Billy Crystal shares his “amazing” on-set chemistry with Judith Light

During a conversation with NewsweekBilly Crystal praised the “amazing” chemistry he had with Judith Light while filming the upcoming Apple TV+ series Before.

While Crystal is best known for his comedic roles, the Emmy Award and Tony Award-winning actor flexes his dramatic muscles as Eli, a child psychiatrist struggling with the recent loss of his wife Lynn, played by Light.

His world takes a frightening turn when he meets Noah (Jacobi Jupe), a troubled boy who seems eerily connected to Eli's past. As Eli tries to help Noah, their bond uncovers haunting memories and disturbing secrets, blurring the lines between past and present. The series also stars Rosie Perez, Maria Dizzia and Ava Lalezarzadeh in key roles.

While both Crystal and Light were telling it Newsweek Having been friends for years, this is the first time they have appeared on screen together – and both actors praised the collaboration.

“We have known each other for a long time and have always enjoyed being together because we giggled a lot. “She’s very funny and I loved being with her,” Crystal explained.

“When that part came up and she said, 'Absolutely,' we knew that was going to happen – we can't reveal what happened – but we knew there was going to be a moment that was going to be difficult .

“And that day was truly amazing because very little is said and it's intense because it's the key to everything Eli has to offer – all the bad things he holds on to are because of that moment that he with (Lyn).” And when we were done, we both felt about 40 pounds lighter.”

While Newsweek I can't spoil the moment in the show that Crystal is referring to, but the actor explained that there was some apprehension leading up to the filming of that particular scene. However, this disappeared once they were on set.

He continued: “It was directed by Jet Wilkinson and she did a great job and the crew was such that at that point, you know, filming was happening towards the end of the ten episodes. And now the crew has done it too.” They follow the story so they know what this moment is.

“Everyone just left us alone and it was one of those scenes where they shot in intense close-ups, but I didn't see the camera. I just saw Judith and she just saw me and that was it.”

Light expressed great pride in her work Before and emphasized the importance of her character in shaping the story. She noted that Lynn's presence is crucial to Eli's emotional development even after her death, and described the complexities of portraying such a nuanced role.

She also talked about a particularly intense and emotionally charged scene, the same one Crystal referenced, in which the chemistry between her characters was crucial to moving the story forward. While most people would think that it would have been difficult for the two actors to film an emotional scene, Light said that wasn't the case.

“This is going to sound strange, and when people see it, they're going to think it sounds strange, but it was… It was beautiful. “It was delicate and fragile and vulnerable and absolutely completely connected in the most powerful and impactful way,” she shared Newsweek.

“(Viewers) have to watch it to the end to understand what the story is really about, and in many ways it is Lynn who leads Eli into this almost dark night of the soul’s journey.”

As the character-driven series unfolds, viewers gradually discover the source of Eli's insidious personal demons and witness his struggle to face his deepest fears. At the center of his emotional journey is the memory of his late wife, whose lasting presence profoundly shapes how he deals with being the one left behind.

“We don't want to give it away, but the essence, the intent and the meaning of that relationship is what drives the story, and it needed to be so fully present,” Light explained.

“Billy and I are friends, so we were able to capture this together. I think the writing, the cinematography, the music, the lighting, and the direction, everything just came together great. I'm so proud of it.” .

“But it wasn’t like we did a lot of research or talked a lot between the two of us. It was like a moment, we've known each other for a long time and that was the best thing.” I don't know how else to put it. It was spontaneous and natural.

“It's like when you know someone before, no pun intended, and you and your friends know each other, there's a kind of intimacy that you don't have to work on, you know what I mean? So that can make a real difference.”

The atmospheric and character-driven 10-episode psychological thriller was created by Sarah Thorp, who also served as showrunner, writer and executive producer. Crystal served as executive producer along with Eric Roth, pilot director Adam Bernstein and production director Wilkinson.

The 10-episode limited series will make its global debut with the first two episodes on Friday, October 25th, with a new episode every Friday until December 20th.