Unveiling the Terrifying Secrets: Dive into Season 1 of The Horror Of Dolores Roach

Warning: The following contains spoilers for the finale of The Horror of Dolores Roach. Now available to stream on Prime Video, this series tells the story of a woman who goes to extreme lengths to survive. Dolores' relatable character makes viewers root for her throughout the eight episodes, and even her killing spree feels like an unintended mistake rather than a malicious act. With all ties severed and no place to call home, Dolores escapes Washington Heights in the final moments of the finale, bringing an end to her narration since the pilot. However, the episode only concludes once Dolores appears to find Dominic and seeks her revenge.

The Horror of Dolores Roach is based on the popular Spotify podcast of the same name, created by Aaron Mark. Mark has adapted the series for television and serves as the writer and executive producer. Justina Machado stars as Dolores Roach, known for her leading role in One Day at a Time. Alejandro Hernandez, who portrays Dolores' partner in crime, Luis, recently finished his role on the final season of NBC's medical drama, New Amsterdam. The cast also features Kita Updike, K. Todd Freeman, Ilan Eskenazi, Jeffery Self, and Jean Yoon.

Aaron Mark chats exclusively with Screen Rant about Dolores' complicated feelings for Luis, her genuine relationship with Nellie, and his own hopes for a season 2.

Aaron Mark Talks The Horror of Dolores Roach

Screen Rant: You went from making a podcast to filming a TV show, which is an entirely different ballgame. What has this process been like?

The process has been a remarkable journey. I penned the play a decade ago during the summer and spent two full years refining it in New York before finally presenting it Off-Broadway in 2018. The way things unfolded was quite unexpected. Following our Off-Broadway run, I traveled to LA to pitch the television adaptation of the play, but many viewed it as a ludicrous idea, considering the timing wasn't right.

However, I had an abundance of material ready for a serialized version of Dolores' story. Luckily, Mimi O'Donnell, who had previously overseen the Labyrinth Theater Company and produced our Off-Broadway play, brought the project to Gimlet, and that's when we decided to create a podcast. Ironically, after the podcast was released, there was suddenly a surge of interest in developing a TV adaptation of Dolores' story, which I had already attempted in 2016. Thus, the process has been an extraordinary, peculiar, and surreal journey that, in my opinion, couldn't have unfolded in any other way.

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When it comes to the various versions of this story, do you want them to be similar in any way? Or do you want to keep them unpredictable for those who haven't experienced the other formats?

Aaron Mark: That's a great question and something I think about every day during this process, and in a different way during the podcast production. It was vital for me that this television adaptation stayed true to the core essence of the piece. Whether someone watched the play or listened to the podcast, or even if they haven't, it's the same character and project. However, I didn't want the TV version to simply be a visual representation of what we did in audio. I definitely want to surprise those who believe they know what to expect. We have a slightly different lineup of victims, so to speak. The television version introduces new characters and incorporates unexpected twists and turns. Our goal is to keep viewers on their toes.

When I spoke with Kita [Updike], she mentioned her involvement in the podcast. How did the casting process go for that? Were you considering bringing her onto the show?

Aaron Mark: Out of the podcast cast, she's the only one who made the transition to television. The podcast cast is incredibly talented, and I can't believe how fortunate we are to have them. Both the podcast and television casts are unbelievably extraordinary. We knew from the start that the television version would have a completely different cast. Daphne, whom I wrote the play for in the podcast, is now focused on writing and producing for the television version. That's how we brought in Justina. We were incredibly fortunate to have Justina play the role of Dolores on TV.

She is incredibly remarkable. When it came to selecting a new cast, we were adamant about surrounding her with fresh faces. What was truly impressive was that Kita decided to audition for the role herself without any reservations. She boldly proclaimed, "I am not fazed. I will submit a tape." The astonishing thing was, we all agreed that she was absolutely fantastic. Moreover, Kita had played a vital role in collaborating with me to discover and shape that character for our podcast. In light of this, it resonated profoundly with the entire team that if we were to include one member from the podcast in the cast, it had to be her. She truly serves as the binding force that connects both realms seamlessly.

Dolores shared her story on the TV show, mentioning the podcast and the play. What was the motive behind this creative decision?

Aaron Mark: This show is incredibly unique because Dolores appears in every scene. It's highly uncommon for television. We discussed extensively how the entire show is centered around viewers identifying with this character. Despite being a serial killer, Dolores is not portrayed as an outsider. She's someone who certain audiences may initially believe they have nothing in common with, and would never engage in her actions. However, the objective of the show is to guide you, step by step, in realizing that you, the audience, are also Dolores, just like me.

