“As parents, we have no idea what these creatures are going to become. You can do your best and hope that something sticks,” Shalhoub told Parade in recent, exclusive interview. “But they are who they are and the world is going to impact them.” A star of stage, film, and television, who’s won a Tony Award and four Primetime Emmy Awards (including one for Maisel), Shalhoub says he can relate to what Abe goes through with his TV daughter Miriam (Rachel Brosnahan) when she seeks her independence and forges a comedy career despite the obstacles for women in the era. Speaking of onscreen fathers, another paternal character that leaves an indelible impression in Mrs. Maisel is Kevin Pollack who plays Midge’e ex-father in law, Moishe Maisel—an often irascible and cynical man whose caution in business and money matters has spilled over into his family life. Yet, despite the clashes between the fathers and their grown children, Moishe goes out of his way to check on his adult son Joel (Michael Zegan), while Abe still acts protectively toward Midge. Season 4 takes us to the 1960s and change is clearly in the air. After being knocked down, Midge finds a gig with total freedom, but her commitment to her craft—and the places it takes her—creates a rift between her and her parents. Read on to see how Shalhoub and Pollack relate to their paternal roles, reminisce about the 60s, and give insight about the twists and turns of Season 4 that will delight the audience.
You play the dads in this series; how do you relate to Abe and Moishe?
Shalhoub: What Abe goes through and what I went through with my daughters is similar. I love them. I adore them and we’re very close, but they’ve surprised me at every turn. Pollack: I just remember that moment that everyone goes through a version of the time when I said ‘Oh my God, I just became my father.’ And when I first started wearing the identity of Moishe, I thought, ‘Oh no, what happens when poor Joel has that realization.'"
What is it like for each of you who lived through the ’60s to step back into that world, filled with colorful clothes, accessories, and those classic cars?
Shalhoub: There’s that relatability because I remember my parents wearing these kinds of clothes and driving these automobiles and drinking out of these kinds of coffee cups. I remember my parents drinking out of cups with saucers and there was this much coffee in [he gestures to show a small amount], so how did we get to this much coffee, I don’t know. Pollack: There was no grande coffee back in the ’60s. Shalhoub: For me, it was also that what I think this show tries to emphasize and the relationship between men and women. It was a male-dominated kind of world, and how women in that period started to really speak up for themselves and emerge as players. Pollack: Even though I was young at that time, what was being represented on TV and in the movies was really reminiscent of what this show is recreating. The vividness of the show and the musicality of it is not only very New York, but it’s also very reminiscent of what I would see during that time on TV and in the movies.
Kevin, how has your affection for Moishe grown over the years?
Pollack: I am super thrilled that I love my character and my castmates. It continues to be a lovefest.
Do you know anyone personally like Moishe Maisel?
Pollack:Caroline Aaron [who plays Pollak’s onscreen wife, Shirley] and I are approached by people who say that our characters remind them of their aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers and grandparents. They have been designed fairly universally and yet we are given the gift as actors of making them unique.
Tony, are you becoming more comfortable as Abe continues to evolve?
Shalhoub: We can only become comfortable to a certain extent because our characters start to really go through some big changes and our relationships go through major alterations. As actors, there’s always something new. There’s always a curveball coming at us and we are continually challenged, which makes it interesting and keeps it alive.
As a group of ensemble actors who were apart for such a long time, what was it like to kind of have the family back together?
Pollack: It was a celebration that you would expect, the way that any family in real life who were finally allowed to be together again. Yes, there was a sense of gratitude. We all had a deep sense of gratitude and excitement.
Tony, how has your relationship with Rachel and Abe’s relationship and with Midge deepened?
Shalhoub: Definitely Abe’s relationship with his daughter has evolved. The changes in the upheaval that occurred in her life have had a ripple effect and now as we see especially towards the end of Season 3, and now moving into Season 4, Abe is really in a state of letting go of the conventional life and career that he had and he is moving into the unknown at the Village Voice. I think in that he has a sense of… his life is reflecting Midge’s; she has dropped that role of the wife role being the primary role in her life. And even being a mother, possibly, as being the one and only thing… and now she’s discovering this other side of herself. In spite of himself, Abe has learned from that and is now willing to take more chances in his own life.
How does each of you identify with second acts and starting over? Because there’s a lot of that in the show and also, Midge’s tenacity. You can keep knocking her down, but she’s gonna keep going.
Pollack: That’s a great observation on the worldview of the show and also [Maisel creators] Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino’s point of view that we learn more from failure than success. It’s about how you get back up. In terms of second acts, I’ve been insanely lucky to be at this for a very long time, and my last legitimate job was when I was a waiter at 20 years old. I say legitimate because I’m not even sure acting is a noble profession. So, a real second act for me is this show. I just had to turn 60 for this perfect extraordinary, joy-filled, remarkable, and historical experience to unfold. I truly could not have scripted a better second act.
Lastly, what should fans look forward to in Season 4?
Shalhoub: Season 4 is all about the changes that these characters are going through. They can look forward to more surprises. Even though they have seen Midge during the first three seasons being a fighter and being resilient, they have not seen anything yet. I can say that Season 4 takes it to a whole other level. Pollack: Yes, there’s a sense of boldness that drives Season 4 for almost all of the characters; but without question for Midge and Susie. And then of course, there is Abe’s second act as well. There is a boldness to this universe that evolves more dark than light. Seasons 1-3 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel seasons 1-3 are available on Prime Video, as are the first six episodes of Season 4. Episodes 7 and 8 will drop on Friday, March 11. For more about season 4 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, see The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Michael Zegen and Luke Kirby Reveal What Fans Will Love Most About Season 4
