By Henry Nickerson | Public Relations Coordinator
Bill Hader’s star is certainly rising. After years of serving as a character actor in a string of independent films like Hot Rod and Superbad, Hader has begun snagging lead roles on the big screen. Lead roles in Trainwreck and The Skelton Twins, have made the SNL alumni a household name. Hader’s television work post-SNL has included cameos on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Silicon Valley, as well as Documentary Now!, a series of mockumentaries created alongside Fred Armisen. With baited breath did comedy nerds wait for a project which would showcase Hader’s versatility and unique humor; Barry is that project. Created, written, directed, and produced by Hader, Barry is a twisted and surreal comedy which quickly separates itself from the pack.
Barry follows a depressed veteran turned assassin who follows one of his targets into an acting class and discovers his passion for the craft. Barry’s passion quickly becomes problematic as his desire to act conflicts with his hitman duties.
Alongside Hader’s macabre narrative is a cast of wonderful character actors. The incredibly versatile Stephen Root plays Fuches, Barry’s father figure-boss-proprietor. Having had fairly limited screen time in the first three episodes, Root will certainly adopt a larger role in later episodes, presumably focusing on his manipulative relationship with Hader. Henry Winkler plays Cousineau, the teacher of Barry’s acting class whose students follow his every critique with cultlike devotion. It’s no surprise Winkler immediately disappears into his character, perhaps channeling teachers he himself has encountered throughout his expansive career. Newbie Sarah Goldberg plays Barry’s acting partner and love interest Sally Reed. Goldberg plays Sally as an endearing narcissist whose overwhelming desire to become a movie star presents problematic personalty traits. However, the real scene stealer of Barry is Anthony Carrigan, who plays the charismatic Russian gangster Noho Hank alongside Glenn Fleshler. Carrigan’s Noho is a lighthearted Chechen gangster with a lavish streak. Carrigan’s timing and energy is unmatched, and within only three episodes, he has begun to craft one of the most memorable characters television has seen for some time.
Being among one of the last great series practicing weekly releases, each six day wait makes every episode more exciting. Within three episodes, Barry has already engaged audiences with its off color storyline and mounting action that is sure to come to a brilliant climax. With only thirty minute runtime, Barry is a show whose episodes can be revisited over and over.
In the emerging culture of streaming, HBO has continued to produce content that separates itself from the cacophonous hoard of series being rapidly released. Barry is evidence that in the over-saturated market, cream will still rise to the top. HBO’s gamble on Bill Hader’s unique voice has certainly payed off.
