Josh Lucas, who co-stars in the dramedy ‘Mrs. Fletcher,’ describes the show as a ‘comedy lab’ of sorts, featuring a star-studded cast including Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, Laura Dern, and Carol Burnett. Lucas holds his own in Abe Sylvia’s ’60s-set series, which concludes its finale on May 8th. The show’s wacky comedy emerges from the women of Palm Beach attempting to climb society’s social ladder, but its heart lies in the messy yet warm marriage between Maxine Simmons (Wiig) and Douglas Delacorte (Lucas). They navigate various complexities throughout the show—moving back to Douglas’ hometown, reconnecting with his just-out-of-a-coma aunt, dealing with money problems and relationship woes. Underneath all of that is a surprisingly sweet dynamic that makes it easy to root for the Delacorte-Simmonses.
Lucas discussed with us how his character Douglas evolved, what lies ahead for ‘Mrs. Fletcher,’ and, yes, his 2002 rom-com ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’ He shared that in the beginning, there was uncertainty about whether Douglas was real or just a fantasy in Maxine’s mind. However, as the writers crafted the story, they developed a clearer sense of Douglas, recognizing his golden retriever-like qualities and deep love for Maxine. The addition of Carol Burnett as Norma Delacorte further enriched the show’s reality, allowing them to delve into Douglas’ past and family history.
Lucas also spoke about the show’s unique blend of humor and emotion, comparing it to iconic comedies like ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ ‘Seinfeld,’ and ‘The Office.’ He emphasized that while ‘Mrs. Fletcher’ is a comedy, it also explores the complexities of human relationships, loss, and vulnerability. He highlighted the messy but genuine love between Maxine and Douglas, who bring chaos into each other’s lives but ultimately have each other’s best interests at heart.
When asked about his experience juggling roles in ‘Mrs. Fletcher’ and ‘Yellowstone,’ Lucas expressed his admiration for both shows and their respective creators. He shared that he watched all the ‘Yellowstone’ episodes and studied Kevin Costner’s performance to capture the essence of John Dutton. He also revealed that he would love to see the show delve into John Dutton’s earlier life, exploring the period before he became the broken and angry man he is today.
In discussing his favorite movies, Lucas expressed his love for ‘Glory Road,’ a film about the 1966 all-black basketball team. He praised the film’s powerful storytelling and its significance in basketball history.
Overall, Josh Lucas provides a captivating insight into the world of ‘Mrs. Fletcher,’ highlighting its comedic brilliance, unexpected emotional depth, and the talented cast that brings it to life. He also shares his passion for filmmaking and his appreciation for both comedy and drama, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
