Natasha Rothwell is a special talent who can make viewers instantly invested in every aspect of a character’s life. She draws us into their struggles, as well as their triumphs. Her latest unforgettable character is the focus of the new Hulu comedy, “How to Die Alone.”
Premiering Sept. 13, the series follows Melissa Jackson, a down on her luck employee at JFK airport, who is looking to make a positive change, evn though life keeps getting in the way. Rothwell spoke with The Root about how the show is a dream come true for her.
The Emmy nominee is a co-creator/executive producer on the show, and you can see her influence in every element of the fun comedy, especially the tone. Fair warning, don’t be fooled by the hilarious trailer, “How to Die Alone” is also an emotional roller coaster. As you follow Mel on her journey, you will find yourself deeply affected by her heartbreaking setbacks and cheering for genuine moments of joy. It’s a difficult balancing act that Rothwell portrays effortlessly.
“It was important to have the show reflect real life. And real life is that frenetic. We laugh at one moment, crying the next, and laughing again. Everything that I create, the shows that I’m drawn to, they always strike a balance between gravity and levity,” Rothwell told The Root. “You need the laughter to release after you’ve had a really deep, emotional experience. You have these moments of laughter that earn you the right to have those moments of thoughtful reflection. I really enjoyed walking that line. It was just the gift of a lifetime as an actor. I just love being able to express the full range of what it means to be human.”
Like most Black women just trying to make it through the day as unscathed as possible, Mel’s world is unpredictable. When we’re enjoying the fun and games, we know that life is waiting around the corner to punch us in the face, we just don’t know when it’s coming. Nowadays, it’s so rare that a TV series can surprise us, which makes the show a hidden gem among 2024’s new series.
“That’s my goal coming up with this show, to create art that delights, surprises and makes people feel like they’re excited to watch and it feels unexpected,” she said.
There are only eight episodes in the first season, with each one running around 24-30 minutes. Just be prepared: it is extremely binge worthy. Once you start, you will absolutely have to see where Mel’s journey goes.
“How to Die Alone” premiered Friday, Sept. 13 on Hulu, with new episodes every Friday.
