'We Were Liars' star opens up about how the show's 'rough' and emotional story 'took a toll' on him
Based on the novel by E. Lockhart, the new series We Were Liars on Prime Video is a dark and highly addictive show. With an all-star ensemble cast including Emily Alyn Lind, Mamie Gummer, Caitlin FitzGerald, Candice King, David Morse, Shubham Maheshwari, Esther McGregor, Joseph Zada and Rahul Kohli, it's a compelling execution of this beloved YA story.
We Were Liars follows the Sinclairs, a wealthy family called "American royalty," who spend their summers together on the family's New England private island, Beechwood Island. Among the group are cousins Cadence (Emily Alyn Lind), Mirren (Esther McGregor) and Johnny (Joseph Zada), and Gat (Shubham Maheshwari), the nephew of Kohli's character Ed, who's partner Carrie (Mamie Gummer) is one of the daughters of the family's patriarch, Harris Sinclair (David Morse). Cadence, Mirren, Johnny and Gat are referred to by their family as "The Liars," inspired the antics they get up do in the summer months.
Sisters Carrie, Bess (Candice King) and Penny (Caitlin FitzGerald) are all in a constant battle to be the most impressive daughter in their father's eyes, a pressure they trickle down to their kids as well. But the status quo of this family is shaken one summer when Cadence, on the summer of her 16th birthday, has a traumatic brain injury. While she's lost all memory of the incident, she's determined to find out what happened the night of her injury.
The story doesn't just look at the summer where things changed, but goes back to look at the history of this family's evolving, often tense, relationships and circumstances that led to that night.
While Lind's performance is the anchor of the show, both McGregor and Zada give impactful portrayals of Mirren and Johnny.
For the character Mirren, the show really leans into her "weirdness" and individuality, unique in a family that wants to see everyone in matching Ralph Lauren outfits. McGregor described playing Mirren as a "liberating" experience.
"I think I'm like that anyways, ... but it was nice to be able to do that in a work setting too, and really find the levels that she brings to that weirdness," McGregor told Yahoo Canada.
Much of the success of We Were Liars is the way the show swings from the deeply heartbreaking moments to the electric, oftentimes funny and sarcastic energy of other elements of the story. Zada's portrayal of Johnny really epitomizes that, with character having an electric free spirit when we first meet him.
"That was such a big part of his character, and stepping into that made me feel like I was a more confident person," Zada said. I'd be able to walk on set and hold my head high and feel confident about my work, and then being able to have what's coming underneath that was so good for my acting."
But when it's revealed that Johnny did something terrible to another student at school, and his mom Carrie had to pay to cover for him, Zada brings devastation to his performance.
"It was really rewarding to pull it off. I think, I hope," Zada said. "It was really hard. It was hard to go to those places emotionally. It definitely took a toll on me after a while. I think the subject was pretty rough too. It was not a very nice thing, but it was definitely stretching for my acting ability."
While The Liars are a highlight in the show Rahul Kohli, whose's had impressive past performances in projects like iZombie and The Fall of the House of Usher, is a favourite.
While much of that is a credit to way Kohli brings so much nuance and a unique charisma to every character he plays, it's also because Ed, along with Gat, share an outsider perspective that the audience will have of the Sinclair family.
"The scripts were great. They were well written. They're based on a fantastic book. Mamie is a fantastic actor," Kohli said about what attracted him to being part of the show.
"I don't want to act like I didn't do work, but it was a very easy job. Mamie is incredibly professional and disciplined at what she does, asks great questions. I came in very late in the game with an open mind, and I allowed the creators and the cast to kind of create the world for me, and I just had to exist."
It is the relationship between Gat and Ed that feels really special, because they're able to share the reality that while they've spent so many years with the Sinclair family, they're ultimately not Sinclairs, which comes with an othering and a constant feeling of being on the sidelines.
"The couple of side chats between Gat and Ed, one, gave me an opportunity to work with Shubham, who I absolutely adore, just such a wonderful actor, super new to the scene, but just fantastic to work with, and has a great future ahead of him," Kohli said.
