Shocking Death in Season 3 of 'Chucky' Revealed by Executive Producer

Editor's note: The below interview contains spoilers for Chucky Season 3.

The Big Picture

Season 3 of Chucky concluded with an intriguing mid-season cliffhanger, and fans can anticipate its highly anticipated comeback in early 2024, leaving numerous unanswered queries in their minds.

Throughout this season, the show fearlessly challenged the norms of network television by embracing explicit language, intense violence, and graphic gore, yet remarkably managed to evade any significant limitations.

One challenge encountered during production revolved around the portrayal of Miss Fairchild's demise in Season 3.

Alex Hedlund, an avid lifelong fan of the Child's Play franchise, jumped at the opportunity to join franchise creator Don Mancini, alongside the longstanding cast and crew, as an executive producer for the Syfy, USA Network, and Peacock series Chucky. Season 3 recently reached a jaw-dropping mid-season finale and will resume in early 2024. With numerous unanswered questions surrounding the homicidal doll voiced by Brad Dourif and the three teenage protagonists (Zachary Arthur, Alyvia Alyn Lind, and Bjorgvin Arnarson), our website spoke with Hedlund to delve into the most shocking moment thus far and the precarious scene that almost didn't make the cut. Additionally, we explored the meticulous art of puppetry and exceptional acting that bring Chucky to life.

Alongside his fascination with the realm of malevolent dolls, Hedlund has collaborated with partner Nick Antosca on a few script-based true crime dramas, such as Candy and A Friend of the Family. Revealing his attraction to this genre, Hedlund offers insights on his upcoming endeavor and his pursuit of his ultimate storytelling challenge – his "white whale" tale.

Chucky

Release Date: October 12, 2021

Cast: Brad Dourif, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Alex Vincent, Christine Elise

Main Genre: Horror

Genres: Horror, Comedy

Rating: TV-MA

Seasons: 3

Our website: I have viewed all the screeners for the current season, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. This series is incredibly captivating.

ALEX HEDLUND: Hopefully, not in a literal sense.

I truly appreciate the transformations and surprising elements featured in both the movies and the show. The shock value, along with the variety of kills, adds to its appeal. With the shift to network television, were there any restrictions imposed this season? Or were there any instances that left you surprised by what you could actually portray?

HEDLUND: That's a great question. Having entered the third season, perhaps I'm simply accustomed to it, but I believe we experienced a much smoother journey this year. There were always concerns regarding the permissibility of using profanity in the initial season, and we certainly get our fair share of 10 F-bombs per episode. I absolutely relish that. When it comes to the violence and gore, we have never encountered any obstacles. It is undeniably provocative. The kills are daringly audacious by design. That's what truly makes it enjoyable. You know what? I believe the only issue arose in Episode 2, specifically in the portrayal of Miss Fairchild's demise. This may or may not be considered a spoiler, but it is worth mentioning that the American flag wrapped around Miss Fairchild's head is not an authentic one.

Image via SYFY

HEDLUND mentioned that there are strict rules regarding the use of the American flag, and any disrespect towards it is not allowed. Therefore, the flag used in the sequence is actually a prop flag that resembles the American flag but lacks the exact number of stripes and stars. Its color palette matches, and in the close-up shots, it appears authentic. However, in order to film that particular sequence, it was necessary to create this artificial flag. This was the only issue raised by S&P so far this year.

I hadn't considered it before, but it definitely makes sense.

HEDLUND: It wasn't intended as a commentary. It's simply the way the events unfold. Furthermore, the purpose of that death is to be startling. This character is cherished by many.

The content fragment is as follows:

"It was! I was shocked.

HEDLUND: I think Don would take it as a compliment because there are so many people who get killed on this show, or frankly any horror movie or TV series, and it's barely even a story point. It sort of doesn't even register. So if it's shocking and you're emotionally connected to that character and you feel something, again, that's a huge credit to Don and the writers for using this moment as just a way to not necessarily get at the audience for the sake of it being exploitation or just shock value, but really a story point for our three amigos, and a catalyst for what they're gonna do next by trying to infiltrate the White House, and now further galvanize themselves to capture Chucky."

Revised

"Yes, I was shocked.

HEDLUND: I believe Don would consider it a compliment because in this show, as well as any horror movie or TV series, there are numerous deaths that barely hold any significance. They go unnoticed. Hence, if this shocking moment resonates emotionally with the audience and they feel something, it is a testament to Don and the writers. They have utilized this event not merely for exploitative or shocking purposes, but as a crucial plot point for our three characters, serving as a catalyst for their next step - infiltrating the White House and strengthening their determination to capture Chucky."

Image Via SYFY

What drew you into the [Chucky] series and the franchise?

HEDLUND: Working on this series has been a passion of mine since I was a child. Child's Play and Child's Play 2, in particular, had a significant impact on me when I was young. I distinctly remember watching the first Child's Play on HBO one night when my parents were elsewhere, and then pretending to be sick the next day so my mother would rent Child's Play 2 for me. That film resonated with me deeply and served as an entry point into the world of horror movies. My house became the go-to location for sleepovers, where I would introduce my friends to Child's Play 2 and any subsequent films from the franchise.

I have been a devoted fan of Chucky since I was little, so the opportunity to now work on the series is truly incredible. It's a lot of fun both as a show and as a creative process. From a production standpoint, it poses challenges, but the satisfaction of overcoming them is even greater. Everything begins with Don Mancini, the creator and showrunner. He is an exceptional partner, incredibly inclusive and collaborative. He genuinely cares about the franchise and strives to serve the fans while constantly reinventing it. That's what makes the show so remarkable. Each season feels like a captivating novel waiting to be discovered. Even when he proposed the concept of the White House about a year ago, I was pleasantly surprised and eager to learn more. Don's creative inspiration, along with his warmth and inclusivity, are why we keep returning. It has been an absolute joy for me, coming full circle as both a childhood fan and a producer.

