The cast and creators of the musical drama on how it explores life for
Women in the
music industry juggling jobs, low pay and teeny, tiny living spaces
“Compared to everyone else, people think what I do seems very earnest,” says Little Voice’s lead character, Bess, less than five minutes into the show’s opening episode. It’s a knowing line, and one that lets viewers know the show’s intentions, right from the get-go.
The new musical drama from
Apple TV+, produced by media juggernaut and lens-flare connoisseur JJ Abrams and created by Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson (both of whom powered the
London West End hit Waitress) is, indeed, unapologetically earnest. The reason it works is because, much like cowboy hats and disco music, earnest is back. In the wake of a constant barrage of mental health-destroying real-world doom, audiences are more than ready to subscribe to a little well-made, well-acted schmaltz, and that is what Little Voice delivers.