The cast of FX/Hulu's "Adults" is reflecting on the dramatic twists of the Season 2 finale and sharing their hopes for a potential third season.
The season concluded with a pivotal election night kiss between Paul Baker (Jack Innanen) and Anton (Owen Thiele), a moment that actor Owen Thiele actively advocated for.
"I pushed for the kiss, ultimately. I did push for the kiss. And Jack’s a great kisser. Not just because he’s a great kisser, but I really felt in that moment that you needed to see some physical connection between Anton and Paul Baker," Thiele told Decider. Innanen recalled the scene, which was the last to be filmed at 4 a.m., involved "a lot of debate live" and nearly omitted the kiss entirely.
"They were just going to hide it behind the balloons," Innanen said. "We had only so many times with the balloons. Because it was a whole rig. We had only two takes. And the first one we didn’t even kiss."
Thiele also described the intense atmosphere during the filming of the finale's last shot. "It was a really, really high-stakes moment. I forgot to breathe at one point. I was mid-kiss. I was gonna faint."
The season also ended with a surprise hookup between roommates Billie (Lucy Freyer) and Samir (Malik Elassal), a development that leaves their future uncertain.
"We’ve got to figure it out, being like lifelong friends. It’s kind of like we’ve gotta get married; otherwise it’s gonna be weird," Elassal said of their characters' situation. Freyer added that while the characters' connection was pitched at the beginning of the season, its realization came as a surprise.
"It’s like Samir fist bumps Billie right after. And I’m like, ‘OK, well…’" Freyer said, indicating a sense of hesitant acknowledgment rather than romantic certainty. Elassal expressed concern for their characters, stating, "Yeah, I’m worried for them."
Regarding their characters' dynamics, Thiele explained that Anton's ability to listen and connect with others complements Paul Baker's more passive nature, leading to their mutual liberation. Innanen felt that the relationship between Paul Baker and Anton is a "beautiful love story" that allows both characters to become more active in their lives.
Thiele also expressed his gratitude for the positive fan reception to the portrayal of a Black queer man with an emotional arc and a love interest on the show. "It was so amazing. I think very rarely is there a black queer man in a show who gets to have an emotional arc and find a love interest. So just that for me is emotional."
Looking ahead to a potential Season 3, cast members shared their desires for their characters. Amita Rao, who plays Issa, hopes to see Issa "get canceled on a national scale for actually doing the right thing for the first time." Thiele suggested that one of the characters might experience sudden fame, potentially causing conflict, especially if it were Issa.
Freyer and Elassal remain curious about how the Billie and Samir storyline will unfold, while Innanen and Thiele are interested in seeing if Paul Baker and Anton will officially start dating or encounter new challenges.
"Adults" Season 2 is currently streaming on Hulu.