'Paradise' Stars Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Doherty

Summary

All Of It with Alison Stewart

Episode: ‘Paradise’ Stars Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Doherty
Airdate: March 26, 2026
Guests: Julianne Nicholson (“Sinatra”) and Thomas Doherty (“Link”)
Theme: A deep-dive with the stars of Hulu’s “Paradise” on world-building, character complexity, and the mysteries at the heart of the show as its second season finale approaches.

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Episode Overview

In this engaging, spoiler-alert conversation, Alison Stewart is joined in studio by Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Doherty, leads of the Hulu series Paradise. As the show’s second season races toward its suspenseful finale, Stewart explores the intricate world-building, the psychology of survival, the blurred lines between villain and hero, and the sci-fi twists driving fan speculation. This episode features behind-the-scenes insights, actor perspectives on character development, discussion of major plot points (with fair warning!), and a lively Q&A with listeners.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Building the World of Paradise

(03:03–04:19)

• Show’s Construction: Nicholson discusses the detailed “Bible” sent to cast:

  “They thought about everything… restaurants that were there, the hair salons… the specificity of it that I loved.” (03:23, Nicholson)

• Survival Above Ground: Doherty describes preparing for the role of Link, whose survival is rooted in primitive instincts:

  “When you’re talking about apocalypse… people definitely kind of defer back to their most primitive survival instincts. So there’s a lot of violence, a lot of death…” (04:21, Doherty)

2. Leadership, Control, and Hard Choices

(04:57–06:04)

• Sinatra's Motivation: Nicholson explains her character’s secrecy and caution:

  “If people understand there are survivors, then… there is no room for another person in our bunker… Any outside influence is a nightmare.” (05:09, Nicholson)

• Protectiveness vs. Control:

  “She’s such a control freak, and anything that diverges from her plan is cause for major concern.” (05:47, Nicholson)

3. Link: Complexity and Defense Mechanisms

(06:16–08:26)

• Charming Yet Menacing:

  “It’s a defense mechanism… surviving is not just fresh water and food, it’s also the emotional toll.” (06:16, Doherty)

• Transformation for the Role: Doherty on adopting the “burly” look:

  “That’s how I was auditioned… Burly man.” (07:16, Doherty)

• Accent Work: Praise from Nicholson for Doherty’s American accent:

  “I never hear your… the Scotsman when we’re acting.” (07:54, Nicholson)
  Doherty reflects on the difference:
  “The beautiful thing about the American accent… what comes out is very directly connected to what’s felt.” (08:26, Doherty)

4. Sinatra’s Vulnerability and Motherhood

(09:23–11:34)

• Character Growth:

  “She thought… if you had enough money, enough power… you could control everything… and she has been disavowed of that belief.” (09:23, Nicholson)

• Motherhood as Motivation:

  “It all does stem from the loss of her son. That’s the impetus behind everything… she never recovers.” (10:41, Nicholson)

• Family Dynamics:

  “You see her coming back to her family a little bit… you see the thing that’s most important to her.” (11:34, Nicholson)

• Memorable Praise:

  “The scene where you come back to your husband… is so beautiful, honestly. It’s a hard scene to do.” (11:34, Doherty)

5. Who is the Villain?

(11:47–12:55)

• Villainy and Moral Ambiguity:

  “For sure. Yeah. She sits beside me.” (11:51, Doherty, joking about Nicholson-as-Sinatra) “Do people who do evil things know they’re doing evil things, or do they think they're doing the right thing?... All that really does is breed compassion.” (12:07, Doherty)

• Sinatra’s Perspective:

  “Yes, 100%. She thinks she’s doing the right thing. Greater good.” (12:57, Nicholson)

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Spoiler Section: Time, Identity, and Sci-fi Mysteries

Spoiler alert issued (13:02, Stewart).

