After a 13-year hiatus and plenty of rumors about a reboot in the works, Party Down has finally returned to Starz. Although the series only enjoyed a two-season run from 2009 to 2010, a word-of-mouth following sprouted up in the years since. The show became beloved by freelancers in pursuit of creative careers for obvious reasons, but eventually found a wider audience thanks to its smart writing and (soon-to-be) star-studded original cast, nearly all of whom have returned for this new iteration.
While the return of the original Party Down cast is certainly cause for celebration, the revival also features a bevy of faces new to the series. In addition to fantastic guest and supporting spots by James Marsden, Jennifer Garner, and others, the core group of caterers has been expanded to include Zoë Chao (the Apple TV+ series The Afterparty) as the driven and artistic chef Lucy, and Tyrel Jackson Williams as aspiring content creator Sackson. Chao and Williams have accomplished something just as impressive as it is hilarious, as they have managed to fit in with the Party Down ensemble as if they had been there all along.
Chao and Jackson Williams spoke with Screen Rant about the pressure of boarding the series, becoming a part of the group, and their favorite things about their characters.
Zoë Chao and Tyrel Jackson Williams on Party Down
Screen Rant: Did either of you have any relationship with Party Down before you did this? Had you watched the show, or did you brush up on it after you got the role?
Zoë Chao: I was familiar with the show. I started watching it a couple years after it came out, and I was working at Bar Marmont across the street for four and a half years right out of school. I felt like I was having a parallel journey alongside the Party Down crew, and it was really comforting to see them struggle, because I was struggling. That’s my first relationship with Party Down.
Tyrel Jackson Williams: I had sort of grown up around fans of Party Down. When the show was initially airing it was a bit too young to watch it, but it was sort of like this massive iceberg that was floating by, [with] people being like, “Party Down was insane.” Then, the opportunity to be on it came up, and I hit it.
You both bring something new to it, but you also fit the vibe of Party Down perfectly. Did it take a minute to find your place in the dynamic, or was it easier than that?
Zoë Chao: It was not easy.
Tyrel Jackson Williams: It wasn’t. No.
Zoë Chao: Martin [Starr] is so funny. During shooting, he was like, “You were really nervous your first day. Like, you were so nervous.” And I’m like, “Yeah, thank you. I was, slash I still am nervous.” I’m nervous even now, even though it’s in the can and picture locked. I feel like I don’t know how I got on the show, and why, but I just feel so lucky to be here. It’s nice to hear that we didn’t ruin it.
Did you feel a lot of pressure when you came in?
Tyrel Jackson Williams: One hundred percent. It was the pressure of knowing about the show and having engaged with it through osmosis through my childhood. And [it was] knowing literally everyone who was on the show had gone on to define comedy for, for me. It was really scary to jump in and be like, “Yeah, I deserve to be here with all of you.”
Is there something specific about each of your characters that was your favorite thing to play or dive into?
Zoë Chao: Yeah. I love a passionate character that has really has a clear point of view and is fighting for something. And Lucy is fighting for something.
Tyrel Jackson Williams: I loved playing Sackson’s bravado and confidence that the world belongs to him and good things are just destined to happen to him. That was a lot of fun to do, especially bouncing off of everyone else.
About Party Down
Ten years later, most of the Party Down catering team have moved on, including actor/bartender Henry Pollard (Adam Scott). After a surprise reunion, the gang find themselves once again stoically enduring the procession of random parties and oddball guests all over Los Angeles.
Scott reprises his role alongside original cast members Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen, and Megan Mullally. Previously announced new cast members joining in on the fun include Jennifer Garner, Tyrel Jackson Williams, and Zoë Chao. James Marsden is set to recur as a guest star. The third season is executive produced by “Party Down” alumni Rob Thomas, John Enbom, Paul Rudd, Dan Etheridge, and Adam Scott. Enbom also serves as showrunner. “Party Down” is produced for STARZ by Lionsgate Television.
Check out our other Party Down interviews here:
Party Down season 3 will release on Starz on Friday, February 24th.