Watch Party: ‘Paradise’

Summary

All Of It: Watch Party – ‘Paradise’ Episode Summary

Air Date: March 13, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Julianne Nicholson, Emmy Award-Winning Actress

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Introduction to the Watch Party

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart invites listeners to a special watch party focused on Hulu’s acclaimed series, “Paradise”. The show delves into complex themes of governance, survival, and human resilience in a dystopian future. The guest for this episode is Julianne Nicholson, who portrays Samantha Redmond, also known as Sam Sinatra, the enigmatic mastermind behind an underground city that shelters 25,000 people from a world devastated by climate change.

Overview of “Paradise”

“Paradise” begins as a gripping murder mystery with the assassination of the President, quickly evolving into a multifaceted narrative exploring societal collapse and the creation of a fortified underground bunker reminiscent of Pleasantville. The series intricately weaves themes of climate change, human ingenuity, and moral ambiguity. The plot thickens as Agent Xavier, the President’s secret servant, seeks to uncover the truth behind the President’s death, inevitably clashing with Sam Sinatra’s tightly controlled regime.

Guest Introduction: Julianne Nicholson as Sam Sinatra

Julianne Nicholson joins Alison to discuss her portrayal of Sam Sinatra. Despite initial technical difficulties during the live conversation, Nicholson provides deep insights into her character and the series’ development.

Notable Quote:

“I'm doing well. You are so good in this series. Just got to say it upfront.”
[02:55] Julianne Nicholson

Exploring Sam Sinatra’s Character

Nicholson elaborates on how Dan Fogelman, the show’s creator, approached Sam Sinatra with a nuanced backstory that adds layers to her seemingly authoritarian facade. Sam is depicted as a self-made billionaire who orchestrates the underground city, balancing immense wealth with deep personal grief.

Notable Quote:

“I think Dan is so smart in just showing a little bit more of her humanity and her vulnerability before showing her. Makes him really dark.”
[04:57] Julianne Nicholson

Themes of Control and Grief

The conversation delves into Sam’s struggle with control and grief following her son’s illness, which profoundly shifts her worldview. Her reliance on wealth to solve problems is challenged, revealing her human vulnerabilities and the eventual unraveling of her meticulously constructed paradise.

Notable Quote:

“She thinks she's untouchable... she discovers that’s not the case. The thing that matters the most, she can't hold on to.”
[10:45] Julianne Nicholson

Audience Interaction and Feedback

Listeners engage with the episode through live questions and texts. One notable interaction is from Jill Mann, a fan and mother of actor Cameron Mann, who praises Nicholson’s off-screen persona, distinguishing it sharply from her on-screen villainy.

Notable Quote:

“I just want all the listeners to know out there what a huge heart she has. What an amazing mentor you are to Cameron.”
[22:36] Jill Mann

Relevance to Contemporary Events

Nicholson reflects on the series’ timing, noting its creation before significant political shifts, but acknowledges how recent events have made the show’s themes increasingly relevant and unsettling. This alignment with real-world anxieties enhances the series’ impact and relatability.

Notable Quote:

“It doesn’t seem that far-fetched anymore.”
[20:00] Julianne Nicholson

Acting Process and Character Preparation

Discussing her preparation for Sam Sinatra, Nicholson highlights the importance of costuming and character groundwork. She emphasizes how the power suits contribute to embodying Sam’s authoritative presence and how understanding Sam’s motivations drives her performance.

Notable Quote:

“Those power suits go a long way towards holding a certain posture, feeling a sort of command of a room.”
[21:18] Julianne Nicholson

Future of “Paradise” and Character Development

Looking ahead to the second season, Nicholson expresses excitement about further exploring Sam Sinatra’s complex psyche and the intricate dynamics of the underground community. She hints at deeper revelations and intensified conflicts that will continue to challenge her character’s moral compass.

Notable Quote:

“She starts off with good intentions, and then things go south.”
[14:46] Julianne Nicholson

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Alison Stewart wraps up the watch party by encouraging listeners to continue watching “Paradise” and engage with the series’ evolving narrative. Despite initial technical glitches, the insightful discussion with Julianne Nicholson provides a comprehensive understanding of the show’s depth and the multifaceted nature of its protagonist.

