Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters recently wrapped its triumphant first season, which blurred the lines between comedy and tragedy as it followed the Garvey sisters in the wake of their brother-in-law JP's death. Episodes flashed back and forth, showcasing the events leading up to his (potential) murder as well as the sisters' actions in its aftermath. Created by Sharon Horgan (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent), who plays eldest sibling Eva, the series was part murder mystery and part character study—and wholly entertaining regardless of which tack it took.
Starring alongside Horgan, Eve Hewson (Behind Her Eyes) plays the youngest sister Becka. After a lifetime of her elder sisters sheltering her from life's challenges, she sets out to prove herself to her family while also protecting Grace (Anne-Marie Duff) from her abusive husband. Along the journey, she wins and possibly breaks the hearts of JP's mother Minna (Nina Norén) and life insurance agent Matt (Daryl McCormack), who is investigating the circumstances of the death.
Screen Rant spoke to Hewson about how she charts Becka's journey into vengeance and guilt, how she and costar Daryl McCormack viewed their characters' romance, and whether she'd work with creator Sharon Horgan again.
Eve Hewson Talks Bad Sisters Season 1
The theme that revenge is toxic runs through the series, but the sisters obviously cross that line multiple times. How do Becka's feelings about getting rid of JP evolve over the course of the season?
Eve Hewson: I think at the beginning, she's completely clean of any sort of mess, but then they all sort of learn the hard way that revenge is toxic. Even though it's a rescue and they're trying to save their sister from really terrible situations, the consequences of that are dark.
I think Becka is, in story terms, the baby lamb given to the wolves or whatever. Because she's so innocent at the beginning, and she's probably the most trusting of JP, but then you start to see how the plot to kill him sort of ruins her. She is overwhelmed with guilt and in a really dark place by the end of the season, so I guess she's more of an example of how toxic revenge really can be.
She absolutely had almost the most shocking and drastic change over the course of the season. Especially starting with that moment of finding George in the freezer. What was the point of no return for her?
Eve Hewson: Those last few episodes, where she realizes that she's killed Minna, are just the darkest moments for her. She felt like a completely different person, completely drowning in her decision and hurting herself.
In the beginning, she's trying to prove herself because everybody sees her as the baby, so she's trying to stand up to her sisters and to JP; trying to do the right thing. And then everything that they said would happen happens, and she did f--k it up. Everyone always says she's a f--k-up and then goes and does ruin it, so there's disappointment in herself, but also the grief and guilt of being responsible for Minna's death. It's just this downward spiral for her.
That was so heartbreaking, and it really was the moment Bad Sisters went from being a revenge fantasy to an absolute tragedy. What was it like playing the dynamic with Minna? Because it's such a beautiful relationship, and yet someone like JP might question if Becca is taking advantage of her.
Eve Hewson: Oh, I hope not because I love Nina Norén so much, the actress that plays Minna. She is just a doll; just the sweetest woman in the world. We got on really well, and it was nice to have that relationship off-screen so that it could feel really natural on screen.
I think Becka's intentions are pure. In the beginning, it's to convince JP to give her the money for the massage studio. But then it turns into this real relationship, almost like Minna is her mother. She's never had her mother—and obviously, Eva plays the mother role in her life, but Eva's still her sister. That's how I always saw it as an actor: she sort of falls in love with Minna. She finds someone to guide her, who makes her laugh, and who teaches her about love and sex. She's bold and funny like Becka as well, so it's like her long-lost mom coming in and healing a wound for her.
And then it all falls apart, and she does the unthinkable. She loses her pseudo-mom, and she's already lost her parents. It's a massive, massive loss for her and creates a massive amount of guilt.
How early on did you know that would happen? Were you told of Becka's arc from the start, or did you learn along with the script?
