Houston, we have a teenager.
While For All Mankind season one explores an alternative version of the 1969 space race to the moon, we’re now caught up on season two; which features an aspirational NASA environment in the 1980s. The Apple+ show goes beyond the spacesuit and freeze-dried fare and travels home with the astronauts and engineers, highlighting their family dynamics.
The Knockturnal‘s Kinsey Schofield spoke to For All Mankind’s Cynthy Wu and Shantel VanSanten about their current mother-daughter storyline. You will recognize VanSaten from season one, her character, Karen Baldwin, loses her son at the end of season one while her husband Edward is on a mission. Wu, new to season two, plays their adopted teenage daughter named Kelly who is curious about her parents’ past. In season two episode six, we find Kelly feeling inquisitive and insecure as she navigates her teens… while Karen nervously has to forge through being the mother of a vulnerable teenage girl.
It’s not all temper tantrums and teenage angst though. VanSanten and Wu cheerfully explain some of the key elements and behind-the-scenes executions that go into creating a television show. Before filming began on For All Mankind season two, Wu showed up on set to shoot photos that could be displayed throughout her family’s on-set home. Then VanSanten jumps in to explain that the first time she met her on-screen husband, they took lively family Christmas photos. Though they might feel bizarre, these tiny elements make the show appear so sincere and special. For All Mankind’s Cynthy Wu and Shantel VanSanten explain in the video above.
Catch brand new episodes of For All Mankind every Friday on Apple+.
Kinsey Schofield is a contributor to The Knockturnal and you can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.