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Spoilers below forHomecomingseasons one and two.
The mid-credits scene inHomecomingsfirst-season finaleoffered a big moment in the life of a minor character.
But was she, really?
Without the podcast to rely on, how did you approach creating a story from scratch this time around?
Obviously, that evolved into the television version of season one.
It wasnt so locked down with two people in a room.
We were able to paint with a bigger brush on a bigger canvas.
The shock for Colin might mirror the shock for our viewers.
That was an exciting way of launching the new season.
In the writing of season two, we connected [her with] the story of the Jackie character.
What were you looking for in an actor to play Jackie?
And how did you cast Janelle Monae?
The character is not that great of a person, by any means.
The other thing was that Janelle can physically embody the tension or interest of a scene.
Shes such a visual performer, and we were really interested in having season two be more visual.
Kyle Patrick Alvarez, the director, was a great partner in that.
What excited you about watching Janelle and Hong working together?
Horowitz:The characters are obviously so different, and theyre also so different as performers.
Janelle and her character are always pushing things forward, and Hong and Audrey are more watchful and evaluating.
Did you know from the beginning that you wanted Audreys partner to be a woman?
It gave the season more texture.
Tell me about casting Chris Cooper as the mysterious Mr. Geist.
Horowitz:He was the first person we asked for that part.
Hes just so devoted.
We knew there wouldnt be any shying away from the warts of the character.
His scenes with Joan Cusack are exceptional, especially in the finale.
She accepts her fate easily, and seems to even admire what Geist did.
Its maybe not a scene that is 100 percent narratively necessary.
It was just a total pleasure to watch them rip into it that way.
He got her, basically, and game respects game, as they say.
She has to tip her hat off to him because he pulled out the rug from under her.
Thats just how it goes.
Just gotta lie back in the dirt and wait.
Were Sam Esmail and Julia Roberts involved in season two?
Bloomberg:They surprised us on set one day.
But then we realized they were physically sitting at the set that we were shooting at.
It was a practical joke.
That was really funny and made the day pretty exciting.
Julia and her company have been long-standing supporters, from the podcast through the TV show.
Had either one of you worked with Kyle before?
Beyond that, he just had this tremendous energy and enthusiasm.
Thats the biggest parallel between him and Sam, beyond any specific references or shooting styles.
Its just that drive to really make every shot count.
Its a cool second-watch opportunity.
When we wrote it, we thought of it as an interesting, tense moment.
On some shows when they pull out all the stops, theyre talking about spaceships exploding.
Walter has changed a bit this season, too.
Did you see any differences in Stephan James as an actor this time around?
Horowitz:We did!
In season one, we talked about Walter as almost a damsel in distress.
Hes so earnest and trusting and you care for him.
Stephan was excited about that from the moment we told him.
Hes just such a pro.
Every day, he was so prepared and so ready, such a steady presence.
So, is Walter heading to Florida next?
Hes last seen driving away with some files about Homecoming.
You know, theres a couple of different things on that list.
Theres the guys from the [Homecoming] program, God knows where they are.
And there is Heidi at the top.
But, like last season, were enjoying presenting something that can be read in multiple ways.
It seems he does.
Do you want to clear this up?
Horowitz:It seems that its somewhere in there, right?
Theres what we call in your bones memory, thats just about who you are.
And theres also the sense of what happens when these two specific individuals get together.
Its almost like when you connect with an ex and you fall into patterns.
Its not even necessarily because of memories.
And so, even among the two of us, weve probably had different interpretations of that scene.
Its not just a yes or no thing.
Who was the brilliant person that foundNina Simones version of My Wayfor the very end of the season?
I had never heard that.
He came in and he said, I have a crazy idea.
Without spoiling the end of the season, you do leave some loose ends.
Will we see these same characters again if you produce a third season?
Once you see them, it feels natural and connected thats the goal, at least.
Is that vague enough to be meaningless?
