HBO has released a brand new trailer for its upcoming comedy Barry that makes the series look like a definite must-see in 2018. Starring, written and directed by SNL alum Bill Hader, the dark comedy puts an interesting twist on the hitman subgenre by having the contract killer discover his true calling may in fact be in the performing arts. That as much was made apparent in the first teaser trailer the network released late last year, but this new spot gives a more comprehensive look at what you can expect and delivers more than a few genuine laughs in the process.
Because the teaser already set up the quirky cast of characters that includes Stephen Root, Henry Winkler, Glenn Fleshler, and Sarah Goldberg, this new trailer sells the show’s premise with a more straightforward approach, one that includes a great deal more interaction between Hader and his co-stars. It’s unsurprising, then, to see he has some great chemistry with both Winkler and Root, who play Barry’s acting coach Cousineau and his handler Fuches, respectively. The latter, for his part, appears to be working pretty hard to get a depressed Barry back into the life (of ending them for money) by pitching him a job in Los Angeles like he’s offering to send the hitman to a spa for a relaxing getaway.
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As it turns out, Fuches’ offer becomes the catalyst for Barry’s “new calling”, as the contract inadvertently leads the hitman into the world of theater. It’s an eye-opening experience as Barry recounts. The only problem is: Barry sounds fairly convinced he’s “really good” at acting, though the shot of a dismayed D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place) and Cousineau’s declaration that the burgeoning thespian is making him nauseous suggests otherwise. The result creates a funny dilemma in which Barry’s talents might only lie in the one thing he’s good at, which is also the one thing that’s making him so depressed. Check out a full synopsis below:
“BARRY is a dark comedy starring Bill Hader as a depressed, low-rent hitman from the Midwest. Lonely and dissatisfied in his life, he reluctantly travels to Los Angeles to execute a hit on an aspiring actor. Barry follows his “mark” into an acting class and ends up finding an accepting community in a group of eager hopefuls within the LA theater scene. He wants to start a new life as an actor, but his criminal past won’t let him walk away – can he find a way to balance both worlds? The eight-episode series also stars Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Carrigan and Henry Winkler.”
Co-created, written and executive produced by Silicon Valley’s Alec Berg, Barry looks like another strong addition to HBO’s already strong half-hour comedy lineup. In addition to Silicon Valley, the premium channel also has Crashing and Divorce set to premiere this month, as well as the final season of the perennial Emmy winner Veep.
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Barry is set to premiere Sunday, March 25 @10:30pm on HBO.
