10 Things We Learned About ‘UnREAL’ at the ATX Television Festival

This year’s ATX Television Festival featured several fantastic screenings and panels, but one that we were especially excited to attend was for Lifetime’s original series, UnREAL.

The panel began with a screening of Season 2 Episode 2, “Insurgent,” followed by a discussion with creator and executive producer Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, executive producer Stacy Rukeyser, and cast members Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman (Jay) and Genevieve Buechner (Madison).

As you might imagine, this was a really fun panel to attend. But to give you more of an idea, here are 10 things we learned from the UnREAL panel.

1. Female ambition is still unique on television.

Quinn and Rachel’s relationship is what drives the show, as does their ambition. “We’re women who work. We don’t think that’s an unusual thing to be incredibly ambitious, or driven, or want something for yourself. And yet it’s not portrayed on television very often,” said Stacy Rukeyser, who wrote Season 2 Episode 2.

2. The first scene Genevieve Buechner filmed for this season was surprising.

“I had no idea what was in store for Madison in Season 2,” Buechner said. But the very first scene she filmed this season was a pretty good indicator — it was Madison interviewing Chantal as Rachel fed her questions to ask. Madison cries while asking the questions, but also derives some power from the experience. It’s going to be a very different season for Madison.

3. There’s something in Rachel that makes her want to darken other people.

This season, it looks like Rachel is actually making it a mission to turn Madison into someone more like her. Sarah Gertrude Shapiro spoke to the way Rachel actually enjoys bringing people down along with her as we continue to see her dark side.

4. Jay was originally supposed to be straight.

Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman said that when they originally shot the pilot, Jay was a straight character. It was after the show was picked up that they re-shot it to allow Jay to be gay. Bowyer-Chapman described it as a special experience to be able play that character. “I’m so touched by it,” he said, going on to explain the importance of having that kind of representation on television.

5. Constance Zimmerman was the first choice to play Quinn.

Sarah Gertrude Shapiro said Constance Zimmerman was her first choice for that role. “We can take her anywhere,” she said. “We haven’t found a line yet.”

6. The show’s concept is an interesting challenge for the writers.

The fact that each season of ‘Everlasting’ is different means new challenges (fun ones!) every year — with new characters and new stories every time to go along with the characters that remain central to the show.

7. It didn’t feel revolutionary at first.

“To me, they were just complicated, f*cked up women,” Stacy Rukeyser said, referring to Quinn and Rachel. “It just felt real.” It was only after an overwhelming critical response Rukeyser said she realized it was a revolutionary show, and that seeing two women as protagonists and anti-heroes on a show isn’t exactly common.

8. The writers were really encouraged to “go for it.”

And boy did they. It was fun and freeing for the writers to be able to do something as bold as to have Mary commit suicide as early as Season 1 Episode 6.

9. Showing vulnerability in Quinn and Rachel is important.

In fact, the writers made the decision to “break format” as early as Season 1 Episode 3 to have Rachel leave to go visit her mother. Instead of waiting, they decided to do this quickly to allow the audience to see vulnerability in her early on.

10. Rachel needed a new love interest more than a nemesis for Season 2.

That means Shia won’t be back this season, but instead, there’s something completely different in store for Rachel. And I, for one, can’t wait to see how the rest of the season plays out.

UnREAL airs Mondays at 10/9c on Lifetime.

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You can check out all of our coverage of the ATX Television Festival right here. (There is a lot more to come!)

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