The Emmy winner takes on a far more reserved role in the Hulu political thriller.
Fogelman first had the idea forParadiseover a decade ago, well before he met Brown.
It was still close enough to 9/11 where it gave you a jolt beyond just What’s going on?
Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden in ‘Paradise’.Disney/Ser Baffo
I wonder how long loyalty holds with the people who take care of him.
He just didnt realize he was writing it as a vehicle for Brown.
“I wrote the pilot script, he says.
James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown in ‘Paradise’.Disney/Brian Roedel
I had already set up the show.
Luckily, Brown fell in love with the script (and already held deep affection for Fogelman).
Hes been so supportive.
Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden in ‘Paradise’.Disney/Ser Baffo
He was one of the first people to rave aboutWaves.
Adds Fogelman: Theres nothing I dont think Sterling can do.
It was like a family reunion and that made it all the more special, Brown says.
But those behind-the-scenes connections are pretty much where the parallels end.
It’s a political thriller, Fogelman explains.
It’s edge-of-your-seat [viewing] with a lot of plot and twists and turns.
OnThis Is Us,the plot was determined by a series of conversations and feelings.
This one has a lot more plot.
Where there’s similarities is the show delves into a lot of backstories and relationships.
Ultimately, its about families and the lengths we go to take care of one another.
But they’re very different shows with Sterling and I being a little bit of connective tissue.
Xavier is a much more reserved person, Brown explains.
Randall’s a bit more gregarious.
Xavier plays his cards much closer to the chest.
He’s not a big personality in the same way that Randall Pearson is.
“It’s a real muscular role for Sterling, says Fogelman.
Xavier is a quiet guy.
He’s internal as opposed to external.
There’s a real young Denzel action hero in him here, a very alpha old school action hero.
He did tons of weapons training, so that he would look like a trained officer.
Though he also made sure to go straight to the source.
And then just start talking to them about positions of readiness what are they scanning for?
Does the scanning ever stop?
What do they pay particular attention to?
How do they know when a threat is neutralized?
Another thing thats changed sinceThis Is Us?Fogelman has made peace with being known as a twist guy.
“Im older now, Fogelman sighs, explaining his initial reluctance to the moniker.
I was so nervous about people spoiling anything [whenThis Is Usstarted].
It was a different age of the internet.
“I like television that makes you pay attention and that will surprise you, he continues.
Its such a fun way to experience television.
His relationship with the president was layered and complex, Brown teases.
It wasn’t always the happiest of relationships.
There’s a deep betrayal that transpires between my character and the president.
“What is a person’s paradise?
was an interesting notion to me.
One man’s paradise is another’s hell.
