Hollywood star Kristen Wiig has opened up about the daunting experience of acting opposite herself in the hit Apple TV+ series, Palm Royale. The Bridesmaids actress, who plays social climber Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons, faced a unique challenge in the show's second season.
The Shocking Twin Revelation
In the sixth episode of season two, which debuted on 12th November, viewers discovered a major plot twist: Wiig's character, Maxine, has a previously unknown twin sister named Mirabelle. This new sibling, who struggles with alcohol, immediately complicates Maxine's life and her strained relationship with estranged husband Douglas, played by Josh Lucas.
Wiig explained that the inspiration for the twin storyline came from classic television. "The idea kind of came from looking back at those older shows and the themes and the things that they did," she said, citing the iconic series Bewitched as a direct reference seen in the show.
Confronting the 'Weird' Acting Challenge
While actors playing dual roles is a long-standing tradition in film and TV, Wiig confessed the task made her "really nervous". Her primary concern was creating two distinct personalities. "I've never done that before, so it was a little weird to do scenes with myself," she admitted, noting she performed with a stand-in wearing her wig.
"I was really nervous about it because I didn't know how to make her different but the same," Wiig revealed. "But we just really leaned into the absurdity of it and I think that helped." The series, set in 1969 Florida, is already known for its theatrical and bizarre tone, blending social intrigue, espionage, and personal drama with fashion and musical numbers.
Star-Studded Cast and Future Drama
Palm Royale boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Laura Dern, Leslie Bibb, and Josh Lucas. The arrival of Mirabelle promises to escalate the drama significantly in the remaining episodes.
Fans can watch the fallout from this shocking twin revelation every Wednesday on Apple TV+, to see if Maxine and Douglas can reconcile their differences amidst the new chaos.