6. Time, Alex, and Identity

(13:43–18:18)

• Link’s “Tricky Relationship with Time”:

  “Link doesn’t really know… He’s highly, highly intelligent. …Nothing is impossible with what we’re dealing with.” (14:38, Doherty)

• The Issue of “Alex”:

  “Should we be thinking about Alex in a different way?” (19:39, Stewart) — Speculation about Alex’s nature (AI? A thing? A person?) is left unresolved, as both actors dodge spoilers.

• Sinatra’s Connection to Link/Dylan:

  “She does believe it, and it gives her peace… a level of relief and release that she’s been holding so tightly for almost 20 years.” (16:14, Nicholson)

• Quantum Mechanics and Faith:

  “You have to sort of… have faith is what it is. …You just have to trust the writing.” (17:31–18:08, Nicholson & Doherty)

• Fan Theories: Actors delight in the range of wild theories (alternative universes, body-swapping, AI, etc.), appreciating engaged viewership:

  “It’s such a thrill to be on a show that people are that excited about.” (18:49, Nicholson)

7. The Actors’ Process: Navigating Uncertainty

(19:21–23:34)

• Information During Filming:

  “Maybe broad strokes, but not the specifics… We don’t see all the scripts right away.” (19:28, Nicholson)

• Performing Without Full Knowledge:

  “I had the information, but you just have to actually put it out of your mind and take the scenes as they come.” (21:53, Nicholson) “My turnaround was so quick… I was kind of just thrown into this.” (22:31, Doherty)

• Making Sci-Fi Feel Real:

  “You just have to believe… commit.” (23:25, Nicholson) “You can really just throw yourself at an immerse… Working with Julian Nicholson and Sterling K. Brown and Shailene Woodley… bring a performance out of you.” (23:36, Doherty)

8. Fan Questions and Oddities

• The Mysterious Nosebleeds:

  “Can you explain the nosebleeds to me?”
  “No. We’re still wondering ourselves. It’s Alex’s fault. Blame it on Alex.” (24:05–24:16, Stewart, Nicholson, Doherty)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“You see her coming back to her family a little bit… you see the thing that’s most important to her.”
— Julianne Nicholson on Sinatra’s arc, (11:34)

“Do people who do evil things know they’re doing evil things, or do they think they’re doing the right thing? …All that really does is breed compassion.”
— Thomas Doherty, reflecting on villainy, (12:07)

“She does believe it, and it gives her peace… a level of relief and release she’s been holding so tightly for almost 20 years.”
— Julianne Nicholson on Sinatra and Link/Dylan’s connection, (16:14)

“It’s such a thrill to be on a show that people are that excited about and are talking about and, like, letting their minds wander about.”
— Julianne Nicholson, on fan engagement, (18:49)

“You just have to believe the facts that have been written for you and just commit.”
— Julianne Nicholson, on grounding sci-fi storytelling, (23:25)

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Timestamps: Important Segments

• [03:03] – Nicholson on Paradise’s world-building “Bible”
• [04:21] – Doherty on apocalyptic survival instincts
• [05:09] – Nicholson on motivations behind secrecy
• [06:16] – Doherty on Link’s emotional survival
• [09:23] – Nicholson on Sinatra’s vulnerability and change
• [10:41] – On motherhood’s impact on Sinatra
• [11:51] – Doherty on seeing other characters as villains
• [13:02] – Spoiler alert issued
• [14:38] – Time and identity mysteries with Link/Dylan
• [16:14] – Sinatra believes Link is her son
• [17:31] – Philosophizing about faith and quantum mechanics
• [18:49] – Cast on wild fan theories
• [23:25] – On performing believable sci-fi
• [24:05] – Nosebleeds and mysterious plot puzzle
• [25:25] – Nicholson reflects on doing comedy
• [26:18] – Doherty credits Nicholson for Little Shop of Horrors decision
• [27:41] – Nicholson’s advice: “It’s a long game. Do different stuff. Explore.”

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Tone and Language

The interview is light, warm, and candid, with playful banter between Stewart and both guests. Both Nicholson and Doherty are reflective and generous, speaking in an accessible, conversational style laced with humor and actorly humility. Spoilers are approached with care, while hints and philosophical musings on storytelling provide texture. The segment ends with appreciation for curiosity, risks, and the unpredictable nature of both survival in Paradise and careers in the arts.

