The Irrational’s Max Lloyd-Jones Talks Having ‘Big Shoes To Fill’ As Phoebe’s Replacement, And Her Return Could Be Complicated

The Irrational's Max Lloyd-Jones Talks Having 'Big Shoes To Fill' As Phoebe's Replacement, And Her Return Could Be Complicated

As a hardcore fan of The Irrational since its debut, I must say that I am beyond thrilled to see Phoebe back in action! But let me tell you, Simon Wylton, the new kid on the block, has truly grown on me. His character’s development and the budding bromance between him and Rizwan have been a refreshing twist in this already intriguing series.


In the realm of gaming, I eagerly await my next adventure with The Irrational, returning to NBC on November 26, 2024, after a brief hiatus in the fall schedule. The new episode promises a fresh twist as Alec’s duo of research assistants transforms into a trio, and Phoebe’s return is a delightful surprise for fans who have been yearning for her presence since Season 1. But what about Simon Wylton, the fresh face from Season 2? Max Lloyd-Jones, our newcomer playing Simon, shared with TopMob some insights into navigating the role and the intrigue and drama that’s brewing ahead.

Max Lloyd-Jones’ role on “The Irrational” is significantly distinct from what he’ll portray in “Final Destination 6,” but the narrative arc for his character on the NBC drama is clearly set to become more intriguing. During our discussion about how his character has had to navigate professional relationships, including working alongside Jesse L. Martin, I inquired about his experience developing the bond between Simon and Rizwan with co-star Arash DeMaxi. In response, the actor mentioned Phoebe, stating:

It’s been quite enjoyable so far. It’s clear there are large footsteps to follow, given Molly Kunz’s portrayal of Phoebe in Season 1, being integral to their research assistant team’s dynamic. I desired to inject a fresh vibe into the character for this season, making him more competitive and setting the stage for a budding friendship – or as some might say, a bromance – with the existing character. The writers seemed to appreciate and run with this new direction.

It isn’t fair to say that The Irrational simply created a Phoebe 2.0 as a replacement for Phoebe after her departure at the end of Season 1, as Max Lloyd-Jones noted. There appears to be a budding friendship between his character and Rizwan, which might be affected when Phoebe returns since she and Rizwan had distinct methods in solving cases together. On another note, Lloyd-Jones also mentioned the blossoming “bromance” between their characters, and it’ll be intriguing to observe how this relationship evolves with Phoebe’s return.

I appreciate how well we connected, and I found it quite enjoyable. It’s not often we see characters, particularly male ones, being less competitive from the start in TV shows or movies. What made this stand out for me was the unique portrayal of these two men who seemed more at ease with their masculinity bonding so swiftly. This was especially noticeable in the last episode when Simon showed a deep emotional side with Rizwan. I found it refreshing and crucial to the storyline.

In the previous episode prior to the hiatus (available for rewatch with a Peacock subscription), Simon confided in Rizwan about his brother who took his life years ago, a fact that their mother had kept hidden from him for a considerable period. This revelation not only provided more insight into Simon’s character but also enriched the developing romantic storyline… just before Phoebe made her comeback.

It’s yet to be determined how the trio’s relationship will shape up following Simon joining Alec’s team alongside Rizwan. As for “The Irrational,” there’s still a lot more Season 2 content to come, running well into 2025 television schedules. When I quizzed Max Lloyd-Jones about the evolving dynamic among the three research assistants, he offered some insights:

Introducing fresh faces to a collaborative setting always brings about change, and it seems particularly intriguing in this case because it’s rare to find characters with a pre-existing relationship on a show that I haven’t encountered before. In essence, I’ve been temporarily stepping into her role for a while now.

Essentially, everyone except Rizwan is encountering fresh dynamics within their relationships due to new members joining. Simon, having only collaborated with Rizwan at a peer level thus far, and Phoebe rejoining a team that’s undergone significant transformation, are both in this situation. Given that they are all seasoned professionals in the field of human behavior analysis, they might handle any emerging tensions swiftly. However, as the series consistently demonstrates, even the most rational individuals can act irrationally… Lloyd-Jones continued.

In this new scenario, it becomes essential to determine who takes charge and who has the most expertise. Given Phoebe’s extended tenure, she likely possesses more experience in this role. However, she is no longer present, and I am now here instead. This situation creates an intriguing dance, which we will explore throughout much of the season as we figure out the ideal dynamic for everyone involved. There’s a lot of enjoyable tension and drama that arises from this uncertainty.

Don’t miss out on the upcoming episode titled “The Wrong Side of Maybe,” airing on November 26. This will be the first case for the trio working together, and it seems there might be an adjustment period for everyone involved. Whether Phoebe will take up ping pong by the end of the series remains to be seen – watch the video below to find out!

It’s evident that “The Irrational” isn’t abandoning the storyline about Alec potentially erasing the scars from the devastating fire that dominated Season 1. Tune in to see how this develops for Alec and his enlarged squad with fresh episodes every Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on NBC, after “The Voice”. Don’t forget to catch up on previous episodes currently streaming on Peacock.

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2024-11-26 15:07