How Martin Freeman Navigates Screaming and Cursing at Young Children in ‘Breeders’ (Video)
TCA 2020: ”He was fine with it, and then about two minutes later, he really was quite upset,“ co-creator and star says of FX son
Tony Maglio | January 9, 2020 @ 2:37 PM
Last Updated: January 10, 2020 @ 4:38 PM
Last TCA, we were treated to the pilot episode of upcoming FX comedy “Breeders,” which stars Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard as the very imperfect parents of two young, impressionable children. This TCA, we got the trailer and a panel — and an explanation on how Freeman and his fellow co-creators handle the on-screen screaming and cursing at kid actors.
“There are actually rules…about what they can and can’t see and hear,” Freeman said on Thursday. “So obviously if there’s a lot of swearing, a lot of cursing in the scene, we do a cleaned-up dialogue version, and then once the kids have left then we get to do the swearing.”
“We try to keep it as fun as possible,” he continued. “But there are also times where you have to instill in them that this is a serious [scene], that you’re going to be on the receiving end of a barrage of anger or temper.”
Freeman said that he and the pilot’s director had to apologize “a couple of times” to the kids because “it had got a bit out of hand.”
“That scene where I was screaming at them, cursing at them,” Freeman said. “Lovely little George [Wakeman], who plays my son…he was [initially] fine with it, and then about two minutes later, he really was quite upset.”
They simply explained it was all “play,” adding, “It takes a little bit of handling in that way.”
In “Breeders,” Freeman stars as Paul, who is described by producers as a caring father discovering he’s not quite the man he thought he was. His partner in this impossibly steep parental climb is Ally (Haggard), who runs a recording studio, makes Paul laugh and has the ability to read a story to their children while she’s technically asleep.
Paul and Ally are juggling fulltime careers, aging parents, a mortgage, upheavals in their relationship and the unenviable curveballs of parenting their young children, according to the show’s logline.
It continues: When Ally’s estranged father Michael (Michael McKean) appears on their doorstep, the family essentially takes on a third child but this one comes with baggage and opinions. Paul’s own parents, Jackie (Joanna Bacon) and Jim (Alun Armstrong), are on hand to help out, but their generation does parenting a little differently…
“Breeders” debuts on March 2 on FX and the following day on FX on Hulu. Premiere day will include the first two of 10 episodes.
The Evolution of Meghan Markle, From 'Suits' Star to Real-Life Princess (Photos)
Meghan Markle, who turned 39 on Aug. 4, was an actress before marrying Prince Harry and becoming the Duchess of Sussex. Earlier this year, the couple stepped back from their royal duties and are now seeking to become "financially independent." Does that mean we could we see Markle back on the small screen? Check out her previous roles.
"A Lot Like Love" (2005)
Markle literally played a "hot girl" in this romantic comedy starring Ashton Kutcher. Markle was seated next to Kutcher's character on a plane. And that was pretty much it.
"CSI: NY" (2006)
Before Meghan landed a series regular role, she had a small bit in this crime procedural, playing a maid who cleaned up for businessmen while dressed in lingerie. Spoiler alert: She didn't commit the murder.
CBS
"Remember Me" (2010)
One of Markle's first roles was a small part in this romantic drama starring Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin.
Markle met her first husband, Trevor Engelson, when he was a producer on "Remember Me." The two divorced in 2013 after two years of marriage.
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"Suits" (2011 - 2018): Meghan starred on this USA legal drama from its premiere as Rachel Zane, a paralegal who eventually goes to law school herself.
USA
"Horrible Bosses" (2011)
Markle had a teeny, tiny bit in this raunchy comedy, but managed to steal a scene with Jason Sudeikis, who told her she was far too cute to be a FedEx girl. "You’ve got to be an actress or a model or something," he said. Try royalty, Sudeikis.
New Line
"Castle" (2012)
Markle actually played a princess once. Well, kinda. The actress starred in an episode of this ABC drama as Sleeping Beauty, or a woman who is dressed up like her before she is almost murdered. Markle turned out to be the one who hatched the entire scheme and was killing off her friends.
ABC
"Dater’s Handbook" (2016)
Yes, Markle has even done a Hallmark channel movie. She played Cass, a successful businesswoman who had some trouble finding love. But don't worry, she did after using a dating manual, and then throwing it out entirely. Soon after wrapping this made-for-TV movie, Markle truly found love with Harry.
Hallmark
Markle told Vanity Fair that she met Prince Harry in July 2016 -- and the two first made an official joint public appearance at the Invictus Games in September 2017 in Toronto, a multi-sport event launched by Harry for wounded, injured and sick military servicepeople to compete.
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In November 2017, Harry and Meghan announced their engagement.
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On May 19, 2018, Markle and Prince Harry wed in a star-studded ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. She holds the title Duchess of Sussex as well as Princess Henry of Wales (Henry is Harry's real name).
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In May 2019, Markle took on a new role: mom. The Duchess welcomed son Archie on May 9.
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In January 2020, the Duke and Duchess announced they would be stepping back from their royal duties and splitting time in North America. The also plan on launching a new charitable endeavor.
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Markle was reported to have signed a voiceover deal with Disney in January, which was later confirmed when Disney+ announced that the Duchess would narrate a nature film called "Elephant" for the nascent streaming service. The documentary debuted on April 3, 2020.
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Markle has played everything from a ”naughty“ maid on CSI to a whip-smart paralegal
Meghan Markle, who turned 39 on Aug. 4, was an actress before marrying Prince Harry and becoming the Duchess of Sussex. Earlier this year, the couple stepped back from their royal duties and are now seeking to become "financially independent." Does that mean we could we see Markle back on the small screen? Check out her previous roles.