NEW YORK (AP) – Viewers who watched Thursday’s episode of “Candy” starring Jessica Bill can recognize a familiar face: Bill’s husband Justin Timberlake.
The musician and actor plays the role of an MP investigating the murder around which the show unfolds.
Bill, co-executive producer of the project, says Timberlake first approached his partner-producer, Michelle Purple, with a desire to participate.
“They had this whole plan. I didn’t even know at first. And then I thought he was joking. And then he said, “No, really, I want to do it.” And then moved on to racing. He tried on a wig, it was so much fun and it was such a good surprise. “
Bill admits that at first he was worried about whether their dynamics would be “translated at work”, but it quickly disappeared.
“I really felt completely calm when he was around. Like, I knew he would have such a safe place for me to work the way I needed to and be non-judgmental, open and free. And he gave me the freedom to improvise, which he is so good at, and I’m less comfortable.
In “Candy,” Bill plays Candy Montgomery, a young, friendly wife and mother from Texas who eagerly reads love novels. She seems to have it all – but she’s sad – so she starts an affair with a man from her hometown (played by Pablo Schreiber) and eventually kills his wife Betty with an ax. Montgomery pleaded not guilty to the crime, and jurors sided with her, some even saying they never loved Betty.
The story is based on a real case from 1980 and is now of interest in Hollywood. Elizabeth Olsen recently completed the filming of her own version of a limited series called “Love and Death” in which she plays Candy.
Melanie Linsky, who plays Betty, hopes the story will lead to sympathy for the victim, and that people will see how the trial was a contest of popularity.
“As a person who had a hard time fitting into my life since I was a little girl, I really, really responded to that and how very unfair it was,” she said.
Timberlake is not the only casting surprise in the show: Linsky’s husband, Jason Ritter, plays Timberlake’s partner. A memorable moment when the two recreate the crime as part of their investigation.
Bill attributes to “Candy” co-author and co-author Robin Waite “the idea of also having Jason and having the two as partners in crime. It tickled us, ”Belle said.
Bill wears a wig with short curly brown hair in a series that has attracted a lot of attention. She jokes that this hairstyle is similar to the hairstyle her husband had in the late 90s with his NSYNC boy band.
“He definitely had that hairstyle,” Bill said. I always ask, “Please push these beautiful curls back. I love these curly hair. I know. It’s so weird. We laughed at that. “
___
AP writer Mike Sidoni Lennox of Los Angeles contributed to this report.
https://wgnradio.com/news/entertainment-news/surprise-justin-timberlake-is-in-candy-with-jessica-biel/
