The Paradise panel at the TV Academy’s inaugural Televerse Festival was filled with laughter and insights as Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden discussed the show’s future and their Emmy nominations.
Sterling K. Brown’s Humorous Take on James Marsden’s Dream
The Paradise panel at the TV Academy’s inaugural Televerse Festival covered an array of topics, including the show’s four Emmy nominations and what fans can expect from Season 2. However, the conversation took a humorous turn when it shifted to Sterling K. Brown‘s derrière.
Street Credibility and Cocoa Butter
Brown, a three-time Emmy winner, humorously remarked, “It’s one of those things where, you show the ass one time, you have some sort of street credibility,” referring to the infamous scene from Paradise Season 1 where his character, Secret Service Agent Xavier Collins, was seen naked from behind in the shower. He added, “You show it twice, then it’s not the same. It’s not the right amount of cocoa butter. You gotta stay moisturized.”
James Marsden’s Wish
As laughter erupted from the crowd, his co-star James Marsden chimed in, “There isn’t anybody in this room that wouldn’t mind seeing that for a second time — myself included.” Brown humorously shook his head, insisting he would “lose integrity.” Marsden countered, “Who cares?” as the audience applauded.
Emmy Nominations and New Cast Members
Brown is nominated at the 2025 Emmys as a lead actor and producer on Paradise, while Marsden is up for supporting actor for his role as President Cal Bradford. They were joined on the panel by showrunner Dan Fogelman and supporting actress Julianne Nicholson, who is nominated this year for both drama (Sinatra on Paradise) and comedy (Dance Mom on Hacks).
New Adventures Await in Season 2
Fogelman teased that Xavier is “going into the outside world” in Season 2, which introduces new characters. Shailene Woodley is set to join the cast, and Fogelman described her as “extraordinary” in the show. He also mentioned a young actor named Thomas Doherty, who has a significant fan base.
Hope and Relationships
Brown expressed that acting in the outside world has been “a lot of fun.” He noted that his character, Xavier, transitions from grief to hope at the start of Season 2. When asked about a potential romance with Sarah Shahi‘s Dr. Gabriela Torabi, Brown humorously stated, “Listen, I’m looking for my wife. I got on a plane and I said, ‘I’m coming to find you, baby.'” He added, “If he don’t find her, that’s one thing. But I’m rooting for him!”
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James Marsden’s Character Arc
Marsden revealed that when he was cast, he was informed his character would die in the first episode. He humorously recounted, “[Fogelman] was like, ‘This isn’t a great sell, but you’re dead when we open the show.'” However, the flashback format allows for exploration of his character’s backstory.
Future of the Show
As for Marsden’s return in Season 2, Fogelman remained tight-lipped, stating, “They want us to keep whether or not James is coming back a secret.” Brown humorously referenced Fogelman’s previous show, This Is Us, saying, “Dan did six years of a TV show with the dead white man!”
Set Vibes and Filming Locations
Julianne Nicholson praised the positive atmosphere on set under Fogelman’s leadership, stating, “I’m proud to work with Dan Fogelman, who is one of the most loyal and humble showrunner-creators.” Fogelman emphasized the benefits of filming in Los Angeles, noting the strong crew continuity from This Is Us.
Looking Ahead
Fogelman expressed hope for the television industry, advocating for shows to film two seasons back-to-back to maintain audience engagement. Season 1 of Paradise is currently streaming on Hulu, with Season 2 set to debut in early 2026. The upcoming Emmys will air live on September 14 on CBS.
