Podcast Summary: The Determined Society with Shawn French

Episode: Netflix: Black Rabbit with Chris Coy
Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Shawn French
Guest: Chris Coy (Actor, Star of Netflix’s "Black Rabbit")

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Chris Coy’s journey as an actor, focusing on his starring role in Netflix’s Black Rabbit with Jason Bateman and Jude Law. Through their familial rapport, Shawn and Chris discuss the intricacies of the new series, the universality of family dynamics, personal growth, perseverance, and what it really feels like to “be in the right room” after years of relentless pursuit.

Chris also opens up about sobriety, discipline, and the lessons learned from embodying complex characters. The conversation is layered with authenticity, humor, and practical wisdom—delivering both heartfelt stories and actionable insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. About Black Rabbit – What Is the Show?

• Chris describes Black Rabbit as “exhilarating, highly propulsive. An action thriller.”
  • “There's a bag of money and a gun. Who's gonna get it?” (00:34, Chris Coy)
• Beyond the thrills, the show is deeply rooted in family drama and relatable dynamics.
  • “Threaded through all of that is this sort of emotional turmoil and this family dynamic that so many of us know all too well, even if we never talk about it.” (00:34, Chris Coy)
• Created by Zach Balin and Kate Sussman, Black Rabbit balances fun with real, emotional depth.

2. On Working with Jason Bateman and Jude Law

• Chris reflects on the surreal experience of working with stars he admired since childhood:
  • “It's a cool feeling... You look up and it’s just all stars and you’re like, man, I’m in the right room.” (03:41, Chris Coy)
• On Bateman:
  • “You really quickly forget that you’re standing next to this man that you’ve looked up to your whole life... He quickly puts all that to rest.” (07:19, Chris Coy)
• On Jude Law:
  • “He glides by you and you’re like, oh my God, that’s Jude Law to you. He’s just such a good man... dedicated, loyal, disciplined.” (07:27, Chris Coy)
• Shawn adds: “That's badass. That's a true professional, man.” (07:23, Shawn French)

3. Relatability & Realism of Family Dynamics

• The core of Black Rabbit is about siblings with different perspectives on their shared childhood.
  • “Two people who grew up in the same house... actually, despite growing up in the same house, maybe had two very different experiences.” (10:41, Chris Coy)
  • “Every family has different dynamics... It's just the conditioning of the environment.” (12:24, Shawn French)
• The show resonates broadly:
  • “It doesn't really matter where you come from... there's bound to be some drama and volatility.” (11:53, Chris Coy)

4. Personal Reflections: Growth, Fatherhood, Sobriety

• Chris shares updates about personal life, home renovations, and family (“That’s the best role I’ve got... that fatherhood stuff.” (02:18, Chris Coy)).
• They reflect on how children growing up in the same home become “three different souls,” reinforcing the show's themes. (13:14, Chris Coy)
• On giving up alcohol and discipline:
  • “I've gotten addicted to feeling kind of better every day... It's wild how societally we're conditioned... It's out of whack how much better it made me feel when I stopped doing it.” (27:27, Chris Coy)
  • “Turn up the volume cerebrally. That is a great explanation.” (30:11, Shawn French)

5. Hollywood's Impact on Real Life and Culture

• They discuss how on-screen stories can spark real-world conversations and change.
  • “People are actually literally talking about Hollywood impacting real life. And I’ve seen it in so many areas.” (32:41, Shawn French)
• Chris: “I’m really proud to be a part of this one... there’s going to be a lot of people who maybe don’t feel seen in their drama when they’re watching TV or movies as much as this is gonna kind of touch them.” (33:44, Chris Coy)

6. Balancing Multiple Projects & Industry Stories

• Chris discusses shooting Black Rabbit and Flowervale Street (an upcoming film with Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor) simultaneously—sometimes flying back and forth between sets.
  • “Maybe the most baller I’ve ever felt like I was.” (35:50, Chris Coy)
• Shares a fun anecdote about Ewan McGregor and Jude Law’s early days as roommates with Angelina Jolie.

7. Legacy, Determination, and Discipline

• Chris and Shawn reminisce about tough early choices, family influence (particularly their grandmother), and how it shaped their belief in pursuing dreams.
  • “You are the determined society. You're not just the host; you're like... the mascot. You're such a picture of determination.” (39:29, Chris Coy)
• Definition of determination:
  • “It's always discipline for me, man. Motivation comes and goes, but discipline comes from within.” (46:57, Chris Coy)
  • “My mind and my body might be like, get out... but that thing in me... Because I said so.” (47:52, Chris Coy)
• Quotes Denzel Washington:
  • “Dreams without goals are just dreams, and ultimately, they fuel disappointment. On the road to achieving your goals, you must apply discipline and consistency. Without commitment, you'll never start. Without consistency, you'll never finish.” (48:57, Chris Coy quoting Denzel)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Imposter Syndrome in Success:

  • “To end up in this place where your peers are people you maybe once looked up to... to feel like you belong there is a beautiful thing.” (04:51, Chris Coy)

• On Jason Bateman’s Humor on Set:

  • “Not even just, like, sitting with him. Now I’m in this limited series with, like, a gun in his face being like, shut up... and then I’m like, I’m so sorry, are you okay?” (06:24, Chris Coy)

• On Family Dynamics Mirroring the Show’s Theme:

  • “Those differences can arise in childhood or as a consequence of their childhood... but what’s interesting is, no matter how far apart we grow, some of that stuff stays the same.” (13:14, Chris Coy)

• Chris on Discipline:

  • “It’s that motivation comes and goes... but discipline comes from within.” (46:57, Chris Coy)
  • “Because I said so, man. We're not stopping.” (47:52, Chris Coy)

• Denzel Washington Inspiration:

  • “Dreams without goals are just dreams, and ultimately, they fuel disappointment.” (48:57, Chris Coy quoting Denzel)

Important Timestamps

• 00:34 – Chris describes Black Rabbit's premise and layers
• 03:41 – 04:51 – Chris on working with talent, imposter syndrome, and feeling like he belongs
• 10:41 – On the family dynamics central to Black Rabbit
• 13:14 – The persistence of childhood dynamics into adulthood
• 27:27 – Chris’s journey with sobriety and mental clarity
• 30:11 – “Turn up the volume cerebrally” – the mental edge from clean living
• 33:44 – Why Black Rabbit resonates: representation and relatability
• 35:41 – Chris on shooting two major projects and anecdotes about Hollywood legends
• 39:29 – Chris’s personal tribute to Shawn and the spirit of determination
• 46:57 – Definition of determination & discipline
• 48:57 – Denzel Washington on dreams, discipline, and consistency

Tone & Style

• The conversation is deeply personal, warm, and authentic—family banter meets thoughtful introspection.
• Shawn and Chris blend humor (“I'll bring my tidy whities!” (38:53, Shawn French)) with honest reflections on growth, setbacks, and resilience.
• The tone is supportive, motivational, and inspirational, designed to resonate with dreamers and doers.

Episode Takeaways

• Black Rabbit is more than just a thriller—it’s about the universal complexities of family and belonging.
• Success is a combination of hard work, discipline, and the willingness to feel uncomfortable on the way to greatness.
• Both Chris and Shawn exemplify determination; their candid stories reveal the real price—and real rewards—of following your dreams.
• Discipline trumps motivation; consistency is key to achievement.
• Representation and relatability in storytelling can deeply impact audiences, providing a mirror for those who don’t often see themselves onscreen.

For More:
Watch Black Rabbit on Netflix (Eight episodes, all released at once).
Look for Chris Coy’s upcoming film, Flowervale Street, in August 2026.