Mark Tallman is currently riding high on the massive success of the Apple TV+ series Your Friends and Neighbors. The hit show, which dives deep into the messy, drama-filled lives of the ultra-wealthy, has already made history as the first show in Apple’s existence to secure both a season two and season three pickup before the previous seasons ever aired.
At the center of the upscale chaos is Tallman’s character, Nick Brandis. Nick is a former NBA All-Star who has transitioned into a highly successful entrepreneur. Unlike many of his affluent peers in the show who rely on family money or hedge funds, Nick built his fortune from the ground up through hard work and lifelong ambition.
However, his personal life is incredibly complicated, mostly because he is romantically involved with Mel (played by Amanda Peet), the ex-wife of his best friend, Coop (played by Jon Hamm).
Given the central conflict of his character dating a best friend’s ex-wife, the obvious question is whether Tallman could ever forgive a friend for committing the same ultimate betrayal in real life.
Surprisingly, the actor has a highly empathetic outlook on the situation. “I think there is a place where I could forgive that person,” Tallman admits in our exclusive interview. However, he shares that it wouldn’t happen overnight. “But similar to Coop, I think it would take a hell of a lot for me to forgive him,” he explains.
For Tallman, the process of healing a fractured brotherhood would take serious time and reflection. “Like, it would take… months and months or years to get to a place where I’m like, you know what? I can separate these two entities. I can separate the person from what the person did. Or the person from the action,” he says.
While the friendships on Your Friends and Neighbors are fraught with secrets and betrayal, Tallman’s real-life circle looks vastly different. As television begins to showcase more vulnerable male friendships, Tallman was happy to reflect on the tight-knit group of men he leans on behind the scenes.
“So a group comprised mostly of guys I played college ball with, we do an annual guys trip,” he shares. “We joke that at one point on that trip, everybody’s going to come to tears. Because we go to have a great time, but we also like come together to really check on each other,” Tallman explains.
For the actor, having a supportive environment where men can be open and honest is vital to navigating life’s challenges.
“We know that we’ve created a safe space for each other so it’s like anything goes—man, you could share whatever you want to share,” he says, noting that having those men in his corner is monumental. His ultimate advice for maintaining those crucial friendships? “Hold on to your day ones.”
Stepping into the shoes of a high-net-worth individual has also given Tallman a unique perspective on the lives of the super-rich. While viewers love to live vicariously through the characters’ lavish lifestyles, Tallman realized that a massive bank account simply amplifies everyday issues.
“For me, I think you learn that the same problems, for the most part, exists but because it’s amongst the wealthy, it raises the stakes somehow, like when a lot of money is involved in anything, it raises the stakes,” he observes.
He adds that because these characters treat their friends and neighbors like family, mixing business with these relationships makes things “that much messier” and means they have much more to lose.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see how the affluent drama unfolds, as season two officially premieres on April 3rd on Apple TV+. The network is keeping the weekly release format, dropping one episode at a time to let the excitement snowball.
As for Nick’s journey, things are shifting. He and Mel are no longer an item, allowing the show to take a much deeper dive into the dynamic between Nick, Coop, and their friend Barney, played by Hoon Lee.
The new season also introduces a wild card: James Marsden. Tallman says that Marsden’s character comes into town and shakes things up in a way that is “even crazier than I expected it to be,” describing the new addition as “cuckoo in the best way.”
While keeping major spoilers under wraps, Tallman promises an unforgettable sophomore run. “I can’t say any more than that, but as expected, you can expect a lot of drama, a lot of high-stakes risk, some trouble we may or may not get into, but it’s going to be a fun ride,” he teases.
Check out the full interview.
Photo Credit: Apple TV+
