Rahul Kohli and David Morse Talk ‘We Were Liars’ and the Tension Between Their Characters

With everything that’s going on in the world, We Were Liars couldn’t have come out at a more perfect time. The Prime Video series, based on E. Lockhart’s bestselling novel, is looking to change the young adult genre with its in-depth exploration of heavy themes with an intriguing premise.

We Were Liars follows the lives of the illustrious Sinclair family on their yearly get-together at a private island. However, during one summer, something drastic happens that Cadence Sinclair can’t remember. With the help of the “Liars,” a group of rebellious relatives, she must relearn what happened that fateful day.

Given how We Were Liars deals with facing the consequences through some diverse, yet harsh, situations, some fans might be wondering how these issues are addressed.

Fortunately, I had the chance to speak with Rahul Kohli and David Morse about how the series deals with such topics. (You can watch the full interview below.)

With We Were Liars handling such heavy-handed themes, there’s a question of how the series balances the tension and joy of everything the Sinclairs face. When asked about how they balanced those elements in their performances, Kohli and Morse said it was easy.

“The scripts were so well written, it felt like building Ikea furniture,” Kohli began. “I just had to follow the rulebook that E. Lockhart had done and [Julie Plec] and [Carina Adly Mackenzie] had adapted. If I did that, and I was true to their scripts, we would have that tonal balance and serve the story.”

Watch the full interview with Rahul Kohli and David Morse:

“We give ourselves over to the world and the characters,” Morse added. “That’s what our job is, to really just fully be present. There were also things in the storytelling that, just for Harris, I thought would be important to talk about and see.”

“They were very receptive to adding those [things] to the scripts and the story, and I’m grateful to them for that,” Morse said.

One significant aspect of We Were Liars is the way the show handles the progressive ideology of Harris, the Sinclair patriarch, and his relationship with Ed, a newcomer to the family and uncle to Gat.

In the books, when Ed proposes to one of Harris’ daughters, Carrie, there is a clear sense of disapproval that lingers throughout the rest of the novel. As the show follows in the same vein as the books, some fans may feel this tension as well.

When asked about the inherent tension between Ed and Harris throughout the season, Kohli and Morse describe how both characters’ perspectives not only affect their relationships but also the Sinclairs in general.

“One of the things for Harris, and it’s talked about on the show, is he keeps being accused of being racist,” Morse began. “From his point of view, he’s not racist. He doesn’t think of himself that way.”

‘They happen to be people of color, but it’s not for him,” Morse continued. “It’s about, are they the appropriate people to be a part of our family or not? And he doesn’t think they are, he’s pretty clear with his children about that.”

Furthermore, Kohli added that this intensity between Ed and Harris is deeply explored in the show, even more so than in the book.

“When you’re being othered and you represent a minority, it’s very hard to not see it because it is exactly that,” Kohli explained. “It’s because of what you’re seeing and the difference between us. But obviously, with Harris and with Ed, it’s a lot deeper than that.”

“I think there is more at play with class, with life choices, being different, being apart,” Kohli continued. “I don’t want to speak to Harris, but I’m sure he would have preferred a handsome, broad kind of jock, you know, someone within that world.”

In addition, Kohli further went in-depth to say that Ed and Harris seek the same thing, to live their best lives with their families, given the circumstances. However, their methods for doing so, throughout the show, are very different.

“Both Ed and Harris are fiercely loyal and protective of their families,” Kohli said. “Ed is enduring those summers and that hostility and awkwardness because of his love for Carrie and for the boys. And Harris obviously is the way he is.”

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We Were Liars premieres June 18th on Prime Video.

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