Notable Quote:

“You should watch Paradise. Watch it once and then watch it again.”
[25:55] Julianne Nicholson

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Key Takeaways:

• “Paradise” is a complex series that merges a murder mystery with themes of climate catastrophe and societal restructuring.
• Julianne Nicholson brings depth to Sam Sinatra, portraying her as a multifaceted character driven by grief and a desire for control.
• The show’s timing resonates with contemporary political and environmental concerns, adding to its relevance.
• Audience interactions highlight Nicholson’s ability to differentiate her real-life persona from her on-screen antagonist.
• The series promises further exploration of its characters and themes in upcoming seasons.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “I'm doing well. You are so good in this series. Just got to say it upfront.” [02:55] Julianne Nicholson
• “I think Dan is so smart in just showing a little bit more of her humanity and her vulnerability before showing her. Makes him really dark.” [04:57] Julianne Nicholson
• “She thinks she's untouchable... she discovers that’s not the case. The thing that matters the most, she can't hold on to.” [10:45] Julianne Nicholson
• “I just want all the listeners to know out there what a huge heart she has. What an amazing mentor you are to Cameron.” [22:36] Jill Mann
• “It doesn’t seem that far-fetched anymore.” [20:00] Julianne Nicholson
• “Those power suits go a long way towards holding a certain posture, feeling a sort of command of a room.” [21:18] Julianne Nicholson
• “She starts off with good intentions, and then things go south.” [14:46] Julianne Nicholson
• “You should watch Paradise. Watch it once and then watch it again.” [25:55] Julianne Nicholson

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This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the “Paradise” Watch Party episode on All Of It, highlighting key discussions, character analyses, and the interplay between the show’s narrative and real-world contexts.

Transcript

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[Alison Stewart]

It is time for an all of it watch party. When we get together, we watch a series and then we discuss it with someone associated with the show. It was a twisty, bumpy, exhilarating ride watching eight episodes of the series Paradise. It was one of those have you seen it shows that you recommend to your friends. It became a hit for Hulu. The series starts as a murder mystery who killed the President? But then it morphs into so much more. Climate change causes the world to implode and 25,000 people now live underground in a Pleasantville like fortified bunker. It's all fake. Fake sun, fake rain, fake meat. But the humans who live there are real. Including the mastermind of the underground city, Samantha Redmond. The wealthiest self made woman ever. She dreamed up the whole thing. She is played by my next guest, Emmy award winning actor Julianne Nicholson. When the President is murdered, his secret servant Agent Xavier wants to get to the bottom of it. Even if that means crossing Sam, who goes by the nickname Sinatra. And as you can hear from the scene when Sam is telling leaders how the President's death will be handled, she is not one to be taken lightly.

[Julianne Nicholson]

It's going to be all over the enough.

[Unknown Speaker]

In 10 minutes the community will get an alert for an emergency town hall. They will gather here and we will share the shocking news that the President has passed of natural causes quietly in his bed. We will then immediately swear in Henry which will settle everyone because it will remind our community that we have a functional system in place. As for the rest of you, your security will be increased until we find some answers. So if you gentlemen will just pour yourselves a drink or tug on your or do whatever it is you need to do to calm yourselves the down so that we can present a united front. Well that would be super.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Paradise has already been given a second season and after last week's finale, let's hope it happens fast. Joining me now from England, Julianne Nicholson. Hi Julianne.

Hi, how are you?

I'm doing well. You are so good in this series. Just got to say it up front.

Thank you. That's so nice. Thank you. Thank you.

When were you approached about playing Sam in Paradise?

I was approached in January of Last year, I was actually doing another show for the BBC. I was in.

[Alison Stewart]

I think we're having issues. Oh, I know. Oh, God. We're all having it.

[Julianne Nicholson]

We're actually gonna have.

[Alison Stewart]

You know what?

[Julianne Nicholson]

I'm back.

[Alison Stewart]

You're back?

[Julianne Nicholson]

I'm back.

Yes. Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

All right. I'm gonna start that all over again. Hey, Julia Nicholson. It's really nice to meet you.

[Unknown Speaker]

Okay.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Hi.

[Alison Stewart]

Hi.

[Julianne Nicholson]

I am so happy to be here.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's start again. What did you think when Dan Fogelman approached you to be a part of Paradise? Oh, this is sad. This is such a. She's so good in this series. Can you hear me yet?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

All right, I'm just gonna move on to another whole question. Maybe he doesn't like that question. We're just gonna start with a whole different one. What do you like?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Well, you were on.

[Unknown Speaker]

Yes, tell me.

[Julianne Nicholson]

No, go, go. I was just gonna say, you were asking, did you hear my answer about getting the scripts from Dan last January?

[Alison Stewart]

We didn't hear it. Great. So let's do the whole thing. Tell me about getting the scripts.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Okay, So I was. Yes. So I was filming another show in Cardiff, Wales, last year, and I heard that Dan Fogelman was interested in me for the role, and he sent the first four episodes, and I just. I loved the first episode. And then the second episode focused on my character's backstory, and I. I was in. Sealed the deal for me.

