Poker Face’s Simon Helberg Breaks Down Season 2 Finale & That Final Scene With Natasha Lyonne

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Following a 12-season stint portraying Howard Wolowitz on the hugely popular sitcom “The Big Bang Theory”, actor Simon Helberg shifted his attention towards voice acting roles in animation, stage performances in Los Angeles, and independent films such as Leo Carax’s “Annette” (2021) and “Space Oddity” (2022).

Helberg didn’t reappear on television until he landed a role as FBI Agent Luca Clark in Peacock’s first season of Poker Face. Over two episodes, Helberg’s character interacts with Charlie Cale (portrayed by Natasha Lyonne), helping each other navigate some intense, potentially fatal predicaments. There’s a hint of chemistry between them, but Cale’s fugitive status prevents her from forming attachments.

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share that Season 2 of our beloved series is now available on Peacock! In these episodes, the enigmatic Clark makes his comeback, finding himself once more entangled in Cale’s whirlwind of chaos. From within the confines of the law, he continues to stand by her side as her advocate.

In the gripping season finale, a two-part episode titled “Day of the Iguana” and “The End of the Road,” Cale and Clark are drawn into the brutal schemes of a serial killing assassin, none other than Alex, who poses as Cale’s supposed friend, Alex. This character is portrayed by the talented Patti Harrison.

In a heart-stopping scene reminiscent of the climax in “Thelma and Louise,” Clark manages to rescue Cale, ensuring their fates remain intricately linked. The journey continues!

The insider from NBC had a chat with Helberg to delve into the genesis of his character, the climactic scene involving Luca and Charlie in the final episode, and his aspirations for their potential future if there’s a third season of Poker Face.

Poker Face‘s Simon Helberg on playing Agent Luca Clark

Despite being familiar with several actors who’ve graced the screen on Poker Face, including his longtime friend Jason Ritter and his wife Melanie Lynsky, Helberg mentioned that he might have caught Lyonne’s and creator Rian Johnson’s attention for this role in the art-house movie, Annette, due to their connection.

At a certain gathering, following Annette, I encountered Natasha, and it turned out she was an admirer of Annette. She complimented me on my performance in the movie, to which I responded with gratitude. Subsequently, before my audition for Luca, I felt quite exhilarated.

According to Helberg, Agent Luca Clark’s character stood out as extraordinary right from the script. He further explained, “This is an incredibly unique character, and I enjoy pushing myself into unfamiliar or awkward scenarios. Playing this role was undeniably a fresh challenge for me, given its sincere yet slightly overpowered nature.

Helberg found the writing exceptional, making him eager to portray such a character. Initially, there were fewer action scenes or high-speed chases, but he sensed a genuine sincerity within it. Playing an FBI agent who awkwardly climbed up the ranks was appealing and intriguing to him. Also, working alongside Rian and Natasha, as well as everyone else involved in the project, seemed enticing.

In the beginning, I was only signed up for two episodes during Season 1, but I could tell right away that was strange for a murder mystery show since most side characters usually end up six feet under. I had a feeling there was more to uncover about Charlie and Luca, considering their relationship seemed symbiotic – they assisted each other, yet often found themselves impeding one another’s progress. Reflecting on our initial connections in the first season, that’s how I saw it.

When Season 2 was commissioned, Helberg remembers the producers hinting that he might return, but it wasn’t until he received official word that his character, Luca, was included in three episodes that he became certain about his character’s future.

In the thrilling world of undercover operations, I found myself drawn back into the fray, thanks to an engaging game reminiscent of “Whack-A-Mole.” Once again, I was entrenched in the FBI’s Witness Protection Program, this time pursuing none other than Charlie’s formidable adversary, the notorious mob boss Beatrix Hasp (Rhea Perlman).

To my surprise, I found myself confiding in Charlie about an unexpected predicament. You see, her uncanny ability to intertwine herself with cases that ultimately lead to my professional advancement has left me grappling with a case of imposter syndrome.

