A Family Mystery with a Heartbeat
In the limited series “Apples Never Fall,” Alison Brie steps into a role that feels both personal and revelatory. The story begins in picturesque Palm Beach with the sudden disappearance of Joy Delaney, the family matriarch, played by Annette Bening. Her husband, Stan (Sam Neill), and their four adult children—including Amy, portrayed by Brie—are left to untangle their emotions and past traumas. What surfaces is a story rooted not just in mystery, but in personal reinvention, generational struggle, and emotional growth.
Amy, the second-youngest Delaney sibling, is often misunderstood and undervalued by her family. She’s been labeled the emotional one, the dramatic one—almost a punchline in her household. But beneath that surface lies someone who’s done the emotional heavy-lifting, grappling with a legacy of competition and repressed feelings to become the most self-aware member of the clan.
Finding Amy: Alison Brie’s Emotional Center
For Brie, the opportunity to play Amy was a chance to explore themes she resonates with. “Amy is the emotional center of the family,” Brie said in a recent interview. “She’s the most honest and communicative, which ironically makes her the most ridiculed. But she’s done the work on herself.”
Amy represents a character who’s fought against ingrained family dynamics—specifically the win-at-all-costs mentality imposed by a sports-obsessed father. Unlike her siblings, Amy has taken a hard look at her upbringing and made changes. This journey of self-awareness, paired with Brie’s subtle and intelligent acting, gives Amy a deeply relatable humanity.
A Production Down Under
“Apples Never Fall” was shot in Australia, a major change of pace for Brie, who is best known for shows filmed in California like “Community,” “Mad Men,” and “GLOW.”
“It was a literal and figurative departure,” Brie joked. “But knowing it was a limited series made the move easier.”
Brie’s time filming in Australia allowed her to truly dive into the character. Without the distractions of everyday life, she found herself more immersed than ever. The remote setting also fostered camaraderie among castmates. Brie explained, “Even our Aussie cast members, Essie Randles and Conor Merrigan Turner, live in Sydney, and we were on the Gold Coast—so we were all a bit removed. That bonded us.”
Balancing Ensemble and Individuality
Unlike her recent roles where she’s worn multiple hats as writer, producer, and lead—such as in “Spin Me Round” and “Somebody I Used to Know”—Brie embraced the freedom of being part of an ensemble.
“It’s been a long time since I wasn’t shooting every single day,” she said. “That time off let me explore more of Australia, but it also helped me channel a looser energy into Amy. She’s very present and in-the-moment, and I felt that way during the shoot.”
Working With Annette Bening: A Career Highlight
- One of Brie’s most treasured experiences on the show was working alongside Annette Bening. The third episode features an especially poignant scene between Amy and Joy, filmed in a car.
- “I cried afterward,” Brie recalled. “Annette is one of my idols, and to have that kind of moment with her was unforgettable.”
- Their mother-daughter dynamic on screen crackles with tension, tenderness, and mutual respect, adding emotional weight to the unfolding family drama.
Mentorship and Multi-Generational Magic
- Brie described the cast dynamic as a three-tiered generational experience: the icons (Bening and Neill), the veterans (herself and Jake Lacy), and the rising stars (Randles and Merrigan Turner).
- “Jake and I got to be mentors of sorts,” she shared. “But we also fed off their excitement and energy.”
- This synergy is palpable on screen, giving the Delaney family a lived-in authenticity. Brie and Lacy’s scenes with their younger counterparts bring out both generational tension and affection.
Searching for the Next Chapter
- Following the cancellation of “GLOW,” Brie dove into writing and producing her own projects. But her experience on “Apples Never Fall” reignited her love for traditional series work.
- “I’d love another great ongoing show,” she said. “There’s something comforting about that environment. I missed it.”
- Currently, she and husband Dave Franco are producing and starring in a horror film in Melbourne. Directing is also on the horizon, but she’s waiting for the right story to take the leap.
- “It’s scary and vulnerable,” she admitted. “But I know I want to do it. I just need a project that sets my soul on fire.”
An Evolving Television Landscape
Brie’s career arc mirrors the shifting tides of television. From the prestige of “Mad Men” to the cult charm of “Community” and the Netflix boom of “GLOW,” she’s been part of each era’s defining moments. Now, limited series like “Apples Never Fall” are the trend—and she’s right there again.
“Sometimes it’s just dumb luck,” she said humbly. “I’ve been lucky to land in the right places at the right time.”
Yet it’s more than luck. Brie has consistently chosen work that challenges her and showcases different facets of her talent.
Breaking Type and Taking Risks
- Reflecting on earlier roles, Brie was surprised that audiences often grouped her characters together.
- “Community and Mad Men felt so different to me,” she said. “But people saw a type. That’s what led me to write my own material—to break out of that.”
- Her three co-written films—”Horse Girl,” “Spin Me Round,” and “Somebody I Used to Know”—are varied and personal. Each film peels back a new layer of her creativity.
“When I got the ‘Apples’ script, I thought they were offering me the role of Brooke,” she laughed. “She’s described as type A, owns a physical therapy business. But then I saw it was Amy and thought, this is going to be fun.”
Still Embracing the Familiar
- Even with her drive to explore new terrain, Brie isn’t shutting out past archetypes completely.
- “If the writing is good and the people are great, I’m not anti-type A roles. I must have some of that in me anyway—it sneaks in!”
Looking Ahead: The Community Movie
- And of course, there’s the ever-anticipated “Community” movie. Brie confirmed that Joel McHale’s recent comments about filming in 2025 are indeed promising.
- “We’re all excited,” she said. “That cast feels like family. We had so much fun, and it’s something really special to revisit.”
Conclusion: Brie’s Sweet Spot
“Apples Never Fall” may be a limited series, but for Brie, it’s a meaningful milestone. It’s the convergence of everything she does well—emotionally rich acting, ensemble collaboration, and character complexity. It also marks a new chapter, both personally and professionally.
Whether it’s as Amy Delaney, a horror heroine, a behind-the-scenes powerhouse, or a sitcom star, Alison Brie continues to prove that she’s found her sweet spot—right in the center of compelling storytelling.
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