Unveiling the Hidden Secrets: Discover 9 Fascinating Facts About PEN15

Summary

PEN15 perfectly encapsulated the spirit of adolescence during the early 2000s through its cringe-inducing humor and relatable portrayal of coming-of-age.

By incorporating genuine life encounters and insider insights, the series skillfully evoked a personal and authentic atmosphere.

Despite facing production delays and various challenges, PEN15 proved to be a highly popular and well-received series that concluded on its own terms after two successful seasons.

With its unique brand of cringe comedy, PEN15 skillfully transported viewers back to the year 2000, effectively capturing the essence of coming-of-age in the early days of the new millennium. Through the comedic talents of Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, who portray exaggerated versions of their middle school selves, the show artfully reawakens the trials and tribulations of their teenage years. PEN15 stands out from other cringe comedies by not only delivering unabashedly honest humor, but also by embracing irreverence, creating an experience that is both hilariously uncomfortable and refreshingly genuine.

Maya Erskine's Mom Plays Maya's Mom On PEN15

Receiving praise from critics across the board, the show remained a Hulu original series for two seasons before it ultimately left the airwaves. Beyond the moments of cringeworthy humor found in PEN15, the series also possessed a genuine warmth that resonated with viewers of all backgrounds, not just those who experienced the early 2000s firsthand. Adding to the show's personal and authentic feel, many of the behind-the-scenes details were directly inspired by the creators' own lives. A deeper dive into the background of PEN15 only enhances its status as a beloved comedy gem.

Maya's mom in PEN15, Yuki Ishii-Peters, is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent characters on the show. Interestingly, the role of Yuki was portrayed by Maya Erskin's real-life mother, Mutsuko Erskine. While PEN15 remains the only acting credit for Mutsuko, her naturalistic performance added an authentic touch to her interactions with Maya. The series primarily focuses on Maya and Anna's coming-of-age challenges, and their relationships with their parents embody genuine moments of emotion and connection, grounding the over-the-top comedy in relatable experiences.

PEN15 Season 2 Was Delayed

Body Doubles Were Used In PEN15

Despite facing production challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PEN15 started off strong when season 1 premiered on Hulu in February 2019. Building on its success, season 2 quickly followed with the release of the first seven episodes in September 2020. However, the pandemic caused a delay in the production of the remaining episodes of season 2, which were eventually released in December 2021, over a year later. To bridge the awkward gap, the creators of the show ingeniously created an animated special called "Jacuzzi," which garnered high praise from esteemed publications like The Guardian.

One of the elements that PEN15, and similar shows, often rely on are running gags. In this series, the visual humor derived from Erskine and Konkle portraying middle school students despite being in their thirties became one of the funniest repeated punchlines. While highly amusing, this presented certain challenges in production that required clever cinematic tricks to overcome. For romantic scenes involving Erskine and Konkle's characters and the younger actors in the series, body doubles were utilized. Additionally, camera tricks were employed. According to Cheat Sheet, Erskine and the production team dedicated significant time to ensure the comfort of every individual present during filming.

Anna Konkle And Maya Erskine Decided To End PEN15 After Season 2

Things Got Emotional On The Set Of Pen15

Despite facing delays due to COVID, PEN15 season 2 managed to retain its popularity on Hulu. However, the creators of the show made the deliberate choice to conclude it after season 2, allowing it to go out on a high note. While the extended break may have created the illusion of a three-season run, it was actually two halves of a single season, with PEN15 season 3 never materializing as Erskine and Konkle pursued other ventures. Given the deeply personal nature of the series for both its creators and stars, the decision to bring PEN15 to a close after season 2 was a wise one, avoiding the need to force its continuation.

Maya's Real-Life Dad Is Credited On The Wild Things Soundtrack

Maya Erskine And Anna Konkle Met In College

Being a part of PEN15, Maya Erskine's mother wasn't the only real-life figure from her personal life that was portrayed in the series. In the show, Richard Karn's character, Fred Peters, serves as a representation of Maya's father, Peter Erskine, who is also quite well-known. Much like in the series, Maya's father in real life is a professional drummer. In a particular episode of PEN15, "Wild Things", Maya and Anna join a school group to watch the movie. Interestingly, Peter Erskine, Maya's father, is actually credited on the movie's soundtrack.

An essential aspect that contributed to PEN15's success as a remarkable comedy was the undeniable bond between the main stars, Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle. Many of the show's events were directly inspired by their personal experiences. Although Erskine and Konkle portray middle school friends on screen, it is fascinating to note that they first met as adults while participating in an NYU study-abroad program in Amsterdam. Their connection flourished as they spent more time together, swiftly evolving into best friends in real life. Remarkably, despite their late introduction, this deep connection is clearly evident throughout the series.

PEN15's Opening Sequence Used Real Photos

Each episode of PEN15 commences with a captivating montage of Maya and Anna, accompanied by the empowering anthem "DemiRep" by the iconic riot grrrl band, Bikini Kill. Remarkably, the photographs showcased in the opening sequence are genuine snapshots of Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle during their formative years. Cheat Sheet recently unveiled that Erskine and Konkle diligently sifted through their belongings to unearth pictures of themselves at the age they portray on the show, a time long before the ubiquity of camera phones. The incorporation of these personal photographs not only adds a delightful touch of humor but also establishes from the very onset that the humor in PEN15 is deeply personal.

Maya And Anna's Appearances Are Based On Their Childhood Looks

Maya and Anna's clever use of their signature looks effectively distracted viewers from the fact that they were portraying middle schoolers despite being in their thirties. The New Yorker expounded that Konkle and Erskine drew inspiration from their own appearances during their middle school years for their styling choices. Konkle even had braces twice, while Erskine sported a bowl cut reminiscent of the one showcased in Pen15. To capture the authentic experience, Erskine also added a faint mustache to Maya's character, reflecting her own personal struggle with being teased for being hairy.