We all share the same humanity, and if put in similar challenging circumstances, we would make similar choices. Therefore, it is crucial that the viewer deeply connects with Dolores on an emotional and psychological level. To achieve this, it is highly effective to guide the viewer through her experiences via her voiceover, establishing a sense of trust and reliance on her. Regardless of how we feel about her actions on screen, we are aware that we are her trusted confidante.

Regarding the relationship between Dolores and Luis, I found it incredibly intriguing. There were moments where it seemed she genuinely cared for him, but there were also times when she wanted nothing to do with him.

Aaron Mark: Thank you for your question. Their relationship is complex and intriguing. Sometimes, she questions her true romantic feelings towards him, but other times, she is certain about her love for him. There is definitely a deep affection for this man. Interestingly, Dolores seems to be replicating a pattern she had with Dominic and Tabitha. With him, she finds someone who accepts her regardless of the terrible things she has done, and this is irresistible to her. The world has turned against her, and the people she cared about the most have abandoned her. But here is this man, assuring her that he doesn't care about her past actions and will do whatever it takes to prove it. This vulnerability is Dolores' weakness. They have a symbiotic and ideal connection in many ways, but it is not sustainable. Their relationship is disruptive and their chemistry, portrayed by Justina and Alejandro, is absolutely incredible. As a producer and creator, it is a dream to witness actors who possess such chemistry. They have fully grasped the complexity of their characters' emotions, the mixture of love and hate, repulsion and attraction, and their mutual dependence on each other.

I love that you dive a bit into Luis' background as well. Is that part of why he was so willing to do all of these horrible things for Dolores? Because of his past trauma?

From Dolores' perspective, Luis has always been this amusing and eccentric person who helps her clean up her messes. However, it's not until the end of the season that she truly understands his pain and realizes that they share a profound connection. Both of them have experienced deep hurt and trauma, but they have coped with it in different ways.

The depth of their connection goes beyond what Dolores initially perceives, and even the viewers may not fully grasp it. It is revealed that Luis has suffered from a form of abuse that is rarely discussed in our society: sexual abuse of young men. It was crucial for us to depict this issue, as it is not commonly portrayed in the media. Furthermore, it is important to note that Dolores herself has never confronted such a subject in her own life and is unsure how to support him. However, she chooses to approach the situation with love and becomes a source of comfort for him. In that moment, she stands by his side as a supportive partner.

Speaking about relationships, the connection that struck me as the most genuine was between Dolores and Nellie. Throughout the entire show, it seemed like Dolores never had a single negative thought about Nellie. What was your intention with their dynamic?

Aaron Mark: Nellie serves as a lifeline in a way. Amongst everyone in the shop, she is the one who seems to have the clearest sense of her identity and purpose there. Everyone else hides their secrets, but Nellie is different. She says, "This is who I am. I am here. I see you. I am present." This honest and direct approach initially shocks Dolores but serves as a much-needed lifeline. Nellie provides support. Therefore, when something unfortunate happens to Nellie towards the end, it crosses a line for Dolores. It's too much - Nellie has been pulled into the chaos.

The story eventually concludes, but there are some unresolved elements. It seems like there is potential for further development. Was this intentional or was the plan always for it to be a single season?

Aaron Mark: There is much more of the story that can be told. We like to say that Dolores Roach is unstoppable. She can appear anywhere, adapt, and find solutions. There is still a significant portion of her story left to explore. Additionally, since the current season starts and ends in the present day, the main content of the series is set in 2019 before COVID. We have established the idea that in four years, this character who desired seclusion and anonymity becomes a world-renowned serial killer. The implications of this development for her now that her narrative is being taken away from her - I believe there is a great deal more story waiting to be told. Hence, I urge people to watch the first season so that we can continue sharing the story.

About The Horror of Dolores Roach

Based on the popular Spotify podcast series, The Horror of Dolores Roach is a modern-day tale of love, betrayal, marijuana, cannibalism, and the fight for survival. After serving an unfair 16-year prison sentence, Dolores Roach (played by Justina Machado) returns to a gentrified neighborhood in Washington Heights.

Reconnecting with her old friend and stoner companion, Luis (portrayed by Alejandro Hernandez), Dolores finds refuge in the basement of his empanada shop, where she works as a masseuse. However, when her newfound stability is abruptly jeopardized, the resourceful Dolores, also known as "Magic Hands," will go to unimaginable lengths to stay alive.

Check out our other interviews with The Horror of Dolores Roach cast:

Justina Machado & Alejandro Hernandez

Kita Updike & K. Todd Freeman

All eight episodes of The Horror of Dolores Roach are currently available to stream on Prime Video.

Source: Screen Rant Plus