Key Highlights
- Jeff Daniels stars as Charlie Crocker in Netflix’s adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s novel, ‘A Man in Full’, directed by David E. Kelley.
- The series promises a controversial ending that is sure to leave audiences divided.
- With a blend of satire and drama, the show aims to capture the post-Succession audience.
(livesinsight.com) – Hollywood veteran Jeff Daniels is no stranger to playing headstrong, divisive characters, but his latest might just be the most polarizing. In Netflix’s A Man in Full, Daniels plays the brutish Charlie Crocker, an Atlanta property tycoon who is facing his financial downfall thanks to the dogged pursuit by two bankers with their own agendas. Created by David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal) and co-produced by Oscar winner Regina King, who also directed some of the episodes, the new series is based on the classic Tom Wolfe novel of the same name. It features a star-studded cast including Diane Lane and Lucy Liu. While remaining fairly faithful to the source material, “David certainly took some liberties,” Daniels admitted in an interview with Newsweek, including what will no doubt be a very contentious ending. “It’s the ending that you don’t see coming, and you can’t believe it. But it’s plausible,” he said. Daniels expects the ending will be polarizing and viewers will be “shocked” with the final scenes. “Some will be offended,” he explained, quickly adding: “But in a good way.” This is a show where the lead character is larger than life and so, the ending tops everything,” he said. The over the top ending was a deliberate choice from Kelley and necessary because otherwise, A Man in Full “would be a disappointment,” Daniels said. “You don’t want people to say, ‘Well, the best scene was in episode five and that’s when it finished.’ No you want to go out with a bang,” the actor added, chuckling at the pun which references the ending. Daniels had no idea what was coming when he signed on to the six-episode drama because he “put all of my faith in David E. Kelly,” and simply required “unpredictability” from the plot. He also helped eased the apprehension of co-star of Tom Pelphrey who plays Raymond Peepgrass, a disgruntled banker with his sights set on ruining Crocker. They appeared in the bombshell ending together, with Pelphrey not sure if it would work, so Daniels shared some wisdom with him. “I said, ‘Tom, I’ve been in Dumb and Dumber. You know, you just have to go there. I will be right there with you.’ So, that was fun. We had a ball,” Daniels explained.