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Gillian Jacobs, a 2000 graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School, isn’t a fan of horror movies, but she was up for the challenge in acting in several over the past year, including the Netflix “Fear Street” trilogy, based on the R.L. Stine books.
“Its definitely a genre that I wanted to try because it felt different,” said Jacobs, who starred in the cult hit NBC comedy “Community” (2009-15). “It felt like a challenge and it felt like a stretch for me as an actor. And yes, apparently I do find it easier to act in one than attend one. I don’t know if that actually makes sense but that’s how its played out in my life.”
Netflix will release “Fear Street” in three, movie-length installments beginning Friday with “1994,” followed by “1978” on July 9 and “1666” on July 16. Watch the “1994” trailer here.
Each film is connected to the others with the story beginning in 1994 as a group of teenagers discover a series of murders over generations in their town of Shadyside may all be connected. (Jacobs said she “kept thinking to myself, I’m from a place that has a Shadyside” during production.)
Jacobs’ character, pretty much the only adult hero, helps tie together this new story set in an R.L. Stine universe.
“I definitely checked out some R.L. Stine books from the Mt. Lebanon Public Library,” Jacobs said. “I read a lot of ‘Fear Street.’ I think this is the only time I’ve ever been in a project that’s based on something I loved as a kid so that’s kind of a special experience.”
Netflix’s “Fear Street” plays like a gorier, R-rated, more horrific version of the streaming service’s popular “Stranger Things,” from its period setting and scenes that take place at a mall to the presence of “Stranger Things” actress Sadie Sink, whose character has a connection to the role Jacobs plays. (The first film begins with a sequence that’s an homage to the opening scene in “Scream.”)
Director and co-writer Leigh Janiak explores themes of systemic oppression — Shadyside is the pits while neighboring community Sunnyvale basks in upscale glory — and its impact on those who are othered, including the show’s African-American and lesbian lead characters.
Jacobs said she liked the concept of filming a full trilogy at once and releasing installments weekly.
“To have these stories that interconnect — and it’s really telling all one big story with three different timelines — I thought that was really smart and I thought it would engage the audience,” Jacobs said, praising the director of all three films, Mentor, Ohio, native Janiak. “She’s done just such an incredible job in the feat of directing three films back to back like this. I mean, I can’t overstate how impressed I was with her.”
Jacobs is a director, too, having helmed several documentaries, including an episode of “Marvel 616” on Disney+, and a short scripted film.
“When you’re acting, you are one part of a large whole,” she said. “And when you are directing far more things are your responsibility. I find that the days go flying by when I’m directing. I would love to direct more but I like being able to do both.”
Next up she’s got a role in HBO’s untitled scripted drama about the 1980s-era Los Angeles Lakers winning streak from director Adam McKay (“Succession”) where she plays Chris Riley, a therapist married to Lakers coach Pat Riley (Adrien Brody). And there’s always the possibility of a “Community” movie.
“I think there’s certainly a great deal of interest to do it, so fingers crossed,” Jacobs said. “You never know with ‘Community,’ right?”
I reported in June that former KDKA-TV anchor/reporter Brenda Waters will be inducted in the Silver Circle Society of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts Science. Former WPXI-TV reporter Amy Marcinkiewicz is also among the slate of Silver Circle inductees.
Retired KDKA-TV news anchor Stacy Smith will receive this year’s Board of Governors Award at the 39th Annual Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards virtual celebration Sept. 25. Past recipients of the Board of Governor’s Award include Fred Rogers, David Newell, Sally Wiggin, Patrice King Brown, Myron Cope, Joe DeNardo and Eleanor Schano.
Netflix renewed comedy “The Upshaws” for season two; HBO Max did the same for “Made for Love.”
Amazon Prime Video renewed “Good Omens” more than two years after its first season debuted.
NBC canceled “Good Girls” after four seasons.
TLC canceled Duggar family series “Counting On” after 11 seasons.
The CW has attempted “Supernatural” spin-offs twice before and they’re at it again, developing a prequel about “The Winchesters,” the parents of Sam and Dean.
Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”) will play the coach of the team at the center of Amazon’s “A League of Their Own” series that begins filming in Western Pennsylvania this month. … A new movie version of “Cinderella” co-starring Pittsburgh native Billy Porter will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Sept. 3. … Variety reports Apple TV+ is developing a drama series about Negro League Baseball based on Donald Spivey’s non-fiction book “If You Were Only White: The Life of Leroy ‘Satchel’ Paige” with Earvin “Magic” Johnson among the show’s producers. Paige played for Pittsburgh’s Crawford Colored Giants in the 1930s before joining the Cleveland Indians in 1948.. … The final season of “Younger” already streamed on Paramount+ and will make its linear TV debut at 10 p.m. July 7 on TV Land. … Season three of Netflix’s “Virgin River” debuts July 9. … Showtime’s “Billions” returns with five new episodes at 9 p.m. Sept. 5. … WQED’s latest “Future Jobs” program, “Reskilling,” will be a virtual event at 7 p.m. July 7. Register at eventbrite.com/e/future-jobs-reskilling-tickets-157100669331.
You can reach TV writer Rob Owen at rowen@triblive.com or 412-380-8559. Follow Rob on Twitter or Facebook. Ask TV questions by email or phone. Please include your first name and location.
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