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There are no dragons in Peacocks true-crime dramaA Friend of the Family.
Watching this show front to back was one of the most harrowing experiences Ive had as a critic.
And itwasa really light, fun set.
What about Jake Lacy?
You just cannot believe that youre still watching this guyGet away with it?
I mean, his character is just horrendous, the most vile human being ever, butheis so incredible.
Its always important to have trust whenever you have to portray a relationship as complicated and dark as that.
Hes probably one of my favorite scene partners Ive ever had.
It could go in any direction, and Id have to play off whatever hes giving me.
If hes in a bad mood, that completely changes the entire tone of the scene.
He became much more mercurial.I mean, for Jan, she still fully believed him entirely.
He was just becoming more unpredictable.
I really had to jump right into that and Jan did too.
She had to grapple with that, and figure out how to keep him happy.
I thought this was what you wanted!
but its also him making sure he still has control over her.
When she wipes off the lipstick, its a relief to him.
You mentioned Zeta and Zethra, the aliens he claims are directing them to do what they do together.
Its a relationship built off fear, but not a fear of each other.
You take a young girl and somebody she and her family loves and trusts.
And this alien planet is relying on you.
To see it used as a power against someone?
Its difficult to watch.
You got to work with the real Jan herself.
Is she okay with this?
It wouldnt be right to tell her story without her.
Anytime I had questions, I could message her.
I messaged her and was like, Look, we recreated one of your dresses!
I thought it was so cool.
I was so lucky to be able to work in such close contact with her.
And she played your therapist too, right?Yeah.
How amazing is that?
I did not know she was going to be playing that part until the week of.
Jan herself introduces the show in its first scene.
She says, I know it may seem unbelievable, but we lived in a different world back then.
Theyre very up front about it: They made every mistake in the book.
And Itwasa very different time.
The fact that the FBI agents didnt even know what a pedophile was?
You dont know until youre in that situation.
Look at the pain and heartache the Brobergs went through: They still came together as a family afterwards.
Thats one of the beautiful things about seeing Jan at the very beginning.
It gives you hope that shes okay.
She made it out the other side.
