Brie Larson's World: Unveiling the Secrets of Lessons in Chemistry's Showrunner & Director

Summary

Lessons in Chemistry is a new Apple TV+ show set in the 1950s, starring Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott, a lab technician turned cooking show host.

The show delves into Elizabeth's path as a brilliant scientist in a society dominated by men, illuminating the obstacles she confronts and her unwavering commitment to amalgamate her passion for cooking and chemistry.

Brie Larson played a pivotal role in realizing the project, and her portrayal as Elizabeth is acclaimed for its intellect and relatability, drawing from her personal encounters as a woman in a male-centric profession.

Apple TV+ takes viewers back to the '50s with the captivating new series Lessons in Chemistry, featuring the talented Brie Larson in the lead role. Adapted from Bonnie Garmus' bestselling novel of the same name, this gripping eight-episode drama follows the journey of Elizabeth Zott (played by Larson), a brilliant lab technician whose dreams of becoming a scientist are shattered by a tragic incident at her university and the oppressive constraints of a patriarchal society. Despite initially thriving in the scientific realm with the support of like-minded colleague Calvin (played by Lewis Pullman), Elizabeth is unjustly terminated following an unforeseen tragedy, which ultimately leads her to embark on her own cooking show.

Rather than abandoning her passions, Elizabeth ingeniously merges her cooking skills with her expertise in chemistry. Transforming each culinary lesson into a captivating exploration of the scientific method, she quickly becomes a sensation on local television. Meanwhile, she must navigate the challenges of being a single mother in a male-dominated world. Lessons in Chemistry also features a talented ensemble cast, including Aja Naomi King as Elizabeth's neighbor and confidante Harriet Sloan, as well as Stephanie Koenig, Alice Halsey, Joy Jacobson, and Yashir Hashim Lafond. Showrunner Lee Eisenberg, known for his work on WeCrashed, brings his creative vision to the series, while the first two episodes are deftly directed by Sarah Adina Smith, renowned for her work on Looking for Alaska.

Lee Eisenberg & Sarah Adina Smith Talk Lessons In Chemistry

Eisenberg and Smith were interviewed by Screen Rant regarding their collaboration with the author for the adaptation of Lessons in Chemistry. They discussed the brilliant decision of Brie Larson in choosing this particular story as a passion project. Additionally, they highlighted how the love story portrayed in the first two episodes serves as a launching pad for the rest of the series. It is important to note that this interview took place during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, and without the dedication of the actors in the union, this show would not have been possible.

Screen Rant: Lee, I know that Bonnie served as a co-executive producer on this. What was that collaboration process with her like to achieve this transformation to the screen?

Lee Eisenberg explained that as soon as he joined the project, he immediately started conversing with Bonnie. He expressed his admiration for every single word in her book and also discussed potential areas for improvement. From the start, Bonnie acknowledged that an adaptation should not simply involve reading the book aloud on screen. This realization presented an exciting opportunity. For instance, there were instances where certain aspects of Elizabeth's backstory were mentioned briefly, and Lee pondered the possibility of exploring those in detail on screen. Similarly, he envisioned turning paragraphs that touched upon friendships formed through pen-paling, even among unlikely individuals, into a dedicated episode for the show.

I believe she was extremely receptive to that. The two most significant factors for Bonnie, as far as I can recall, were ensuring accurate scientific portrayal and giving utmost attention to the character of Six-Thirty. We dedicated considerable time to perfecting the scientific accuracy, involving science consultants who reviewed the scripts and joined us on set to ensure the authenticity of the experiments being conducted.

Additionally, we had numerous discussions about the beloved character Six-Thirty, based on Bonnie's extensive participation in interviews, Zoom calls, book fairs, and festivals. It was a challenge to do justice to the character, considering the constraints of using a real dog instead of simply relying on a fictional depiction.

Sarah, you have the opportunity to establish the overall vibe of the entire show through the first two episodes. A significant part of this involves effectively depicting the time and place in which the story is set. What were the most difficult aspects of achieving this, considering the presence of a modern woman who must contend with the constraints of the time period?

Sarah Adina Smith: Our main challenge was to ensure that, cinematically, the audience feels fully immersed in a world that is not just a cliché representation of the 1950s. We wanted it to feel like a story that is still relevant today.

