The final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is quickly approaching, with the cast and creators recently gathering at a special red-carpet event to celebrate the show’s legacy. Since it first premiered in 2017, the comedy-drama has become a smash hit, with both the show and its cast garnering a myriad of awards and praise from critics. With season five slated to premiere later this month, it’s clear that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has lots of surprises in store for fans.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel follows Midge, who over the course of the series has been working hard to achieve her dreams as a standup comedian following a split from her husband Joel. The show began in the 1950s, and the previous season finally moved into the 1960s, bringing with it new inspiration from the real-life cultural changes of the time period. Although not much is known about the fifth season of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, it seems as though Midge’s hard work may finally pay off in upcoming episodes.
At the red carpet event in New York City, Screen Rant spoke to many cast members and show creators, including Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Kevin Pollak, Amy Sherman-Palladino, and Daniel Palladino. They discussed their work on the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the evolutions of their characters, and the standout moments from both on and off-screen.
Screen Rant on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Red Carpet
Screen Rant: What are the most important ways that you feel like Midge has changed since the one that we saw in the very first episode?
Rachel Brosnahan: She’s definitely been humbled a couple times throughout the series. (Laughs) I also feel like when we met Midge, she had these rose-colored glasses on and her worldview was as big as her backyard. At first, she began to realize that she wanted to break barriers for herself, and I think as the series went on, she realized that she also has a responsibility and is passionate about breaking barriers for other women as well.
Without giving too much away, what are you most excited to see fans react to over the course of this season?
Rachel Brosnahan: There are definitely some surprises this season for every single character. I’m excited that it’s not all releasing at once, actually, so that we can kind of dole out the surprises a little bit at a time. I’m excited to hear how fans react to the fashion this season, we’re continuing to head into the 60s and possibly a little bit beyond. And I’m excited to see how fans react to the locations, we see some new iconic New York City locations that we haven’t seen on the show before.
Screen Rant: What moments from the last four seasons really stand out to you the most when it comes to your character’s sort of evolution?
Alex Borstein: Telling Midge that I don’t mind being alone, but I don’t want to be insignificant in the pilot. Dancing in the Catskills. Swimming in Miami. And the eulogy scene from season four was really brutal, but beautiful. What a beautiful way to say goodbye to a cast member.
Do you feel like you’ve changed at all as a performer over the course of the series?
Alex Borstein: I’ve absolutely changed as a performer and I owe that to Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan. They write things like the eulogy scene that they believe I’m capable of doing before I think I’m capable, and then suddenly, you are capable. So I’m a much better performer having worked with them.
What’s next for you after the show? I know you’ve got something else coming with Amazon.
Alex Borstein: I do. I have a comedy special that drops, as the kids say, on April 18, so it’s four days after Maisel. It’s called Alex Borstein: Corsets and Clown Suits. It’s kind of like a filthy TED talk with music, a sort of a musical comedy. I like to say that it’s a deeply personal, wildly fictitious account of my journey post-divorce, and figuring out how I want to be perceived by the rest of the world and how I perceive the rest of the world.
Is there anything else you want the fans to know about this season?
Alex Borstein: You know, it took 10 months to make this goddamn show, and if you watch it in one f****** night, I’m gonna murder you.
Screen Rant: Obviously this is such a huge end of an era, with this last season what did you want to make sure to accomplish with the show?
Daniel Palladino: We wanted to stick the landing on what we started in the pilot. It was a journey, and it’s a lot of responsibility. And we’ve seen how really well-intentioned show runners can give the audience what they do not want.
Amy Sherman-Palladino: So we decided to have no good intentions, just no well intentions at all, just all for evil. (Laughs) We wanted to make sure the actors, most of all – I mean, the fans, 100 percent you want them to be thrilled at the end and devastated emotionally like I am, but we really wanted the actors to walk away feeling like they’re cared for. They put so much work into this, they work so hard. It’s a hard show to do. So we just really wanted to make sure that when they walked away, they felt like time well spent, like it was really, “My character got sent off the proper way.”
And I know you can barely give anything away at all, but in very general terms, what are you guys most excited to see fans react to over the course of this last season?
Daniel Palladino: We take them on a different kind of journey throughout every episode this year. It’s a very, very different storytelling process that we’re doing this year, and we think the audience is gonna really like it.
Do you have anything to add?
Amy Sherman-Palladino: (Gesturing to Daniel) He’s very handsome. Very handsome man. (Laughs)
What’s something you’re really proud of that you accomplished with this final season?
Amy Sherman-Palladino: We’re very proud that we came in a group and we went out a group. We didn’t stop liking each other, we didn’t stop talking to each other. We only got closer and more dependent on each other in a very probably unhealthy way. (Laughs) These shows are hard and they’re long and they’re arduous in the work, and a lot of times when you come to the last season, people can be looking off to the horizon like “What’s next?” And it was just the opposite, everybody sort of doubled down on like, “We’re here, let’s make the most of it. Let’s make sure we appreciate every moment.” There was a lot of crying. A lot of me telling Rachel to steal things, going, “Take it Rachel, just take it!”