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Summary

If you’re a “Paradise” fan racing toward the finale or just curious about modern prestige sci-fi TV, this conversation pulls you behind the curtain. Alison Stewart expertly teases out the creative process, character psychology, and showrunners’ trickery with stars Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Doherty. The discussion covers the show’s obsessive attention to detail, the moral greys of leadership, how trauma and loss shape survival, and the wild mysteries—time travel? AI overlords?—fueling speculation.

The episode doesn’t spoil the finale, but offers unique insight into how uncertainty (both for viewer and actor) is at the heart of Paradise’s appeal. Throughout, the guests embrace the complexity, humor, and thrill of storytelling that’s both grand in scope and intimately human.

(Finale airs Monday—answers (and more mysteries) await.)

Transcript

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[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. The second season finale of paradise arrives on Hulu on Monday and I am counting the days. The show is a twisty political thriller turned sci fi cover up drama turned post apocalyptic survival adventure. The penultimate episode dropped a major bomb that has something to do with my next two guests, actors Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Dougherty. That's as much as I'll say about that for now, but you can consider this a spoiler warning for later in the conversation. Nicholson plays Samantha Redmond, AKA Sinatra, the de facto leader of the underground bunker that has hosted the first season of the show. In the second season, we've gotten to see the world above and meet its survivors, including Link, played by Thomas. Link is a leader himself who has spearheaded a mission across the country to the Colorado Bunker with the Goal of killing the mysterious. And Alex Daugherty and Nicholson are here with me in studio. And listeners, we're taking your calls. If you're a Paradise fan, call in now with your thoughts and questions. Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. It is nice to meet you in person.

[Julianne Nicholson]

So nice to meet you in person.

[Alison Stewart]

It is nice to meet you in person.

[Thomas Dougherty]

It is lovely to me.

[Alison Stewart]

I, I whole thing going on over there, and I'm not sure what's going

[Thomas Dougherty]

on, but I know there was a.

[Julianne Nicholson]

I just had a panini as well.

[Thomas Dougherty]

I just had a panini. We on Good Morning America, so, you know, the coffee's kicking in.

[Julianne Nicholson]

All right. Okay.

[Thomas Dougherty]

I'm getting there.

[Alison Stewart]

That's cool. Julianne, last time we spoke to you, you said that Dan Fulgeman had a plan about season two, and you said, we've only just scratched the surface on what the construction of paradise entailed. What is something about the way that the city was constructed that struck you personally?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Oh, I think it's the attention to detail in Paradise. I mean, they thought about everything. You know, we got a Bible actually in the beginning. I mean, not an actual Bible, but there was, like, what we called a Bible, which they sent via email, which was just all the details of the place. So in terms of, you know, the restaurants that were there, the hair salons that were there, like, you know, top to bottom, it was the specificity of it that I. That I loved.

[Alison Stewart]

The other major piece of world building that happens this season is the above ground. And you think about Link having to survive above ground. What did he have to do to survive?

[Thomas Dougherty]

Yeah, I mean, the turnaround for me to film was from cast being cast to doing it was really quick. So I had to, like, really. I mean, I got my hands on this Bible, which didn't really serve me.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Not outside.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Outside, yeah.

[Caller Sophie]

Right.

[Thomas Dougherty]

But I mean, yeah, I think when you're talking about apocalypse, you're talking about the end of the world, people definitely kind of defer back to their most primitive survival instincts, you know, So I think a lot of unsavory characteristics will generally come to the forefront. So there's definitely. Yeah, I mean, people are out for themselves and everyone else is a threat. So there's a lot of violence and there's a lot of death, and there's a lot of. Behavior of that elk that he's definitely had to contend with. And so you can see why he wants to get into the bunker. So Badly.

[Alison Stewart]

Sinatra, your character has kept people underground and in the dark about the fact that there might be survivors in the outside world. Why? What does she gain by keeping people underground?

