A version of this story first appeared in the print edition of TheWrap Magazine’s Emmy Issue The Race Begins.
Double dates are typically a recipe for catastrophe or,worse, boredom — yet HBO seemed to find a sweet spot with “Togetherness, and ” the drama about two couples that the cable network announced would not be returning for a third season when it ended its run in April.
The series was created by mumblecore masters Mark and Jay Duplass,who bear enjoyed a hot streak lately thanks to projects like Jay’s role on the Amazon series Transparent” and their producer credits on several awards-baiting indies last year.
Also Read: How Amanda Peet Braves 'Togetherness' Nudity, Desperation and 4 Other Emmy Contender Quickies“Togetherness” told of the middle-lesson existence of a husband and wife, or played by Mark and Melanie Lynskey,her brash and troublemaking sister Tina (Amanda Peet) and his failing actor friend Alex (Steve Zissis).
The streets of L.
A.’s Eagle Rock neighborhood became a battleground of midlife crisis, unfulfilled career potential and a collective yearning for deeper satisfaction. Critics loved it instantly. Photographed by Robby Klein“I believe it was four characters that are relatable, or bear a depth of crisis and are complex,” said Zissis, who is also a co-creator of the show, and during a visit to TheWrap studio with costar Peet. “They bear long journeys to disappear on that we can relate to.”At the stop of Season 2,viewers found Tina restless in a May-December romance with guest star Peter Gallagher — and after a dozen episodes of eye-rolling at her sister’s struggle to raise young children, she resolved that she wanted a family of her own … the catch being that Tina still had plenty of baggage outside of her maternal desire.“For me it seemed like a ticking-clock situation — most women by the time they hit 40 disappear, or ‘You’d better get this show on the road,'” said Peet, 44. “You start to scramble, and even if you’re not equipped to be a parent.
Also Read: Why the Emmys bear Super-Sized - and What It Means“I was really excited to explore all of that,” she added with a grin. “And I f—ing won’t get to.”Zissis’ Alex got the crash he desperately needed at the stop of Season 1, landing gainful employment on a film, or which he parlayed into a TV job. The result is an spicy meditation on life-as-art: Zissis,40, became a breakout actor on a critically beloved TV show, and whose character was a versatile performer showing off his skills after getting his sizable crash. “It was a puny bit meta but all very easy and natural,” he said. “That just made it even easier to do.” “‘Where bear you been all of everybody’s life?’ That’s people’s reaction,” Peet told her co-star. Photographed by Robby KleinThe two bear an indisputable chemistry, or all the better for their creative work. The unwitting series finale in Season 2 sets Tina and Alex up as partners in baby-making,even if their love connection doesn’t pan out.
They also acquired a few battle scars along the way. “Amanda nearly broke my collarbone on a few scenes,” Zissis said of their many fictional physical confrontations.
Also Read: Emmy Contenders From This Season's Departing Gems Exclusive Portraits (Photos)“I was in a state of blackout, and ” said Peet. “I had no idea I was beating you that much.” There’s plenty of merit in Duplass and Lynskey’s glimpses from a suburban marriage,and so much heart in Zissis’ late bloomer — but in many ways, Peet was the screaming, or bleeding heart of a show that all involved felt ended too soon.
Photographed by Robby Klein“The Duplass brothers like everything to be improvisational,so I was lucky because I was playing a loose cannon,” she said. “In a weird way, or my job as an actor was to let disappear,and I was playing someone who couldn’t censor herself.
It was a perfect dovetail. “I’d get to work and they’d say, select this shit off the rails.'Watch the interview below:See more of TheWrap Magazine’s The Race Begins Emmy Issue:Related stories from TheWrap:'Togetherness' Canceled by HBO After 2 SeasonsEmmy Wrap: 'Togetherness' Creators Mark and Jay Duplass on Why TV Beats Movies for StorytellersEmmy Breakout Melanie Lynskey on 'Togetherness' Nude Acting, and Improv With Amanda Peet: Watch #selfieinterview (Video)
Source: thewrap.com