We discuss what makes Sunny certainly one of the 12 months’s greatest exhibits with Rashida Jones, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Joanna Sotomura, and more!

Companionship is available in many types. What soothes one individual might really feel overseas to a different, with folks, pets, and inanimate objects bringing pleasure and solace to these affected by numerous traumas. When Suzie (Rashida Jones), a lady dwelling in Japan, inherits Sunny (Joanna Sotomura), a home robot made by her husband’s firm, they uncover darkish truths about what occurred to Suzie’s husband and son, trapping them in a spiral of violence, secrecy, and a warfare for energy. I imply this sincerely: Sunny is my favourite TV sequence of 2024 to date. So, you possibly can think about my pleasure after I was allowed to talk with members of the forged and artistic workforce: Rashida Jones, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Joanna Sotomura, Annie the Clumsy, Judy Ongg, Jun Kunimura, Sunny creator Katie Robbins, and director Lucy Tcherniak.

During our discussions, Rashida and Hidetoshi reveal the secrets and techniques of their unbelievable on-screen chemistry, performing alongside a robot co-star and processing ache by way of totally different, unconventional shops. Joanna Sotomura and Annie the Clumsy discuss assembly Sunny for the first time, what process they might assign a real-life housebot, getting drunk with synthetic intelligence, performing as assist whereas vying for Suzie’s consideration and loyalty, their go-to karaoke jams, and what they swiped from the set. Judy Ongg and Jun Kunimura talk about bridging the hole of communication between individuals who refuse to come back collectively in grief, hilarious off-camera moments, turning into a supply of steerage and zen for somebody in the throes of loss, and what attracts them to a present like Sunny. Finally, Katie Robbins and Lucy Tcherniak open up about adapting Colin O’Sullivan’s novel and making a stability for Suzie’s emotional journey whereas sharing laughs and lightheartedness.

As I stated throughout my interview with Katie and Lucy, Sunny is my leisure catnip. The present creates a fragile stability of darkness and mild, with Suzie’s restoration and acceptance at the core of a sophisticated net of intrigue. Sunny is endlessly entertaining, with powerhouse performances from all concerned. It’s been some time since a present checked each field on my record, and I hope folks join with Sunny and discover as a lot enjoyable, consolation, and catharsis as I did.

Sunny launches on Apple TV+ on July 10, 2024.

About the Author

Born and raised in New York, then immigrated to Canada, Steve Seigh has been a JoBlo.com editor, columnist, and critic since 2012. He began with Ink & Pixel, a column celebrating the magic and evolution of animation, earlier than launching the companion YouTube sequence Animation Movies Revisited. He’s additionally the host of the Talking Comics Podcast, a personality-driven audio present specializing in comedian books, movie, music, and more. You’ll not often catch him with out headphones on his head and pancakes on his breath.