Apple TV+ Before: Rosie Perez Discusses Her Character's Motivation and Personal Connection

Rosie Perez with the cast of Before at MoMA red-carpet premiere on October 16, 2024 in New York City. Image (L to R) Judith Light, Rosie Perez, Jacobi Jupe, Billy Crystal, Maria Dizzia and Ava Lalezarzadeh. Image Courtesy of Apple TV+

Rosie Perez recently opened up about her experience in Apple TV+'s highly anticipated psychological thriller, Before. In an interview with MovieWeb, Perez discussed the personal connection she has to her character and how her positive experience working alongside Billy Crystal helped, calling the journey "dark" but deeply rewarding.

The upcoming 10-episode limited series, which premieres on October 25, 2024, follows Billy Crystal's character, Eli, a child psychiatrist struggling with the loss of his wife. The story blends personal tragedy with eerie supernatural elements, pulling viewers into a narrative that seems as emotional as it is suspenseful.

In the interview hosted by Matt Mahler, Perez explained how close the role hit to home. Known for her advocacy for children's rights and her own experiences growing up in foster care, she revealed that accepting the role of Denise a foster mother, was both daunting and personal. "I've spent years working on myself; if I had not, I would not be ok because this was a heavy, heavy lift."

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Before on Apple TV+

From the trailer alone, it’s clear that Before will be an atmospheric thriller- Everything to Know About Billy Crystal's New Psychological Thriller series

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Billy Crystal and Rosie Perez in 'Before' premiering October 25, 2024 on Apple TV+

Initially, Billy Crystal offered Perez a different role, which she turned down. However, he later offered her the character of Denise, knowing the actress had firsthand experience with the foster care system as a ward of the state of New York.

"I was terrified at the idea," Perez admitted. Despite her hesitation, Crystal's support helped her embrace the role. In her portrayal, the actress describes Denise as an anxious foster mother who, influenced by her own time in foster care, is protective of Noah and always concerned about making the right decisions for him.

Perez also shared why she wanted to add a nervous edge to her character, discussing it with Crystal and series writer Sarah Thorp. Reflecting on her own experience in foster care, she explained, "If you were part of the system, you know how the system works, and how it doesn't work, and unfortunately, I saw a lot of kids not do well."

The Brooklyn native mentioned that she drew from her childhood experiences in foster care to shape how her character, Denise, would respond to the challenges and relationships with her co-stars' characters.

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MASH Spotlight

"As it was happening, we knew. We knew how lucky we were, how blessed." - Loretta Swit (Maj. Margaret Houlihan), reflecting on her time with the show. MASH TV Show Spotlight: Quotes Filled with Wit and Wisdom-Plus Some Fun Facts About the 4077

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Rosie Perez, Billy Crystal, and Judith Light cast of Before at MoMA red-carpet premiere on October 16, 2024 in New York City.

While the role may have been intense, Perez said she and Crystal found ways to ease the tension on set. She recalled moments during filming when "things got a little heavy," and she and Crystal would make funny faces at each other to lighten the mood.

Perez praised Crystal's leadership on set, saying his performance was "amazing" and that audiences would be surprised by the emotional depth he brings to the role.

Along with Crystal and Perez, the series features Jacobi Jupe as the mysterious Noah, as well as Robert Townsend, Maria Dizzia, Sakina Jaffrey, Ava Lalezarzadeh, and Will Hochman. Rounding out the cast is the incredible Judith Light, who brings her remarkable acting talent to the role of Eli’s late wife, Lynn. In the trailer, Light gives off some supernatural, spooky vibes that are definitely a must-see.

(See Trailer Below)

Judith Light and Billy Crystal in 'Before' premiering October 25, 2024 on Apple TV+

Apple TV+ recently celebrated the series with a red-carpet event in New York City, where the cast gathered for the world premiere at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Attendees included Billy Crystal, Judith Light, Jacobi Jupe, and Rosie Perez, along with the series' creators and producers.

Check out the full MovieWeb interview here

Before Trailer

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers and supernatural mysteries, this is one premiere you'll want to keep an eye on. Be sure to mark your calendars for this new limited series.

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