"Especially if your character is not centred in a story, you basically play detective as an actor. You're going through a series of scripts and you're saying, 'When do they talk about themselves? When do they share their opinions about the world that they're in?' And those happen with Gat, those scenes with Ed are where you get a little bit more information about where his head's at. So they were super important to me for helping to create Ed, because that is a huge part of it. It's being a fish out of water. It's being othered. And the difference between Gat and Ed is, does Gat want to exist in that world and behave in the same way as Ed, or does he want to carve his own path."
But a lot of that pressure to uphold the Sinclair legacy comes from Harris, who not only has high expectations for his family members, but is particularly brash in how he communicates that. Whether it's racist and discriminatory comments, or incredibly hurtful insults to his family.
The one person he has a particularly interesting relationship with is Cadence. While he doesn't condone all of her decisions, she's the one person who actually has the courage to talk back to her grandfather, and call out his poor behaviour.
"Emily is absolutely terrific and getting to work with her was really a joy," Morse said. "And they were some my favourite scenes too."
"And when I read the book, one of the things that always stuck out to me were the scenes between Cadence and Harris, and that relationship. And I think the fact that she stands up to him is one of the reasons he sees her as the one who's going to carry on the legacy, carry on the business. None of his daughters have what it takes. And if anybody has that, has the backbone, ... it's her. So it makes that relationship more interesting."
"She's like Michael Corleone to the Don," Kohli added.
While Harris could be a one-dimensional character, we do see elements of his vulnerability peek through, which is necessary to make him feel like a fully realized character, including the love Harris has for his dogs, or what we learn about the fourth daughter Harris had with his wife Tipper (Wendy Crewson).
"I thought that stuff was essential," Morse said. "One thing that you could add to that is the relationship with Tipper, his wife, and really with the family when there's no pressure, when they're giving him love. That's what he he needs."
"I think we can see some very public figures at the moment who would, you know, they just want attention and love, and everything revolves around that. And I don't want to think of Harris so much that way, but that's there. He's a man who, for a long time, he's been a man that people want something from him. ... He's a powerful man. No matter where he goes, somebody wants to sit next to him, get something from him. It's affected who he is and how he moves through the world. So those little moments that you're talking about, I think are not only important for him, but for the story."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
39 minutes ago
- Forbes
The New Cannabis Power Play: B-Real, Tyson, Method Man Bet On Seeds
B-Real In A Cannabis Grow Operation In cannabis, everything starts with a seed. Before the jars, the pre-rolls or the sleek celebrity packaging, there's DNA. And in 2025, a growing wave of cultural icons is going straight to the source, getting their hands in the dirt and their names on genetics. B-Real. Method Man. Mike Tyson. Each is moving beyond the typical endorsement formula, teaming up with well-known seed banks to release carefully selected cannabis genetics for home growers around the world. These aren't limited to U.S. states or temporary product drops: they're global plays, already active in Europe, the Americas and beyond. 'Selling flower is cool, but seeds are a different kind of legacy,' says B-Real, frontman of Cypress Hill and founder of Dr. Greenthumb's, in an exclusive interview. 'When we release seeds, we're handing people the source code. That means something.' 'It gives growers around the world direct access to some of the best genetics in the world,' he adds. 'We're not just dropping product: we're empowering cultivation, creativity and local expression. The more the game grows, the more important it is to stay rooted.' While most celebrity cannabis launches focus on packaging, flavor profiles and retail placement, these projects are rooted in access, preservation and lineage, both genetic and cultural. Seeds, once a niche category, are now among the industry's fastest-growing segments. Legal frameworks are expanding. Home cultivation is gaining ground. And online seed platforms are connecting distant markets that flower never could. For the artists leading this shift, it's not about a logo or licensing. It's about creating something that actually grows. 