Interview: Sterling K. Brown & James Marsden on Starring in Hulu Thriller Series Paradise
ComingSoon Senior Editor Brandon Schreur spoke to Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden about the new Hulu series Paradise. Brown and Marsden discussed working with This Is Us’ Dan Fogelman on the project, collaborating together on set, and more.
“Paradise is set in an upscale community inhabited by some of the world’s most prominent individuals,” the synopsis for the show reads. “But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs and a high-stakes investigation unfolds.”
The first three episodes of Paradise will premiere on Hulu on January 28, 2025.
Brandon Schreur: Sterling, you’ve obviously worked with Dan before on This Is Us. I think it’s fair to say this show is kind of different, in a lot of ways. There’s a lot of drama in both shows that really tugs on the heartstrings, but Paradise is so full of twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. When you first got word that Dan was doing this new show for Hulu and wanted you to be in it, what was your reaction when you read through the script for the first time? Was this what you were expecting?
Sterling K. Brown: You know, I don’t know what I was expecting. I was wondering if it was going to be like This Is Us because, he told me, ‘It’s completely different. It’s a very different character, it’s not like Randall at all, but I think you could do something special with it.’ Then I read it and I was like, ‘Oh, you see me.’ You know what I mean? Like, I appreciated that somebody who has seen me do a character for such a long time had the faith in me that I could do something else.
It was a matter of, ‘When do we start?’ It wasn’t even a question of, ‘I don’t know, I’ve got a couple of other things that are going on.’ I was like, ‘No, this is the project.’ I told my agent, my manager, that let’s clear everything else out because we’re going to make this thing happen.
Sure, I love that. James, you’re a lot of fun to watch in this as Cal Bradford. You’re so good, just in general, at playing really likable characters and translating that energy onto the screen. Here, it’s really cool because you’re super likable but, at the same time, you’re harboring a lot of secrets, potentially. There’s a lot going on with Cal. I’m curious how this role compares to some of your other recent projects like Sonic the Hedgehog or Jury Duty. Is it fun getting to play someone who is likable but also has so many layers to him?
James Marsden: Yeah, that’s my favorite thing about it, really. And that it’s in such stark contrast to those other projects that you just mentioned. It couldn’t be more different than Jury Duty or Sonic. But, yeah, it takes on a very different tone. Variety is the spice of life. I get excited about playing different types of roles and different moods and genres.
With this one, Dan found me at the Emmys last year. He was like, ‘Hey, I have something for you, I feel like you’re kind of perfect for it, would you take a look?’ I read the script and was excited to get into it.
I also liked that, with this character, there’s room for charisma, there’s room for a sense of humor, and there’s room for fallibility. There’s room for flaws in this character. You’re not just seeing this squeaky clean, picture-perfect president who is a stiff bore. You’re seeing somebody who is a human being. That, really, is what attracted me to the role.
Brown: The president bangs. He bangs.
The funniest president ever. The two of you share a lot of scenes together throughout the show, and there’s a lot of different tones that those scenes take. I’m just kind of wondering what it was like working together. Some moments are so intense, while others are pretty hilarious when you’re just kind of going back and forth. What was it like working with each other?
Brown: A joy, man. I’m down with James. He’s a cool dude and he’s a great actor. For most of these scenes, honestly, he had the lion’s share of what to do because Cal Bradford talks. Like, a lot. I was like, all I really had to do was listen and look into James’ eyes, and things just sort of happened magically. He’s incredibly gracious, kind, and awesome.
Marsden: And the generosity was reciprocated with him. This man doesn’t need to say a word and you feel the weight of his presence. It’s really, really, like, addictive, actually. But we had some yaks. Is it yaks or yucks?
Brown: Yucks.
Marsden: Yucks. It’s been a long day. We had actual, big woolly mammoths that came to set one day! [Laughs]. We messed around. I loved that he had a sense of humor because there is a component to their relationship where they did have to have a good time. And Cal was like, ‘I’m going to make it my challenge to crack this nut and make him loosen up, relax, and see a movie.’ Then, when it got real, Sterling obviously understood the assignment. And I tried to the best I could.
Brown: He did
Marsden: We both kind of knew what it took when the scenes got really heavy.
Brown: We had a great time.
Marsden: Yeah, that didn’t take away from the good time.
Source: ComingSoon