Current co-stars Adrianne Palicki and Penny Johnson Jerald both have long-established careers in the entertainment industry.
Joe: Retaliation" and “John Wick.”
Now, they are both starring in the futuristic sci-fi “The Orville: New Horizons.”
Palicki plays Kelly Grayson, and Jerald plays Dr. Clair Finn both members of the exploratory spaceship crew.
Penny Johnson Jerald:We’re on Hulu.
That one’s big, and [there are] lots of big changes.
The amount of freedoms we had, and the intensity of the episodes …
It’s been quite a journey.
I know that filming got interrupted by quarantine.
What was it like having to stop in the middle and then come back?
Penny:Well, all life was interrupted during that time.
Honestly, at the beginning of the break, I said, “Yes!”
because I felt like I needed it.
So I’m able to bring it in for the rest.
Adrianne:It was May at first.
Adrianne:It was definitely … We’d been working really hard, so I’m with you.
Adrianne:All of the sudden you’re like, “Oh no, this is happening.
This is a long-term situation.”
And obviously [it was] scary as hell.
Adrianne:Yeah, it was nice.
That portion was nice.
Penny:You’ll see with almost all the characters that everyone has to deal with the Isaac situation.
I’m not sure if we have anybody who doesn’t resolve it at all.
And for you [Penny] specifically as Claire, it’s a really beautiful arc as well.
Kelly’s dealing with another arc that happens.
Do you feel that gives you freedom in the way the story gets told?
Penny:Oh, yes.
We’re a moral compass, but we don’t impose our beliefs on anyone.
I think that’s it.
This season is a “check yourself” season.
It’s about “What do you really believe?”
and “What is truly important to you?”
and “How do you want to invest your time and your efforts with life?”
So yes, it’s well done.
Penny:All of the above.
To learn something, to change someone good or bad is a powerful tool.
And we will do that this season.
Adrianne:I agree.
What is that like for you as actors?
Adrianne:Well, Penny and I had this in common.
We got all of the scripts well in advance, and neither of us read them.
But I liked the element of surprise.
It was kind of that thing.
I’d be like, “Seth [MacFarlane], what am I doing here?”
Penny:He knows everything.
This is in his world.
Adrianne:I’m like, “Okay!”
Penny:It’s like, “Oh, okay.”
Didn’t that [episode] take two years, almost?
Adrianne:We started with one that took three years.
Penny:It was a long time.
Then, when she came back, it was like, “Poor thing.
All of her coverage at once sorry, girl.”
The most challenging element filming this season
What is it like for you guys now?
Penny:It’s like … We’re talking about babies.
Adrianne:[It’s] like you’re giving birth.
Penny:It’s like all of us could have had babies.
“Oh my gosh, I want this out.”
And then it’s so wonderful that it’s out.
We just saw the episodes, and I’m a fan of “The Orville.”
I have to say, I’m a fan.
It was so good.
Adrianne:We shot so long ago that it was like being outside of yourself.
You’re like, “I’m not even watching me.
I’m watching a TV show that has nothing to do with me.”
It felt really fresh like that.
Penny:That was the coolest thing, though.
Adrianne:I forgot.
I’m like, “Yes, can we do another episode?”
It’s too long ago.
What would you say was the most challenging element of filming this season?
And we shoot a lot.
The most challenging thing was the amount of time.
But at the same time, I get to spend all this time with my dear friends and family.
Penny:We have to balance it to be as though we’re at a party.
That’s how we do it because the hours are long.
Adrianne:It was definitely a party.
Penny:We shoot on Saturdays.
We shot on a Sunday once, too.
We shoot all the time.
We don’t tolerate anybody like … that doesn’t even happen.
You would get the stink eye.
Adrianne:And some of that dialogue is hard as it is.
You got to know your stuff.
Be respectful, come there, bring on your A-game, and let’s get it done.
Let’s have fun because it’s going to be a long day.
Adrianne:There were dance parties.
How close is The Orville cast?
Do you have any favorite memories in particular from behind the scenes?
Adrianne:There’s too many.
But we don’t do that.
We actually, genuinely love each other.
We’re still in a chain.
We’ve talked throughout COVID, we’ve talked through every break.
We’re still talking now, and we haven’t shot for a while.
We are genuinely true friends.
We will put you back in your place.
If you act like a fool, you’re going to get it from all of us.
We’ll go, “What are you doing?
Don’t do that.”
We are the real thing.
Adrianne:Oh, yeah.
And certain things would definitely happen.
We really should have shot the two of them.
Penny:We’re with crew people too.
It becomes this separate camp thing.
It’s not like, “Hey, ‘background number two’ over there.”
We know people’s names.
Adrianne:We know their families.
We know what they’re doing.
We know about their kids' soccer teams.
We couldn’t do it without every single person on set.
Also, with those hours, you better be friends with the crew.
Penny:They’re your new friends.
They’re your new neighbors.
The Orville Season 3 premieres June 2 on Hulu.
This interview was edited for clarity.
