Betty Gilpin says ‘Widow’s Bay’ pushes back on safe TV
Gilpin characterized the Apple TV series as a rebuke to “safe” and “copy/paste” television, as Season 2 is already on the way.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Betty Gilpin’s Widow’s Bay comments have put a blunt label on what she likes about the Apple TV series. In an interview published by IndieWire on August 6, Gilpin said the show feels like “the ultimate fuck you to safe, algorithm-friendly, ChatGPT, copy/paste television.”
The actor, who plays Sarah Warren, said she was pleased that the series had found what she described as mainstream success. “That’s what people fucking want,” Gilpin said, calling the result “so satisfying.”
What did Betty Gilpin say about ‘Widow’s Bay’?
Gilpin characterized Widow’s Bay as the opposite of television she called safe, algorithm-friendly and copy-and-paste. Her remarks were her assessment of the series’ creative approach and its reception, rather than a claim about the television industry as a whole.
She told IndieWire that, because she was not part of the show’s central creative team, she felt able to praise the work without praising herself. Gilpin said the tired crew members she worked with had made “the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen.”
What is ‘Widow’s Bay’ about?
The series follows a New England mayor, played by Matthew Rhys, who wants to bring more tourists to his small island. Strange events then set off a centuries-old curse, according to Deadline’s synopsis.
Gilpin’s latest Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy nomination is for playing Sarah Warren. Deadline reported that Widow’s Bay received 19 Emmy nominations for its first season.
There is more island trouble ahead: Apple TV renewed the Katie Dippold-created series for a second season before the Season 1 finale, Deadline reported. Dippold also signed an overall deal with Apple TV.
Readers can read Deadline’s report on the comments.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.