In Helberg’s words, that specific revelation provided a glimpse into his character. This revelation enables viewers to empathize with him and makes him seem genuine. It temporarily dispels the air of mystery surrounding these characters, and as an actor, experiencing this moment is priceless, especially when it’s skillfully written into the script.

In his explanation, he added, “The character’s depth is evident throughout the series, particularly in every role I played, even from the very first episode. This one speech about unfulfilled ambitions in ‘Time of the Monkey’ reveals much about him. As the story unfolds, we see that he believed putting an old man in a retirement home was all that was needed, but unfortunately, the man met with harm. This character seems to be grappling with life, feeling like a failure. These are relatable human traits, and as the season progresses, he feels remorseful because he questions whether his success is deserved.

Charlie Cale’s meltdown with Luca in Poker Face’s Season 2 season finale

According to Helberg, it was quite intriguing during the filming of Season 2 as the episodes weren’t shot in sequence to fit around the availability of guest directors and actors.

As an actor, it was quite challenging to manage everything since action scenes and out-of-sequence filming were involved. Two weeks later, I found myself revisiting a scene where I entered a boathouse, which I had filmed the ending of earlier, on a completely different location in freezing conditions. He laughed about maintaining Luca’s storyline in his mind. Additionally, there were times when I was working late at night on a soundstage, making it necessary to handle various tasks, but it was exhilarating.

In the final act of Season 2, one of my favorite moments was when Luca swooped in to rescue Charlie, dangling precariously from a cliff edge with death staring her down. Yet, instead of jumping straight into action, she took a moment to lose it – crumbling before this recurring figure who’s always been there for her in times of need.

He described the sight as absolutely amazing. It seems like the writers have skillfully set up the characters to be in an insurmountable predicament. They have a strange pull and push towards each other due to their personalities, desires, and requirements. In that instant, you can’t help but question, ‘Oh my goodness, how will they encounter each other again?’ Yet, it feels inevitable. We want them to meet again, yet it also feels tragic.

Helberg expressed his admiration for Lyonne during the intense scene they both acted and directed. He recounted that it was an incredibly challenging day, made even more so by the fact that Lyonne was battling a bad cold. Despite the cold weather and precarious location on a cliffside, production required them to be secured with harnesses for safety. Remarkably, Lyonne was not only directing but also acting in these conditions. Her performance left Helberg deeply impressed.

He expressed that it was incredibly intense to witness Charlie’s emotional breakdown, as one almost has no choice but to yield. In that instant, there’s an overwhelming amount of events unfolding, and it seemed like the only option was to surrender. This feeling, I believe, makes the vulnerability displayed in that moment quite authentic given the situation.

What could be next for Charlie and Luca in Poker Face Season 3?

Currently, there’s no announcement about the third season of “Poker Face”, but the finale, titled “The End of the Road”, certainly leaves us hanging with Charlie once more, this time on the run and facing potential charges for aiding and abetment, casting a shadow over her red hair.

During the filming of the finale, Helberg mentioned that he and Lyonne didn’t discuss potential future scenarios for the show. He admitted, “I have no idea if we’ll return,” but hinted at his hope that both the series and his character might make a comeback.

When Luca allows Charlie to escape while wearing his FBI coat and with a head start as the FBI approaches, the situation seems to evoke the atmosphere of a potential Season 3 film in the style of “The Fugitive,” similar to that of Dr. Richard Kimble (played by Harrison Ford) eluding his persistent U.S. Marshal pursuer, Sam Gerard (portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones).

I find the comparison to ‘The Fugitive’ fitting,” Helberg noted. “Or perhaps ‘Catch Me If You Can’. It’s amusing because during filming, I often thought to myself, ‘Maybe Luca is a big fan of ‘The Fugitive’.

He expresses that the situation between their characters is bound to get complex. He believes there is a wealth of material, particularly ideas generated by Rian, Natasha, and the other writers. Yet, he personally can’t wait to discover where these two characters will ultimately lead.

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2025-07-10 18:47