Space Force creator Greg Daniels explains how he and Steve Carell made season 2 a bit more like The Office. When Space Force first premiered in 2020, it was one of the most anticipated shows of the year thanks to Daniels and Carell's involvement. The two previously collaborated on beloved workplace comedy The Office, and many expected the same magic to emerge with Space Force. The show itself focuses on a vastly different workspace, taking a satirical approach to the real life United States Space Force. Carell plays General Mark Naird, the organization's newly installed Chief of Space Operations who is tasked by the President to get boots on the moon as quickly as possible.
Despite Space Force's impressive pedigree, the series faltered a bit upon arriving on Netflix. It received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike as it struggled to make its way as both a workplace comedy and a satire about the United State military. Nevertheless, Netflix saw some positive results and renewed Space Force for season 2 in late 2020. The series will return next month, picking up from the cliffhanger left behind by season 1.
For those who elect to tune into Space Force season 2, they will hopefully be rewarded by Carell and Daniels' new approach to the show's comedy. Speaking to Collider in honor the season 2 trailer debut, Daniels explained how The Office came to influence Space Force. Carell and Daniels weren't interested in making their Netflix show exactly like the long-running sitcom, but they did realize there was something from The Office they could emulate with season 2. Daniels said:
“Steve (Carell) and I were very much in the mind of not making it like The Office in the beginning, we were trying to make it very cinematic. And what happened when we stopped the first season was, we sat down and he was like, "Well, that wasn't that much fun to make it that cinematic," because when you're shooting something like a movie, especially when you're really caring about the look of it, there's a lot of downtime while they're lighting.
The thing that Steve is so brilliant at and was used to from The Office is the ability to kind of improvise with the other actors. Afterwards, we looked at what we had to work with, and we were like, "Well, the cast is amazing. The cast that we've assembled for Space Force, it's a shame to make them just shoot one side and then wait and relight," as opposed to like having a more flexible shooting pattern where they can play off each other and have fun with it and improvise.”
It sounds like Space Force season 2 will be playing up the comedic aspect of its premise and leaning into the talents of its cast. Space Force features a very funny ensemble that includes John Malkovich, Jimmy O. Yang, Ben Schwartz, Diana Silvers, Tawny Newsome, and Don Lake. Plus, Lisa Kudrow guests as Mark's wife Maggie. This is a show that has a talented bunch of performers, and by letting them improv and get loose with their characters, Space Force can become an even stronger series
A common consensus among audiences is that Space Force season 1 didn't wow them, but many are willing to return to see if the show will improve. Daniels and Carell's names are still appealing in the world of comedic television, and the news that The Office's approach to filming influenced Space Force season 2 is definitely a plus. Viewers will have the chance to see if this show is a contender for most improved when it returns to Netflix in just a few weeks.
Space Force season 2 premieres Friday, February 18 on Netflix.
Source: Collider