Eve Hewson: I was sent episodes 1, 2, and 4, because Sharon wanted me to read a Becka-heavy episode. There were loads of different iterations, but I also got an outline a few months before we started shooting. It didn't have everything in there, but it definitely had what happens with Minna. That was always the plan from the beginning, so I knew that was where we were taking it.
Do you feel like that added a layer of dramatic irony to your performance?
Eve Hewson: Yeah, I guess so. But I just always tried to play her as honestly as possible. The thing about Becka is that she's the most untouched by the world. All the other sisters have lived more than her, so they're more cynical, while she's the one who's more open and free. In that respect, she's more vulnerable to being hurt.
I actually found the comedy really hard, and I found the drama really hard. I felt really close to Becka for some reason, and it was a big 10-month-long journey through this person's story arc, which was a proper roller coaster. By the time we got to the last block, I was feeling just as broken and lost as she was. I think when you spend that much time with a character—even though I'm not Method at all—when you're sitting there thinking about what they would feel and how they would think, it ends up sinking into your bones.
Thankfully, there's a peaceful resolution so you have closure with the character.
Eve Hewson: I know. The end is like we're being baptized again or something in the Irish Sea.
I also love the relationship between Becka and Daryl McCormack's character, Matt. It again walks that line of being very sweet while also somewhat manipulative on both ends. To the point that in the final episode, I thought for a second that she really might murder him before the reveal happened. What was it like developing that bond and working with Daryl?
Eve Hewson: Oh, it was great. I love him. He's such a sweetheart. Genuinely, he has such a pure heart. It's very easy to tap into that sweetness that they both have, and I think it's important that you have a bit of light and a bit of hope and optimism through their relationship.
I think we both felt as if they were really in love with each other, and they even though it was chaotic to be together, they couldn't help it. They were trying to keep their relationship separate from the family drama, but it's impossible to do. I think we both felt we weren't using each other, but it was more like we just couldn't help but be drawn to each other. That's the sort of Romeo and Juliet aspect to their relationship. But Daryl is just a gorgeous sweetie.
You mentioned that Becka is seen as the baby of the family, but at the same time, all of them are infantilizing Grace in their rush to protect her. It's almost like you have parallel stories, which end up being the most surprising at the end.
Eve Hewson: That's a perfect example of never underestimating a Garvey girl! You never know what they're capable of. Anne-Marie and I actually spoke about that a little bit, about how we can sometimes slip into archetypes of our characters. When you're put into a position in a group, you almost adopt that archetype. It's strange.
For Grace, there's protection in pretending as if she doesn't know what's going on, even though she definitely does. I think when you're in an abusive relationship, and everybody wants you out of it, you pretend not to know and play dumb—but you're not dumb at all.
For Becca, she's been the baby her whole life. She's used to playing that role of the youngest, and the others kind of look down on her. "Let's not look to her. Let's not ask her for advice." Her arc was about rearing her head, taking charge, and stepping into herself as she tries to get her sisters to see her as an equal. They're fighting against their archetypes in the family a bit.
The ending of Bad Sisters feels like a complete story, but do you want to delve back into Becka's world or at least work with Sharon again?
Eve Hewson: I would love to. I've never loved or felt so attached to a character before, and I feel truly like Becka is a part of me. I was telling my friend the other day that she's my version of Carrie Bradshaw. The way Sarah Jessica Parker feels about Carrie Bradshaw, I feel about Becca Garvey. I would love to play her again. I really adore her, and I love the girls.
Sharon is a genius, and I hope she will want to do a season 2. I haven't heard anything. But I would love to work with her again. I think the way that she writes and the way that she tells a story is just at the top of her game. Being a part of her girl gang? It's not going to get better than this.
About Bad Sisters
A delicious blend of both dark comedy and thriller, Bad Sisters follows the lives of the Garvey sisters, who are bound together by the premature death of their parents and a promise to always protect one another.
Check out our other Bad Sisters interviews here:
All episodes of Bad Sisters are currently available to stream on Apple TV+.