'When we release seeds, we're handing people the source code. That means something.'The Seed Shift: Why Genetics Matter For decades, cannabis branding centered on the end product; what's consumed, sold or photographed. But with new laws rolling out globally and home grow regulations softening in key markets, the spotlight is shifting to the beginning of the supply chain: genetics. In 2022, the U.S. cannabis seed market was valued at $567.76 million, with forecasts projecting it could surpass $2 billion by 2030, according to Data Bridge Market Research. Globally, Allied Market Research projects the market could top $6.5 billion by 2031, growing at over 18% annually. What's fueling that growth? Home growers. Consumers looking for quality control. And regulatory quirks that make seeds, especially dormant ones, easier to ship across borders than the flower they eventually produce. Unlike typical cannabis product lines, which are locked behind layers of jurisdiction, seed sales often fall under hemp rules. A 2022 clarification by the U.S. DEA confirmed that cannabis seeds are federally legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. That opened the gates for both domestic and international commerce. 'When we release seeds, we're not just entering a market,' says Bryan Zabinski, co-founder of TICAL, Method Man's cannabis brand. 'We're offering people a chance to grow a piece of culture in their own homes.' The medium is the message. And this time, the message comes with roots. B-Real's Insane Blueprint More than two decades after debuting his alter ego, Dr. Greenthumb, B-Real is releasing the real DNA behind his brand. His latest collaboration, developed with Amsterdam-based Barney's Farm, kicked off with a global release of the iconic Insane OG strain. 'I've known Derry [Brett, founder of Barney's Farm] since the early Amsterdam days,' B-Real says. 'We've talked about collaborating for years, but we waited for the right time. Now legalization's advancing, and people want genetics they can trust.' 'The more the game grows, the more important it is to stay rooted.'The seed drop was timed with B-Real's European tour and unveiled at Mary Jane Berlin, one of the continent's top cannabis expos. More strains are in the pipeline, along with international flower rollouts expected in late 2025 and early 2026. 'I've been around long enough to know what makes a great cut, and I only work with breeders I trust,' B-Real says. 'This version of Insane OG hits all the marks: flavor, structure, potency, yield. It stays true to the original but steps up to today's standards. It's dialed in for growers who want quality and consistency every time.' And the global play isn't just a distribution strategy; it's a philosophical one. 'Seeds give us a head start,' he says. 'In a lot of places, you can't sell weed yet. But you can sell seeds. That opens the door.' B-Real's Insane OG 'It lets us show up early, put roots down and build something meaningful before the regulations catch up,' B-Real continues. 'This launch in Europe is just the start.' Still, he's quick to point out that this isn't about jumping into every market for the sake of reach. 'You keep it real,' he says. 'If it doesn't reflect who we are and where we came from, I'm not endorsing it… Legacy is about staying true, even while you grow. We've got a wider reach now, but we're still speaking the same language.' For B-Real, the business of seeds is about more than expansion. It's about ownership. 'Genetics are the foundation,' he says. 'If you don't protect your strains, you're handing away your legacy. We've been shaping this space for decades. Owning our genetics means we control the story, the quality and the future of what we built.' Method Man's TICAL Tactics Method Man sees seeds as evolution, not extension. The Wu-Tang Clan icon has always repped cannabis culture, but 2025 marked his official entry into the genetics arena through TICAL's first international seed drop. 'Entering the genetics space is a natural evolution for TICAL,' says Bryan Zabinski, co-founder of the brand. 'It takes time to get it right.' The team spent five years working with FreeWorld Genetics to develop a lineup that reflects both quality and purpose. The debut line includes eight exclusive cultivars (Shaolin Spritzer, Sweet Morning Mimosa, 24K Gold Fangs and others) developed in collaboration with FreeWorld Genetics and distributed by Zamnesia, a leading European seed bank and cannabis marketplace. Method Man 'It all started with the home grower,' Zabinski says. 'Getting these seeds into the hands of passionate cultivators, whether in the U.S. or Europe, means the spirit of TICAL lives beyond the shelf. It grows in people's homes.' 'This drop is as much about growing with the people and bridging cultures as it is about genetics,' he adds. 'If one grower plants a TICAL seed in their backyard, basement or closet, they're growing a piece of hip-hop history.' From phenotype selection to naming, the TICAL team was involved in every detail. The goal wasn't just quality, but recognition and respect for the plant's lineage. 