Creator of ‘Palm Royale’ Struggled with “Imposter Syndrome” After Carol Burnett Joined Cast
As the Emmy Awards approach, Abe Sylvia reflects on his remarkable collaboration with comedy icon Carol Burnett in the Apple TV+ series ‘Palm Royale.’ The creator of the series revealed that he experienced intense feelings of “imposter syndrome” when Burnett was cast as Norma Dellacorte, a wealthy matriarch who finds herself in a comatose state. Since the show’s renewal for a second season in June, Sylvia has been contemplating the significance of this milestone.
Sylvia disclosed to Collider that he initially had no specific actress in mind for the role. Thanks to the guidance of casting director Kerry Barden, he was pushed to consider the unthinkable. “Kerry really inspired us to shoot for the stars,” Sylvia recounted. “It was his suggestion that we reach out to Carol Burnett. I hesitated, thinking that a comatose character might not feel substantial enough for her. But Kerry insisted, ‘Why not ask? There’s no harm in trying.’ When Carol accepted, I found myself in my office, overwhelmed with emotions, grappling with the thought, ‘Who am I in this scenario?'”
In a notable turn, Burnett’s role earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, making her the oldest female nominee for this award at 91 years old. ‘Palm Royale’ features Kristen Wiig as the character Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons, who struggles to navigate the complexities of high society in 1969 Palm Beach, Florida, along with a cast that includes Laura Dern, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson, and Allison Janney.
After discussing the transformative impact of the cast on the series, Sylvia pointed out, “Once the casting was finalized, I began to think of the script as a costume and the actors as fitting into it. The process involved tailoring each performance, adjusting the rhythm and language to accentuate their strengths.” He emphasized the wealth of talent within his ensemble, stating, “As we engaged with each actor, we discovered depths of ability that hadn’t been showcased before, and we wanted to highlight those.” With the second season on the horizon, he expressed excitement for what lies ahead, noting that they are eager to leverage their understanding of the cast’s unique capabilities.
Following the announcement of Season 2’s renewal, Sylvia mentioned that production is set to start at the end of September. “We’ve been diligently developing Season 2 for the last seven months and are making significant progress,” he shared.
This collaboration is not just a professional engagement but a celebration of legacy and potential, marking a significant moment in television history. The creative journey continues as they prepare to bring further stories within the ‘Palm Royale’ universe to life.