Besides the lots of crying, are there any moments on set that really stand out to you either from this past season or in general?
Amy Sherman-Palladino: We just never stopped crying. I don’t know, every show has that special moment in your life.
Daniel Palladino: Yeah, there was something in every episode. The last day of the last episode was very emotional for everybody, that was the big one.
Can you give any hint as to what’s next for Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions?
Amy Sherman-Palladino: Just extreme alcoholism, just like right down the rabbit hole. (Laughs) We’ve got to keep ourselves busy. Because we’re not good with free time, bad things happen.
Daniel Palladino: Yeah, it’s like, I wonder what are all those people doing out there walking and biking. What Is that?
Amy Sherman-Palladino: Yeah, I’ve heard about time off. It’s like an urban myth. But we’ve got stuff up our sleeves. You’ll be hearing things soon.
Screen Rant: How do you feel like Joel has grown over the course of this series?
Michael Zegen: He’s grown a lot, he’s a very different person than when the audience first met him. They met him at a really bad time in his life, and it was sort of unfair to me personally that that’s when you met him. Because they immediately fell in love with Midge – and rightly so – and they were rooting for her, and they hated Joel and they were rooting against them. So he’s certainly grown since then, and he’s actually become Midge’s biggest fan.
How would you describe Joel and Midge’s relationship all these seasons later?
Michael Zegen: Quite tumultuous. Obviously there’s always been this love that they share for each other. Whether that means it’ll turn back into an intimate relationship – well, I want to say that remains to be seen, but it has actually done that before. But whether or not they actually end up together, that’s another story. That’s the one question everybody asked me: “Are Midge and Joel gonna get back together?” And I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.
Are there any moments either from set or in the show for your character that really stand out to you?
Michael Zegen: So many. This was honestly the best written show I’ve ever been a part of, and there’s so many memorable scenes for me. The whole first episode, when I read it, I just knew it was special. And it was only confirmed when we started filming it; I was like, “This is really something special. We have lightning in a bottle here.” And then it was picked up for two seasons right off the bat. But other than that, there’s so many different scenes. The Catskills – we spent two weeks upstate and it was so much fun, we got to really bond as a cast and really get to know each other. This last season I think I’ll always remember as well, especially the last moments of the last episode. Our last day of filming was emotional.
It’s funny, every person I’ve asked that question to has said the Catskills.
Michael Zegen: Oh, did they really? (Laughs) It’s also the fact that on-screen it was so funny. It turned out it was such gold, so I’m incredibly nostalgic for that.
Can you reveal anything about what fans can expect from your upcoming role in The Penguin?
Michael Zegen: It’s a very different show, this is a lot bloodier. I don’t recall any blood being in Maisel. (Laughs) But it’s so cool; I’ve been a Batman fan since I was a little kid, so to be a part of Gotham City, it’s very surreal.
Screen Rant: Your character’s relationship with Joel has seen a lot of conflict in season four. Can you give an insight on what people can expect with their relationship in season five?
Kevin Pollack: It continues to evolve, and there are lots of surprises in season five. If you lower your expectations, you’ll be thrilled. (Laughs) That’s all I can tell you.
Do you think the heart attack has changed his perspective?
Kevin Pollack: Yes, of course. There’s a wonderful conflict between Shirley and Moishe, based on what life is like after a near death experience. It was a lot of fun to play, and I can’t wait for folks to see it.
Do you have any favorite moments for your character that stand out from the past four seasons?
Kevin Pollack: All the stuff at the Catskills. I really love when Moishe is working two phones at once while Abe was trying to enjoy his vacation, and Moishe is still working in the business side of life. That was great.
Screen Rant: When we left off at the end of season four, Shirley had had a very tumultuous time recently, and with what she’s yet to learn about Joel and Mei it’s not going to get any better. What can you say about what Shirley goes through over the course of the season?
Caroline Aaron: She starts out in a crisis with her and Moishe, and as the season goes along they come out the other side. That’s all I can say. It’s tricky, because we’re dancing around not revealing anything.
What are your favorite moments for your character over the course of the series?
Caroline Aaron: Being in the Catskills. Being with Abe right after I find out that Moishe had a heart attack, and I say to him, “If anything ever happens to Rose, I want to be there for you.” And really feeling like it was the character and me really coming together at the same time, because that’s the way I feel about Tony (Shalhoub), and that’s the way Shirley feels about Abe; we will be there for each other.
Are there any moments from the set that stand out to you?
