Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for the Upload season 3 premiere.
Summary
Season 3 of Upload makes a promising comeback as Nathan and Nora's relationship blossoms, despite their awareness of its possible brevity. Nora grapples with fully accepting their bond, knowing it could terminate unexpectedly, yet this uncertainty enhances their adventures in the physical realm.
Ingrid's moment of hitting rock bottom in season 2 prompts her to reflect on her life and realize that she needs to make changes.
The highly anticipated return of Upload season 3 to the streaming service is finally here, with the premiere of the first two episodes on Prime Video. Fans can look forward to two new episodes every Friday leading up to the season finale on November 10. The season opens with Nathan back in the real world, fully embracing his relationship with Nora, which was solidified at the end of season 2. However, Nathan is constantly aware of the tragic fate of those who came before him and knows that his own time may be limited.
Our website recently interviewed Jeff Blitz, the executive producer and director of multiple episodes of the show. He has also directed both episodes of the season 3 premiere. Blitz is known for his previous work on shows like American Auto, Space Force, and Superstore. In the upcoming season of Upload, Robbie Amell stars as Nathan, Andy Allo as Nora, Kevin Bigley as Luke, Allegra Edwards as Ingrid, Zainab Johnson as Aleesha, and Owen Daniels as A.I. Guy.
During the interview, we discussed the exciting twist in the season premiere, Ingrid's journey of self-reflection, and the exploration of Nathan and Nora's relationship in Upload season 3.
Jeff Blitz Talks Upload Season 3
Our website: After facing setbacks and challenges for two seasons, Nora and Nathan have finally found their way to each other. When viewers first encounter them in the premiere, what kind of relationship dynamic would you like to portray for the couple?
Jeff Blitz: The season begins with a heartwarming and affectionate moment between Nathan and Nora, showcasing their hard-earned connection. We want this to be a reassuring and enjoyable starting point for the audience. It takes place shortly after the events of the season 2 finale, giving a sense of hope and potential for their future. Nonetheless, as is characteristic of Upload, things rarely go according to plan...
Given the circumstances, is Nora struggling to embrace what she finally has, knowing that she could potentially lose him within weeks? Have you had any conversations with Andy Allo regarding Nora's approach to the relationship?
Jeff Blitz: Absolutely. Nora is with the person she loves the most, but there's a constant sense of impermanence. How do you fully invest when it could all end abruptly? However, this looming uncertainty adds depth to every moment they share. It highlights one of the significant distinctions between the real world and the virtual world portrayed in Upload.
In the pilot, Nathan was uploaded and hasn't truly experienced everyday life. How did you want Nathan's energy in the real world to be different from his time in Lakeview?
Jeff Blitz: It's like Nathan has been in a long-distance relationship, and now that they're finally together, they have to face the realities of each other and the real world. Nathan has forgotten what it's like to be a physical person, with the ability to gain weight, experience indigestion, and have body odor. He's now encountering the unpredictable aspects of real life.
Ingrid had been longing for Nathan for the last two seasons, despite his waning interest. However, during the premiere, she had a sudden moment of clarity. What do you believe triggered this realization for her?
According to Jeff Blitz, few characters in comedy shows have hit rock bottom as severely as Ingrid did at the conclusion of season 2. Being held captive in a clone factory while witnessing her former lover flee with another woman forces one to question the fundamentals of their existence. If this doesn't lead to deep self-examination, it's uncertain what ever will.
With the arrival of another Nathan, Ingrid found herself presented with an ideal opportunity to revert back to her previous behavior. Could there have been a situation where she would have declined him and remained steadfast in her choices? Stay tuned for updates this season from Jeff Blitz.
Did Robbie Amell face any difficulties transitioning between the two versions of his character, Nathan, in different moments of time considering the changes he underwent due to character development over the seasons?
In Season 3, Robbie has a deep understanding of Nathan. He effortlessly navigates through different situations and finds joy in distinguishing the various versions of Nathan. Essentially, it's a exploration of circumstances, right? Nathan remains the same, but the people around him have different agendas, leading to a notable transformation in his character. We witness how profoundly Nora inspires him to become a better person, and, in her own way, how Ingrid sparks unexpected empathy, acceptance, and even a peculiar interest in fashion within him.
Upload has consistently managed to incorporate elements from a wide range of genres. Despite the seriousness of their mission and Nathan's personal situation, the humor remains just as strong as ever in Season 3. What efforts are put into maintaining this delicate balance?
Jeff Blitz: The script stage plays a crucial role in determining the essence of a film. While there is room for interpretation by the director and the cast, the comedic elements are primarily driven by the character arcs that are already defined on the page. Maintaining a delicate balance is vital - veering too much towards a conspiracy thriller can make it challenging to bring in humor. Fortunately, our cast is adept at discovering comedy even within the darkest moments.
Luke's friendship with Nathan is a personal favorite of mine, particularly due to its comedic aspects. What aspects of their dynamic and collaborating with both actors on these scenes do you find most enjoyable?
Jeff Blitz: One of my personal favorites! I find it fascinating how their rock solid friendship is built on ignoring Luke's hilarious quirks. They're best friends, but Nathan has to put in effort to overlook Luke's intense admiration/love/need, or whatever it may be. This dynamic creates an endless playground for Robbie and Kevin to dive into.
This aspect definitely affects all seasons, and even in the real world, we have to edit in futuristic technology during post-production. I'm curious to know, what challenges do the absence of tangible props pose for the actors and for you as the director?
Jeff Blitz: This is a great question as it highlights a constant challenge we face. While we do our best to anticipate the technology involved, the pre-visualization process is much more complex than it seems. When an actor needs to interact with technology that will be created later in post-production, we have to carefully plan and then make revisions during the editing process to achieve the desired look and feel of the interface.
Are there any exciting aspects of season 3 that you can share which viewers can look forward to?
About Upload Season 3
Jeff Blitz: I am intrigued to see how fans will react to Ingrid as the season progresses. While Nora and Nathan remain the core couple of the show, Ingrid has some unexpected surprises in store. Personally, I am excited to see where her character arc takes her and I hope viewers will share the same enthusiasm!Upload, a sci-fi comedy series created by Greg Daniels, a renowned Emmy-winning writer known for his work on The Office, Parks and Recreation, and King of the Hill, takes place in a futuristic world filled with advanced technology. Imagine holographic phones, self-driving vehicles, AI assistants, and even 3D food printers as commonplace. But that's not all. In this reality, death is not the end. Instead, individuals can choose to be "uploaded" into a virtual afterlife, where they can experience the luxuries of a top-tier resort. Of course, there's a catch – it comes with a hefty price tag.
In Season Three of Upload, Nora and Nathan, who was recently downloaded, must navigate their relationship while racing against a mysterious conspiracy that threatens countless lives. Can they bring down Freeyond and create a real-life future together? Or will it be only a matter of time before Nathan's head explodes? Meanwhile, in Lakeview, a backup of Nathan has been activated, and Ingrid is determined not to let this second chance at love slip away. In the real world, Aleesha rises in the ranks at Horizen by overseeing AI education and finds herself in a new romantic relationship. Luke, on the other hand, finds himself all alone in Lakeview and must find a way to pay for his stay in paradise, which leads him to work in The Grey Zone. Prime Video will release two new episodes of Upload every Friday until the season 3 finale on November 10.