‘Poker Face’ Boss Rian Johnson Delighted in That Finale Cliffhanger Tease: “Peacock Was a Little Nervous”

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“This narrative reveals significant plot twists from the final episode of the second season of Poker Face titled ‘The Final Destination.'”

It’s great if you continued to watch Poker Face as it wrapped up its second season with “To Be Continued.” The creator, Rian Johnson, felt certain that viewers would stay tuned for the episode, but he admitted that NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, had some apprehension.

Johnson, the creator, writer, and director of the series starring Natasha Lyonne, shares with The Hollywood Reporter that he was chuckling in the editing room while perfecting the timing for a particular moment with Natasha. Regarding the finale’s suspenseful joke, he explains, “Peacock had some concerns, asking if we really needed to include ‘To Be Continued.’ I reassured them, saying, ‘I believe it will work out.’ It’s another nod to the cliffhanger cuts from TV shows of my childhood. Remember when a car would jump off a ramp at Universal Studios, and the screen would freeze before you wondered how they’d escape?

Based on the final episode’s title “The End of the Road,” it appeared as though Charlie, portrayed by Lyonne, had reached a literal and spiritual dead end. In a dramatic turn of events, Charlie’s famous Plymouth Barracuda, piloted by both her and the season’s unexpected villain, played by Patti Harrison, plunged off a cliff. As the iconic 1969 sky blue car soared through the air, it seemed that our weekly murder-mystery protagonist was doomed. However, just as all hope seemed lost, those intriguing words appeared onscreen: “To Be Continued.

After the screen went dark, the Barracuda reappeared and “Poker Face” played as the final scene unfolded, showing that Charlie had managed to flee before the car plunged off the cliff. Regrettably, Harrison’s villain, Alex (also known as the notorious hired gun “Iguana”), didn’t seem to meet his demise in the crash (we don’t witness a body). However, the damage has been done. In a poignant moment, Charlie’s FBI ally (portrayed by Simon Helberg) grants her a head start, as she comes to terms with once again being a fugitive wanted by the FBI. The season ends with Charlie in the same position she started – on the run. This time, though, she is without her Barracuda. As the final shot reveals, she is thumbing a ride towards Kansas, accompanied by her faithful canine companion, Root Beer.

As a gamer, I’m eagerly waiting for news about a third season, but until then, Natasha Lyonne, Alia Shawkat, and I (Elliott) have some breathing room to brainstorm what my next moves will be, back on the run. In the interim, I recently chatted with The Hollywood Reporter about bringing Harrison on board as this season’s unforeseen antagonist, how Natasha seamlessly transitioned between acting and directing for this surprising season finale, and why we chose to shake up our show’s structure once more.

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You told me I would be surprised by these final two episodes and I was, thanks for the tip!

Oh, good. Good, good, good.

In our initial discussions at the start of the season, we discussed why you decided to move away from the main antagonist-chasing-Charlie storyline of season one. For most of the season, the episodes were self-contained stories. However, the last two episodes introduced an unexpected villain, someone who can deceive Charlie and avoid detection, which leads to Charlie being on the run again at the end. Can you tell us when this plot arc was decided upon in the writers’ room for the conclusion of the season?

As we neared the midpoint of crafting the series and writing individual episodes, there was a growing excitement among us about experimenting with various concepts within the Poker Face universe. One question that arose was whether Charlie might have a partner, similar to Watson. The notion of creating a two-part episode sparked my curiosity. This approach mirrored the classic television format that our show is modeled on, and we were eager to determine if we could effectively replicate it in a Poker Face episode.

It was Laura Deely, who ultimately penned the finale, who proposed an intriguing idea: “What if we introduce a character who initially appears as Watson but later turns out to be Moriarty?” Another thought that crossed our minds was how a character could deceive Charlie, given his exceptional abilities.

In summary, all elements fell into place. Observing Charlie’s relatively stationary role proved effective, and it added excitement to conclude the season by stirring up the situation, leaving us with an opportunity to explore new surroundings when we return.

Natasha played this conclusion with such poignancy. Her feelings were clearly visible in her last interaction with FBI Agent Luca (Simon Helberg), as she understood that following an introspective yet somewhat lighter season where she was given a second chance at life, she must once again live as a fugitive. Was there any hesitation on your part when deciding upon this ending for Natasha?

Indeed, Natasha was deeply invested in the final episode. It held a profound significance for her, making it more than just an acting job. She relishes immersing herself in her roles and finding something meaningful to explore. In directing and performing the climactic scene between Charlie and Luca, she poured all her passion into it. Her dedication was palpable; she seemed to be fully immersed, almost as if diving headfirst into a pool. Therefore, it’s safe to say that she was genuinely thrilled about it.