Image Via SYFY

There were numerous reasons why the "Death on Denial" episode left me awestruck, but what I truly adored was how it empowered Tiffany to take charge. Are there any future endeavors in the works to replicate such a remarkable experience?

HEDLUND: Don is the one to answer that question. We are always open to his ideas for the character and any subplots or directions he wants to take. We eagerly embrace whatever he wants to do with it. Currently, my focus is on completing the rest of Season 3. We were halfway through when production had to halt, but we hope to finish by the end of this year and release the second half of the season in early 2024. Our plans are uncertain, as we are all on standby. However, I must emphasize that nothing is off-limits in terms of storytelling. Just like the shocking events at the White House or Miss Fairchild's unexpected death, we are willing to take bold and daring ideas. This character has endless possibilities, which makes it incredibly exciting to see what Don has in store for us.

An aspect that I believe would truly astonish people is the intricate art of puppeteering showcased in the show. Can you imagine the number of talented individuals behind the scenes, breathing life into these dolls?

HEDLUND: At any given moment, there may be six to eight individuals engaged in various performative actions. One person controls the eyes and facial movements, while someone else handles the bodywork and another person focuses on the stabbing. It is crucial to acknowledge and credit Tony Gardner and his entire team, who are members of the SAG guild and are actors themselves. They bring forth the actual performances. The process begins with Don and the writers' creation on paper, and Brad Dourif's excellent vocal performance adds an iconic touch. However, the task of animating the physical doll and executing the performance falls to the puppeteers, with the puppeteers being digitally removed in post-production. The body movements have no CGI involvement; they are purely controlled by the puppet. It can be frustrating because it requires perfect timing and coordination of all these elements. But the puppeteers have mastered it to a science, and it's truly amazing to witness from the sidelines. They can make adjustments based on Don's line notes, like subtly altering the brow movement when delivering a specific line. The entire team deserves credit for bringing to life something that might be considered outdated in other productions that heavily rely on CGI or non-existent elements for actors to work with. Speaking broadly, I believe the cast genuinely prefers and enjoys interacting with Chucky and the puppeteers because it provides them with something tangible to react to. When Brad's voiceover accompanies the performance, it all seamlessly comes together. It's like a magical act unfolding before your eyes in real-time, and as a fan, it's incredibly thrilling.

Image via Syfy

Outside of Chucky, I know that you have worked on Candy and A Friend of the Family. I am a huge true-crime fan, so I'm wondering what drew you into the genre.

HEDLUND: My partner, Nick Antosca, and I have mixed feelings about the term "true crime." We didn't set out to specifically create true crime shows, but we've found that it's easier to attract viewers by labeling them as such, rather than calling them domestic dramas. For example, if we pitch a show as "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," it doesn't generate much interest. However, if we say it's like "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" but with elements of "Cape Fear," people become more intrigued. It's like the movies we loved growing up, which are now being made as longer miniseries.

The format has changed, but we still find it fascinating to explore psychological character dramas that may involve murder or other horrific elements. It's like a hidden Hitchcockian thriller. However, we acknowledge that the true crime subgenre is oversaturated in the market, with countless TV shows, movies, podcasts, and news stories. We're more interested in delving into the depths of everyday humanity and finding the stranger-than-fiction aspects of those stories. It's not just about focusing on the gruesome details; we don't want to exploit them.

HEDLUND: The process of solving crimes and the legal system is executed exceptionally by many individuals. However, our aim is to discover those incredibly unusual stories that surpass fiction, and to uncover empathy within a character or a family that seems unimaginable. We strive to establish an emotional connection that captivates us, even if we would never make the choices they did or find ourselves in similar situations. It is crucial to take a step back and genuinely comprehend the viewpoint of that family. This particular aspect of true crime always intrigues us.

But the task is becoming increasingly challenging. With numerous stories available, it often becomes a matter of choice. However, our approach must prioritize the people involved. We strive to collaborate with individuals who are invested in the narrative, such as Jan Broberg in the case of Friend of the Family. Without Jan and her family's participation,

we would not have been able to tell that story and ensure its accuracy.

Image Via Syfy

I heard that you guys are working with Hulu on a Murdaugh family situation.

HEDLUND: [Laughs] It is a situation.

Can you provide any information about how the scripted series will work?

HEDLUND: I can't fully disclose details at this stage due to being in the early stages of development. Additionally, there is a constant influx of new Murdaugh documentaries, movies, and newsworthy events surfacing in the media. The conclusion is still uncertain, which adds to the peculiar nature of the project. However, I must mention that Michael Fuller has crafted an incredible script. We are currently working on additional material and are genuinely thrilled about it. That's all I can reveal for now.

I am interested in diving into a specific story within the true crime genre: Amy Fisher. Her story is captivating not only because of the infamous Long Island Lolita aspect that dominated the headlines in the early 90s, the made-for-TV movies, and the late-night Letterman jokes. What intrigues me even more is the aftermath, when Amy and Joey went to prison and how they eventually ended up together. It's a twisted love triangle with a long tale behind it. I would be thrilled to explore this story either through a documentary or a limited series. Of course, it would be essential to have Amy Fisher as a partner in this endeavor. This particular story has not been accurately portrayed even after 30 years, and while I acknowledge her guilt, there are significant contextual factors, including grooming and her troubled home environment, that shed light on her decisions and actions. There is a bigger, untold story waiting to be addressed. So, if anyone is listening, I sincerely hope we can bring Amy Fisher on board to finally tell her story.

Catch up on all three seasons of Chucky now on Peacock, and stay tuned for the announcement of when Season 3 will return.

Watch on Peacock