Why Emmy Rossum’s “Furious” Will Not Include Graphic Depictions of Abuse
Emmy Rossum and Lola Petticrew‘s latest series, Furious, tackles challenging themes while striving to avoid explicit depictions of abuse.
In an exclusive interview with Us, Rossum, 39, remarked, “This is a show primarily created by women. You can sense that in how the female characters and victims are portrayed.”
She emphasized that “nothing is gratuitous” in the eight-part Hulu series.
“There are no flashbacks showcasing the violence against them,” she added. “Yet we feel its impact in various aspects of their lives.”
Rossum elaborated: “It’s far more impactful to witness how that history shapes you now than to simply see it.”
Inspired by the 1987 film Black Widow, creator Elizabeth Meriwether delves into the somber topics of abuse and human trafficking in Furious, portrayed through the lens of several complex — and often flawed — characters.
At the heart of Furious, airing on Mondays, is FBI agent Alice (Rossum) who is on the hunt for a cunning female serial killer, played by Petticrew, 30, who targets men who exploit girls.
“Typically on television, female victims are depicted as flawless. They appear angelic. I aimed for the show to explore the reality of being a violence victim and how it can manifest in unexpected ways,” Meriwether revealed to Us. “It can lead to making difficult and unusual choices.”
The crime drama, which also features Scoot McNairy, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, and Jake Lacy, unfolds through twists and surprises that even the characters find unforeseen. For Petticrew, this meant striking a balance between reality and fiction while portraying a vengeful woman seeking retribution after enduring years of sexual abuse.
For the actor, it was essential to navigate the line between necessary research and respecting the experiences of those who have faced similar hardships.
“You have to find that balance between the research needed and not exploiting the stories of those who’ve gone through what our characters have experienced,” they shared with Us. “It was indeed sensitive work.”
Petticrew worked hard to separate their role from personal life, stating, “You must focus on delivering your best performance without letting the job consume you. Our cast supported each other immensely, and our crew was truly exceptional.”
Prior to stepping into the role, Petticrew conducted extensive research.
“Liz guided me to many insightful readings and videos. It’s essential to find the right balance between necessary research and being sensitive to those who have lived through experiences similar to our characters,” they continued. “However, I’m fortunate that much of this material is already crafted into the narrative because Liz Meriwether possesses incredible talent.”
Furious premieres every Monday on Hulu.
