Finding a more impressive cast than that of No Good Deed is no easy task. With stars like Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano, Linda Cardellini, Teyonah Parris, and Luke Wilson, the Netflix dramedy presents an ensemble that showcases the same blend of humor and drama that made Liz Feldman’s Dead to Me an Emmy-nominated hit. In such an accomplished cast, it might seem challenging for any one performer to shine, yet Poppy Liu stands out brilliantly, becoming one of the most memorable aspects of the series.

Poppy Liu takes on the role of Sarah, a doctor with a penchant for the Citizen app, who grapples with the complexities of trying to conceive with her wife, Leslie (Abbi Jacobson). Their marriage is filled with love, yet it is not without its imperfections and hidden truths, particularly when they find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery. This role marks a significant shift for Liu, who has previously captivated audiences as the quirky blackjack dealer Kiki in <em>Hacks</em> and the enigmatic housekeeper Greta in Dead Ringers. Liu’s impressive résumé also includes appearances in critically celebrated shows like The Afterparty, American Born Chinese, and Better Call Saul.

Collider had the opportunity to engage Liu in a discussion about her experiences working alongside Jacobson and Kudrow, the uniqueness of her role compared to previous characters, their upcoming projects, and how motherhood and activism have influenced their personal and professional lives.

Poppy Liu Discusses Collaborating with Liz Feldman of ‘Dead to Me’

COLLIDER: I was eagerly anticipating this series because I’m a huge fan of Dead to Me. Were you familiar with Liz Feldman’s work? What was your experience like working with her? I imagine her writing process is quite fascinating.

POPPY LIU: Absolutely! One of the main reasons I was drawn to this show was my excitement about collaborating with Liz. Being a massive fan of Dead to Me, I truly admire her unique voice and distinct sense of humor within the dramedy genre. It’s remarkable how, upon hearing something or watching her work, I can instantly identify it as hers. Personally, I’ve always had a fascination with murder mysteries; however, I find myself becoming increasingly sensitive as I age. The true crime genre has become too intense for me to manage. I used to enjoy it thoroughly, but now I find myself unable to tolerate anything remotely frightening. Perhaps it’s the experience of becoming a mother that has made the world feel more intense and real. Knowing too much about the harsh realities out there weighs on me, making me feel emotionally vulnerable. Fortunately, Liz creates a world where I can still indulge in binge-watching a murder mystery without the aftermath of sleepless nights or psychological distress. Her storytelling finds a balance of fun and levity, allowing me to enjoy the genre without feeling overwhelmed.

100%. It’s a perfect middle ground. Liz exemplifies the significance of having queer female showrunners and how this representation shapes the narrative. While Sarah and Leslie are a sapphic couple, they’re not the only queer characters depicted, and they’re refreshingly multi-dimensional. What has your experience been like working on a show that portrays LGBTQ+ characters with such depth?

LIU: It’s refreshing that Abbi and I can simply exist as our characters without the narrative needing to unpack queerness constantly. We’re not defined by trauma related to our identities. While many of us have faced challenging conversations with our parents and grappled with the struggle of feeling seen, it’s equally important to portray lives that extend beyond those challenges. It’s liberating to embody characters who are simply living their lives and are now immersed in solving a murder mystery together.

Our relationship is complex, filled with secrets, just like all the couples in the show. The series intricately weaves a narrative centered around unveiling these secrets and their interconnectedness. However, at the core, our relationship is depicted as healthy and functional. It’s refreshing to portray a couple where the dynamic is supportive, and we truly understand one another. My character, Sarah, thrives on relationships; she revels in the idea of family and cherishes the partnership she shares.

Reflecting on my own life, I often find myself feeling independent, believing I can do everything on my own. While I have many intimate friendships that fill my life with love, I am beginning to realize that I desire more than that. The idea of partnership is still new to me, and I’m exploring what that looks like and how it feels.

You’ve mentioned the theme of secrets, which is prevalent throughout the series. It’s intriguing that while Sarah makes questionable choices, her intentions are rooted in striving to do the right thing. How did you navigate this morally ambiguous aspect of her character?

LIU: I found it relatively easy to portray this nuanced character because, as you pointed out, her moral compass is complicated yet genuinely good-hearted. Abbi and I frequently discussed our characters’ dynamic with Liz, who noted that while Leslie embodies many of her own traits, Sarah also reflects aspects of Liz’s personality. Their relationship is characterized by a balance where Leslie represents the head, and Sarah embodies the heart. On good days, this dynamic harmonizes beautifully, but they are driven by different motivations. Sarah is incredibly caring and empathetic; her intentions, even when keeping secrets, stem from a place of love and protection for Leslie. It’s a common human tendency to justify our decisions, believing that we’re sparing someone else from pain, even when it ultimately backfires. However, I genuinely believe Sarah’s heart is in the right place.

