Exclusive: The Crowded Room Creator Plans Thrilling Spinoff Series Beyond the Finale

Summary

Critics acknowledge Tom Holland's exceptional performance in the series, despite the overall negative reception. They highlight the significant drawback of slow pacing.

Episode 6, focusing on Rya, receives high praise, showcasing Amanda Seyfried's performance and highlighting the toll of helping Danny.

WARNING! This article contains spoilers for The Crowded Room

The creator of The Crowded Room, Akiva Goldsman, has expressed his thoughts on a potential spinoff following the show's finale. As the series reached its conclusion, it unveiled that the protagonist, Danny Sullivan (played by Tom Holland), was dealing with dissociative identity disorder. This diagnosis, referred to as multiple personality disorder in the show's setting, allowed Holland to deliver exceptional performances. Additionally, it highlighted the efforts of those around Danny to support him, such as attorney Stan Camisa (Christopher Abbott), who reluctantly did so, and therapist Rya Goodwin (Amanda Seyfried), who offered sincere help throughout the series.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, which took place before the current SAG-AFTRA strike, Goldsman discussed the finale of The Crowded Room and expressed his interest in a spinoff centered around Rya and Stan. In the following quote, Goldsman, both the creator and showrunner, also mentioned the contribution of Abbott to the project:

"I had a similar reaction to Chris Abbott, who enters the show later. It made me think, 'I would love to see a show dedicated to him and Amanda solving minor murder mysteries in New York.'"

"Stan's presence brings forth his own sense of guilt and self-blame, which plays a significant role in this entire piece. Ultimately, it explores the things we hold ourselves responsible for and emphasizes the importance of self-forgiveness. Furthermore, it highlights the need to forgive those around us, as carrying such guilt and shame can be paralyzing when we look at ourselves in the mirror."

Seyfriend Was The Best Part Of Crowded Room (Though Holland Was Great)

A lot has been said about the negative reception of The Crowded Room, but upon closer examination of the reviews, the issue with Apple TV+ was not the acting. In fact, Holland's performance received specific praise, even in reviews that were otherwise lukewarm or negative. Most critics argued that the problem lied in the fact that The Crowded Room took too long to reveal Danny's diagnosis, which was already apparent early on, resulting in a frustrating viewing experience.

However, the show starts to improve in episode 6, where the focus shifts to Rya and explores the toll of working with Danny. Rya's personal life is in disarray, despite her love for her son and mother. While she initially helps Danny for professional reasons, a poignant scene in the car shows how deeply she cares for him. This episode is widely regarded as the show's finest, with Seyfried showcasing her talent and confirming her Emmy win for The Dropout. It received a great deal of acclaim.

Rewriting:

Although it has become frowned upon to extract the most captivating elements of a narrative and attempt to create a franchise, Goldman's remarks appear to be somewhat facetious. If the opportunity arises with a suitable storyline, Seyfried and Abbott, who delivered an outstanding performance in the thriller romcom Sanctuary, would be gladly invited to return to The Crowded Room. As the series is described as an anthology, it is plausible for Holland to take on a different character. Perhaps he could even embrace a role that accentuates his comedic flair and charming demeanor, rather than veering away from it.