[Alison Stewart]

That's so interesting, because that second episode, we learned so much about Sam. Why was that important to you?

[Julianne Nicholson]

I think Dan is so smart in just showing a little bit more of her humanity and her vulnerability before showing her. Makes him really dark.

[Alison Stewart]

You know what? Actually, Julianne, you know what? You probably hear me, but I can't.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Hear you well in New York.

[Alison Stewart]

So what we're gonna do is we're.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Going to have our control room call you back. We're gonna take a quick break.

[Alison Stewart]

We're gonna tell our folks if they.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Wanna talk to Julianne Nicholson. She plays the billionaire boss on the thriller Paradise. If you have a question for Julianne, you can call or text us at 2124-433969-22212-4433. WNYC or you can reach out via social media. LlevNYC. We'll get all our ducks in a.

[Alison Stewart]

Row and we'll be back after a quick break. You are listening to all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. This is an all of it watch party with Julianne Nicholson. She plays a billionaire boss on the thriller Paradise. It is a role of a lifetime. It's pretty great. I have. Julianne, can you hear me okay?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Yes. Hopefully this is gonna work. My apologies.

Who needs zoom?

[Alison Stewart]

We got phones.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Old school.

[Alison Stewart]

So I was asking you why it was so important to you to have Sam's backstory appear so early in the series.

[Julianne Nicholson]

It's in episode two, we really get to know her.

[Alison Stewart]

Why was that important?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Well, for me, I had never seen an actor, a single episode that delved so deeply into one character's life. And so just to be able to play that felt very exciting. And also, it just allows the audience to know Sam a little more deeply and maybe understand the choices she's making, that they're led, you know, they. She's led by her grief, basically. So there's just a little bit more humanity there than someone just sort of being evil for evil's sake. I think Dan's very smart that way, with his use of backstory and getting to know these people outside of the. The present day story we're telling. Yes.

Earlier, she's sitting at the bar. She's a young woman.

[Alison Stewart]

She's just made a deal to sell.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Her startup to make her a rich, rich woman. In that moment, what's really important to her?

I think in that moment, every. Everything. You know, the future is bright. I feel like she's bright and worked really hard. I don't think she comes from money, so she's, you know, it's all been of her own volition that she finds herself in this place. And, you know, she meets someone who's interesting to her. She's thinking about kids and, you know, maybe a white picket fence and sort of doing the thing that she loves in her work, but also having a family life. And then we discover that that goes off the rails.

It's interesting. When she's at the bar, she meets this guy. We find out it'll be her husband. And she. At first, she tells her I'm gonna be worth, I think, $14 billion. And she lies about it because she could be worth. She finds out, well, I'll really be worth $34 billion. And I thought that was an interesting detail in the writing.

I know. I think Dan sort of sprinkles those throughout each of the characters where he just drops these little clues about who they are. I know. I thought that was so interesting, too, about sort of, you know. Well, it's being a woman in that world in particular, which would have been, you know, 20 years ago, and making apologies, trying to, you know, make yourself. I mean, it's not, I can't say small. 14 billion. Still pretty large sum, but, you know, shrinking yourself to, I don't know, make the man feel good or something. Luckily, she comes clean immediately.

We see her go on to become a young mother of two kids. And she and her husband, they seem like good partners. Her son falls ill. We learned this in the second. In the second episode. What does her son's illness do to her? What is. She describes herself as being broken?

Yeah, I think it's a couple things. One is just. I mean, the size of that loss is something that just shifts something in her DNA. She is not prepared to deal with that grief. And, And I think it also rocks her to her core and that she thought that she was smart enough, worked hard enough, had enough money that she was going to everything she could control everything. Sort of quite a type a control freak. And this just knocks that idea on its. On its backside. And so I think that sort of really rattles her as well to realize her powerlessness in. In the face of bigger things and she just can't. Can't handle it.

[Alison Stewart]

It's interesting, she just, initially, she just keeps throw. Trying to throw money at her son's health. We're getting better doctors, Better doctors. And I thought that was an interesting signal. What has money done to her sense of self?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Well, I think she thinks she's untouchable. I mean, it's not exactly immortal, but not far off from that. You know, she thinks that with enough money you can, you can fix anything, you can have anything, you can do anything you. You want to do. And she discovers that that's not the case. The thing that matters the most, she can't hold on to.

