Fairfax is coming back to Prime Video for a season 2. In this exclusive interview with Mama’s Geeky the creators discuss their incredible cast, the inspiration behind the show, and more.
Fairfax is coming back to Prime Video on June 10th with season 2. In an exclusive interview with the creators – Matthew Hausfater, Aaron Buchsbaum, and Teddy Riley – the team discusses what their inspiration behind the show is, their incredible cast, and even some fun teases for what fans can expect this season.
Where Did The Idea For Fairfax Come From?
Matthew explains that he got a call from the producers saying, “do you have an interest in pitching a take about Fairfax?” And he was like, “Well, sure.” It’s sort of a world unto itself. And Teddy and Aaron had been writing forever. “I always thought they were hysterical and wanted to find a way to work with them.”
Matthew called Teddy, asked him what he thought about his idea, and he immediately got the concept. “Also, secretly, we are obsessed with the movie The Sandlot. And so the idea of a kid coming from a different town and being welcomed into a new friend group sort of was the genesis of it way in. We’re also all three from Los Angeles so in loitered on Fairfax when we were kids, so it was also we watched the block transform from Judaica stores and the occasional deli, to like the hub of streetwear and food and everything else.”
Fairfax is this cultural hub in general. It very much was coursing through their veins. “We knew we we knew the world so well that it was like, Yes, we can tell 1000 stories on this block.”
Landing An Incredible Cast
When asked about the incredible cast, the creators all agree it was like the casting director was continuously showing up with one of those big checks, like they won something on television. Every time they found out somebody was joining the Fairfax cast, they really couldn’t believe it.
They claim they shot for the stars — and got the stars. There were so many people that surprised them — ones that the casting director put them on to. The creators all really do think they have the best cast on television, live action or animated.
Where else can you watch a show that has David Strathairn and Larry Owens in it? The dynamic duo. One story they tell is that Annie Murphy wins an Emmy, and they talk about how great she is in Shitts Creek, and what big fans they are. So they decide to try to get her for Fairfax, and it’s like, literally the next day, she’s in. “It’s very wild. It’s crazy. And each time we do it, we’re just like, it never gets old.”
They add in a story about Billy Porter, who is amazing in the show. “He told us if people don’t come to him for these roles. People don’t even ask, and we we’re just like, well, thank God we asked!”
Challenges From The Pandemic
The pandemic created challenges for pretty much everyone in every industry, and its effect on Fairfax is no different.
“It definitely threw our show for a loop. Everything was just that much harder because we weren’t in person. When you’re making comedy, it’s always helpful to be in the room and feed off of that that collective energy. Testament to our great cast, everybody was such a trooper. We sent out these little home recording kits that they would set up themselves and that nobody was too big to just do the work.”
The Fairfax creators share that this actually offered a great icebreaker because the first twenty minutes of being on Zoom to record, the voice cast would be setting up their only little tents they could record their lines in. “It was absolutely crazy. We made an entire show over zoom. We would love to do it in person one day. We think it would be just as special, if not more special.”
Is There Any Room For Improv On Fairfax?
Obviously with the voice talent working from home, and recording individually, this makes it harder for improvisation. Normally the happy accidents come from actors playing off of each other, which Fairfax hasn’t had yet, because of the pandemic.
However, the Fairfax creators assured us that improv still happens. They made a point to cast people who are good improvisers. Sometimes someone will change a line, or add something really funny, and they just take note to change or introduce the line when they are recording with the rest of the talent. “We’re balancing the Jenga board. While everybody makes it better.”
What Can You Tease For Fairfax Season 2?
So what do the creators have in store for fans in Fairfax Season 2? Love Stories, Civil War, friendship, and comedy. The gang-gang will leave the block a couple of times to go to some fun places — and somebody dies. “We’re not gonna say who, but somebody dies.”
Fairfax season 2 comes to Prime Video on June 10th, and you don’t want to miss it!
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About Fairfax Season 2
The gang-gang is back for more fun in Season Two of this irreverent animated comedy following the misadventures of four middle schoolers looking to earn their place in the culture. It’s a modern look at the timeless struggle to fit in and stand out, hold on to your ride-or-die crew, and kiss your first crush – who may or may not be A.I.
The series is created and executive produced by Matthew Hausfater, Aaron Buchsbaum, and Teddy Riley. Additional executive producers include Jon Zimelis and Jason U. Nadler for Serious Business (@midnight); Peter A. Knight (Bojack Horseman); and Chris Prynoski, Ben Kalina, and Antonio Canobbio for Titmouse (Big Mouth). The artist Somehoodlum, who designed the characters for the series, serves as a consulting producer alongside the pop/internet culture clothing and media brand Pizzaslime.
The series stars Skyler Gisondo (“Dale”), Kiersey Clemons (“Derica”), Peter S. Kim (“Benny”), and Jaboukie Young-White (“Truman”). Season 2 guest stars include: Billy Porter, Zoey Deutch, Camila Mendes, Rob Delaney, Yvette Nicole Brown, Ben Schwartz, JB Smoove, Tim Simons, Pamela Adlon, Annie Murphy, Guy Fieri, Jeff Bottoms, Larry Owens, John Leguizamo, Michaela Dietz, Michael Rooker, Edi Patterson, Mark Proksch, David Strathairn and Colton Dunn.