[Julianne Nicholson]

I think it's too dangerous. You know, if people understand that there are survivors, then they will probably, you know, at least one or two people out of 25,000 are gonna go want to find people, and there is no room for another person in our bunker. It has been planned for. To sustain life for this amount of people, including thinking about, like, births and deaths. Like, it's all been factored in. And so any. Any outside influence is a bad. Is. It is a nightmare. It's a. It's all done.

[Thomas Dougherty]

It's bad.

[Alison Stewart]

It's bad. Do you think she has a personal aspect of wanting to keep. Keep people down there

[Julianne Nicholson]

creepy? I think it really is about just protecting her family and protecting this community. And I think that anything. She's such a control freak, and anything that diverges from her plan is cause for major concern.

[Alison Stewart]

Link can really swing big. He can go from being completely charming to being menacing in one scene. Why do you think he's so difficult to read?

[Thomas Dougherty]

I think it's a defense mechanism, honestly. I think. And I think that's why in the first episode of season two, with the interaction with Annie, it's so poignant and so beautiful because we're seeing this young man who's been two and a half, three years on his own, really having to survive, coming up against not just the elements. I mean, again, in season, the first episode, you see kind of what transpires with all that, but with. With people, you know, and so you build up this wall. You build up this defense mechanism, these barriers, these boundaries to survive. You know, surviving is not just making sure you have fresh water and food and somewhere to sleep. It's also the emotional toll that it takes on. On you, which I imagined. You know, I'm not actually experienced that yet. Who knows with what's going on?

[Alison Stewart]

Your beard does a lot of work

[Julianne Nicholson]

for you, though, I was gonna say. Yeah. It starts with the beard.

[Alison Stewart]

Starts with the beard.

[Thomas Dougherty]

I'm actually not very good at burly beard. Yeah. And that's how I was auditioned as well.

[Alison Stewart]

Oh, really?

[Thomas Dougherty]

That's how it was described. Burly man. And I called my team, and I was like, guys, come on, Burley. Really? But I got enough burley in there.

[Alison Stewart]

You're originally from Edinburgh as people can hear. How did you work on the accent? How did you know how Linq would sound?

[Thomas Dougherty]

I went to. I went to a Dialect coach called Michael Buster. He's in LA and he's amazing. And I've worked him, I've worked with him a bunch before and in terms of. I mean I kind of. It was a general American accent I wasn't with.

[Julianne Nicholson]

It's really good. I never hear. I never hear your. You're the Scotsman. When we're acting. Do you. Did you ever hear it?

[Alison Stewart]

I didn't know. I didn't know.

[Julianne Nicholson]

No, me. The first time I heard him speak I was like, hang on.

[Thomas Dougherty]

And that says something as well. Cuz Julian lives in and I'm also

[Julianne Nicholson]

like an accent snob. So I, I didn't know at all.

[Thomas Dougherty]

That's the nicest thing you could ever. Yeah, it is. And I mean I just wanted to get it into that space where it was just coming out. Think about it.

[Alison Stewart]

You didn't have to think about it.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Yeah, that's always the aim and I didn't eventually, I mean just work in repetition and stuff. You know, you get there and the beautiful thing about the American accent is, is it's. I feel like it's very can. What comes out is very directly connected to what's been felt. Whereas with Scottish, it's almost like you have this feeling, you want to express it, but before it comes out it has to be articulated and there's like a divide there. For me, it's so micro. But that's why I love doing the American.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm speaking to actors Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Dougherty. They star in season two of the Hulu series Paradise. The season finale is on Monday. We are taking your calls. If you're a Paradise fan, call in now with your thoughts and questions. Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. Julianne, your character spends time recovering from this gunshot wound. She's determined, but something has kind of changed in her a little bit. What do you think?

