In the new Apple TV+ comedy series Loot, show creators Alan Yang and Matt Hubbard introduce us to a billionaire Molly Novak (Maya Rudolph) who is kind of disconnected from reality with her stacks of cash – but when she goes through a messy and public divorce, she tries to make a change in her life by working for the charity foundation run by the no-nonsense Sofia Salinas (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez) – a charity foundation she didn’t know she had. Along with Sofia, her self-assured and devoted right-hand man Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster), wholesome accountant Arthur (Nat Faxon) and her optimistic cousin Howard (Ron Funches), Molly attempts to navigate a space where she is trying to figure it out as she goes – and there will be a lot of mistakes, missteps, and mayhem. But through it all, she goes on a journey of self-discovery with lots of tears, laughs, and heart along the way.
Check out the new interview here:
GLAAD’s Anthony Allen Ramos had chatted with the cast about the show starting with Rodriguez who talked about working with Emmy winner and comedy icon Rudolph.
“It feels great!” Rodriguez said. “I remember when I first heard that it was happening, I was like, ‘Are you joking?’ Am I even capable and worthy enough to be in the same space as her?”
As an executive producer on the workplace comedy, Rudolph said that the character of Sofia was tough and when they say Rodriguez for the role, they immediately were drawn to her warmth and her lovability – no matter what she’s saying. They knew that she wanted to clash with Molly, but in a way that wasn’t so aggressive. Rodriguez was a perfect fit.
“She’s so hard not to love,” said Rudolph about Sofia. “It’s impossible and I think that’s what makes Sophia such a great character because you know what she is the minute she’s out of the gate, but there’s just something underneath the surface and it’s exciting.”
Booster joined Rodriguez in singing the praises of working with Rudolph. “It’s absolutely huge,” Booster told Ramos. “‘[Like] a lot of gay men of my generation, Maya was formative entertainment growing up. She truly helped shape my sense of humor. From ‘Gays in Space’ to ‘Deep House Dish’ she’s incredible.”
As for working with fellow queer performer Rodriguez, Booster refers to her as an “icon” adding “It was so lovely to get to know her and realize what a little nerd she is!”
Booster said that he, Rodriguez and Funches would bust out their Nintendo Switches on set and would play Pokémon a lot.
In response to Booster’s praise, Rudolph humbly accepted. “That’s so nice to hear. I mean, wow, I’m really blown away by that,” said Rudolph. “I’m still coming to terms with being sort of an elder statesman in comedy – in the best possible way.”
She continued, “The fact that there is any element to my career being looked at by people who I respect is something I never anticipated.”