Celebrated film actor Jesse Plemons is making waves with his first TV series, Zero Day, streaming on Netflix. The show has stirred conversations around the intentional vagueness regarding the political affiliations of its characters. Plemons, who co-stars with renowned actors Robert De Niro and Connie Britton, portrays Roger Carlson, the aide to former U.S. President George Mullen, played by De Niro. However, neither Mullen nor current President Evelyn Mitchell, portrayed by Angela Bassett, are explicitly labeled as Democrats or Republicans.
Plemons shared insights on the significance of this ambiguity during an interview with The Times of London. He emphasized that specifying political parties can lead viewers to form immediate biases, allowing them to either support or oppose a character. “When you do get into the specifics of a political party, it gives you an out immediately as a viewer to either say ‘I’m for this person’ or ‘I’m against them.’ Something disengages as you’re watching. We don’t really need any more of that,” he noted, capturing the essence of why Zero Day has chosen a more nuanced approach.
Maintaining a diplomatic stance on the political spectrum, Plemons expressed, “One of the gifts of being an actor is that, whether or not you’re playing a character whom you agree with, you’re trying to find out why they think that way.” His character, Carlson, draws inspiration not from a specific political aide but from a more familiar archetype. “Carlson felt a little like a talent agent to me, where your whole purpose is to protect. I’ve never played anyone like that,” he revealed.
With a rich background in cinema, Plemons has previously collaborated with De Niro in both The Irishman and Flowers of the Killer Moon, sharing praise for the iconic actor’s ability to create a comfortable working environment. The political ambiguity in Jesse Plemons’ Zero Day not only reflects a deeper narrative strategy but also challenges viewers to engage without preconceived notions, making it a compelling watch.