[Julianne Nicholson]

I think where we find her in season two, you know, she's been. It's the most vulnerable we've ever seen her and her world has been rocked. She thought always that if you had enough money, if you had enough power that you would be able to control the outcome of everything around you. And she has been disavowed of that belief. And so I think we find her just. I mean I said to somebody else about we have her with like, her edges are a little bit softer and they're like, yeah, but she still has the President killed. So I mean it's like it's sort of a tomato tomah. But I feel like she is definitely a bit softer this year. I mean, she realizes that she can't control everything and I think that's humbling.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm interested in her as a mom, you know, because it's. What she does in a crisis is to create this entire bunker in part for her family, you know, who she then ignores. She does, but she's got to figure it out. But it's about her being a mom is a big part of it for me. I don't know, because I'm a mom, I feel that, you know, people might think she's a villain, but this season you're sort of like, is she? She is, but she isn't. Like, she could kill the president.

[Julianne Nicholson]

But that's my feel about her. Exactly. There is, yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

What is it about her role as a mom?

[Julianne Nicholson]

It's a huge part of her, of who she is, where she comes from. Because it all does stem from the loss of her son. And that's the impetus behind everything she does because she doesn't want to ever suffer a loss like that again. She never recovers. And it's in the forefront of her mind every day, which she, I think says in episode seven. And yeah, we don't get to see her in her day to day with her family life. We only see her usually in, you know, in the. In the bunker or in the office, like. And sadly they, they get, I wouldn't say neglected. But her, her attention is definitely on the. Is more macro than micro at the minute. But I feel like in the last episode especially, you see her in seven and eight, you see her coming back to her family a little bit and you see what that, you know, the thing that's most important to her.

[Thomas Dougherty]

That was an amazing scene that's so easy to do wrong.

[Julianne Nicholson]

What scene?

[Thomas Dougherty]

The scene where you come back to your husband and the way that you do it is so beautiful, honestly. Yeah, it's a hard scene to do

[Alison Stewart]

when you're thinking about this show. Thomas, is there a villain on this show?

[Thomas Dougherty]

For sure. Yeah. She sits beside me.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Watch your words, young man.

[Thomas Dougherty]

And it is. I mean, it's one of those things and it definitely makes you reflect on your own life and all your already preconceived notions of who people are and what they stand for. And being so kind of intimate with the Sinatra storyline to Link's character. Definitely a villain. But when you're doing character work and you're trying to understand these connections, you understand, you know, you See, and it's. That goes back to that whole question is, do people who do evil things know that they're doing evil things, or do they think that they're doing the right thing? And so it's a great position as an actor to be. To be forced into a very objective position to see all these different characters and how they work and what their objectives are to then kind of put into your own life. And I think all that really does is breed compassion. I think. I think that's what it will eventually come down to. The answer.

[Alison Stewart]

Does your character think she's doing the right thing?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Yes, 100%. She thinks she's doing the right thing. Yeah. Greater good.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm talking to Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Dougherty. We're talking about the season two series finale. Series of Paradise. All right, spoiler alert. We're gonna talk about it after the break. You're listening to all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart in studio. With me, I have actors Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Dougherty. They star in season two of Hulu series Paradise. The season finale is on Monday. All right, this is the big spoiler alert.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Yeah. Turn your radios on. No, don't turn them off.

[Julianne Nicholson]

It's louder.

[Alison Stewart]

All right. Link has a tricky relationship with time, let's put it that way. Annie asks him how old he is, and he says he's about 25. Let's listen.

[WNYC Announcer]

You're 25?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Wow.

[Thomas Dougherty]

I mean, it's been a rough few years. It's not easy to maintain a skincare routine.

[WNYC Announcer]

No, I think it's just the beard.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Well, the beard makes me look like a leader.

[Julianne Nicholson]

The beard makes you look like Charles Manson.

[Alison Stewart]

He has a weird knowledge of pop culture. Certain things he knows, certain things he doesn't know. As you play this character, are you trying to hide from us as a viewer that there's something going on with him about time, or does Link not really know?

[Thomas Dougherty]

Link doesn't really know. Link doesn't really know. I can't say. This is so hard. Well, can't say that either. He's highly, highly intelligent. Obviously, we're aware of his relationship with the professor. All will be revealed, I promise you, on Monday. But I do. For me, playing Link, nothing is impossible with what we're dealing with. Alex. Who is Alex?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Nice.

