'Pressure-filled blast': Josh Lucas part of comedic ensemble in 'Palm Royale'

Mar. 20—Josh Lucas didn't know what to expect when stepping onto the set of "Palm Royale."

What he found on the Apple TV+ series was an incredible experience.

"Oh, man, it was a blast," he says. "A pressure-filled blast because I've never played a character that was as dim-witted as Douglas."

"Palm Royale" debuted on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, March 20, with the first three episodes. A new episode is released each Wednesday through May 8.

"Palm Royale" is set in 1969, during a time of dramatic change across the globe with issues such as human rights, racial equality, the ongoing war in Vietnam, and America's attempt to land a man on the moon dominating front pages around the world.

However, for a certain selection of residents of Palm Beach, Florida, those hot-button topics were not such a matter of interest.

Rather, they concern themselves with the contents of the Shiny Sheet newspaper, which trumpets the exploits of high society, cultural events, real estate, fashion, fundraising efforts, and most importantly, the socialite responsible for raising the most money who will ultimately be crowned "Queen of the Season."

The line between the "haves" and the "have-nots" is very clearly delineated. It is a line that Maxine Simmons, played by Kristen Wiig, intends to cross over — no matter what it takes.

While her background as a beauty pageant contestant in Tennessee might not be the strongest of references with which to present herself for a seat at the Palm Royale Country Club table, it was at one of those competitions where she inadvertently met her future in. A dashing, never-do-well young pilot, Douglas D'ellacourt, played by Lucas, served as a judge at the pageant, and though she did not win the title of Miss Chattanooga, she did win his heart, with the pair falling in love and marrying soon after.

However, what Maxine didn't know was that her new husband was the heir to a fortune belonging to his aunt, Norma, played by Carol Burnett.

For years, Norma ruled Palm Beach as host of the season-ending spectacle "Beach Ball," but an embolism has left the dowager in a coma. Maxine visits her in the assisted living facility, occasionally borrowing a few pieces of Norma's clothing and jewelry to help ingratiate herself with the society ladies.

Unfortunately, as much as Maxine wants to be part of this elite circle, she is not welcomed with open arms.

Evelyn Rollins, played by Allison Janney, has long been Norma's "lady-in-waiting" and finally sees an opportunity to claim the crown.

While Dinah Donahue, played by Leslie Bibb, has too much on her own plate to consider the overtures of this new outsider.

Her husband Perry, played by Jordan Bridges, a recently appointed ambassador to Luxembourg, has used his newfound connections to help Dinah's upcoming benefit, but now he's returning to Palm Beach for the season, which is going to stifle his wife's illicit affair with the club's tennis pro, Eddie, played by Jason Canela.

The other ladies all have their own reasons for their dismissal of Maxine, as does Robert Diaz, played by Ricky Martin, a bartender at the club and the caretaker who lives in Norma's pool house. For many years, Robert has tended to her every need, and his intuition tells him that Maxine and Doug have an agenda that has little to do with Norma's care and health.

Lucas says playing Douglas was fun because, despite his quirkiness, he has a good heart.

"Douglas is such a mess," Lucas says. "He and Maxine are like a comedic Bonnie and Clyde. They're always getting into some bad trouble. They are the sort of people that try every single get rich scheme that they possibly can. They are always losing. That makes them the perfect match."

Lucas also found Douglas endearing.

"He really loves Maxine deeply," he says. "He's trying his best. He's just got a lot of limitations. The story is so filled with joy and life. The cast was overwhelmingly talented."

Lucas was excited to have the opportunity to work alongside Wiig, who brought so much life to the series.

He says Wiig is known for her incredible comedic brilliance.

"I think people are going to see a lot more of her in this show," he says. "We see just how deep and nuanced of an actress she is. I was so excited about working off her comedically. I keep describing this show as 'Game of Thrones' of comedy. There are these epic battles, which in this case, are ridiculous. It all comes from a place of Kristen's character's desperation to fit in. It's all done in a very fun and playful way."