In the Netflix limited series The Beast in Me, Aggie (Claire Danes) is still struggling to return to some sense of normalcy after the death of her young son and having trouble finding motivation to write her latest book. When Nile (Matthew Rhys), a powerful figure in real estate who many believe killed his first wife, moves in next door, Aggie knows this is a story she has to investigate.
Awards Buzz spoke with showrunner, writer, and executive producer Howard Gordon about how this show feels like a departure from the government and spy-centered past projects of his like 24, Homeland, and The X-Files.
“For me, it was a relief. I was like, oh, thank God! No, really, it was actually so interesting to be rid of that in a way. But your chops that you develop, whether it’s suspense or understanding, not mechanically or film school-y (not that I went to film school), what suspense is, or how to pace a show, but those same kind of chops were brought to bear on this show. In fact, it was very difficult because essentially it was a fairly static show. Two lonely people who don’t interact on a regular basis with other people, one writes a book about the other person. When you think about it, that’s kind of what happens! Obviously a lot more happens! That was my job, to figure out what were the dramatics of what was a potentially static premise.”
He also shared his gradual acceptance of Netflix’s all-at-once premiere model:
“This is a recent epiphany, and I hope I’m not speaking out of school regarding biting the hand that feeds me, but with regard to all episodes being dropped at one time, I really have in the past had a hard adjustment recognizing that’s how people are watching. I hate to use the word consuming content, but how they’re watching their stories. It feels like just by definition, neurologically, you take it in differently. Let me put it that way. I won’t put a judgment on it. I have always been very skeptical. I personally enjoyed the week-to-week delivery and curation of a show.”
Watch the video above to hear about reuniting with his Homeland star Danes and how he feels about a possible second season of this limited series.
The Beast in Me is streaming on Netflix.
