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Warning: The following contains spoilers for Not Dead Yet‘s Season 2 finale. Proceed at your own risk!
Nell’s secret is out — or is it?
Not Dead Yet wrapped up Season 2 on Wednesday with a ghost that hit close to home for Nell: her boss and Lexi’s father, Duncan (played by Brad Garrett), who appeared to Nell while undergoing surgery. When he came back to, Duncan at first didn’t seem to remember anything about his experience on the spiritual plane… until he recalled the feeling of riding in Nell’s Prius as a ghost.
“It sets up a very cool, exciting trajectory for Nell [about] what is life going to be like for Nell moving forward now that somebody, especially this somebody knows her secret, something she’s kept so super close to the chest,” star and executive producer Gina Rodriguez tells TVLine.
Below, the actress weighs in on the big reveal, whether there’s a love triangle brewing between Nell, Lexi and Edward, and what she’d like to see in Season 3 if the show moves forward. (The ABC series has yet to be renewed or cancelled.)
Plus, Rodriguez shares which of her Jane the Virgin co-stars she’d cast as a ghost.
TVLINE | It sounds like you definitely believe that Duncan remembers that he was dead and he was talking to her. That’s your interpretation or you definitely know that?
No, no. I don’t definitely know anything, thank goodness, because the writers keep everything very close to the chest because of moments like this. ]I can] be a loose cannon. But what it does is it just sets up what does he know? What happened? What does he remember? What will that look like for Nell? That sets up so many hilarious obstacles for her moving forward.
TVLINE | Duncan finds out in a very inadvertent way. He doesn’t find out because Nell confides in him. I’ve wondered over the course of the second season, especially, how much easier Nell’s life would probably be if she told one of her close friends about her secret. What do you think is stopping her from sharing?
I think it is petrifying to her to be rejected again from the people she loves, i.e. her experience with Phillip. It’s why she kept so much from him. It’s why she kind of ran away from it. I think it’s Nell’s evolution as a human being, as she kind of goes deeper into her fear of losing the people around her that she loves, losing her relationship with Cricket, being thought of as quote-unquote crazy, not knowing what is actually happening to her and not really being able to face anybody or have anybody help her in understanding what that is. I think it also keeps her journey really exciting and something that she gets to quietly learn from, which is also kind of, I think, a little bit of a thrill for Nell. Because so often we think we have to share the uniqueness or extraordinary experiences of what we go through instead of keeping them close to your chest. So Nell kind of is doing that a little bit, too, I think.
TVLINE | If there was one person in her life who you think maybe suspects, who would it be?
Edward. Or Tina. Tina suspects it. [Laughs] There’s one episode where Edward says to her in the first season, “I always hear you talking to yourself and nobody’s there, and I just figure it’s your way of dealing.” I think it’s so beautiful that he accepts her for who she is and how she is because of his own eccentricities and how he, also, is looking for that kind of acceptance for his. They have a beautiful, loving bond over just being unique and it being OK.
TVLINE | I found the bizarre Edward and Lexi coupling to be very delightful. But I swear I clocked a moment in the Season 1 finale where Edward was looking longingly at Nell. So I’m wondering how the storyline evolved from that to this, and do you think there are any romantic feelings between Edward and Nell?
You did clock something at the end of Season 1. I did love that little nugget being placed there and then there also being this evolution of a relationship between Lexi and Edward, which is wonderful. Episode 10 really dives into why they actually work really well for each other. It’s beautiful. But I yearn to see what that evolution is in [Nell and Edward’s] relationship and if there’s a little bit of a triangle love there. I have always ‘shipped Edward and Nell. I still kind of want something to come about in, like, Season 6.
TVLINE | It sounds like you’re very hopeful then about the show’s renewal odds.
Well, I was also just giving ourselves some time. [Laughs] This is me projecting a nice long life for us. I do want to see the evolution of those two, badly. I really, really want that because I do really love the way they interact with one another and how they support each other. You can do that as a friendship, and I think that’s also profound to share that you can have a non-sexual, romantically explorative relationship.
