PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Peacock’s new show, Teacup, is pretty damn good. Created by Ian McCulloch (Yellowstone), executive produced by E.L. Katz (Azrael – read our interview with him HERE) and James Wan (too many to name), and starring Scott Speedman (The Strangers), Yvonna Strahovski (Chuck – check out our interview with Yvonne and Scott HERE), and Kathy Baker (Edward Scissorhands), Teacup is balls-to-the-wall crazy and will leave you with the thought of – in a good way – what the fuck?
Trapped on a farm in rural Georgia, a group of neighbors must put aside their differences and unite in the face of a mysterious and deadly threat.
To celebrate the release of the show, I chatted with stars Rob Morgan and Chaske Spencer about what intrigued them about the series, what they wanted to bring to the show, horror movies, and more!
PopHorror: All of my questions are for both of you. What intrigued you about the script and made you want to be a part of the project?
Rob Morgan: The writing of Ian McCulloch, the humanity of the journey of every character being flushed out solidly and the plot twists.
Chaske Spencer: I would say Ian. Ian’s writing, Ian’s brilliance, and writing really good dialogue and just the story. That’s what attracted me.
Rob Morgan: And to work in Georgia!
Chaske Spencer: Yes!
PopHorror: That forest that you were in, that was amazing.
Rob Morgan: Right?! I can’t take the credit for that though.
PopHorror: We don’t have those like that here in Arizona.
Chaske Spencer: Oh, you’re out there, okay, yeah.
PopHorror: Was there anything that you were adamant about bringing to your character?
Rob Morgan: Vulnerability and humanity. I was very keen on giving that voice for this character, definitely. I thought it was something beautiful to play. You rarely get to see me in those kinds of characters. I feel like it was a beautiful challenge to take on.
Chaske Spencer: I’d say for me, it was trying to play things close to my chest. I really loved trying to do that and trying to be more closed off as the character is. That was a challenge but I think I did a good job on it. It was difficult throughout filming but that’s just the way it was.
PopHorror: Chaske, I don’t want to give too much away but your vulnerability and the anger and the hurt, I felt that right here.
Chaske Spencer: Thank you.
PopHorror: Your facial expressions and your body language, you portrayed that so well that I was like, I am hurting with this man.
Chaske Spencer: Cool! Glad I could bring you to pain.
PopHorror: That means you’re doing something right, right?
Chaske Spencer: Yeah! Those scenes… Again, it’s the environment, it’s the directing I’m working with. I think it might have been Chloe (Okuno) directing that scene, if I remember right. They were just really good. They got a lot of really good directors who were just really gentle handed with us and knew the material, but also respected our talent and just brought things out of us too. It was just a wonderful experience.
PopHorror: I’m glad to hear that because I agree about the directors. I was in awe of the talent they got to work on this show. Just one last question for both of you. What’s your favorite scary movie?
Rob Morgan: Poltergeist or Altered States.
Chaske Spencer: Yeah! Amityville Horror, the 1970s version with Brolin, and The Omen with Gregory Peck.
PopHorror: Those are great answers. Rob, you said Poltergeist. You mean the original one, right?
Rob Morgan: The first one, yes ma’am.
PopHorror: Poltergeist II was my very first horror movie so they’re special to me.
Rob Morgan: Did you go back and see one?
PopHorror: I did, but I was like six when I saw the second one, and it wasn’t until years later that I even knew there was a first one.
Rob Morgan: They kept it from you, huh?
PopHorror: My sister, when she was corrupting me, didn’t tell me there was a first one. So a few years later I finally did see it.
Rob Morgan: Oh, good. What’s your favorite horror movie?
PopHorror: Mine is the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Rob Morgan: Ooohh that’s a good one!
Chaske Spencer: Oooh, okay, yeah.
PopHorror: The one that makes you feel like you need to shower after watching it because you feel sweaty and dirty.
Rob Morgan: All the emotions you went through!
Thank you so much to Rob and Chaske for taking the time to speak with us. The first two episodes of Teacup premiere Thursday, October 10, 2024, with two episodes premiering every Thursday through October 31, 2024, only on Peacock