In an unusual approach, you invited several friends to participate as guests in Poker Face. Were you yourself trying out for the Iguana/Alex role, or did you specifically choose Patti Harrison for the antagonist’s part?

As a gamer involved in this production, I’ve known Patti from previous encounters and always admired her acting abilities. Clea DuVall, who played Charlie’s sister in season one, suggested we consider Patti for this role. Patti first appeared in episode 10, which was directed by Clea. Casting Patti wasn’t just about filling a role; it was crucial because we had a clear vision of where this character would develop and the significant part she would play. We were looking for an actor who could convincingly portray someone Charlie would want to be with, while also making sense in terms of character development. Clea suggested Patti, and after reviewing several other actors, it became clear that Patti had the perfect mix of traits we needed.

After Iguana/Alex exposed that she could deceive Charlie, and when she was attempting to deceive me during their last drive, I found myself observing Patti’s facial expressions, as it seemed like a fascinating challenge to go back and attempt to detect her signs of dishonesty. Would you have planted hints throughout the journey, or would we be able to notice them if we revisited?

As a gamer diving into a fresh role, Patti quizzed me about her character’s ambiguity. During our pre-casting meeting, I presented her with the character’s arc, and she inquired about how subtly she should portray it and if she should leave clues. My stance was for her to play it straightforward. I envisioned the ambiguity would surface when revisiting the episodes, but this actress is so skilled that even Charlie could be deceived. If she’s convincing enough for Charlie, then we have to make our audience believe just as much in those limited episodes. I’m unsure if she intentionally added hints, but ultimately, we agreed on playing it as if the character’s surface is all there is.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but feel uneasy when we learn that Iguana vanishes following the car accident, while Charlie miraculously escapes. The world of television leads me to believe this implies she’s still alive, for now, but it leaves me with a heavy heart and a lingering worry.

(Laughs.) Yes, that’s the cue!

Do you plan on resurrecting her character, and if so, how might that event open up new storylines for a potential third season, given her ability to deceive Charlie, who possesses lie-detecting capabilities?

Indeed, it’s quite plausible! The thought that there’s someone out there who is this person’s Moriarty or Lex Luthor, similar to how Charlie Cale has them, certainly sparks intrigue. It expands a wide range of potential storylines, and I must say, I am a big fan of Patti. I believe she’s incredibly gifted and charming, and the prospect of bringing her character back into the mix would be extremely captivating.

Could you explain to me how you came up with the “To be Continued” cliffhanger scene, which turned out to actually show Charlie escaping before her Plymouth Baracuda goes over the cliff. Was it enjoyable for you to play a trick on us, Rian?

(Laughs) Adjusting the precision of that moment in the editing suite with Natasha was quite amusing. It’s a source of immense pleasure for me, knowing we’re resuming our fair game after that break. I certainly hope viewers won’t cease watching after that! Peacock had some reservations about it. They wondered, “Is it necessary to include ‘To Be Continued’?” I responded, “I believe it will be alright.” This is another wonderful throwback to the cliffhanger cuts during commercial breaks from TV shows I fondly remember as a child. A car would race off a ramp at the Universal backlot, and the show would freeze frame, leaving us wondering, “How will they escape this predicament?

“Tune in next week!”

Absolutely, it turned out to be quite charming, and I hope it didn’t cause any short-term annoyance!

Did you actually destroy the car?

Actually, it wasn’t implemented. I’m confident that there was a brief discussion about it, and our line producer, Jeff Bernstein, prevented us from moving forward with it at the last moment.

Does that mean you could revive the car, or are you putting that ride to rest?

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, I doubt we’ll keep dealing with this beauty anymore. It holds significant value for Natasha and me, but let’s face it, filming with it was nothing short of a headache! Whenever we were running out of daylight, it refused to start properly. And just as soon as it started raining, the windshield wipers would conk out on us. The prospect of Charlie getting a dependable Honda Accord – an iconic Honda Accord – for next season sounds like a dream come true!

What made you choose the scene where Charlie catches a ride with a trucker bound for Kansas as the last one of the season? Was there a specific reason behind this decision?

Wrapping up the season by sending Charlie back on her journey felt incredibly satisfying. This was somewhat of an exploration for us writers about whether the show could maintain its essence if Charlie stayed put and relieved of stress, and it appears that it can. I thoroughly enjoyed this season; it retained the core of the show while offering a fresh twist. There’s a certain charm about her character that seems fitting out on the open road, embodying the quintessential Americana feel. Natasha captured this beautifully with the wintry landscape and Charlie’s real-life companion, Root Beer. Even after everything, it seemed right for Charlie to save that stubborn little dog from the cold. It felt like a perfect ending, infused with that classic American spirit. And Root Beer certainly stole the show with her hammy antics.

