The cast and creatives of Apple TV+’s original comedy series “Platonic” graced the green carpet for its premiere Wednesday night in Los Angeles at the Regal LA Live. This series marks a welcome reunion for “Neighbors” stars Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, who also serve executive producers on the series alongside co-creator Francesca Delbanco.
With the May 24th streaming premiere just weeks away, Byrne reflected on how she helped put the series’ package together. “It was a conversation I started having with Nick Stoller (“Platonic” showrunner and director) and Francesca (Delbanco) literally four or five years ago,” said Byrne. “They pitched me this idea and I suggested Seth, thinking that they could write to our strengths as a duo.”
Byrne’s first collaboration with Stoller came on 2014’s “Neighbors” film, also starring Seth Rogen as thirty-something parents dealing with unruly fraternity brothers living next door. Byrne saw an opportunity to get the band back together for “Platonic,” and she jumped at the opportunity.
The series follows former best friends Sylvia (Byrne) and Will (Rogen), who reconnect after a long rift and comically explores themes of friendships through midlife crises. This rekindling of their friendship eventually becomes all consuming for the pair, destabilizes their lives with ensuing chaos and hilarity.
“I thought it was such a funny idea and couldn’t think of why there hasn’t been more exploring of male and female platonic friendships,” said Rogen. “Rose and I work well together and improvise a lot, which is one of the things we like about each other’s styles.”
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Also in attendance was an ensemble of comedic performers including fellow “Neighbors” castmate Carla Gallo as well as Luke Macfarlane (“Bros”), Tre Hale (“Love and Monsters”), and Guy Branum (“Bros”). “Francesca and Nick were very open and knew they were working with talented performers with Rose and Seth,” said Branum. “They fill the set with people that they want to hang out with… there’s no space for negativity or ego.”
“My goal every day was to try and make somebody break and Nick was always the easiest,” added Hale. “There was just constant laughter on set and we had so much fun making it.”
And although not present for the carpet, Stoller was a common thread of conversation among other members of the cast, who beamed at his ability to make everyone feel at ease on set.
“Nick has this great, infectious laugh when we’re doing something funny on set which always makes you feel confident,” said Luke Macfarlane about his director and “Bros” collaborator.
Additional castmates Andrew Lopez, (“Blockers”) and Alisha Wainwright (“Raising Dion”) shared their experiences about landing the project and working on set with comedy giants, Rogen and Byrne. “I was a writer’s assistant on ‘Neighbors’ so this is a full circle moment for me,” said Lopez. “I was a student on this set, learning a lot from some amazing mentors and teachers.”
“It’s kind of strange to do a chemistry read on zoom with Seth Rogen in your living room,” commented Wainwright on her audition process. “But it was such a cool experience.” Wainwright enjoyed the freedom on set given to the cast, allowing actors to improvise in the moment. “We were kind of spit-balling lines so it was very collaborative,” says Wainwright.
“Platonic” will premier globally on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes on Wednesday, May 24th, followed by new episodes every Wednesday.