In this week’s episode of Bingeworthy, our TV and streaming podcast host Mike DeAngelo hits the books to discuss “Lessons in Chemistry.” Set in the 1950s, The Apple TV+ series follows Elizabeth Zott and her dream of being a chemist, which is put on hold when she finds herself pregnant, alone, and fired from her lab. The Emmy-nominated limited series stars Brie Larson, Lewis Pullman, Alice Halsey, Rainn Wilson, Aja Naomi King, Beau Bridges, and more.
READ MORE: ‘‘Lessons In Chemistry’ Review: Brie Larson Anchors Ambitious Adaptation Of Hit Book
Joining Bingeworthy to discuss the series is one of the stars & executive producers of the show, Brie Larson, who plays Zott. During the interview, Larson discussed being on the project from day one — which was actually years before the book was even published.
“They sent me the book probably like two or three years before it was going to be published. So it was a very rare thing. I’ve never had anything quite like that before,” Brie shared. “Sometimes you get books early, but this was really early. And it was just like my little secret, I have to say. So I said yes immediately because Bonnie is just a genius. And I was obsessed with her writing, the tone, the style, Elizabeth, all of it. And then we took it to Apple and they said yes. And we had this fun little joke that we were like, OK, we’re just going to keep going and try to make the show until someone says no. And no one really said no in the end.”
Larson serves as an Executive Producer on the series, which is not just a title in name. Larson discussed wanting to produce the series not to enforce her creative ideas but specifically to cultivate an optimal on-set experience.
“The point of being an Executive Producer on this was to really be all in with it and to help craft the team. This was all the beginning of this thought that I’ve been having for a while now—I’m very interested in onset dynamics. I mean, it’s my life, you know,” Larson said. “And so if you can think of ways to make your workplace more enjoyable, you’ll do it. And so, for me, I found that this concept of cast and crew was just really bothering me because I think it creates this silent division between who’s in front of the camera and who’s behind it. And when I think a set is working really well is when that division isn’t there. When everybody’s working together, nobody feels like their job is more important than somebody else’s. But ultimately, we all have the shared goal of making the best thing possible. And if everyone’s bought into that genuinely, then you never want to leave work.”
Larson has previously discussed holding onto qualities of previous characters she’s played like Captain Marvel’s confidence. With “Lessons in Chemistry,” Larson found herself with an embarrassment of riches in that department.
“There was very little in Elizabeth I wouldn’t want to keep,” Larson admitted. “I like expressing my emotions more than she does. So I’m going to not do that. But there’s no subtext with her. Her communication style is very simple in that way. She’s saying what she means, and she means what she says. She also really takes people at face value as well. She’s not somebody that is thinking about their subtext either. It’s like, okay, you’re saying that that’s what we’re doing. And there’s a simplicity in communication with that. I loved it. And it also means that there’s a certain level of confidence. She has a lot of confidence in herself and what she’s capable of doing. And it’s not showy. It just makes everything very easy.”
Lewis Pullman, Larson’s co-star in “Lessons in Chemistry,” recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a secret role in Marvel’s “Thunderbolts*,” which is rumored to be the superhero Sentry. Larson has been known to reach out to new additions to the superhero world, but in this instance, she didn’t feel the need to give pointers.
“He knows all about it. He’s got it,” Larson said. “I do reach out when I when I discover [casting news]. And, to be clear, I find out when everybody else finds out. I don’t get any like secret tip-offs when people become superheroes. But yeah, I do, specifically with women. I feel the need to reach out, and they don’t have to talk to me or not. There are a lot of really specific things in terms of how to prepare and how to keep stamina, and to enjoy the experience. And I feel like I went through it. And if I can just pass on a couple of things so that people don’t have to start at zero, they can at least have something.”
“It’s a very strange experience to play a superhero because it’s this outwardly, very confident, strong being,” Larson continued. “And to imagine myself first doing it and to feel like, ‘oh my gosh, what am I doing? Do I know how to do this?’ To think of other people experiencing that, it’s very difficult to play a confident character if you feel scared. So if I can help people and be like, ‘hey, I’m in your pocket, if you need anything, if you’re on set and you’re like, oh my gosh, I’m really struggling to do scenes with a tape mark. I’m here. I’ll talk with you about it.’ There are things that are just unique challenges to that world. And I’m always happy to share them so that people can have a leg up.”
So when does Larson’s Captain Marvel return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Larson was understandably tight-lipped, but, as opposed to the traditional “I haven’t heard anything from anyone” excuse, Larson at least confirmed there were plans.
“There are things that I know, but I can’t I can’t tell you,” Brie teased with a laugh. “And I can’t even say that I don’t know anything because that might mean that there’s something to say or not say. So I’ll just say that I can’t say.”
“Lessons in Chemistry” is currently streaming on Apple TV+. Listen to the full interview below:
The Playlist Presents – Brie Larson’s TV Recommendation Playlist:
1.) “The Mole” (2001-2024) – Created By Bart De Pauw, Michiel Devlieger, Tom Lenaerts, Michel Vanhove
2.) “Midnight Gospel” (2020) – Created By Duncan Trussell
3.) “Omnivore” (2024) – Created By Cary Joji Fukunaga, Matt Goulding, René Redzepi
Bingeworthy is part of The Playlist Podcast Network, which includes The Playlist Podcast, Deep Focus, The Discourse and more. We can be heard on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, and most places where podcasts are found. You can stream the podcast via the embed within the article or click on the lead image at the top page. Be sure to subscribe and drop us a comment or a rating, as we greatly appreciate it. Thank you for listening.
