As a mental health professional with a background in working with families affected by the criminal justice system, I have seen firsthand how deeply generational trauma can impact individuals and their relationships. Growing up with a father who was incarcerated for much of my childhood left me feeling isolated, frustrated, and uncertain about the future. I always strived to be there for my own child, providing him with love, support, and stability, no matter what challenges life threw our way.
In March 2023, “UnPrisoned,” the dramedy starring Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo produced by Onyx Collective, garnered record-breaking views on Hulu, surpassing that of any other original scripted series that year. Given its impressive debut, a second season seemed imminent. However, the announcement for renewal took longer than expected due to writers and actors strikes, eventually coming in November of the previous year.
“Reaching the second season is an amazing achievement for any show, but going through the strike and working together made it feel like we’d overcome a significant challenge,” lead actress and executive producer Washington shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “Our appreciation and gratitude have grown even more. As a producer, I felt compelled to back Tracy and Yvette, ensuring our writers room met deadlines while maintaining the bravery and depth in both humor and emotion.”
In this series, comedy serves as a common thread, drawing audiences together. It’s inspired by McMillan’s real-life upbringing with a father who spent a total of 37 years in and out of prison. Lindo masterfully portrays Edwin Alexander, a character based on McMillan’s father Harold. Washington brings Paige Alexander to life, representing McMillan herself, still grappling with the impact of her strained relationship with her dad on her romantic connections. This theme continues in season two, as Paige attempts new approaches to singlehood following a breakup with Mal (Marque Richardson), which leads her into an awkward situation when she joins his girlfriend’s (Brandee Evans from “P-Valley”) pole dancing class in an attempt to maintain friendship. This topic is further explored through the challenging family therapy sessions initiated by Paige’s son Finneas and facilitated by recurring guest star and potential rival psychologist, John Stamos.
“Washington admires how Mal pushes Paige to act more maturely, and it’s exciting to watch Paige attempt new approaches and step out of her comfort zone in relationships, even when it involves potential vulnerability. This is a significant growth area for her character.” Additionally, Washington appreciated the dynamic between her role and Stamos’ character, Murphy.
She found some parts challenging, but working with Stamos was a joy, as she expresses, “I truly enjoyed every moment of collaborating with him.”
In an interview below, Washington discusses collaborating with Stamos and Evans during season two and explains that while the themes can be challenging at times, the primary objective of “UnPrisoned” is to bring happiness.
***
In the finale of episode one, Paige (Washington) requests Edwin (Lindo) to return and reside with her and Finn (Faly Rakotohavana) on an emotional note. Did you film this season consecutively, and what was it like for you while shooting that scene?
As a seasoned film producer with years of experience under my belt, I understand the intricacies of production scheduling better than most. We approached our project with a unique strategy – shooting scenes relatively in sequence, yet not exactly in order. This method allowed us to capture the flow and progression of the story more organically. However, it wasn’t as rigidly structured as a play, instead allowing for some creative freedom and spontaneity, which added to the excitement and unpredictability of the production process.
The addition of John Stamos this season is so good.
It’s so good!
What was it like working with him?
John’s involvement in the show is not only as a devoted fan but also as an incredibly enjoyable and gifted colleague. His sense of humor, generosity, courage, and playfulness brought a lighthearted atmosphere to even the most challenging scenes. It was truly a pleasure working with him every moment.
The new season delves deeper into the theme of generational trauma, with a focus on Finn’s perspective and Paige’s worry that her past, shaped by her father’s actions, is repeating itself in her son’s life. Could you discuss this developing storyline?
In the first place, Faly’s acting abilities are simply remarkable. As we watched him excel in season one, it became clear that we needed to provide him with more significant roles in season two. His portrayal of Finn was the driving force behind Edwin and Paige’s willingness to explore new depths in their therapy sessions and personal lives. Their shared affection for Finn served as the inspiration for their growth. Faly’s performance has become a pivotal aspect of the show, as it is Finn’s love that motivates Paige and Edwin to progress. Moreover, Faly delivers hilarious moments, such as Finn’s adoration for John Stamos’ character, which adds one of the funniest elements to the season.
Brandee Evans makes an appearance this season, and Paige steps out of her familiar bounds by joining a pole dancing class.
Isn’t she so good?
As a seasoned filmmaker with numerous projects under my belt, I can genuinely say that working on those particular scenes was an exhilarating experience for me. The energy on set was electric, and everyone was fully invested in bringing the script to life.
In simpler terms, we were in search of someone who could excel in pole dancing and acting, along with being stunningly beautiful, intelligent, and sophisticated. Finding such a person seemed impossible until Brandee entered our lives. It was as if fate had intervened, opening up new opportunities for us. I reached out to my network, asking for suggestions on an actress who possessed all these qualities. To my surprise, three people recommended Brandee, whom I hadn’t met before. Despite this, I was thrilled to collaborate with her. She shared valuable insights and we connected instantly. As a fan of “P-Valley,” working with Brandee felt like a dream come true.
As someone who has personally experienced the challenges that this show tackles with its humorous approach, I must admit that my reactions to season one have been quite varied and profound. The way the show managed to bring both laughter and tears to me was truly remarkable.
As a creator and producer of a show that tackles the complexities of the criminal justice system and its impact on families, I’ve been truly astounded by the resonance our series has found with audiences. During our premiere at SXSW, we conducted four in-depth interviews with journalists, three out of which had personal experiences with the system – one Asian, one Latinx, and one Black. This experience is a reflection of how deeply this issue touches so many lives.
UnPrisoned releases new episodes Wednesdays on Hulu.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-07-17 23:26