[Alison Stewart]

In the third episode, there's a flashback where Sinatra is speaking to a scientist about how to save the world, and he says billionaires are amazing. You think that your money gives you superpowers. There's only one thing that can fix this. And it's the one thing you can't buy. Time. How does Sinatra react to that?

[Julianne Nicholson]

I think she will never take no for an answer. So however she has to go about solving a problem, she's going to figure out a way.

[Alison Stewart]

Should we read into Sinatra's reaction about time?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Probably.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Fill your booze.

[Alison Stewart]

In the most recent episode, we learned that Link's name is actually Dylan, and that's the same name as your son's character. And they share a birthday. Later on, Sinatra says to her husband, it worked. Does Sinatra believe Link is her son?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Yeah, I think she really does. And whether she thinks that's, like, a factual thing or, you know, I think there's. She does believe it, and it gives her peace and hope and. Yeah. A level of relief and release that she's been holding so tightly for, you know, almost 20 years. It's. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

Link doesn't necessarily recognize Sinatra, even though she might be his mother, but he does tell her that she's the Darth Vader to his Luke. So fill in the box.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Love that also. Yeah, that little connection.

[Alison Stewart]

Where else in the series. All right. That have already aired can we see references to Link's possible parentage? Can you give us one area people should pay attention to?

[Thomas Dougherty]

That's a good question. I'm just scouring my brain really, really quickly right now. Nothing really specific. There isn't really anything specific. He talks about going on vacation with his family and stuff. He never. Yeah, you'll never be able to kind of piece anything together.

[Julianne Nicholson]

But even it's. No, but it's even still confusing for us. Like, it doesn't mean that he's in this. It doesn't mean that he's the Dylan, at least in my understanding. It doesn't mean that he's the Dylan. Like, the same body of Dylan, my son, type of thing. Like, I don't know. This is me. This is me. Just like, it's sort of. You have to sort of. You have to have faith is what it is. So it's not like, necessarily, you know, because I think that too, like, okay, well, I had Dylan.

[Alison Stewart]

We.

[Julianne Nicholson]

He did die. We did bury him. So, like, what. It's sort of. You have to have a little. Some faith and suspend Rhea.

[Thomas Dougherty]

I mean, this is. I mean, I'm an actor. We're talking about quantum mechanics and quantum physics here. And there's so many times where me and Julian would be like, you just have to trust the writing. Because I can't speak for her. She's incredibly intelligent. Woman. But I am an actor.

[Julianne Nicholson]

I didn't tell you about my degree in quantum physics. My side hustle, it's been so interesting.

[Alison Stewart]

Just, like, all the reactions that people are having. Is it time travel? Is it an alternative universe? What have you heard that has been just. That isn't true? But you've been like, okay, that. That's. That's pretty good. That's a pretty good explanation.

[Thomas Dougherty]

I'm trying to think, is there anything.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Well, I'm not gonna say whether these things are true or not, but somebody today was saying, like, oh, maybe. Maybe it's Cal Bradford is Alex. Or maybe, like, they have. They're thinking about who the other. What. What some of the possibilities might be, or maybe Annie is Alex and she's still alive but has a different name. So I love it. To be on a show that people are that excited about and are talking about and, like, letting their minds wander about is such a thrill.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Yeah. And it makes. It makes us so excited as well, you know, I'm so excited for Monday, I cannot wait for everyone to see it.

[Alison Stewart]

Do you know from the beginning of shooting till the end of the series, what's going to happen at the end of the series?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Maybe broad strokes, but not the specifics of it. We don't. I don't. We don't see the. All of the. All of the scripts right away. They come while we're filming.

[Alison Stewart]

We've been talking about Alex, and I keep saying, is Alex a person? Is Alex a thing? Should we be thinking about Alex in a different way?

[Thomas Dougherty]

What do you think?