TVLINE | Were you surprised when you found out about the Edward and Lexi pairing, or did the producers give you a heads-up?
They gave me a heads-up. I was definitely very much into it. I think Lauren Ash and Rick [Glassman] are so good together. They’re both incredible actors. They’re so funny. They both are insanely talented, so to have them together is really explosive.
TVLINE | How are you feeling about Season 3 renewal odds? Have you spoken to your showrunners about it at all? Have you heard anything from the network about which way things are leaning?
Oh, I have no idea. They keep you completely in the dark. I’m in the dark. I have no clue whatsoever. I definitely would love to come back to this family, though.
TVLINE | Is there a particular storyline or some character dynamic you’d like to delve into more if you’re renewed?
Oh, the trajectory that they’ve already setup is very exciting to me, to see what is the depths of Nell’s intuitive power, if you will. What can she do with this now that maybe somebody else knows? What does that look like for her? What kind of obstacles does that set her up for? Will more people know in the next season, and what will that look like for her? What is the trajectory of her relationship with Edward is a big one for me. Her and Lexi, what is the trajectory of that trio, that love triangle? Will she continue on with freezing her eggs and what does that look like? Are we going to share more of that journey? Will her and TJ continue to evolve? Will he change his mind versus always expecting a woman to change their mind? Well, actually people don’t expect the woman to change their mind, but as the lead, I love that Nell has chosen herself and chosen what she wanted over anything else, as she has done in the past. She changed her life so much for Phillip. It’s nice that she’s now choosing herself and not changing her trajectory for a man. So all of these things, I’m very excited to see how those evolve.
TVLINE | I, personally, would like to see Tommy Martinez come back.
Oh, girl, OK! Yes! [Laughs]
TVLINE | I liked him as a love interest.
Listen, we’re very open to it. There’s been nothing but open doors for that. [Laughs]
TVLINE | Is there somebody from the Jane the Virgin cast that you would love to see come on as a ghost?
Oh, Brett Dier! [Laughs] I want Brett Dier to come on as a ghost so bad because he is so not Michel. He is so not his character from Jane the Virgin that he can come and be somebody wildly different, and it would be so fun.
TVLINE | I remember. He was always so comedic in person and just quirky.
Oh yeah, he is a beautiful wild card.
Grade the Not Dead Yet finale below, then hit the comments with your thoughts and hopes for a third season!
The finale was amazing!!!!
I really enjoy this show. It’s light, cute, & funny with a great cast which is rare nowadays. I so hope it gets renewed. But I’m not feeling hopeful.
This exactly how I feel. It might depend how Ty Burrell’s comedy pilot turns out. I think they will make a deal to keep The Conners and give Tim Allen’s new one a try regardless. But the Burrell one’s concept is less mainstream, giving me a bit of hope we might at least get a half season of Not Dead Yet (13 vs 22). But if Burrell’s pilot is stellar, they might try to launch two new comedies. Or keep airing game show encores or something dumb like that, even though that is tanking Abbott’s ratings (I expect those to get a boost with Conners moving after).
I’m crossing my fingers. It’s a delightful show. The cast is fantastic.
Is it me, or did the show accidentally forget to wrap up the obituary of the former editor in the first part? She was there and then just…gone. Seemed like an editing error.
Agreed.
Not surprising.
Sadly, this season shifted away from the obituary person in each episode.
I got to say, I’m absolutely not a fan of the Edward/Lexie pairing. It came out of nowhere. And is she still legally married to her husband? Meanwhile the writers wasted no time in pulling the plug on Sam’s marriage after mentioning one time— that they were having marital issues. This season has been kind iffy for me. In my opinion, the show is its best when the ghosts are the center. This season really deviated from that. If the show gets renewed I hope it goes back to its roots. I really enjoyed seeing Jenifer Lewis and Malcolm Barrett in tonight’s episodes.
You are def right about the Sam marriage thing. They are having issues and then suddenly it’s done. That was quick.
The marriage dissolving was especially disappointing to me because I really like the actor who played him. . .that one time. . . They apparently did not, or he was going to be unavailable to them. But I think they just decided it would be easier to have all the women unmarried.
