Paradise Stars Remain Shocked by the Identity of James Marsden’s Cal’s Killer
Dan Fogelman‘s latest series, Paradise, surprised both audiences and the cast by eliminating James Marsden‘s character, Cal, in the opening episode.
In an exclusive chat with Us Weekly, Julianne Nicholson and Sarah Shahi shared their responses upon discovering the truth behind the fictional ex-president’s death.
“We were left in the dark when filming started,” recalled Shahi, 45, who plays psychiatrist Gabriela Torabi. “I personally had no idea until later on.”
Nicholson, 53, on the other hand, preferred to be as informed as possible. “For me as an actor, it’s always better to have the same amount of knowledge as the character, as it allows for a more genuine performance,” said the actress, who plays a senior advisor to Marsden’s President Cal. “We found out fairly quickly after we started shooting.”
Hulu’s political thriller Paradise debuted on Tuesday, January 28, with a three-episode introduction. The series initially seemed to center around a peaceful, affluent community confronted by a shocking murder. However, in classic Fogelman style, a twist at the end of the premiere unveiled that Paradise was actually an underground bunker sheltering the world’s elite following an apocalyptic disaster obliterating the rest of humanity.
“The greatest effort [to keep the twist a secret] is happening now as we speak with people about it,” Nicholson explained to Us. “On set, everyone was in the loop, so there wasn’t much need for secrecy.”
She added: “Now the challenge is how to engage people’s attention and assure them that this show is unique without revealing too much of the plot. We’re thrilled for viewers to join us on this journey.”
The plot twists continued when Marsden, 51, was killed off just minutes into the premiere. While it was established that Paradise would explore the high-stakes investigation following Cal’s death, the initial three episodes introduced several potential suspects who may have had motives for the former president’s demise.
“When scripts were released, they weren’t secretive at all. I’ve worked on projects where scripts are withheld until you’re ready to film those scenes,” Shahi mentioned to Us. “But here, they were generous with the scripts. As soon as one was finalized, they sent it to us.”
Despite having the inside scoop, Shahi and Nicholson were still taken aback by the revelation of who killed Cal.
“I don’t think anyone anticipated this. I’m genuinely surprised,” Shahi confessed. “I’m still astonished, and I already know what ensued.”
Nicholson praised Paradise for showcasing Marsden’s acting abilities, stating, “He’s James Marsden. He is one of the most charismatic, charming, hilarious, endearing, and good-looking people. He also brings a self-deprecating side to this character that evokes empathy.”
As the series progresses, viewers will be taken on a captivating journey surrounding Cal’s character.
“Your heart goes out to him as the president who could never meet his father’s expectations of who he could become,” Nicholson hinted. “This really showcases James’s great talent in balancing all these elements at once, making you empathize with him.”
New episodes of Paradise will be available on Hulu every Tuesday.
With reporting by Johnni Macke
