Tuesday at 10 p.m. is the most coveted time slot on NBC, right after the network’s juggernaut, “This Is Us.”
New drama, “The Village” is settling into that spot after last week’s debut.
The cast only came together about seven months ago, but they already feel like family, as we found out during a sit down in New York City.
“These are everyday people going through everyday struggles. It’s real life and I think no matter where you live in the country or where you come from, or how old you are, you are going to find a story in here that is relatable to you,” explained Michaela McManus, who plays “Sarah Campbell” in the series.
Sarah is a nurse and single mom raising a teenage daughter, Katie. She reconnects with Nick Porter, an Army veteran and Katie’s father, when he moves into the same Brooklyn apartment building.
“We are a first season show. So you start to figure the voice out a little bit. You do your work first but then you figure the voice out. Sometimes it changes because of certain relationships that might come along that could change the course of things,” said Warren Christie, who plays Nick.
Current world and national issues find their way into the themes of "The Village." Moran Atias, who plays Ava, explains how the immigration issue impacts her character.
“That is what my character is going through. She is facing deportation because she entered with false, illegal paperwork. And that is something that is extremely relevant,” Atias said.
The long hours for the cast and crew began before the end of summer. They quickly found that, like their characters, who all live together in a Brooklyn apartment building, they do find their lives intertwining.
“I think what happens is that you become a family when you work these many hours together and it’s being in the trenches with good people, is everything. Because you spend a lot of time together. I would say that the hair and make-up trailer is one of my favorite spots. In hair and make-up, it’s safe everywhere,” shared Lorraine Toussaint, who plays Patricia, a social worker.
There's no word yet if NBC will pick up "The Village" for a second season. Its first season runs through May 21.