Revry is making waves with its latest series, Unconventional, a show that perfectly lives up to its name. On February 10, the Renberg Theatre in Hollywood hosted the premiere party, where the first three episodes of the season were screened, followed by a lively Q&A moderated by Revry founder and CEO Damian Pelliccione. The event, complete with small bites and drinks, set the stage for an unforgettable night that introduced audiences to this bold new series.
Created by Eastsiders and The Good Wife star Kit Williamson, Unconventional follows two queer siblings whose lives are anything but conventional. Williamson himself stars as Noah, a struggling grad student in a nine-year interracial relationship with his husband, Dan (played by GIANTS star, James Bland). The couple, recently married, navigates the complexities of life in Palm Springs while juggling the prospect of expanding their family with a baby. Things take a twist when they decide to bring a third person into their relationship—Adam (Constantine Rousouli), a go-go dancer whose charisma only adds to the complications of their already messy dynamic. Meanwhile, Noah’s sister, Margot (Aubrey Shea), and her wife, Eliza (Briana Venskus), deal with their own turbulent relationship while trying to conceive.
During the panel discussion, Williamson reflected on the differences between Unconventional and his previous series, Eastsiders. “Well, Eastsiders is, in many ways, a show about being a gay mess in your 20s, and this is a show about being a gay mess in your 30s,” he said. “The problems and challenges you face at this stage of life—when the traditional or conventional roads laid out by society don’t apply—are a big part of what Unconventional explores. As queer people, we’re used to charting our own course, and that’s really the spirit of the show.”
Unconventional also places a significant focus on mental health, with each character’s journey offering a unique perspective. Aubrey Shea, whose portrayal of Margot stands out, discussed her personal connection to the character. “There’s a lot of overlap with me and Margot,” she shared. “Margot reminds me of a younger me, a pre-medicated me. I’m bipolar, as is Margot, and I have complex PTSD. These first three episodes hint at a shared childhood story that Noah and Margot experienced growing up.” Shea went on to explain how Williamson’s writing resonated deeply with her. “I was sitting there reading it, and I thought, ‘Have I met Kit? Does he know me?’ It was really cathartic for me to map Margot’s mood swings. I think I can safely say I’m in a more stable place now than Margot.”
James Bland, who not only stars as Dan but also contributes as a writer on the show, spoke about the significance of his character’s visibility. As a Black, queer man, Bland shared his experience of navigating a space where he is often times the only Black person. “We wrote the show in 2020, and I started shooting in 2021,” he explained. “I feel closer to Dan now, in terms of where I am in my life, than I did when we were writing the show. I was in a relationship then, but now I’ve been in a partnership for almost four years, and I see so much of myself in Dan—trying to break free from heteronormativity and questioning the idea of a ‘perfect life.’ For me, as a Black queer person, there’s this pressure to be twice as good to succeed in life. It’s real, and both Dan and I experience that, but I’m proud of this character and this show.”
Laith Ashley, who plays Dell, spoke about his own experience and the challenges faced by his character. “My experience is very similar to Dell’s,” he said. “Coming out and not being fully accepted by my family. I don’t want to give too much away. But as you saw, substance use and sometimes abuse has a lot to do with a lot of how we cope with our mental health challenges. Dell’s form is micro dosing mushrooms.”
Unconventional takes an unfiltered approach to queer narratives, exploring mental health struggles, addiction, and the complexities of relationships and identity. The show delves into the messy, vulnerable aspects of life, pushing boundaries while offering a diverse portrayal of varying queer experiences. The storylines are interconnected, leaving viewers eager for what’s to come next.
With its complex characters and daring themes, Unconventional has all the makings of a notable show in the realm of queer media. Whether it’s navigating messy relationships or exploring mental health, the series promises to captivate and resonate with audiences in a way that feels both raw and relatable.
Some quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity