'Tales of the City' actor Charlie Barnett is all praise for its showrunner: 'Lauren Morelli is the best'
'Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City', Netflix's new chapter to the queer classic that played on PBS in early 1994 based on Armistead Maupin's nine-novel series, is a nostalgic throwback to San Francisco of the 1970s and its beloved characters.
The 10-episode reboot brings back Mary Ann Singleton (Laura Linney) to San Francisco 20 years later to reunite with her daughter and husband and find a new generation of queer young residents living at 28 Barbary Lane.
The show also brings back the steadfast Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) and her friend Mouse, played by Murray Bartlett. Ben Marshall, Mouse's younger, non-white boyfriend in the show, is played by Charlie Barnett.
'Tales of the City' credits 'Orange Is The New Black’s Lauren Morelli as its showrunner.
Speaking to MEA WorldWide in an exclusive interview, Barnett reflected on what it was like to work with showrunner Morelli.
"At the risk of throwing many other showrunners under the bus -- as much as I have loved working with everyone that I have had a chance to work with -- I will say that Lauren Morelli is the best I have ever seen," said the actor who has also appeared on 'Orange is the New Black'.
"And I can only say that because there are always issues, always trouble when you're filming. And especially this one (Tales of the City) with such a huge cast and an incredibly beneficial and vibrant following; there's a lot of demand. And anyone else in that position, I can imagine falling apart really easily, myself wholeheartedly included," he added.
Barnett also said that Morelli kept the fires out and held everything together on the sets, while also giving it a part of herself. "She was a caring, loving leader. She's a brilliant perfectionist and people love her for it. I'm really really proud of her and the work that she did," added the actor.
The Netflix show, which is all about LGBTQI representation and inclusivity, premiered during the Pride Month on June 7.