'Our team was very involved with the creative development of these strains,' Zabinski says. 'From the genetics used, to the profiles we like, to choosing the names as a nod of respect—recognizing the lineage and honoring the OG breeders who helped curate this cultural journey.' 'When cultural leaders engage at the genetic level, it creates a different kind of legacy.'While TICAL is rooted in Method Man's legacy, the seeds are more than merch. They're curated storytelling in living form. 'The standard is real or nothing,' Zabinski says. 'Potent. Stable. Created with care. If our name is on it, it better grow strong, smoke clean, and leave a mark.' 'When cultural leaders engage at the genetic level, it creates a different kind of legacy,' he continues. 'Not just influencing what people consume, but what they grow.' Tyson's Knockout Genetics Mike Tyson's cannabis brand, Tyson 2.0, has long focused on high-impact flower, vapes and edibles. But in 2024, the former champ entered the seed space with a rollout through Barcelona's Royal Queen Seeds. 'It's a no-brainer to collaborate with them,' Tyson told Forbes in 2024. 'If you're the best in the world at what you do, most likely, we're going to be partners.' The first wave included six strains (Gelato 44, Dynamite Diesel, NYC Sour D Auto, GOAT'lato Auto, Punch Pie and Corkscrew Auto) with more expected over a three-year partnership. Tyson 2.0 seeds are currently available in the U.S., excluding Kansas and Kentucky, Europe, Thailand, and soon, South America. 'Growing cannabis at home has long been a pastime of this community,' said Adam Wilks, CEO of Carma HoldCo, which owns Tyson 2.0. 'Our collaboration makes it easy for consumers to know the seeds they buy produce the same high-quality cannabis that Tyson himself expects.' Hispanics Have Joined The Chat Outside the U.S., artists across Latin America and Europe are also releasing branded seeds, often in collaboration with local seed banks. In fact, they have been doing it for years, well before Tyson, B-Real or Method Man. Others are stepping in, too. From Wiz Khalifa's breeding program with Compound Genetics to Berner's Cookies empire, long powered by genetics from collaborators like Seed Junky and Powerzzzup, the move to seed-level branding is gathering steam. Each drop isn't just a product; it's a piece of identity. The message may be wrapped in marketing, but what's planted is personal. What Comes Next This didn't start in a boardroom. It started where most good weed stories do: in the shadows, in closets, in quiet corners of defiance and creativity. Now, as cannabis spreads across borders and legal systems, seeds have become something else: an anchor, a message, a way to leave fingerprints on the future of the plant. Celebrities stepping into genetics aren't chasing the next product. They're choosing the long road. The patient one. The one that starts in soil, not strategy decks. Because the real flex in 2025 isn't just smoking good weed. It's growing it.
Vogue
an hour ago
- Vogue
55 Thoughts I Had While Watching ‘The Gilded Age' Season 3 Premiere
All right, I confess; I didn't keep up religiously with Season 2 of The Gilded Age—maybe because I was getting my Cynthia Nixon fix from And Just Like That… and my Carrie Coon fix from The White Lotus (and my Christine Baranski fix from obsessively rewatching Mamma Mia!, but I digress). Now, though, the HBO show is back for its third season, and I am absolutely locked in, even if I'm having a little trouble remembering some of the characters' names and/or general deals. Let's dive in, shall we? Horse-drawn carriages! Mr. Russell's beard is so on-point. Ah, the picturesque majesty of snow in New York, before it turns to slush and gets completely disgusting. Would be nice right about now! 'We've had some changes.' I'll say! Time for Cynthia Nixon's temperance meeting! Yes, Christine Baranski! Call it 'absurd'! Get her ass! Christine and Cynthia are really showcasing the range of bangs types here (straight vs. curly). Oh, hell yeah, 'Mr. Sargent' is coming by to paint! This is like when they casually reference Picasso in Titanic. Taissa Farmiga's little fur capelet is fabulous. No offense, The Gilded Age props/set design team, but this snow looks fake as hell. There's our girl Louisa Jacobson! In powder blue, no less! New York used to be so pretty before we, as a culture, ruined it. Miners' strike? There is power in a union, baby! 'I prefer to pick them off one by one.' Likely thing for a union-busting boss to say! It's weird that some people on this show are doing Little Period Voices and some aren't. Obsessed with Mr. Sargent's naughty little smock. Portrait of Madame X shoutout! One of the all-time art-historical babes! Yay, Denée Benton's novel is getting published! I need a supercut of just Cynthia and Christine fighting. 