Abe Forsythe uses unexpected elements to push Wolf Like Me even further, interview

When shows tackle relationship stories, how and why the characters transform through the journey is often a focal point. In Peacock’s original series Wolf Like Me, the juxtaposition of physical transformation with the figurative one compels the audience to take a deeper dive into the character’s psyche and maybe question some of their own personal choices. Abe Forsythe, creator, director, writer, and executive producer, opens the Wolf Like Me season 2 chapter to explore complex issues but never forgets to weave in some lighthearted moments.

Airing on Peacock, Wolf Like Me stars Josh Gad and Isla Fisher. After leaving the couple in Season 1, the continuing story takes a new turn. The pair adjusts to understand what Fisher’s pregnancy could entail, how that impacts Gad and his daughter, and a myriad of other items along the way.

Recently, I spoke with Abe Forsythe on behalf of Culturess regarding Wolf Like Me, the second season, and a few Easter eggs that are woven into the series.

Given the positive response from Wolf Like Me Season 1, Forsythe had some expectations to match or exceed with fans. In some ways, it allowed him to push the envelope a little more with the characters and their storylines.

Forsythe shared, “Thankfully the audience’s reaction allowed me to continue doing what we were all doing with the story and characters. The positive reaction to Season 1 also gave me the safety to push the unexpected elements that are inherent to the story even further.”

Looking back, one of the underlying themes in Season 1 was the idea of acceptance, especially when secrets are revealed. That universal concept is at the heart of this series.

Forsythe revealed, “That’s the ultimate question we all have to ask ourselves, my characters just allow us to have it reflected to the audience. Mary, Gary, and Emma took a huge leap into the unknown at the end of season one. But taking that leap is only the first step for any of us. You’re still going to need to confront aspects of yourself once you bring these hidden things out into the light. If anything it gets harder. But if you’re able to share that with others you can at least continue to confront the things you’ve been trying to hide.”

Whether people are willing to step out of their personal shadows or not remains to be seen, but there are ways that audiences can connect with the concepts beyond the plot. Music is one of those factors.

In Season 2, the music is almost its own character. Speaking about the music in Season 2, Forsythe said, “It plays an even bigger role than it did in season one. And we use music in a different way than we did before while it continues to score, the journey of the characters, and also the characters giving music to each other as a path to healing. There are also a number of songs contained in the series that the audience isn’t even aware of that have various Easter eggs wrapped up in their music and meaning.”

While people might go back to listen more carefully to each episode, the dichotomies between moments of laughter and more intense scenes seem to make the journey more palatable. As Forsythe said, “I think it’s incredibly important. If you’re not allowing the audience moments of release, then I find you don’t have the same moments of catharsis.”

Even though the overarching concepts can have people questioning their own paths, it is the relationship between Mary (Fisher) and Gary (Gad) that draws people to watch. Whether it is a chance meeting that brings people together or a well-orchestrated event, the idea of finding a special someone has an appeal.

According to Forsythe, “I think you have to be at a point in your life where you are ready to challenge parts of yourself before you can be ready to share your life with someone else. I’m only speaking from my own experience of this, which is what led me to tell this story and create this show. I had an experience that was the jumping-off point for me coming up with these characters but ultimately didn’t end up going any further. But if I hadn’t put myself in an incredibly vulnerable position with this person, I know I wouldn’t be in the relationship I am now. Which is with a woman who has protected me and allowed me to reveal myself to her, and I have been able to offer the same for her in return.”

While there is a vulnerability that allows a relationship to blossom, that connection between parent and child is unique. In Wolf Like Me, Mary’s concerns and doubts might not be the same as others, but the concept resonates.

When asked about parental worry, Forsythe commented, “As a parent, the impending birth of your child brings up so many things that you have to reckon with. There is so much in the unknown that is terrifying. It’s obviously brought to an intense comedic level with Mary wondering if she will eat her own child. But there is definitely a metaphor within that concept.”

As audiences watch the Wolf Like Me Season 2 on Peacock, there are many takeaways from each episode. Although he may not necessarily want to project his concepts on viewers, Forsythe left us with these final thoughts.

“I’ve put a lot of my own experience of fear, vulnerability, connection, and love into these characters. It’s been nice to see that it has connected with people in so many ways. I’m not going to say what lessons I want people to learn from this, but I hope I can keep offering people the opportunity to realize they aren’t alone and they don’t have to be.”

Wolf Like Me can be streamed on Peacock. Season 1 and Season 2 are available now.