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And then it came back up in the room this year and we decided to do the story.
I know there was so much blowback to howdark it felt when Michael died.
The show started with something very serious accidental pregnancy and Janes life getting turned upside down.
I think that when we have something serious underneath our show, it gives us a firm foundation.
The light moments become relief for that.
That feels like life.
Shes also exploring her own romance.
There have to be moments where you come up for air and breathe.
Thankfully we have the Narrator to help us do that, too.
The Narrator is there to help us navigate these moments.
I dont suppose you could give me any …JSU:He knows.
Hes our guide; hes the storyteller.
Sometimes heactslike he doesnt know.
When the narrative dictates that he doesnt know.
But how does that …?JSU:Were very cagey.
Yeah, I noticed!
We dont get any of that preparatory stuff.
Was that deliberate?JSU:Yeah, a little bit.
I think thats what illness is.
Its not someone taking out a gun and pulling off their faces and those more operatic moments.
This is the kind of thing that happens every day in families.
Its a different kind of shocking moment.
The Narrators experiencing the sadness with us.
Its been interesting to watch how faith is going to play into how these characters respond to Xos health.
It didnt matter what their beliefs were.
But itischallenging, because you try really hard not to think about it.
But it was absolutely worthwhile because I think its a story worth telling.
It impacts so many women.
But I think what was interesting was giving voice to all the aspects of Xos character.
Shes a wife, shes struggling with her womanhood and how thats going to be impacted.
Its putting different clothes on Xiomara.
Its funny shes a very big, living, loud character.
But when you marry Rogelio, she can be the straight man a lot of the time.
We were feeling that we wanted to do something deeper and bigger with her character.
Thats the privilege of being able to tell a long-running show, where you build up all these characters.
And the time spent in storytelling feels earned.
It didnt feel like it was out of character; it felt like he was rising to the occasion.
IsPassions of Steveever going to get off the ground?JSU:Oh,Passions of Steveis yes!
Yes, it is!
Can you tell me if we get more Brooke Shields?
Because I desperately want a lot more Brooke Shields.JSU:Oh, so do we!
And Yael is so great, so we knew she would knock it out of the park.
It feels like all of her love arcs have actually been telenovela arcs.
They all go back to telenovela in some capacity.
But until we get to the finale, it plays more as a romantic arc than a telenovela arc.
Youre interested in how Petra is responding and where her heart is.
Were really going deep in on Petras heart.
The show has been political from the beginning.
Its very difficultnotto be political.
I dont think I could be silent.
I dont think any of us could be silent.
JSU:It feels more urgent.
You have to be.
I will say: were writing to the ending that weve planned for alongtime.
Telenovelas are written with an ending in mind!
This interview has been edited and condensed.
