.
What other messages do you think audiences can take from this series?
Gather your sugar honey iced tea and let’s have a conversation with your loved ones. It’s crucial that we change our world for the better. That seems to be what Niecy’s character is striving for – ending all the chaos. We need to find ways to communicate effectively. No one is leaving; we’re all here to stay. Let’s figure out how to unite and agree to disagree, but still get things done. This is what our family needs to do. We must put an end to hatred and start embracing each other instead. Try to find ways to appreciate and uplift one another, and move forward together.
What was it like working alongside Travis Kelce, who introduced your character to the Mexicali Men’s Club, and Lesley Manville’s character, Nurse Redd, who played a significant role in your storyline? Could you share some insights about your on-set experiences with them?
I adore them quite a bit. There are numerous factors behind this affection. A film titled “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” was brought to my attention by Lesley, and the experience of watching it on a flight changed me significantly. The prospect of collaborating with her after being captivated by her performance in that movie was truly delightful. As for Travis, I should clarify that the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t my team. Let me make that clear. But his humility is really remarkable.
Ryan narrated the account of entering his office and expressing his desire for something unconventional. Ryan responded with a nod and said he’d remember it. However, Ryan clarified that he didn’t just want to wait; he wanted action immediately, explaining that he had 30 days. Ryan seemed eager, almost like a coach preparing for a game. The one aspect that seemed to elude him was the sequential nature of our workflow – first we’d cover him, then Courtney, Niecy, and finally the wide shot. He seemed taken aback when I mentioned the repetition required. “This many times?” he asked, seemingly overwhelmed. I suggested he take a break and grab a snack, but since he’s an athlete, not a sweet treat like a Twinkie. What appeared to be the most challenging for him was grasping the arduous and laborious nature of our work process.
Given how things end, what do you see for your character if there is a second season?
Oh, I don’t have a clue. I mean, the man is all over the place. That’s a question I’d love to ask of Ryan, where he sees Marshall going. Ultimately, I’d like Lois and him to figure out their marriage and their daughter. To figure out the family unit. They’re in crisis. How’s that gonna resolve itself? I really, really don’t know what’s going to happen because it’s very messy now. This is a very personal show for him because he often doesn’t write all of his shows, but this one he wrote. He’s very, very passionate about this show. So it’s going to be, with his two other writing partners, very, very interesting to see how they resolve all the characters. But the flip of the comas, that was genius. And the whole idea that while you’re in a coma you can hear, it’s just messy, completely messy. Y’all are messy. So I don’t know where Messy Marshall is going to be. Hopefully it won’t be as messy, but knowing the Ryan Murphy world it’ll be messy, prayerfully, into the second season and onward and upward into, hopefully, more seasons.
Is the idea of doing multiple seasons of Grotesquerie appealing to you?
I’ll work with Mr. Ryan Murphy until the cows come home.
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Currently, you can stream every episode of “Grotesquerie” on FX. Take a look at The Hollywood Reporter’s exclusive interview featuring showrunner Ryan Murphy and FX head John Landgraf discussing the plot twist, actress Lesley Manville sharing insights about the finale, and more captivating details.
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2024-11-04 21:55