One of the reasons why the book has struck a chord with countless individuals is its ability to address a woman's challenges in 1950s America, highlighting the need for continued progress even today. It remains highly relevant. From a tonal and cinematic perspective, particularly through nuanced lighting and framing, we aimed to infuse the narrative with elements of naturalism, grit, and texture. This approach allows readers to immerse themselves in Elizabeth's world, going beyond the mere pages of a 1950s catalog.

When it came to Elizabeth and her world, when did you realize that Brie Larson was the perfect choice? She is truly incredible, but what qualities do you think make her so extraordinary?

Sarah Adina Smith: There was simply no alternative to her.

Brie Larson was the driving force behind this project, not us. She brought it to us, not the other way around. Normally, we spend years developing something and hope that Bree Larson's agent shows interest. But in this case, Brie Larson, along with Jason Bateman and his producing partner, Michael Costigan, controlled the project. It was Brie Larson who cast us, not the other way around. I remember my first Zoom meeting with Brie, and it felt more like an audition. I was explaining my vision and approach to the show, and she had the final say in all the creative aspects - the tone, the episodes, the themes. She was the ultimate decision maker, not us.

Brie Larson's cleverness and insight shines through in her choice of material and her portrayal of the character, Elizabeth Zott. Like Elizabeth, Brie possesses remarkable intelligence, logical thinking, and an exceptional work ethic. Unfortunately, both women may face challenges in being taken seriously intellectually due to societal biases towards beautiful women. Brie's ability to draw from these similarities adds depth and complexity to her performance.

In the first two episodes, there is a delicate balancing act between telling a powerful love story that resonates throughout the series and allowing Elizabeth's personal journey to shine. How do you find this equilibrium and bring out the strongest chemistry between Brie and Lewis?

Sarah Adina Smith: My aim was to fully immerse myself in the present moment and be completely absorbed in the story as it unfolded. Every experience was treated as if it would last indefinitely. However, at its core, this story delves into various types of love stories. It explores the diverse dynamics between individuals in relationships and the interconnections within communities. Therefore, the love story between Calvin and Elizabeth serves as a catalyst for Elizabeth Zott to abandon her reservations and embrace a multitude of other love stories.

Lee, could you discuss Harriet's character? Initially, she is introduced subtly in the background, but as the story progresses, she becomes more significant, particularly when she becomes closer to Elizabeth.

As the story progresses, a character emerges in the background with a slight connection to Calvin. Throughout the season, we gradually uncover more about this character, and their storyline intertwines with the main plot. This was a deliberate choice. Aja Naomi King, who portrays Harriett, is an exceptional actress and truly captivates me. The narrative focuses on Elizabeth, a white woman in a male-dominated field of chemistry, who experiences marginalization and confronts the challenges of patriarchy and sexism in the office.

In parallel, we witness a similar narrative unfold on a more personal level through Harriett, who faces a story of survival and the mission to protect her community. We explore the hardships she endures as a marginalized figure. During that time, the representation of female lawyers was not as prevalent.

Adding the racial aspect made the situation more complex. It was particularly compelling to delve into the story of a black woman lawyer who faced adversity from a racist bureaucracy attempting to build a freeway through her neighborhood, ultimately leading to the community's displacement. We were intrigued by the genuine and dynamic friendship between Elizabeth and Harriet, even though they sometimes had differing opinions. This friendship felt authentic and provided a strong foundation for the characters' development.

Sarah Adina Smith: It was essential for this friendship to be earned. It allowed our main character, Elizabeth, to have a space for personal growth. She, too, had flaws and blind spots, one of which was not realizing her own privilege while being concerned with career advancement. As Lee mentioned, Harriet's priority was to protect her home from being taken away.

About Lessons In Chemistry

Premiering on October 13 on Apple TV+, "Lessons in Chemistry" is set in the early 1950s and tells the story of Elizabeth Zott (portrayed by Larson). Elizabeth, who aspires to be a scientist, faces setbacks in a male-dominated society. After being unexpectedly fired from her lab, she seizes a chance to become a host on a TV cooking show. This opportunity allows her to not only impart cooking skills but also educate overlooked housewives and captivate the attention of the men who were previously indifferent. New episodes of "Lessons in Chemistry" will be released every Friday, following the premiere of the first two episodes.

Source: Screen Rant Plus