Last Updated on November 11, 2024 by Angel Melanson
During a recent interview for her new Apple TV+ series Before, we asked Perdita Durango star Rosie Perez how she'd feel about returning to the universe. Perez survives Iglesia's 1997 film, and stranger things have happened in this era of legacy reboots. “It would be great because Álex de la Iglesia is amazing and weird and creepy as hell. That would be great.” Perez laughs before adding one very specific factor, “I don't know if I could still wear those types of clothes or lack thereof! But yeah!”
For the unfamiliar, Perez is starring in a new psychological thriller on Apple TV+ created by Billy Crystal. If that's not enough of a hook to pique your curiosity, showrunner Sarah Thorp cites reference points that include classics like Jacob’s Ladder, Don’t Look Now, and The Shining. Do we have your attention?
Thorp also shared that Perez was initially offered a different part, which she turned down. At that point, they had a conversation with her about another role she ultimately ended up playing: “We had this really long Zoom with her, and it was just so clear right away that she was going to do something amazing with this part.” said Thorp, adding: “The second we got off the Zoom, we all knew that it was her for sure.”
So much so that they expanded the role specifically for Perez. Good call. Perez says she was drawn to the role of a foster mom willing to do anything for this child, and the theme “If you don't get past your past, it will come back to haunt you.”
There was also a fear about stepping into the part: “When they offered me this other role, it really did scare me because I knew that I would have to dig deep and just kind of step up to the plate, of the challenge of it all.”
Before stars Crystal as Eli, a child psychiatrist who recently lost his wife, Lynn (Judith Light). He soon encounters a troubled young boy, Noah (Jacobi Jupe), who seems to have a haunting connection to his past. As Eli attempts to help Noah, their mysterious bond deepens, sparking haunting memories and unearthing unsettling secrets about the past. Alongside Perez and Crystal, the supernatural mystery series stars multi-Emmy and Tony Award-winner Judith Light, Jacobi Jupe, Tony Award-nominee Maria Dizzia and Ava Lalezarzadeh.
The ten-episode atmospheric and character-driven psychological thriller is created by Sarah Thorp who also serves as showrunner, writer and executive producer. Crystal executive produces alongside Eric Roth (Killers of the Flower Moon, Dune); pilot director Adam Bernstein (Silo, Billions) and producing director Jet Wilkinson (The Chi, Truth Be Told);
The first four episodes are now streaming on Apple TV+, followed by new episodes every Friday through December 20.
Watch our full interview with Before star Rosie Perez below. For more, check out our interviews with showrunner Sarah Thorp and stars Billy Crystal and Jacobi Jupe.