The series needs to back to its roots. Also kill the Lexie/Edward ship for good.
This season finale showed just how wonderful the Edward/Lexi relationship is. Best thing to happen in Season 2. Hope the series gets renewed. Love Sam, Lexi and Nell. And Cricket, too.
Agreed.
I would much rather see moe focus on the obituary person/spirit each week than on the scene sucking Duncan ( Brad Garrett).
They may cancel Not Dead Yet. For another tim allen sitcom. He is going to play dumb dad with three dogs this time.
We love this show! It seemed that season 2 had a little less of the charm of the 1st season….less little life lessons from the ghosts I like that there was more of that in the finale..and I love Brad garrets character
I hope it happens
It’s not necessarily dependent on his (potential) show as ABC is already down a comedy. Might depend on others in development.
Love the pairing of Edward and Lexi, they are so wonderfully weird together. It’s way too early for Edward and Nell.
Please renew! It’s nice to see a show with younger millennial characters still miss Single Drunk Female
I like the show, but I feel that it is not following the original premise of the show. Seeing dead people, and writing their obits. Her encounters are becoming a footnote.
I’ve been rooting for Edward/Nell, but after the finale I actually really grew to enjoy Lexie/Edward. I wonder if they’ve considered exploring the idea that she may also be on the spectrum, because she certainly displays a lot of the traits and that would be an interesting added layer to their relationship.
Waiting for the cancellation
Hoping for a renewal but… The show is fun and sweet and I love Gina R. A Brett Dier ghost appearance would be great! He surprised me a while back when he was on Whose Line Is It Anyway with his goofiness and physicality. Like Gina says, he’s not like Michael.
I love the show Not Dead Yet and I hope it comes back for a third season. It is so funny, I love the characters and I loved every episode. SEASON THREE!!!!!!
That is the best show ever that I’ve seen yet so far. I love when you’re not to use a whole body to Express yourself. This woman is tremendous Rodriguez.
And you’re cash are wonderful. This show should go on for years.
There aren’t many shows I watch on broadcast these days. This is one of the few I follow. If ABC throws it away for yet another mentally soft multicam, well, I don’t have to watch. They just lose more to streaming.
Anyone else watching this show and Night Court and noticing how much crossover there is? Three major guest stars appeared on both, a bespoke arcade basketball game became a major plotline, both featured a pair of ambulance-chasing lawyers with their own jingle, except one pair was dead – that’s a LOT of similar material.
I hope this show survives (and Night Court, for that matter) – it’s the only show speaking to this particular demo/life stage on the air and it’s fun. It’s not perfect – I really wish Hannah Simone in particular got more to do – but it’s a fun way to spend lunch. And points to the moment where Sam sprayed perfume right into Nell’s mouth – that moment still makes me laugh. This show gets little friendship moments so right.
I just admit that I am a regular on the show (I’m always wearing a hat). I’ve never had more fun on any show I’ve worked on. The cast is super cool and often times laugh and joke with us background actors. Never on that set have I ever felt less important than anyone else. I wish you all could see the outtakes and jokes that don’t make it on screen.
The writing is getting better and better, as well as the guest stars (ghosts). I’m looking forward to season 3 (technically season 2) so I have an excuse to go get more hats!
Great show. Loved the finale and hope ABC gives more time for the show to grow. Lots of fun.
Good acting. Some of the life experiences are acted out with emotions that make the viewer relate to them in a real way. I sit and watch and wonder did they actually experience that for themselves? I stared watching the show because of Gina Rodriguez I enjoyed her so much from Jane the virgin. I hope there will be another season of this show. /
Though I enjoyed season 1 more, I quite liked the two part finale. It was nice having them bring the ghosts back into focus again and mixing up the character interactions. And while I’m not really a fan of Lexi/Edward, I did finally see why they can work together, nevertheless Nell/Edward is always gonna be my ship of choice and I’d love to see it happen in the future if the show continues.
Such a quirky, special little show; I hope ABC gives it another reprieve.