Billy Crystal Leaves Comedy For Intense Psychological Thriller Series
Billy Crystal will star in the upcoming Apple TV+ psychological thriller miniseries Before, which will air later this month. The role seems purely dramatic and serious, a far cry from his usual roles. The show’s trailer looks incredibly grim and filled with horror imagery, making the actor’s presence feel even more out of place.
Billy Crystal will play Eli in Before, a widowed child psychologist who meets a client with a seemingly supernatural connection to his past. Based on the trailer, it seems like the show will have fans guessing if there’s a supernatural component or if the horror imagery is all in the heads of its characters. The relationship between Eli and his young patient, Noah, also seems central to the show’s plot.
Check out the first look at Billy Crystal in Before.
It’s clear from the trailer that Billy Crystal is the actor Before is leaning on for its star appeal. However, Judith Light of One Life to Live and Rosie Perez of White Men Can’t Jump are notable costars. Tony-nominated stage actress Maria Dizzia and child actor Jacobi Jupe are also included in the show’s main cast, with the trailer featuring Jupe acting alongside Crystal extensively.
Billy Crystal plays a grief-stricken husband mourning his wife’s death
While Billy Crystal has had a handful of dramatic roles, his background couldn’t be further from a show like Before. Originally rising to prominence as a stand-up comedian, he’s always had one foot in that world, making frequent appearances in sketch comedy shows like Saturday Night Live. He transitioned into acting through the sitcom Soap, playing Jodie Dallas who was notable as one of the first openly gay characters on TV.
Even when he moved from TV to film, Billy Crystal was known for comedy roles with nothing like Before in his filmography. He’s best known for his appearances in classic comedies like The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, and City Slickers. His quick-witted improvisation and comedic timing are generally considered his greatest strengths, making his casting in a psychological thriller fascinating.
It seems that Billy Crystal will be stretching his acting chops with Before as he plays a grief-stricken husband mourning his wife’s death while trying to unravel a mystery. It’s a far cry from even his more dramatic roles in films like Mr. Saturday Night, which was a serious role but still fairly broad. It will be interesting to see if he can stick the landing after so many years.
Billy Crystal stars in Before on Apple TV with the series premiering on October 25th
While Billy Crystal may be an odd choice to lead Before, he’s an accomplished actor with decades of experience who could surprise fans with a strong dramatic showing. He’s proven to be a versatile actor, finding success on Broadway as well as Hollywood. If the Apple TV show is a hit it could kick off a dramatic renaissance for the actor.
Fans will have to find out for themselves if casting Billy Crystal in Before was a stroke of genius or a huge mistake when it comes out on October 25th. In the meantime, the first trailer for the mini-series promises plenty of creepy atmosphere perfect for Halloween.
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