'Those who partake in alcohol are destined to the fury of hell.' Welp! God, Louisa's looking blonde as hell. OMG, this corset top over a turtleneck? Go off, Gladys. Ugh, Aurora, I hate your husband. You should, too! She's exactly right in not granting him a divorce, IMO. Was the word 'shady' being used in this context back then? 'I never thought I would be glad to have no children.' It happens! 'If you want to marry me and I want to marry you, we're already engaged.' Well, not exactly, bro. Where's the ring? Hot lemon and honey sounds so good right now. Cynthia dropping the hammer on her lodger! I love it. LMAO at Christine saying that the 'Female Normal and High School' sounds like a mistranslation. Aw, I love this brother-sister chat moment. Kind of weird that it's in Gladys's bed, but I guess they didn't have that many places to hang out? In…their mansion? I'm obsessed with the various and sundry robes of The Gilded Age. See, Denée and Louisa hanging out in a bedroom I can totally get behind. (Not in a gay way! Just in a gal-pals-at-a-sleepover way!) Oh no, someone's snitching on Gladys! 'In this house, nothing is accepted that isn't proposed by Mrs. Russell.' Tea. These boots Adelheid is lacing are sort of…gorgeous? Man, talk about laying down the law. 'In America, you don't have to live like your parents lived.' In theory, sure. Never has a man looked so sad in a bowler hat. Oh no, Denée definitely isn't feeling better! Was consumption still a thing during this time period? Man, I really should have studied for, like, any of my history classes throughout my 16 years of education. Jesus, the doctor's too racist to treat Denée? Even with all of these women's money? 'What I feel for Billy is real.' Sure. 'I'm not a girl! Not anymore! When will you see that?' What an ideal time for a Britney needle drop. Damn, Carrie calling Billy a 'worthless nonentity' goes crazy hard. I need to interview the horse actors on this show. And with that…it's a wrap on Episode 1 of Season 3! Welcome back, my little women!
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
'The Boys' season 5 reportedly just finished filming — here's when we think it'll debut on Prime Video
"The Boys" season 5 could be arriving on Prime Video sooner than we think. On Saturday (June 21), actress Isabella Crovetti posted a pair of photos to their Instagram story from what appeared to be the "The Boys" season 5 wrap party (h/t Bleeding Cool). The photos have since disappeared, but the fan account The Boys Universe screencaptured the photos and shared them on their own Instagram account. A post shared by The Boys Universe (@ A photo posted by on Isabella might not be a familiar name to fans of Prime Video's superhero show, but her brother Cameron Crovetti plays Ryan Butcher on the show and is set to have a big role in the show's final season. As the illegitimate, superpowered son of Homelander (Antony Starr) and Billy Butcher's wife Becca (Shantel VanSanten), he could even be the deciding factor in the war between Homelander and Butcher (Karl Urban). Cameron wasn't the only one spotted at the wrap party, though. Posts from The Boys Universe showed some other show stars in attendance, including Jessie T. Usher (A-Train), Karen Fukuhara (Kimiko), Starr, Nathan Mitchell (Balck Noir II) and Erin Moriarty (Starlight). Barring these photos turning out to be the greatest photoshopped/generative AI-created images ever, it sure looks like "The Boys" has finished principal photography on season 5. Reshoots may eventually be needed, but the final season seems to be ready for the edit bay. But when will we see the last batch of episodes be released on Prime Video? Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I still think that season 5 won't premiere on Prime Video until 2026. Back in May 2024, both show creator Eric Kripke and show star Karl Urban indicated that season 5 was about two years away. Things may be currently ahead of schedule, given that a May 2026 release window would give "The Boys" a pretty long post-production window of around 11 months, but I don't think they're so far ahead that episodes will be ready in 2025. Plus, the Prime Video release calendar is starting to fill out. "Gen V," the spin-off show of "The Boys," drops its second season in September, and it seems that "Gen V" season 2 will be set between seasons 4 and 5 of "The Boys." That means "The Boys" can't arrive until after the October 22 "Gen V" season 2 finale. Then, "Fallout" season 2 premieres in December, likely extending into January 2026. To allow Prime Video's IP shows room to breathe, that signals to me "The Boys" season 5 won't come any earlier than February 2026. That'd still be a few months ahead of our current projection of May 2026, but with filming now wrapped, I won't be shocked if we see "The Boys" season 5 premiere in early Spring 2026. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