Caroline Aaron: When we were rehearsing the Wonder Wheel, they built one of those cars on a soundstage, and they had all different levels of scaffolding that all of our colleagues were on. We had to – for a whole day – scream from different heights at each other as if we were in Coney Island, and it was crazy. I must have said 1000 times, “Ethan, are your funnel cakes delicious?” (Laughs) That took an entire day.
Screen Rant: What’s it been like portraying such an iconic comedian over the past several years?
Luke Kirby: It’s pretty high thrills for me. I’m very fond of Lenny Bruce, I was a long time ago, and getting to play him felt a little daunting at first. But the show’s had such an amazing trajectory, and the fact that Amy and Dan kept me on board as long as they did was just a dream come true. So it’s pretty wonderful.
After everything that happened in season four, how do you think Lenny views Midge?
Luke Kirby: I think he views her with the same sort of fondness and care that he always has. I think that he’s very drawn to her, obviously, and she leaves a strong impression on him. I think that he’s smitten with her and obviously finds her very funny, and I don’t think that’s especially changed. I think the only thing that he’s concerned about is that she’s lost sight of what’s the right thing to do in this life? So he’ll be on the watch.
Can you tell me about any of your other upcoming projects? I know you have a few films that are in the pipeline right now.
Luke Kirby: Yes, I made a movie last summer with Amber Sealey, who I’ve worked with before, on a film called Out of My Mind. I think it’s very special, it was a great experience. I worked alongside Rosemarie DeWitt on that and I just had a ball.
Screen Rant: What can viewers expect from your character and the Gordon Ford Show going into this next season?
Reid Scott: He’s a very ambitious guy, very driven guy, and that sometimes clouds his judgment when it comes to whether or not to be a good person from time to time. But he has a lot of fun with Midge. She’s a true sort of adversary and compatriot to him, and ultimately an equal, and it was a joy to play.
How do you feel like your character has grown from their first appearance in the series?
Reid Scott: He goes on quite a journey, I think his eyes are very much open to the power that Midge possesses. She teaches him a new respect for women. That’s what I love about the show in general, it’s presenting these issues in the context of 1962 when these issues were also very present. It was just amazing, the show runners really are just geniuses.
And you’re working on another piece right now with Amazon, what can fans expect from that project?
Reid Scott: It’s really fun. It’s a sweet, lighthearted, romantic comedy. I play Anne Hathaway’s ex-husband, we share a daughter together. It was great, working with Anne was just fantastic; we had a blast. It’s a very sweet movie with a bit of a rock and roll element to it, which I thought was very cool. It’s gonna be fun, I’m excited for people to see it.
What’ve your favorite moments for your character been over the course of the series?
Reid Scott: I think skating, falling on my ass on the ice at Rockefeller Center at two o’clock in the morning, that was a highlight. And honestly, just working with this incredible cast. It’s an unusual thing when you drop into the last season of something and try to get up to speed, but everyone was just amazing, and I feel so lucky to have gotten to play with them before it was all over.
Are there any stories that stand out to you?
Reid Scott: We work pretty hard on set, so there’s not a lot of high jinks or anything like that, but some of the friendships I made on set were just fantastic. Jason Ralph, he plays Mike Carr, sort of my right-hand-man in the series, he and I got to be really good buddies. Spent some time watching Top Gun in the theater like new buddies do. (Laughs) It was fun, it was really that kind of set where we all got very close.
Screen Rant: You’re officially a series regular for this last season which is very exciting, what has it been like taking on a larger role?
Alfie Fuller: Honestly, a little nerve-wracking in the best way. Going from being a fan of the show since its beginning in 2017 to knowing that I was going to be a fairly integral role, that was a little nerve-wracking, but I’m proud of myself and proud of the work that I did, and I can’t wait to see it.
What can we expect from your character? Is there anything you’re particularly excited about?
Alfie Fuller: Seeing Dinah with much more responsibility. She grows up a little bit, and we get to see a glimpse of her outside life; I think it’s all going to be really interesting.
What have your favorite moments for your character been throughout the series?
Alfie Fuller: Whenever there’s like a ton of people in the office, and the phones are ringing, and she’s talking to Maggie, but she has it all under control; Those are my favorites, because I could never. (Laughs)
Screen Rant: What can you reveal about your role? I know everything is very hush-hush.
Hank Azaria: I know. I already said some things and I got in trouble.
Well, can you talk about just your personal arc?
Hank Azaria: No. (Laughs) I’m only in one episode, and I play a television star from the period.
A real-life one?
Hank Azaria: Based on a real-life one, but not actually. I’m being very cagey. (Laughs) I go on The Gordon Ford Show and hilarity ensues.
As it often does.
Hank Azaria: Yes, on this show, yes. And I enjoyed working on this, it was really very creative. And I got to do a little singing, which I don’t get to often do. So I had a lot of fun doing it.
Are there any moments from filming which especially stick out to you?
