Ella Stiller felt an immediate connection to the CBS series "Cupertino," a show that delves into the complex issues surrounding artificial intelligence in the modern world. Stiller, whose parents are actors Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller, plays Christy, a secretary at a Silicon Valley law firm tasked with navigating cases against powerful tech corporations.
Stiller described her casting process as a "match made in heaven," experiencing a rare "magical feeling" about the role from the moment she read the script. This intuition proved correct, despite a period of anxious waiting over the holidays. "I had a real gut feeling that I was gonna work out," Stiller told Decider. "I would say 98 percent of the time, I do not feel that way."
The series, created by "The Good Wife" and "Elsbeth" producers Robert and Michelle King, directly confronts the rapid advancements and societal impact of AI. The second episode of "Cupertino" introduces a potential client who reveals himself to be artificial general intelligence (AGI), a plot point that resonated deeply with Stiller.
"I feel so connected to it. I’m just passionate that humanity will overcome," Stiller stated, expressing her concerns that AI could lead to "the downfall of creativity." She believes that genuine human artistry is irreplaceable. "I also believe deeply that the people who are the real creatives, who are really put on this earth to make art, know that nothing is ever going to take that over because it is our art and it’s just about being human," she added.
Stiller praised the show for its nuanced approach to the AI debate, noting that it doesn't take an overtly anti-AI stance. "Bo is like a part of the team almost. It’s really interesting. It’s not black and white," she said, referring to the AGI character. She also highlighted the collaborative effort in portraying the AI character, played by Rob McClure, as fundamentally human without artificial affectations.
Beyond the thematic elements, Stiller shared personal anecdotes, including a humorous interaction with the restaurant chain TGI Fridays, whose branding is featured in the show. She also reflected on her first job in retail, which she described as a motivating experience that shaped her perspective on public interaction.
Looking ahead, Stiller expressed enthusiasm for a potential second season, stating, "All we want is to keep making this show. We love this show and I love it so much." "Cupertino" airs new episodes on Thursdays on CBS and streams on Paramount+.