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Manda Hawkins (host)
And this week we are joined by the two stars of our absolute favorite new show, KENNEBUNK MAINE. Jasper Abernathy and Brandon Masters, welcome. This show premiered a year ago on the CBOX network to a smashing success. We loved it, everyone else seemed to love it. And in the final episode of that explosive first season, it was revealed that the main characters Will and Johan weren’t just friends and colleagues; they had also just become lovers. Gentlemen, welcome to the Esteemed Television podcast.
Jasper Abernathy
Thank you.
Brandon Masters
Thanks, great to be here.
Willow Goosebrook (host)
So what I want to know is–first off–how did you feel about the twist when you were first told about it? Were you told about it before you got cast?
Jasper Abernathy
That Margaux slept with Will’s brother? No, I had no idea.
Brandon Masters
I think she means–
Jasper Abernathy
I know what she means.
Willow Goosebrook
Yes, Will and Johan. The twist that not only are they friends and coworkers, they also have this, kind of, this intense connection that can’t be denied. Did you find out about that early on?
Brandon Masters
We knew about it throughout the season, we didn’t just get the script and–
Jasper Abernathy
–shock of all shocks–
Brandon Masters
Like, it was known. It informed our performances from the very beginning.
Jasper Abernathy
It didn’t inform mine that much. I always saw Johan as this–this very rigid, by the book, guy who plays by the rules. What he finds out about Will is–is kind of– more important than the feelings that develop during the season.
Brandon Masters
I think the feelings are more earth-shattering for Will–
Jasper Abernathy
–Insofar as he really has those feelings, and it's not just...
Brandon Masters
What? Of course he has feelings for Johan.
Manda Hawkins
Oh, Jasper, actually. Can you elaborate on that? It seemed to us as viewers that Will was definitely pining for Johan for a long time. Longer than he maybe realized himself.
Jasper Abernathy
I think–Will is manipulative. What Johan feels deeply, I suspect Will feels a bit more shallower–ly.
Brandon Masters
Don’t think that’s a word–
Jasper Abernathy
And you're a walking thesaurus, are you? Anyway, that’s just–that’s my interpretation.
Willow Goosebrook
Interesting! I think us as viewers have developed this story in our heads about a love story– the characters being perhaps this tragic love story. And what could have been if Will had realized growing up how he felt about Johan–
Brandon Masters
Well, he was obviously more focused on everything else in his life. His job, his family–
Jasper Abernathy
Getting laid with multiple women, breaking their poor hearts–
Brandon Masters
Ha, ha.
Manda Hawkins
Can I just say, you guys really bring a fun energy into the studio today? It’s like–
Willow Goosebrook
The chemistry is so-
Manda Hawkins
Yes, exactly!
Jasper Abernathy
We finish each other’s–
Brandon Masters
–dinners.
Jasper Abernathy
I was going to say homework.
Brandon Masters
I haven't done homework in a while.
Jasper Abernathy
Honey, we know. Anyway, yes, Will didn’t have time for a sexuality discovery until he was in his thirties, and now everyone else has to suffer through it. Especially Johan, whose head must be a mess. But I think it's an interesting dilemma to portray, with both characters. One of them used to feel like he knew his best friend, and now he doesn't.
Brandon Masters
It’s not that bad. He’s getting some sex out of it, at least.
Willow Goosebrook
Is that in the script?
Jasper Abernathy
Wasn't for me. That was Brandon's own horny edition.
Brandon Masters
Yeah, for sure. I think it’s implied, but wasn’t explicit in the final script. And we can’t talk about the new ones yet–
Jasper Abernathy
–sworn to secrecy–
Brandon Masters
But what I can say is that it's exciting. I'm really proud of the work we did with this new season. The writers gave us some amazing scenes to explore this new connection between the characters. I'm excited for you guys to see it, too.
Willow Goosebrook
So our speculation was that given all that has happened–the murders, the–the corruption, this new wrinkle in their relationship, that it wouldn’t be this traditional–healthy, loving, trusting–um, relationship. It would be more like an uncertain friends with benefits thing. Can you give us a hint on whether that’s true –whether that's happening in the new season?
Brandon Masters
I mean–
Jasper Abernathy
I'd say that's about accurate. It was already so complicated between them. Sex complicates things further. As sex tends to.
Brandon Masters
Friends with benefits doesn’t necessarily lack trust or caring. It can be very caring and loving, you know. They’re still friends–
Jasper Abernathy
But they’re not really trusting each other. And why should they?
Brandon Masters
If it works, though, and I think it does–like, they both get something out of it, um, and it’s–it’s good for them–very good, I'd say. So, they like each other on that level. There isn't anything wrong with that.
Manda Hawkins
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, but it’s not– It isn't romantic in the traditional sense.
Jasper Abernathy
And they don't trust each other much at this juncture. Will has lied so much.
Brandon Masters
They’ve been best friends for decades. I think they care for each other.
Jasper Abernathy
Will truly messed up in the sense that he lied to his best friend. Johan has never been so hurt in his life–
Brandon Masters
Will lied because he cares so much. He was trying to protect Johan, and besides, well - Johan lied to Will, too.
Jasper Abernathy
He had to lie! He couldn't trust Will to do the right thing. Well, as it stands right now I think they care for one another. But the trust isn’t there, and why would it be? They’ve lied so much.
Brandon Masters
I think the love they have for one another will carry them, carry them through this.
Manda Hawkins
(pause) Oh, that is so romantic.
Willow Goosebrook
I think viewers want to believe that, too. There is so much darkness on the show, and amidst all of it there’s this light–
Manda Hawkins
Their love.
Willow Goosebrook
Yes! Their love. Through thick and thin. Ride or die. How are you guys finding that strong fan reaction?
Jasper Abernathy
I think it’s a little overwhelming, but I’m always grateful. This show made my career. Johan has been my best serious role to date.
Brandon Masters
I’m really happy as well. To be working with Felicity and all the great writers, the crew and of course, my good friend Jasper–
Jasper Abernathy
Stop it.
Brandon Masters
Him especially. He’s taught me so much about how to behave on set, how to not fall too deep into my character, especially when that character is so brooding.
Jasper Abernathy
–but in a very sexy way.
Brandon Masters
Thanks, Jas. He’s really helped keep up the spirit of fun on set. He's taught me so much and I've become a better actor because of him. He really makes, I mean, the set happy. He's great. He's just really great like that.
Jasper Abernathy
I'm almost blushing.
Brandon Masters
You're not, liar.
Manda Hawkins
Speaking of fun, we’ve had so much fun with this interview! I want to thank you two so much for coming into our humble studio today. Our time is unfortunately now up, but I encourage everyone listening to watch the first season on streaming if you haven't already–
Willow Goosebrook
I highly encourage everyone to rewatch as well!
Manda Hawkins
As we've already done. And tune in for the next season on CBOX this fall. We’re looking forward to it even more after this delightful little chat.
Brandon Masters
Thank you for having us.
Jasper Abernathy
Thank you.
Manda Hawkins
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