[Alison Stewart]

We have a question for you. This text came in. How do you feel that your acting is so, so good that fans found it easy to hate Sinatra? You are a phenomenal at playing a sociopathic villain, but you're not one in real life. I'm rooting for you to win all the awards.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Oh, that's so nice. I have to say, it has been. I've never really played a just like a villain bad guy before, and I can't tell you how many times people come up to me with huge smiles on their face telling me they ha. So it's been a very interesting and unusual and new feedback that I've been getting. But you know, how fun what I, you know, I've been doing this now for close to 30 years, so if I can still, you know, find characters unlike Any that I've played before, like, that's the joy. So thank you.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest is Julianne Nicholson. She plays the billionaire boss Sinatra or Sam on Paradise. If you have a question for Julianne about the show, give us a call. 2124-3396-9221-2433, wnyc or you can reach out to us via social media. Llnyc. When she's in paradise in the place, at first it seems like she doesn't want everybody to realize that she's in control. She's kind of going undercover. Why isn't she up front with being in control? She's letting the, quote, president be in control.

[Julianne Nicholson]

I think she learned early on that I don't think she. She doesn't feel like she needs to be the face of it. I feel like with less attention, she can do more. So she, I think flying under the radar as much as possible is. Is a way to continue sort of pulling the strings as she wants them to go.

[Alison Stewart]

She has a psychiatrist to help keep her even. It's the same psychiatrist who helped her.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Through her child dying. Why does she trust this woman so much?

Yes, Dr. Gabriella Turabi, played by the wonderful Sarah Shahi. I think it's because she, as you mentioned, she, Dr. Tarabi helps Sinatra when she's at her absolute lowest point. And as she says in the, in the, they're seen together, she's basically all she can think about is throwing herself off a building. Like she's. She can't fathom living. And yet she has another daughter that she needs to be okay for or at least be, as she says, be functioning for. And So I think Dr. Turabi slowly brings her back enough to be. To continue being a person in the world, to continue, if not being okay being, you know, close enough to okay, and then there's a relationship there.

I'm wondering if you thought to yourself, does Sam Sinatra, does she really think that creating this underground bunker, does she really think she's doing the right thing? At first.

I think for sure, at first she thinks she's doing the right thing, but I think it's much more complicated than that. And I'm actually so excited that we've been picked up for a second season because I've started speaking with Dan Fogelman, the creator, a little bit. And I think we've only just scratched the surface on what the construction of paradise entailed. And so it'll be interesting to see what it actually took to bring it to life. I think she Starts off with good intentions, and then things go south.

This is a funny text. It says, I was on an email thread several years ago that turned out to have Dan included. I sent him an email telling him we have the same last name. He replies, always good to meet another Fogelman. What a nice guy. So tell me, what do you think Dan Fogelman's. What's his skill set as a showrunner and as a writer?

What a good question. First of all, he's such a nice, decent person, really personable. So even with all the successes he's had, he's very easy to talk to. And he's incredibly enthusiastic about his work and the show. And so everybody feels excited to be there. And then I think he just has this knack for understanding what a large audience, what. What gets them in, you know, whether it's going into those backstories. And I think his use of humor throughout the exploration of all this, you know, grief and loss and with all this extreme, like, it keeps people. If you're just being hit over the head again and again and again with the darkness, I think people have a tendency to tune out. And so he just knows those moments of where to bring the levity and the lightness. I think he's wonderful at finding the right actors for the roles. He's not afraid to go out of the box, if you will, look sort of in directions, like John Beavers, who played Billy, you know, doesn't have a huge resume to speak of, of shows that we have seen him in before, but he's been working for decades, and Dan will take that swing, and I can't imagine anybody else in that role. I love. I think we all, like, fell in love with Billy in that fourth episode. And, yeah, I think he's really sort of. He's not precious, and he's just got this innate sense of what people want to watch, how we attach to these characters.

We're talking to Julianne Nicholson. She plays Sam on Paradise. If you have a question or a call for Julianne, Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. I got a call on hold, but I'm going to ask on because we'll get to there. We'll get to that part of the story. Sinatra starts to unravel, and she really makes questionable decisions. What do you think causes her to unravel?

Well, I think she realizes that, you know, all these things that she has been doing in the dark that only one or two people knew are all about to come to light. I don't know. How much can we give? Can we, like talk spoilers or do.

You want to stay away from spoilers? The way I wrote spoilers is your character sort of winds up incapacitated.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's say that.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Yes. Okay.

On a ventilator.

I won't say anything about that. Right. So she, she makes big decisions, big life and death decisions about other people who are heroes in Paradise. And when that starts being revealed and she realizes that it's gonna become public knowledge for the whole community, then, you know, these are. She knows that people will turn on her. And I mean, I shudder to think of where that would lead when people find out. I mean, I don't know where we're gonna. Where we're gonna return to when we pick up. I mean, there's a lot to unpick there.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm curious, when you were making Paradise. I assume it was before the election. Yes, yes.

