Warning: SPOILERS for Paradise season 1.AsParadise’smystery unraveled across the course of eight episodes, some of the most emotionally effective moments remain the deeply human storylines like the tragic fate of Jon Beavers' Billy Pace. Introduced as one of the agents working alongside Xavier Collins, Pace’s backstory and role in the overarching storyline never detracted from his deeply human flaws and regrets. Creator Dan Fogelman’sParadisethrived on these contradictory characters, which helped ground a show that could easily hop between tones between scenes.
Billy Pace was one ofParadise’s most tragic characters, with his surprising death in episode 4 serving as a major turning point for the show. In an interview with Screen Rant in the aftermath ofParadise’s explsoive season 1 finale, Jon Beavers reflected on when he found out about the character’s fate, the biggest surprises of the experience, and if he thinks there’s a way for the character to potentially return for more flashbacks inParadiseseason 2.
The Many Layers To Billy Pace In Paradise Season 1
“We All Just Trusted That No One Makes A Performance By Themselves”
The ability to shift from character drama to political thriller to post-apocalyptic sci-fi with ease is partly what makesParadiseso unpredictable and compelling, an element underscored by Beavers' performance as Billy. That variety was something that elevated Jon Beavers' experience starring as Billy Pace inParadise, saying that his process was largely “trusting the writing and trusting the quality of your collaborators — particularly the man at the top, Sterling K. Brown.”
“This man was a hero for me as an actor, and then I got to know that he was also one of the most generous human beings in the world, and a big brother and a spiritual advisor and everything else.” Beavers had similar kind words for the rest of his co-stars, noting that he would rejoin Nicole Brydon Bloom in any project, called James Marsden “subtly hilarious,” compared Julianne Nicholson’s potency to “an acting samurai,” and revealed his belief that Aliyah Mastin “is looking ahead to a long career.”
Beavers recalled how the relationships in the show were “complicated on the page.” However, this complexity in the character dynamics forced him to be versatile. “I’d have to play Billy at my most vicious and violent, then in the next minute at my most vulnerable,” Beavers noted that this brought a three-dimensional aspect to his character as well as the show’s extended cast. “Life is never one note, right? It’s incongruent… if it was successful, and I believe it was, it’s because we all just trusted that no one makes a performance by themselves.”
“James Marsden Died At Minute 12 And We Still Got To Look At His Handsome Face All Year”
Image via Hulu
Billy Pace’s death halfway through the first season ofParadiseis one of the most tragic twists in the show. Following an episode spotlight on the character and his backstory, he’s slain byNicole Brydon Bloom’s Jane. Reflecting on the audition process that led him toParadise, Beavers recalled how he steadily learned more about Billy’s role in the show and final fate.
“During each round of auditions, I was learning more about [Billy] and learning more about the other characters. Then Dan held me back after the screen test with Nicole, and if I would be willing to do an additional scene that I hadn’t had a chance to look at yet.” This turned out to be Billy’s death scene.
“Dan liked what I was doing, and he wanted to push me on the network.”
Beavers explained that this helped ensure he got the role of Billy. “Dan liked what I was doing, and he wanted to push me on the network. There were some really notable actors sort of circling this role, and he wanted as much material as possible to show the network to try and convince them to go my way.” Beavers was open about his gratefulness to Dan for helping ensure he joined the castParadise, saying “this guy is an advocate for artists everywhere, and trusts his gut over any other factor. It’s incredible to work for somebody like that.”
Despite knowing Billy was always meant to die, Beavers also pointed out thatParadisehas been picked up for season 2. Beavers also noted that the show is so flashback-heavy, Billy was able to appear in episode 5 despite his demise in the previous episode. “As early as episode 5, Billy was coming back in flashbacks.James Marsden died at minute 12 [of season 1] and we still got to look at his handsome face all year. You never know… There could be more.”
“Paradise Isn’t Just Talking About This One Guy”
Looking back at his time onParadise, Beavers admitted that the biggest surprise to the experience was realizing that"Dan and the incredible writing team were asking these big questions with all these characters. Are we the worst thing that we’ve ever done? Can we be redeemed? Is there such a thing as forgiveness, a second chance at atonement? Can someone else give us that? Can we give that to ourselves?"
Paradise Creator Addresses Whether Cal Could Appear In Season 2 Despite His Shocking Fate
Dan Fogelman, creator of Hulu’s hit series Paradise, talks about the possibility of bringing back James Marsden’s Cal in future episodes.
“As this thing came together, especially as I got to watch it with the rest of the world, I saw the overtones and the philosophical questions about whether or not there’s such a thing as a second chance.” Beavers noted that “I gotta hope so… [Paradise] isn’t really just talking about this one guy. It’s talking about all of us. Can we climb up out of a mess we’ve made and do something kind and true and beautiful? I couldn’t be prouder to be asking a question like that right now.
All episodes ofParadiseseason 1 are now streaming on Hulu. The series has already been renewed for season 2.