[Alison Stewart]

Well, I watched last night. I watched episode seven again, and you go in and you put on a blue coat when you talk to Alex. And. Is it a lab coat?

[Julianne Nicholson]

I love people looking for clues. It's so gratifying.

[Alison Stewart]

Well, it's like, is this to protect you from Alex's rage? I don't know. It's like. I'm like, is Alex real? Is Alex AI. That's a big part of it. Is Alex a creature you've created to make time different? I don't know. It's your. Your character's smart woman.

[Thomas Dougherty]

I know we're not allowed to tell you, but my favorite thing in this whole press run is that when people tell me what they think it might be, they have this, like, look in their eyes.

[Julianne Nicholson]

It's true. They're looking for confirmation.

[Alison Stewart]

Like, looking at you like a monkey.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Yes.

[Venmo Advertiser]

Right.

[Thomas Dougherty]

That's what it's like. And I'm like. I'm pr. Trained to.

[Julianne Nicholson]

That's true. They're searching.

[Thomas Dougherty]

They're like, okay, I'm guilty.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Looking for recognition.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's talk to Sophie on line one. Hey, Sophie, thanks for calling, all of it. You're on the air with Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Toddy.

[Caller Sophie]

Hello. Thank you for taking my call.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Hi, Sophie.

[Caller Sophie]

I am a big fan of Paradise. I've been since the start of the first season and so excited to see the finale. And I know you've talked a little bit about the fact that it's unclear that Thomas Doogie, your character, is actually Sinatra's son if it's the same Dylan from the same timeline, et cetera. But, you know, I guess assuming you did have this general understanding that this would be explored at the start of the season when in filming. I'm curious if that informed your performance at all or if you were thinking about this possibility when you were filming, like, those early, early episodes as link. If you were thinking about this possibility that he could potentially be Sinatra's son, or if that really wasn't a part of it, because he has no idea.

[Julianne Nicholson]

For me, I had the information, but you just have to actually kind of put it out of your mind and take the scenes as they come. Because when we first meet, it's nowhere near an idea for Sinatra. So she's like, greeting him as she meets him. But then it is. I found it very moving when that revelation is made, when she hears his name, when she finds out his birth date. And then there's a real shift down. Wanted a real shift from that moment. And I. And I really felt that happen genuinely just getting that information and the possibility of this being the person that she's longed for and missed so deeply was. Was really powerful.

[Thomas Dougherty]

You can tell it was really beautiful. And for me, I mean, my turnaround was so quick. I think I got the job on a Thursday, and I'd moved to LA on the Monday, and I was. Yeah. And I was on set on the third Friday. So it was really, really quick for me. So I was kind of just thrown into this. And so I was just taking the task at hand. And it wasn't until a little later on when I read this script and I'm just like, you guys, Like, I read it and I'm like. But I think that's a beneficial thing not to really know, because then you kind of like, you play the truth and you're not playing the death of Romeo and Juliet at the beginning of it. And so I think, yeah, it's interesting

[Alison Stewart]

as an actor and you're in a sci Fi world. What's the key to making it seem real? Even though you're dealing with a world where you have to suspect, suspend belief on some level.

[Julianne Nicholson]

You just have to believe. There's really no other way. For me anyway. You just have to. You have to. Okay. You just have to believe the. The facts that have been written for you and just commit.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

How about for you?

[Thomas Dougherty]

Yeah, I did exactly what she said. And as well, I mean, Dan Fogelman and his whole team, the set designers and the lighting and everything is. Nothing's really left to the imagination. So you can really just throw yourself at an immerse and then add on top. Working with Julian Nicholson and Sterling K. Brown and Shailene Woodley and these actors of this caliber, they're so present and they'll just bring a performance out of you. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

Can you explain the nosebleeds to me?

[Julianne Nicholson]

No. We're still wondering ourselves.

[Alison Stewart]

A lot of nosebleeds.

[Julianne Nicholson]

It's Alex's fault. We'll blame it on Alex. It is Alex's fault.

[Alison Stewart]

Oh, it is.

