The Intense Journey of Isaiah in Season 2 Unveiled: Killing It Star Rell Battle Sheds Light

Summary

Killing It season 2 delves deeper into established characters and introduces new struggles, providing a rollercoaster ride of fun and funny exploration of the American Dream.

Rell Battle's character, Isaiah, presents a new dimension in this season as he explores themes of love and strives to redeem himself despite his imperfections and past misdeeds.

The show's well-crafted script and relatable characters foster a deep connection between the audience and characters like Isaiah, even in moments when their decisions may raise doubts.

The highly anticipated season 2 of Killing It is almost here, promising a fresh and hilarious exploration of the American Dream. Showrunners Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici have replaced the snake-wrangling theme of the first season with a new and exciting hustle. The upcoming season will take audiences on a wild ride, delving deeper into the lives of established characters and introducing new struggles that are definitely worth watching. Fan-favorite characters Craig, Jillian, and the villain Rodney Lamonca, portrayed by Craig Robinson, Claudia O'Doherty, and Tim Heidecker respectively, will be making a comeback. Another familiar face returning is Isaiah, played by the talented actor, writer, and comedian Rell Battle. Although Isaiah will showcase a different side in season 2, audiences can still expect the endearing flaws and quirks that they have grown to love.

Rell Battle Talks Killing It Season 2

Rell Battle had a conversation with Screen Rant concerning the opportunity to have his own episode once again in the second season, delving deeper into the character Isaiah, and more. Note: This interview took place prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023, and it is important to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the writers and actors from WGA and SAG-AFTRA without whom the show would not have come to fruition.

Photo by: Adam Rose/PEACOCK/UTV/USG

Screen Rant: What can you say about where we find your character this season?

Rell Battle: So, my character is currently in Phoenix, hiding under a new identity and trying to live a lawful life, but the consequences of my past actions are starting to catch up to me. I find myself in a situation where I have to confront my past sins and find a way to survive. To do that, I need to return to the world I know best and reconnect with my big brother Craig. Despite our complicated relationship and the fact that I'm not speaking to him, it's essential for my own well-being. I can't reveal too many details, but I hope you understand the gist of it.

Was there anything about Isaiah's personality or inner workings that excited you about exploring in a fresh manner this season?

Rell Battle: Absolutely. They've cast me as somewhat of a heartthrob. He experiences a newfound love in this season, with a lovely woman by his side, and he strives to be a romantic and caring partner. He's aiming to be a good-natured person, leading a normal and functional life. It's a different side of Isaiah that the audience hasn't witnessed—a more sensitive side. In season one, I was always in your face, always ranting. Now, I'm more inclined to listen and be a source of courage and inspiration for my lady. However, sometimes things don't go as planned, and he reverts back to his old ways.

I admire your character because he possesses certain villainous qualities, yet his motivations are understandable. He is simply striving to succeed, which is logical. Is it difficult to ensure that he remains relatable, even when he engages in actions that the audience may not approve of?

Rell Battle: In the world of theater, we are taught that there are no truly bad guys. Every character has a rationale for their actions. It's like the saying, "One person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter." You must discover the underlying reasons behind his choices and make them relatable. This is where the humor comes into play. It's not enough for people to simply despise the character; they must also love to hate him.

I believe that people empathize with him and can relate to him due to the emotional aspects he brings into his relationships, as well as the knowledge of his father's passing. This understanding allows us to comprehend his actions, even when they may provoke anger. This is crucial, and it speaks to the high quality of writing on the show. I give credit to the showrunners Dan and Luke for this. It's important to constantly express admiration for the showrunners to secure job stability. So I truly appreciate my showrunners Dan and Luke.

I wanted to talk to you about Dan because I noticed that you're also from DC. Being from the same place as him made me quite thrilled.

Rell Battle: Where are you from in DC? I’m from Northwest. [Dan’s] from Bethesda, yeah. Bethesda, Maryland.

Is that something you guys bonded over?

Rell Battle: Yes, we certainly did. I attended the University of Maryland, while he was a fan of Maryland but opted for Harvard or something, you know, all high and mighty. However, we both grew up in the same area and were familiar with the surroundings, which allowed us to connect on a deeper level. It was great to have someone with whom I could discuss the games whenever they were on. Who knows, maybe it played a part in me securing the role. I'm grateful for whatever I can get. By the way, Dan is a true 301 boy, representing the area code with pride. [A] 301, 202 boy.

Photo by: Adam Rose/PEACOCK

I don't want to spoil things, but you're pretty featured in one of the early episodes of this, which is awesome.

Rell Battle: As it should be.

How did it feel for you to do that? Was it an amazing experience or a source of pressure?

Rell Battle: It wasn't pressure at all since we had already done one in the first season. Each season, every character gets their own episode, so I anticipated this and was prepared for it. It's crucial to excel in your own episode because if mine is successful, the entire show succeeds. We all support each other and want everyone to succeed. I want Craig to excel. I want Claudia to excel.

Content is primarily about fulfilling one's responsibilities in a team, being a role player, and the excitement of exploring different aspects of a character in a show. Furthermore, the content expresses curiosity about working with certain individuals in the upcoming season.

Everyone was incredibly talented. Tim Heidecker and I had an amazing time together last year. Our guest artists, including Kyle Mooney from SNL, were absolutely fantastic. Working with so many comedic talents was a dream come true. I don't think any other show can boast such a lineup in one season. Maybe I'm biased, but I believe we did an excellent job.

Did you begin in standup? When you're part of this show, do you fully embrace acting or do you still feel the need to exercise your stand-up skills as well?

Rell Battle: Stand-up doesn't play a major role in this. The script is exceptionally well-written, so there isn't much need for additional input. We do have some room for improvisation, where our stand-up skills come into play. However, Dan, Luke, and the writers have a deep understanding of our characters, especially in the second season. This makes it easier to portray the characters and deliver their written lines. I don't find myself relying on my stand-up skills too often; I can focus more on my acting, which is fortunate. This is quite uncommon.

This show heavily revolves around the American Dream and the hustle. Each character is striving to achieve success in their own way. Does being a part of this show make you reflect on your own personal journey and how your own hustle brought you to where you are now?

Rell Battle: The content resonates with me because it reminds me of the hustle I've experienced. I'm not sure who among the actors is watching this, but there's always the constant struggle to get auditions, to find opportunities, to secure a talent agent or manager. It doesn't matter if you're looking for gigs on Craigslist or through Actor's Access, Isaiah will do whatever it takes. He will explore multiple avenues to generate income, just like in comedy.

Even as a comedian, you have to perform at various clubs. One night you may be at the Improv in Miami, and the next you could be at Barry's Chuckle Hut in Compton. It's always about searching for that next job, and Isaiah adopts the same approach. He's always on the lookout for the next scheme and the next game. This parallel hits close to home for me because I've also felt the desperate need to do whatever it takes to make it. Trust me, I've been there, buddy.

What are you particularly excited for people to see in this season?

Rell Battle: If you enjoyed the zaniness, wackness, craziness, silliness, and heart of the first season, get ready for an intensified experience in every episode. Despite being a shorter season, we're going all out. The combination of Jillian, Craig, myself, and the guest stars will bring a level of dirtiness that you'll either love or hate. You'll witness Craig's journey towards the dark side and see Jillian kicking some serious butt. It's a whole new level compared to what we did in season one, and I can't wait for people to witness it.

About Killing It Season 2

Photo by: Adam Rose/PEACOCK/UTV/USG

Check out our interview with Craig Robinson and Claudia O'Doherty for season 2 of Killing It.

All episodes of Killing It season 2 release on August 17 on Peacock.

Source: Screen Rant Plus