Celebrity Brainpower on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is steadily setting itself apart with an array of captivating shows that are both star-studded and cerebral. Not to be left out, “Lessons in Chemistry” joins the pantheon of series like “The Morning Show” and “Hijack” that have lured big-name talent from the big screen. Adapted from Bonnie Garmus’s buzzworthy debut novel, the miniseries is causing quite the stir even before most have flipped its pages, thanks largely to its multi-faceted leading lady, Brie Larson.
“Lessons in Chemistry is an adaptation of Bonnie Garmus’s hit debut novel of the same name, with Apple TV+ issuing a straight-to-order series over a year before the book was even published.”
Brie Larson: A Welcome Return to the Small Screen
Everyone’s favorite Captain Marvel, Brie Larson, is stepping back into TV land with “Lessons in Chemistry” after a 12-year hiatus. Larson isn’t just acting; she’s also flexing her muscles as an executive producer for the show. Her character, Elizabeth Zott, is a force to be reckoned with—a brilliant chemist thrown into the limelight of 1960s American television.
Brie Larson As Elizabeth Zott
“She’s a no-nonsense brilliant chemist who by happenstance finds herself hosting Supper at Six, the most popular cooking show in America in the early 1960s.”
If you’ve followed Larson’s career, you know she’s no stranger to complex roles. From her award-winning part in “Room” to her first major TV gig in “The United States of Tara,” she brings a gravitas that turns any role into an event.
The Highs and Lows of Chemistry
Lewis Pullman As Calvin Evans
Lewis Pullman plays Calvin Evans, an equally gifted chemist and the not-so-instant love interest of Elizabeth Zott. Calvin’s initially clumsy approach to feminism offers room for growth, making him an intriguing counterpart to Larson’s Zott.
“Evans is a man with the best intentions whose actions don’t always match them, but he tries to learn from Zott and teach her in turn.”
Pullman isn’t new to the limelight, having graced several high-profile films like “Bad Times at the El Royale” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” Yet, “Lessons in Chemistry” promises to showcase a different, more layered facet of his acting skills.
A Cast as Diverse as a Periodic Table
Aja Naomi King plays Harriet Sloane, a role that underwent a transformative adaptation from book to screen. The show gains an added layer of complexity by exploring racial dynamics in the 1950s and ’60s, thanks to King’s casting.
Aja Naomi King As Harriet Sloane
“In the television series Lessons in Chemistry, Harriet is played by 38-year-old Black actress Aja Naomi King, whose casting changes much of her character and dynamic with Zott as women of different races in the 1950s/60s.”
Derek Cecil As Dr. Robert Donatti
Derek Cecil takes on the role of Dr. Robert Donatti, the sexist head of the Chemistry department, while Rainn Wilson portrays Phil Lebensmal, the dismissive TV station manager. Both men serve as hurdles for Elizabeth Zott, but in ways that allow for compelling drama and social commentary.
Rainn Wilson As Phil Lebensmal
A Series Bound for the Emmy’s?
Kevin Sussman As Walter Pine
With other notable cast members like Kevin Sussman, Stephanie Koenig, and Patrick Walker, plus the potential for an award-winning performance from Beau Bridges, “Lessons in Chemistry” is already sparking Emmy buzz. Apple TV+ might have just concocted the perfect formula for a hit.
Stephanie Koenig As Fran Frask
Patrick Walker As Reverend Wakely
Setting the Stage for Future Talent
The show also introduces us to child actress Alice Halsey, who plays Madeline “Mad” Zott. Her chemistry with Larson might just be the star-making partnership we’ve all been waiting for.
Alice Halsey As Madeline “Mad” Zott
“The chemistry between the mother and child is reminiscent of the dynamic on-screen relationship between Larson and Jacob Tremblay in Room.”
Can Apple TV+ Turn Lessons into Success?
The streamer has a history of converting complex, thoughtful narratives into critical and commercial successes. With a script that’s equal parts cerebral and entertaining, and a cast that promises compelling performances, “Lessons in Chemistry” may just be the next must-see series of the year. After all, chemistry isn’t just for the lab—it’s for the screen, too.
