When this came your way, what made you want to do this?
What made you want to play this character?
Had you thought about or been looking for anything like this or did this come as a surprise?
NAVEEN ANDREWS: It was a surprise, quite honestly.
Its interesting becauseit came from Michael Showalter, who directedThe Dropout.
Ive never played a character like Mahesh, who is so relentlessly optimistic, almost irritatingly so.
Image via Prime Video
When did you first meet your TV family?
Did you guys get to spend any time together, or was that very well-defined in the script?
ANDREWS: It was very well-defined in the script.
The series is inspired by showrunner Vijal Patel’s life.
ANDREWS: My partner has four children.
Its very different to my situation, where I had two boys, born apart and in different countries.
What did you most enjoy about the relationship between Mahesh and Sudha (Sindhu Vee)?
Theres a little bit of a role reversal with them, in some ways.
I loved the aspect of telepathy.
Image via Prime Video
You assume that kind of connection is very deep.
But also, theres their love for each other and their children, for the family unit.
And theres inherent respect for her, as an academic professional.
Its fun to see how different they both are with the kids.
ANDREWS: Yes, its such a completely different dynamic.
Different children reflect their own idiosyncrasies.
Its definitely a very interesting approach.
And somehow it also manages to keep things lighthearted.
Its unusual to have so many interrogation scenes in a show thats notLaw & Order.
Was it challenging to make those scenes interesting, since you were just sitting at a table and talking?
What was it like to shoot those scenes?
ANDREWS: Obviously, thats a very oppressive situation for an immigrant to find themselves in.
And the interrogators are open enough to getting to know them that they then also start defending them.
ANDREWS: Its interesting how empathy is developed with the so-called other.
Its interesting how the show allows that to happen.
The series will see Andrews portray Robert Kamdar.
Because of neighborhood proximity, this family quickly finds their lives intertwined with the Mills family.
What was it like to have that family to contrast with your family?
How you define that relationship is still open to question.
What was it like to have Ethan Suplee to play off of?
Theyre almost like big children.
Did that scene amuse you too?
How many times did you find yourself having to kiss Ethan?
ANDREWS: Quite a few times.
It was very cold that day, so we were literally comforting each other.
Had you ever shot a bow and arrow before?
Did you actually really get to do that for the show?
ANDREWS: I got to have archery lessons.
We did learn how to do it.
This profession is unpredictable.
Are you hoping to do another season, to get to get those answers yourself?
Are you curious about whats next for them?
Id like to know if Jimbo and Mahesh go on holiday together.
He also discusses making the decision not to judge the real-life individuals that they were playing.
It was released this year on Netflix and 2024 was the 20th anniversary of the shows debut.
ANDREWS: Pretty much all the time, yeah.
Especially after the pandemic because a lot of people were indoors, binge-watchingLost.
And youre right, I think that will always be the case.
I was very fortunate to be part of something that hit the zeitgeist at that time.
Check out the trailer:
Watch on Prime Video
