Adapted from the acclaimed eponymous novel, The Mosquito Coast is premiering on Apple TV April 30. The take on the classic novel by Paul Theroux follows the same characters - a family with paranoid inventor Allie Fox (Justin Theroux, Maniac) as the patriarch - but instead sees them running away to Mexico instead of Central America.
When Allie and his wife Margot (Melissa George, The Good Wife) learn the government is after them for reasons unbeknownst to either the audience or their children, they set off on a journey south of the border. Though the off-the-grid lifestyle to which the kids are already accustomed to makes them well-equipped for a life on the run, it also makes them question their father's past and the best interests of the family.
Young actors Logan Polish and Gabriel Bateman spoke to Screen Rant about their approach to the work, their close-knit bonds on set, and their thoughts on eccentric dad Allie Fox.
How did you guys jump on board the project? Did you audition, or were you specially chosen?
Gabriel Bateman: I just auditioned. But actually, the audition process prepared me for everything we're doing now. Because it was a super laggy Zoom session before the pandemic, so I kind of got an idea of what it was like to have something work-related on Zoom and not be able to time anything because I would cut everyone off every time I tried to speak.
But I really liked the sides. I auditioned with a Stand By Me scene, so I was just really excited to see what the project was. After the Zoom session, I didn't think it went that well because of all the lag. I was just mostly surprised when I heard that I had got it, and obviously I was very happy.
Logan Polish: I'm just now hearing this from Gabriel, but it was similar for me. I did a Zoom session, and my third audition was with the director. It was the exact same thing, where I thank God I knew the scenes so well and the material, because you would have to compensate for them not saying their line or assuming that they said it. Because you don't want to stop the scene and you hope that doesn't interfere.
But honestly, it made me want to do the project even more when I found out where our director Rupert Wyatt, who did the first 2 episodes, was coming from. Because he was so interested in my personal life, and asking, "What is it like growing up with your parents? What's your dynamic? Have you been homeschooled?" And that made me go. "Oh, this is feeling like a movie. This isn't just feeling like a TV show." He was taking a cinematic approach.
I know you and Rupert discussed your own backstories, but did you have conversations about the characters? For example, what did the kids know at the outset about their family? What do they think about what their father is up to, and how do they feel about their lives so far?
Gabriel Bateman: For me, at least, not much. To be honest, I feel like we just jumped in it not knowing anything, which is good. Because Charlie doesn't know anything throughout the entire show. I know more now than Charlie does, because I've had more conversations. But at the beginning, I knew pretty much nothing about where the show was gonna end, which fit with Charlie.
Logan Polish: Rupert did a really good job of sitting me down and going, "All you know is homeschooling; your mom and dad are probably your best friends. You trust these people with everything."
Like Gabriel said, I also didn't know anything more than what the character did until now. It was great to go about the project that way; to not have tunnel vision and just be like, "We don't know what's going on." Even though maybe Justin and Melissa knew more than that, it was great for us to build on.
The show revolves around the family dynamic, so how do you build that offscreen with each other?
Gabriel Bateman: I feel like it was somewhat instant in a lot of ways. I was pretty much comfortable with Justin, Melissa and Logan right away. But as far as making it feel like real family? In the show, we're all we have. But actually, when we were on location in Mexico, we were all we had in a lot of ways as well.
Especially when we came back after hiatus because of COVID, we were pretty much the only social interaction that each of us had off set. On the weekends, we were the only people that we saw because of all the protocols. I think it really did feel like a family in a lot of ways, just because we hung out together 24/7. That was our way to just decompress after a long day work; to see each other.
How did filming in Mexico and on location help you get into character? Did it feel very different from filming on a set in LA or Toronto?
Logan Polish: I have to say there was a moment in this series early on, where it just started to feel like there was a parallel between our personal lives and the show. Because we were constantly getting relocated, being put into these new environments, having to figure out, "Where's that grocery store? Where can I get this?" Because we all aren't very familiar with Mexico. Even just the hours and the days and the time, there was a moment where it felt like we were personally on the run. Not in a horrible way; just not in a very great situation.
But it was great to put that into the character and go, "Okay, I could see maybe what it's like," and just have the idea of what it's like having to constantly adapt to your situation.
You mentioned that The Mosquito Coast had to stop during production for a time because of COVID. How did that affect your experience of working on the season?
Gabriel Bateman: Thankfully, I feel like it didn't affect us that much. I think we still managed to feel very similar to how we felt before, which is that the entire cast and crew was a family. I feel like we were closer together afterwards, because Apple and the entire crew did such a great job of making sure that everything went smoothly.
So, thankfully, it didn't really affect it that much.
Showrunner Neil Cross said something about your characters that I found very interesting. He said Dina wants to be more like her mother but is actually like her father, and Charlie wants to be like his father but is actually like his mother. Do you feel that is accurate, and how would you describe your character's feelings about their parents?
Logan Polish: I do think that is very accurate. And it is something that I remember, when we were shooting in LA, Neil mentioned it. That was something that we were constantly reminded of, that like, "You're becoming your dad throughout the series." So, when I would have these outbursts or things that are very Allie-like, I would go out of my way to put even more of the way Justin was playing it into those scenes.
I think my character resents it, but I think deep down, she knows that. Honestly, I think towards the end, she starts to like it. She starts out resisting that side of her, because she does want to be like her mom. But towards the end, she starts looking at the things that her dad taught her as more of an advantage. Like, "Oh, I'm badass. I can actually fend for myself and do these cool things."
Gabriel Bateman: Yeah, I definitely think it's accurate as well. I think Charlie obviously idolizes his dad. He's basically exactly what Charlie wants to be in almost every way, but I think he he's more like his mom in a lot of ways. I think he's more sensitive than brash, and he's less brazenly optimistic and zany than Allie is. He's just more intuitive and internal, which is very much like Margot and not as much like Allie.
The Mosquito Coast premieres on April 30 through Apple TV.