[Thomas Dougherty]

You'll find out on Monday.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Actually, sort of.

[Alison Stewart]

Sort of?

[Thomas Dougherty]

I don't know. I didn't say that, Diane. That was Julia.

[Alison Stewart]

I want to ask you about two other things aside from Paradise. I think we've kind of gone as far as we can go.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Yes, keep asking. We keep shutting him down.

[Alison Stewart]

It's okay.

[Julianne Nicholson]

It's all good.

[WNYC Announcer]

It's my job.

[Alison Stewart]

You won an Emmy for playing this off the rails influencer on Hacks, which was great.

[Julianne Nicholson]

What do you like about playing comedy? Oh, my gosh. Well, that show Hacks I love so much. I feel like it's top of the tops in comedy. And they're so smart and so funny and their risks always pay off. And it's so nice to go and be silly and to move your body and to wear funny clothes and make people laugh. You know, I feel like I love doing dramatic roles, but it's so nice to not have to like, you know, tear your heart out or go into like deep, dark places in your soul to pull up a performance. Sometimes it's nice just go to work and really laugh. And I feel like the world needs more laughs right now.

[Thomas Dougherty]

So what's easier to do for you? Do you prefer to do?

[Julianne Nicholson]

I mean, I have more experience in the. In the drama. Yeah. But I love comedy. I'd love to do more comedy.

[Alison Stewart]

I knew I recognized you from Little Shop of Horrors. I forgot. I was like, I know this guy. Why do I know this guy?

[Julianne Nicholson]

And then I remembered you were in

[Alison Stewart]

Little Shop of Horror.

[Thomas Dougherty]

And the reason I did that is because of the women sitting beside me right now.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Oh, tell me more.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Yeah, we were on set, we were doing the apple pie stuff, and I got a call from my team saying, want to do a Little Shop? And I love musical theater. I've always loved it. I went to college to do it. But, I mean, I was off the back of paradise, and I was just. I wasn't sure, is it the right time? And I was kind of leaning toward not doing it. And then I sat down with Julianne, and she was like. She convinced me to do it, and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had.

[Alison Stewart]

Why did you think he would be good for Little Shop?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Well, I just felt like, do it. Why not? I mean, you're young, you're single. You don't have another job right after this. It was happening, like, two weeks later or something. So it wasn't like he was committing himself five months down the road to a project. It was like, I knew. We talked about his musical theater history and how much he loved it, and it felt like. And it was a character that, unlike ones that you would normally play. It's like the goofy guy, this nerd, the scientist. And so it felt like, do it. It's. It's a long game. It's a long game. Do different stuff. Explore. Take risks. Why not?

[Thomas Dougherty]

And I think I was very much in this, like, all right, this is like the. The game changer for my screen career. I need to really double down on that. And I mean, yeah, it's kind of like a young, egoic actor, not even necessarily maliciously, but, like, oh, I'm trying to, like, build this image that doesn't align with that. And then talking to Juliana about, yeah, just time. Everyone says life's short, but, like, life's also kind of long as well, you know, and that she really opened my eyes to that, and I'm so grateful.

[Julianne Nicholson]

And it's also just the long game is like, what I tell all actors. Like, if you. I. So many times I've had, like, the one that's gonna, like, it's gonna be that one, and then you're gonna never have to worry again, isn't it? It's just not true. Yeah, it's like, so just do fun stuff. Challenge yourself. Like, proud of you.

[Alison Stewart]

It's the longest, shortest time, as they say. The season finale of paradise will happen this Monday. All will be clear. Or not. I've been speaking to Julia Nicholson and Thomas Dougherty thank you for coming in and for fielding my questions. I really appreciate it.

[Thomas Dougherty]

Thank you so much for having us.

[Julianne Nicholson]

I'm sorry we couldn't reveal more.

[Alison Stewart]

We'll know more on Monday.

[Thomas Dougherty]

There you go.

[Alison Stewart]

And that is all of it. I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you listening, and I appreciate you. I'll meet you back here next time.

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