Poppy Liu Analyzes Their On-Screen Relationship with Abbi Jacobson in ‘No Good Deed’

You’ve mentioned working with Abbi, whom I adore. I was thrilled to see the chemistry you two share on-screen. What has your experience been like collaborating with her? You both bring such a delightful dynamic to the series.

LIU: The process was incredibly seamless. When I was cast, we hadn’t had a chemistry read prior. My initial meeting with Liz and our director, Silver Tree, took place at a restaurant in Los Feliz, where we connected and got to know each other. However, Abbi and I didn’t have our chemistry read until we were officially cast, and the chemistry was immediately natural. We had one Zoom rehearsal to read our scene together and gauge our dynamic. Everything felt effortless. Our discussions revolved around our physicality and cadence, but it required little intellectualization because our connection was instinctive. There were moments when we found ourselves in character, holding hands, and naturally saying, “Oh, we’re holding hands now. Great!” [Laughs] It’s a testament to the casting team; when chemistry flows so freely, it’s often a deliberate choice on their part.

In your conversations with Liz and Abbi, what insights did you develop regarding your characters’ backgrounds that might not have been evident on screen?

LIU: We focused on character motivation, creating a rich internal landscape for Sarah. Since the show features such an ensemble cast, each character exists in their own world, providing only glimpses into one another’s lives. Thus, we spent time discussing the backstory of Leslie and Sarah’s relationship, exploring questions like how long they have been together and whether they had previously discussed starting a family. This work made our relationship feel more tangible, serving as my anchor within the narrative. Given that most of my scenes were with Abbi, our connection developed through personal conversations about our families, childhoods, and experiences as women in the industry. We shared a lot of laughter and genuine moments, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the process of working together.

Your characters represent a power couple, yet they also exhibit a charmingly dorky side in their relationship.

LIU: They’re incredibly dorky.

Absolutely! It’s amusing in the best way. I found myself thinking, “This is delightfully cringe-worthy.” Was there a particular line or moment that consistently tripped you up during filming?

LIU: I recall one instance involving Abbi’s line. Occasionally, we performed the scene as scripted, but Liz would suggest alternative lines. There was a moment when we uncovered significant plot information, and Abbi was instructed to deliver the line, “Well, fuck a duck,” with complete sincerity. We were both taken aback, laughing at the absurdity. It beautifully captured the essence of being in a close relationship—how cheesy and cringe-worthy moments can translate into sweetness. There were other instances where Abbi had to say something equally amusing, and we often found ourselves asking Liz for her input, wondering if that line would work. Ultimately, we realized it was all in good fun.

Poppy Liu Shares Their Starstruck Moment with Lisa Kudrow at the ‘No Good Deed’ Table Read

I love that dynamic. Additionally, I appreciate the relationship between Sarah and Lydia, particularly given their shared spiritual connection. Can you elaborate on that aspect and what it was like working with the legendary Lisa Kudrow?

LIU: Lisa is an absolute legend. She’s also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. We both expressed how much we enjoyed a particular scene, which ended up being one of our favorite moments on set. In terms of spirituality, our characters resonate with each other on that level. We both define ourselves through the lens of motherhood, albeit in different ways, which allowed for a unique interaction that felt truly special.

Working with Lisa was surreal. I’ve encountered few individuals in the industry who have left me starstruck. Generally, I approach my colleagues with a grounded attitude, but meeting Lisa was different. At our table read, I felt an unexpected wave of emotion upon seeing her. Her face and presence evoke nostalgia, deeply embedded in our childhood memories and cultural landscape. When it was my turn to greet her, I found myself completely flustered, and the only thing I could manage to say after stuttering was, “Um…thank you.” She graciously responded, “You’re welcome?” and I thought, “Well, that went well!” [Laughs]

While your interaction with Linda Cardellini may have been brief, I adore her work. What was it like working with her, even if just in passing?

LIU: I absolutely adore her! We didn’t have any scenes together, so I only saw her during the table read. She carries an aura similar to a beloved cool aunt. I remember during filming, she mentioned throwing a huge party for her child, and it was evident she’s the type of mom everyone wants to hang out with. She’s incredibly kind, and our interactions were brief as we were often shooting back-to-back scenes. It’s always a case of two ships passing in the night, but she’s genuinely wonderful. I recently realized that I’ve loved her work since Freaks and Geeks, and I’m not sure why I hadn’t connected the dots sooner!

Poppy Liu Reflects on How Motherhood Influences Their Acting Career

Given that this is an ensemble series, you