Weeds’ fourth season is nearly upon us — so at least there’s one reason to look forward to Mondays.
In the ramp up to the new season, the cast and creative minds behind the series are giving interviews left and right. “High”-lights from the best ones are after the jump.
• Albert Brooks, who guests as Lenny Botwin, grandpa to Shane and Silas, dad of Andy and reluctant father-in-law to Nancy, tells The New York Times Weeds was worth moving from film to TV.
“High”-light: “It was really good writing. And the part was something I never played before. The character was different and, even when I do independent films, I sort of look for something that I haven’t played before. But some of the independent movies I’ve made, they just disappear. I call them David Copperfield productions. And it’s frustrating. So I figured, this, at least it’s on eight times a week for a month.”
• Child actress Allie Grant, now 14, was only 10 when she was cast as Isabelle Hodes. She dishes to the Arizona Daily Star about the show’s adult themes.
“High”-light: “There aren’t a lot of roles for kids my age that aren’t saturated and stereotypical. To be offered this role of this troubled girl, who is involved in some adult-themed content is very cool to me. There were some things I didn’t know if I’d be able to do. Last season, I had a scene where (Shane) and (Isabelle) were smoking pot. But our director will always come to us and make sure we are comfortable with the scene. If we don’t want to do it, they’ll just cut it.”
• Weeds creator Jenji Kohan talks music, script development and takeout food with LAist.
“High”-lights: She says Lee Majors will make an appearance, along with guest stars we’ve already reported including MILF Julie Bowen and Latin hearthrob Demain Bichir. She’d like to bring back Kat, Andy’s crazy girlfriend played by Zooey Deschanel, but it would depend on Zooey’s availability.
As for the change of venue from Agrestic to the Mexicali border, Kohan says this: “I think a lot of it was my writers’ room was getting restless. … if it means changing things up then let’s change things and keep it fresh for ourselves.” In an election year, immigration is a huge topic, she added. “Mexico, free trade, immigration and really be part of the zeitgeist. We took a field trip to the border. It was fascinating. In just the two days we were there, we heard so many stories. Based on what we observed, we really felt we were in the right place.”
Weeds Season 4 premieres Monday, June 16, at 10 Eastern.