When the Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo dramedy UnPrisoned debuted as Onyx Collective’s most-watched Hulu premiere in March 2023 and became the most-watched original scripted series of the year, a second seasoned seemed like a sure bet. Yet renewal news for the Tracy McMillan-created show of which Yvette Lee Bowser is executive producer and showrunner, came later than fans, and perhaps even the cast, anticipated, with the writers and actors strikes delaying the green light until November of last year.
“Getting a season two is such a dream come true on any show, but to live through the strike and be able to be together felt like we’d really survived something,” lead actress and executive producer Washington tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I think we’re even more grateful, more appreciative. And as a producer, there was a different level of support for the writers room. Kind of a lean in to Tracy and support for Yvette, and really making sure that we were making deadlines, but staying brave and courageous in the comedy and in the emotion.”
Comedy is the unifying element of the series, which is based on McMillan’s lived experience growing up with a father who was in and out of prison for a combined total of 37 years. Lindo charismatically embodies the role of Edwin Alexander, based on McMillan’s father Harold, while Washington portrays Paige Alexander, the not-yet-healed version of McMillan still working through the ways in which her strained relationship with her father affects her romantic relationships. That subject is one that’s further dealt with in season two, as Paige tries a new approach to singlehood after breaking up with her dad’s parole officer Mal (Marque Richardson), which leaves her quite literally in a tricky position when she takes a pole class taught by Mal’s new girlfriend (P-Valley’s Brandee Evans) in an effort to prove she can remain friends with him. The topic is also explored in the hilariously challenging family therapy sessions initiated by Paige’s son Finneas (Faly Rakotohavana) and facilitated by recurring guest star and somewhat rival psychologist John Stamos.
“I love that Mal challenges Paige to be more of a grown-up, and I think it’s great to see Paige being willing to try to do things differently and to put herself back out there and to not feel safe just because of the boundaries that she creates in relationships, but to also try to feel safe in intimacy. That is the real challenge for her,” says Washington, who also enjoyed the way Stamos’ Murphy provoked her character.
“Some of those scenes were really tough, but he’s just a delight,” she adds of working with Stamos. “I loved every second of working with him, every second.”
Below, Washington chats more about working with Stamos and Evans in season two and why, despite a sometimes difficult subject matter, the ultimate goal of UnPrisoned is to spark joy.
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Episode one ends on an emotional note when Paige (Washington) asks Edwin (Lindo) to come back and live with her and Finn (Faly Rakotohavana). Did you shoot this season in sequence, and what was filming that scene like for you?
We shot it relatively in sequence. We did one and two together and three and four together, so kind of in order. Definitely not like a play, right? We jumped around a lot, but it’s truly, truly a dream come true. I dig for the best I have, because you don’t want to bring the wrong offerings to the feet of your hero. I want to make sure that he’s in a tennis match that he wants to be in. So I’m always striving to meet him with the same level of excellence and focus and commitment and clarity that he brings to the game.
The addition of John Stamos this season is so good.
It’s so good!
What was it like working with him?
So fun. He’s so great. John is a fan of the show, number one, which was so wonderful. And he is funny, generous, courageous and so playful. He brought such a sense of play to the set. And it was great because some of those scenes were really tough, but he’s just a delight. I loved every second of working with him, every second.
There’s a greater exploration of generational trauma this season, particularly seeing things through Finn’s lens and Paige’s concern that what she experienced as a result of her dad’s choices is now being experienced by her son. Can you talk about that storyline direction?
First of all, Faly’s just such an incredible actor and when we were watching him unfold, kind of witnessing his talent continue to blossom through season one, we knew that in season two we had to give him a lot more to do. It felt like he was the right reason for Edwin and Paige to be willing to go places that they’ve never gone before in therapy, and in life, because they share this love for this kid. His journey has become so central to the show, because the thing that inspires Paige and Edwin to grow is their love for Finn. And Fal is just so good. Like in those therapy scenes, I love how much Finn loves John Stamos’ character and we don’t. That alone is one of the funniest elements of the season.
John Stamos’ therapist with the Alexander family in season two.
Hulu
Brandee Evans also guest stars this season and Paige comes out of her comfort zone a bit with the pole dancing class.
Isn’t she so good?
So good. What was shooting those scenes like for you? Did you ask Brandee for any tips because of her P-Valley role?
Of course. First of all, Brandee was the answer to our prayers because we needed somebody who was an incredible pole dancer, but also an incredible actress. And also somebody who was so beautiful, so smart and so sophisticated that she would make Paige spin out. So it was like, who are we gonna find? Who is this actress who has all the things: talented, good dancer, gorgeous, sexy, smart? And Brandee came along and, literally, it was like the heavens opened up. She was perfect. And it was funny because I put an SOS out to a bunch of friends, like, “I need to find an actress who’s all of these things.” And three people came back to me with Brandee. I hadn’t met her before, even though we have friends in common, but I loved every second of working with her. She gave me a lot of tips and tricks. She’s like a real girl’s girl, you know? Her heart is so beautiful. And as a fan of P-Valley, I was like, this is a dream.
This show takes a humorous approach to a difficult subject that affects a lot of people. What reactions to season one have stuck out to you the most?
One of the things that’s been amazing to me, and I’ve talked about this a lot, but when we premiered at SXSW, we did four sit-down interviews with journalists while we were there. And three out of the four journalists had a parent who was in the system. One was Asian, one was Latin and one was Black. So I think the way that the show is resonating with people because of the way that this so-called justice system impacts so many of us has been amazing. But then also, the ways that people see themselves in the show, even if they haven’t been in contact with the criminal justice system. Just because of our complicated relationships with our parents, parents who’ve been able to be there for us or not be there for us. Or being concerned about generational trauma and how it lives from parent to child to grandchild. It’s been really rewarding to hear how people see themselves in the story. The way that people love the tone of the show makes me really happy, because people love that it’s a comedy. People love that even though we’re talking about tough stuff, we’re doing it in a way that’s important to us. That the show, even though it’s really honest and really goes to some tough places emotionally, it’s also meant to spark joy.
UnPrisoned releases new episodes Wednesdays on Hulu.