Hank Azaria: Honestly, I was very aware they were winding it down during this, and I was aware that they were finishing up. And as a fan of the show, you know – like, for example, I remember being part of season one of Friends, and it was already a huge phenomenon. I was very aware I was part of a big American tradition that was going on. This had a similar feeling, and I was really happy to be part of something so iconic and beautiful.
As a longtime fan of the show, are there any moments from the series in general that stick out to you the most?
Hank Azaria: I’m a big Lenny Bruce fan, and I got to see that wonderful actor here, Luke I believe is his name. And I really loved that relationship on the show between Midge and Lenny Bruce, especially that long scene they had together on the stage. I thought that was one of the best scenes in television I’ve seen in a long time.
Do you have any other upcoming projects that you want to mention?
Hank Azaria: I do. I have a show currently on Apple called Hello Tomorrow with Billy Crudup, and in June a show called The Idol will be on HBO by Sam Levinson who brought you Euphoria. The Weeknd produced that with Sam, and The Weeknd stars in it as does Lily-Rose Depp. It’s about the music industry, and I think it might be really cool. I can’t wait to see that.
And of course, you’re on a little show called The Simpsons.
Hank Azaria: Yes, The Simpsons, we’re still plugging away at that. Season 35!
Screen Rant: You have a guest role in this upcoming season, I know it’s sort of shrouded in secrecy, but is there anything you can reveal about it?
Danny Garcia: Let’s see. I don’t want any of my family members to be threatened by Amazon. (Laughs) But I’m in an episode that takes place at a different time; I’ll tell you that. It doesn’t take place in the normal timeline of Mrs. Maisel.
Are there any really funny moments from set that stand out to you from your time as a guest star?
Danny Garcia: So many. Working with Alex (Borstein), she’d crack jokes all the time. I’m looking at her right now, she’s cracking jokes I’m sure. Dan Palladino just keeps a great set, just loose and cracking jokes all the time. There’s Will Sasso in my episode, and Danny Strong, and Sean Gunn, and we were all just having a great time; it was a lot of jokes, a lot of laughs going on. So no specific instance, just a lot of laughs.
And I know you have some big upcoming projects as well, can you talk about those a little bit?
Danny Garcia: Yeah, I shot a movie a couple of years ago with Ray Romano, his directorial debut called Somewhere in Queens. It premieres next Friday, I think on the 21st. We premiered at Tribeca last year and it went over well. I’m looking forward to that.
Screen Rant: Is there anything you can really reveal about the role that you play in the upcoming season?
Austin Basis: I can only say I work very closely with one of the main characters, or I’m in many scenes with one of the main characters, I should say. It was amazing to watch the person work. I could also say that it was just a pleasure to be part of the cast, and to be lucky enough to get cast in this final season just as this epic, groundbreaking show is coming to a close.
I know revealing too much from the set would also reveal too much about the show, but are there any really fun stories that stand out to you?
Austin Basis: Yes, but it’s one of those like, “Do you tell those stories on the red carpet? Are they the stories that stay between the cast?” But I just watched the video of Rachel (Brosnahan) talking about Alex (Borstein) and how she announces every morning when she goes to the bathroom, so I think that’s hysterical. (Laughs) That was always a topic of conversation. It was just a fun ride, we had a lot of fun. The cast welcomed all of the new characters with such open arms, like we were series regulars from the beginning. It was great to share that with them and see them as a part of it, but also to watch and appreciate them ending this major, groundbreaking, female empowerment show and taking it home, sliding into home base.
Screen Rant: I would love to hear just a little bit about the role that you play in this.
Danny Strong: I think I’m not allowed to talk about it. (Laughs) But I think it’s good.
Did you have a fun time filming it?
Danny Strong:I had the best time. I love the show so much, so I was thrilled to be a part of it.
Can you talk a little bit about how the role you play first came up for you?
Danny Strong: I was on Gilmore Girls as an actor with Dan and Amy, and then they asked me to play this part, so I said, “Yeah, sure. Whatever you need, I’ll be there.”
As a fan, are there any moments from the past four seasons that really stand out to you?
Danny Strong: All of them! Especially every time she does stand up, I love it.
About The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
After burning bridges and being cut from tour, Midge Maisel persisted through Season Four, rebuilding her career and reputation. The final moments of the season culminated with Midge leaving Carnegie Hall reinvigorated and ready to weather any blizzard. After an epiphany in front of The Gordon Ford Show’s snowy billboard, Midge is ready to “Go forward” and fight for her ascent to stardom—equipped with her quick wit and sharp tongue, and nothing else to lose.
In the fifth and final season, Midge finds herself closer than ever to the success she’s dreamed of, only to discover that closer than ever is still so far away.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will have a three-episode premiere on April 14, followed by weekly episodes on Prime Video.