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Showrunner/EP Robert Carlock talks Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
By Iain Blair
When Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt first premiered back
in 2015, the sitcom’s storyline seemed quite shocking — and not only because NBC sold it
off to Netflix so quickly. While
at the streaming service, it has been a big hit with audiences and critics alike, racking up many industry awards and nominations, including 18 Primetime Emmy nominations.
Created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, the sunny comedy with a dark premise stars Ellie Kemper as the title character. She moves to New York City after being rescued from an underground bunker where she and three other women were held captive for 15 years by a doomsday cult leader (Jon Hamm).
Alone in the Big Apple, and armed only with her unbreakable sense of optimism, Kimmy soon forges a new life that includes her colorful landlady Lillian Kaustupper (Carol Kane), her struggling actor roommate (Tituss Burgess) and her socialite employer (Jane Krakowski). The strong cast also boasts recurring talent and A-list guests, such as Tina Fey, Martin Short, Fred Armisen, Jeff Goldblum, Amy Sedaris and Lisa Kudrow.
Last year Netflix renewed the show for a final season, with the first six episodes premiering in May 2018.
I recently spoke with Carlock about making the show, the Emmys, his love of post, and the planned movie version.
When Kimmy Schmidt came out, its premise seemed shocking — a woman abused and held captive. But looking back today, it seems ahead of its time.
Unfortunately, I think you’re right. At the time we felt strongly it was a way to get people talking about issues they didn’t want to talk about, such as how women are really treated in this society. And with the #MeToo movement it’s more timely than ever. Tina would say, “It keeps happening, it’s in the news all the time, and at this level,” and it’s really sad that it’s true. The last two seasons we’ve been dealing more with issues like this, and now people really are talking about sexual harassment in the workplace. But we have the added burden of also trying to make it funny.
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