“Hey there! I’m excitedly wondering about the progress on discussions for season three. In crafting the finale, did we consider the possibility that it might be the last episode ever?”

To be honest, I can’t predict how things will turn out, but I have a feeling some discussions or events are about to happen. So we’ll just have to wait and see. I don’t want to get too excited or hopeful because sometimes plans change. However, you never know what might happen, especially with the unpredictable nature of television nowadays. That’s the challenge – keeping options open in case things go well, and if they don’t, having a satisfying ending to the story.

Weekly, the episodes were released, allowing the entire season to unfold over a span of approximately two months. During this time, you had the opportunity to observe and respond to the viewers’ reactions, as well as likely receive feedback on viewership from Peacock. What are your thoughts regarding how this season was perceived?

Initially, I appreciate the weekly broadcast of the show, as it presents an anthology-like structure rather than a traditional serialized format. This approach allows each featured actor and director to make their mark every episode. Additionally, the series seems to thrive when given some breathing room, making it less ideal for binge-watching or consuming multiple episodes consecutively. Instead, I find watching one episode and then waiting a week to watch the next gives it a classic TV feel that feels fitting.

I’m thrilled about the fact that 22 episodes of it are available on Peacock, allowing new viewers to explore episodes that catch their interest and revisit old favorites. This is similar to how many people consume TV today – through streaming services where you can browse a vast selection of quality content featuring renowned actors. I enjoy the weekly time-released format, but having all episodes accessible at once is a fantastic bonus.

With your and Natasha’s current schedules being filled with different movie ventures, if there’s a possibility of a third season, would you think it might be sooner than the more than two years that elapsed between seasons one and two?

There was an extended gap between season one and two. However, it’s true that we are fortunate to be kept busy. You just have to jump in and try to figure things out as you go along, but ideally, we’d return with a quicker pace. I’m certain Peacock would appreciate this too!

You often come up with concepts that you save for later use. Earlier, you mentioned the thrill of designing the distinctive structure for season one and then shattering that structure in season two – now you’ve done it again to conclude this season. What are you looking forward to in season three?

fundamentally, I’m enthused by something consistent since the beginning – not primarily the path where the larger tale might unfold, but the endless possibilities of various episodes yet to create. There are numerous distinct worlds, akin to those in ‘Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood’, to delve into. We could depict a new profession each week, demonstrating how the Post Office functions for children. That aspect is present within the show. Therefore, it’s less about the larger narrative arc for me, and more about the excitement of having an expansive play area. The idea of all the different types of episodes we can still produce is truly captivating.

Looking back, are there season two swings you took that you are learning from for a third season?

After sharing all our work, I’m still processing it myself, but I’m genuinely proud of some of the bold moves we made, such as the grade school episode which I found to be quite distinctive and enjoyable. However, some of the more traditional episodes, like the baseball one for instance, are just what I envisioned our show to be from the start, and I appreciate that too. In our writers’ room, I always urge the team not to dwell on what worked in the past, but instead, consider with each new episode, how can we keep audiences engaged by surprising and delighting them? How can we continue to push the boundaries of our show with every episode? So while I’m proud of these episodes this season, it also means striving to avoid repetition next season.

Would you consider bringing back Simon Helberg, Taylor Schilling, and Patti Harrison as potential characters for season three, or would you prefer to introduce new actors instead?

We slightly increased our cast, which includes actors I adore, as you pointed out, providing us with options for future episodes. These characters might return, but we aimed to steer clear of developing ongoing personalities and a complex mythology that viewers would need to remember. One of the joys of this series is its accessibility – if someone recommends an episode featuring Simon Rex, especially because you’re a baseball fan, you can watch it without needing to understand past seasons’ events. Maintaining this simplicity is crucial as the story unfolds, ensuring that viewers don’t need prior knowledge to enjoy each new episode, thereby alleviating some of the burden from their viewing experience. It’s all about finding a balance between these elements.

As a dedicated fan of “Orange Is the New Black,” I’m really excited about the possibility of Taylor Schilling pursuing Natasha’s character, Charlie Cale, in the upcoming seasons. Can we expect this storyline to unfold?

She’s truly fantastic. By the way, I can assure you it would be an incredibly fun experience. We were fortunate indeed to have Taylor join us, as she was someone Natasha had hoped to collaborate with. Perhaps they all wind up in jail together, leading to a genuine reunion – let’s see what happens!

After that, you’ll be excited to watch the much-awaited sequel of Knives Out, titled Wake Up Dead Man. Can I share a tiny hint for the fans about what to expect?

A multitude of titles are about to arrive imminently. I’m hesitant to jump the gun, but this upcoming production deviates significantly from its predecessor in a manner that I believe will leave viewers exhilarated. Stay tuned for further updates!

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Poker Face is now streaming all episodes on Peacock.

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2025-07-11 18:25