[Julianne Nicholson]

We finished last July. Finished filming.

[Alison Stewart]

This was before Donald Trump was reelected and Elon Musk was installed somewhere in the White House. Does your role take on a different feeling?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Yes. You know, Dan originally had the idea for this show the sort of underground bunker before he even did this is Us. So the kernel of the idea came years ago. And then when we were filming, even though it's, you know, fairly recently, no one was talking about politics because it was. It didn't look like, you know, in July of 2024, it didn't look anything like it looks now. So we weren't thinking about it. I never, you know, I was reading about female CEOs and Fortune 500 companies. Never did. The people who we are seeing reading about every day today, never did. They cross my mind. And so now it does feel just a little bit more unnerving. I think it's one of the reasons people are responding to it. I mean, it's a great show, but it does, you know, it doesn't seem that. It doesn't seem like that far fetched anymore.

Here's a text we got. Is there anything or anyone specific that you channel when getting into character for Sam Sinatra? Any routines like music, mantras, anything that you perform in preparation?

Oh, what a great question. I do not. No, real. I have to say those power suits of hers go a long way towards holding, holding a certain posture, feeling a sort of command of a room. So I loved our costume designer, Sarah. I thought she, she had just such a fine eye towards, you know, it's like when you drive a nice car or you Wear a nice suit like that alone can sort of inform how you feel. And then so much of Sinatra was just on the page. And so it was more just really thinking each scene where she's come from and what she needs in the scene that we're about to film.

[Alison Stewart]

People know you from a lot of things. Most recently, mayor of Easttown, you won an Emmy award for that. That performance. And we have a caller who has a question about that. This is Jill from Westport, Connecticut. Hi, Jill.

[Jill Mann]

Hi, how are you? Thanks for having me on. I love your show. So, Julianne, this is Jill Mann. This is Jill Mann. Cameron.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Hi, Jill. Hi.

[Jill Mann]

So my son, Kim, Cameron Mann played Ryan Ross, Julianne's son, Lori Ross, son and mayor of Easttown. And there's nothing better than driving down the road and hear Julianne's voice come on the radio. We're such huge fans, and I just want all the listeners to know out there what a huge heart she has. What an amazing mentor. You're such an amazing mentor to Cameron. I mean, it was a beautiful experience and sure, very foundational to him as an actor and meant so much. And so I just want everyone to know you're everything that Sinatra's not. And so that really speaks to what an amazing actress you are.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Oh, my God, that is so nice. Jill, you're so sweet. Were you just driving down the road and called? How is it?

[Jill Mann]

I was literally driving down the road I heard you on, and of course I'm watching everything that you're in always, and so is Cameron. And I thought, oh, my gosh, I have to call let everyone know that Julianne's just exactly as nice as she sounds.

[Julianne Nicholson]

That is so nice. Well, maybe that will give people pause before they come up and tell me how much they hate me now.

[Alison Stewart]

Julianne, you know, it's so interesting because I was watching a video of you and you're at home in London and you were saying, you know, I haven't really worked by choice necessarily for a while, and that you and your family, you don't have what you call the Hollywood life that you, like, have dinner together and talk about stuff. What does that give you personally when you do pick roles and when you do choose to work?

[Julianne Nicholson]

Well, I mean, so that was. It was hard, actually, when I first. I mean, it's always hard because, you know, whenever I get a job, it means leaving home. I mean, I guess that means that for everybody, but normally it's like a, you know, nine to five thing and not couple of months, but it just it allows me to just, I don't know, come back to earth and just feel like my. My blood pressure evens out, my shoulders go down. It's just much more relaxed and it's just joyful in a different way. I also feel so lucky that I can do both. You know, I. But it's important my family is number one and that I get to also continue acting and doing the job I love. Now I try to appreciate whichever one I'm in, whether it be home, don't worry about the next job, and when I'm working, know that I'll be home on at the end of it. So it's sort of a work in progress, but I feel pretty lucky.

Julianne, we made it. We made it through all the technical difficulties.

Oh my gosh. I really do apologize for that beginning kerfuffle. That was all me. I don't know what happened. I'm so sorry.

[Alison Stewart]

You'll just have to be in person.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Next time you're on the show.

[Alison Stewart]

That's all.

[Julianne Nicholson]

Please, please.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest has been no glitching.

[Julianne Nicholson]

In person.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest has been Julia Nicholson.

[Julianne Nicholson]

You should watch Paradise. Watch it once and then watch it again. Thanks so much for being us.

My pleasure. Thank you.

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