Jay Duplass is currently starring in “Dying for Sex,” a series inspired by a true story.He plays steve, the husband of Molly Kochan (Michelle Williams), a writer who embarks on a journey of sexual self-finding after being diagnosed with cancer. Steve,though loyal,struggles to connect with his wife sexually. When asked about playing perhaps unlikeable characters, Jay noted the complexity of Steve’s character, emphasizing that despite his flaws, Steve genuinely loves Molly.

“Without a doubt. But also, with the scripts and Michelle williams, I would have played any role as I knew we had a shot at making a great piece of art,” Jay Duplass said. “But I thought it was cool as hell they made Steve intricate. It’s very clear that he loves her and I think it’s romantic that she says, “I’m going to divorce you and have sex with as many people as I can and also I still need your credit card” and he was like, “You got it.” I was honestly honored that they thought of me as a person that could be a villain, but play it in an understandable way so we knew that ultimately, he was a good guy.”

Mark Duplass added that he has often been cast in roles that leverage his perceived “good guy” persona to create more complex and sometimes unlikable characters. He cited “Good American Family” as an example, where his character initially appears nice before revealing deeper complexities. He also praised the casting of Ellen,noting her long history as a trusted and reliable narrator.

Brotherly Advice and Career Choices

“It’s very clear that he loves her and I think it’s romantic that she says, “I’m going to divorce you and have sex with as many people as I can and also I still need your credit card” and he was like, “You got it.”

The Duplass brothers discussed their consulting process regarding acting jobs. Jay stated that they primarily consult on lifestyle considerations,such as location and time commitment,rather than creative aspects. Mark mentioned that “good American Family” was an easy decision due to its convenient schedule and filming location in Los angeles.

Jay described “Dying for Sex” as a more significant decision, involving discussions about being away from his family and the challenge of balancing drama and comedy. He praised the show’s ability to blend the talents of dramatic actors like Michelle Williams with comedic actors like Rob Delaney.

“Dying for Sex” felt like a pretty easy yes, but we did talk about it in terms of what it meant for lifestyle – being away from my family,” Jay Duplass said. “It was also a big swing; I wasn’t sure they would be able to pull off the tonal tightrope of full-blown drama and hard comedy at the same time; putting Michelle Williams, one of our greatest living dramatic actors in the same show as someone like Rob Delaney, who is one of the funniest humans alive.But I think they pulled it off.”

Mark humorously suggested that Jay was cast as the “bridge” between the dramatic and comedic elements, acting as a direct line between Michelle Williams and Rob Delaney. Jay embraced this idea, calling it a “great compliment.”

The brothers also discussed the advice they seek from each other. Jay admitted to seeking Mark’s advice more frequently, especially regarding the logistics and potential pitfalls of acting jobs. Mark primarily offers advice on directing, frequently enough suggesting that Jay avoid it due to its difficulty.

“When talking about acting roles, Jay is just so obsessed with quality,” Mark Duplass said. “It’s just one of my favorite things about him. If he’s got two projects on his desk, and one is going to pay him $500,000 an episode, and one is going to pay him $150 a day and that one is 10% better then he’s like, “Of course, I’m going to take that.” And I’m just like, “could you sell out a little bit? Could you just and put your face on a huge movie poster that goes out internationally, and see what that will do on the grander scope for your career?” As once you’re like a Sebastian Stan-level movie star, it can open so many doors.”

Anonymity and Future Roles

Mark jokingly suggested that Jay could be an Avenger, but acknowledged the potential impact on his anonymity. Both brothers value their current level of recognition, which allows them to work on interesting projects without being constantly recognized in public.

“He could be an Avenger! I mean, he might not be happy doing it, so that’s a discussion,” Mark Duplass said. “Jay and I are both very conscious of the fact that, like, we’re in this incredible sweet spot where we can go out and make a living as an actor in really cool shows. We’re here having a conversation with you about potential Emmy awards consideration and most streets we walk down, nobody gives a shit.”

Mark noted that he sometimes faces recognition due to his role in “The league,” even recounting an incident where fans attempted to playfully recreate a physical gag from the show. Jay humorously described his attempts to protect his brother from these interactions, with people mistaking him for Josh Radnor.