Diana Silvers, Jimmy O. Yang, Tawny Newsome & Ben Schwartz Interview: Space Force
Netflix's series Space Force premiered in 2020, and now a couple of years later it's back for season 2. The show revolves around the people working at the titular military branch. Among the star-studded ensemble are Diana Silvers, Jimmy O. Yang, Ben Schwartz, and Tawny Newsome, all of whom are returning for the new season.
The four stars spoke with Screen Rant to discuss the biggest changes in Space Force season 2, character dynamics, and the ongoing Internet debate of whether or not Knuckles in Sonic 2 is sexy.
Screen Rant: What I love about Greg Daniels is he's not afraid to make changes after season one. I'm curious, from your perspective, what was the biggest change in terms of the show between season one and season two, but also for your character?
Diana Silvers: I think, for me, as an actor and as a character, season one, I was very removed from everyone else. I was Mark's home life and that was it. Season two, we kind of brought his home life to the workplace. I got to actually be in the Space Force in some way and interact with all these different characters. As an actor, there was just more room to play. There was a camaraderie and we improvise a little bit more. There's more wiggle room. There was a larger margin for error. It was very freeing. It was a very freeing shift from season one to two.
Jimmy O. Yang: Yeah, I think this was something we're intentionally, definitely trying to do from the writers’ room from Ken Kwapis, our director, to all of us actors. First season, it's quite grand. Everything is about an attack of this, of that, Space Force versus something. So season two, we really want to make it a more intimate, almost family workplace comedy. It's about more character growth, that really, it's what audiences want to see and care about, and just let these amazing actors do what they do. We have such a great cast. Let's let each other interact and play with each other. I had a great time, season two, as an actor to be able to play whatever.
Tawny Newsome: I feel like, for Angela, she's gone through such a wild adventure. She's been literally shot in a rocket to the moon, then got stuck on the moon for a period of time. So you know, there's no way to just bring this character back and be like, "Okay, time to go grocery shopping and just live your normal life." I feel like they, the writers and Greg, handled it really well and being really honest about the inner turmoil she was dealing with, trying to figure out what she wants. I think the change is that, we just heard from her a lot more. Some of her inner workings and idiosyncrasies got to come out and that's, of course, fun to play. It's always fun to play somebody with a little bit of damage. You want to play someone slightly more damaged than yourself. That's the acting sweet spot.
Tawny are you a drummer or did you have to learn?
Tawny Newsome: I am, yeah. I've been drumming badly for like eight years, and probably, I've been drumming well for maybe three years.
That's awesome. Ben, same question for you. Not the drumming.
Ben Schwartz: Yeah, so I don't really drum that much. I think that the biggest push this season was to have more of an ensemble, to focus more on comedy. You can see it from the writers' room in the way they let us play a little bit more and let us improvise a little bit more, let us use the space that we have with each other. So I was really happy with that. And in terms of my character, I think you get to see his father, you get to see what Steve Carrell or Mark Naird looks like for him as a father figure, and you get to see him try to do his job well and succeed, which I think is important because I think all of us are good at our jobs. We wouldn't be at Space Force unless all of us were very good at what we did. So I think it's lovely to actually see, even if it's a tiny version of success, to see a version of success for these characters.
Tony's king of his phone. Of the four of you, who would you let post on your social media accounts on your behalf for an entire week?
Tawny Newsome: I'm just gonna say, I would have to let Diana just by default. She's the youngest, so therefore the most hip. I feel like anything she does I'd just be like, "Yeah, we're posting crosswalks now. This generation they know where it's at."
Jimmy O. Yang: Yes, she knew about TikTok trends. We did a TikTok dance together.
Diana Silvers: Jimmy, don't out me!
Jimmy O. Yang: That's not outing! That's pumping you up.
Diana Silvers: You wanted to do the TikTok! I just knew which one to do because one of my roommates likes TikTok.
Ben Schwartz: I'd let Don Lake do it and I'd ask him to post pictures of his dogs the entire time.
Diana Silvers: That is actually the correct answer. That is the only answer any of us should accept and say.
What is the number one question from season one that you really wanted answered this season? Does anyone actually know why Maggie's in prison? What's your biggest theory that you have?
Diana Silvers: She was training exotic bees for the Russian government. It's really that simple. And I feel like I would know. I mean, I'm the daughter, right? We should take this at face value. I think that's the right phrase.
Is there anybody that you feel like you didn't really get to interact with in season one that you're really excited for fans to see your dynamic together in season two? Jimmy, you're nodding. Do you have one in mind?
Jimmy O. Yang: Oh, I think everyone. Season one was a lot of me and Tawny, and this year, me and Ben's bromance even gets to grow a little bit [...] And also, Diana coming into the fold. That was super fun to play with. And of course, John is always a pleasure to work with and Steve and, I still wish I have more scenes with Don Lake. He is just so great. He cracks me up. It's great that he is a series regular this year now and coming into the fold, so it's just great to kind of play with everyone this year.
I would love for you guys to settle an internet debate with me that I've been enthralled in, and it kind of involves Ben Schwartz. Is Knuckles from Sonic 2 sexy?
Ben Schwartz: This is the right question to ask this group.
Jimmy O. Yang: He's hot!
Tawny Newsome: That's Idris Elba right?
Ben Schwartz: Idris Elba voices the echidna, Knuckles, that's correct. So with just that information, Tawny, do you think Knuckles is sexy?
Tawny Newsome: Yeah, because I don't think Idris accepts roles that aren't sexy. He even made that very creepy role in Cats kind of sexy where I was like, "Why are we hot for this cat man?" So just by the fact that they cast him, yes.
Jimmy O. Yang: He's read. He's cool. He's a rebel man. I've always liked that character in the games.
Ben Schwartz: He's a bad boy, Ash! He's a bad boy!
Tawny Newsome: Idris isn't taking no uggos. Idris don't take no uggo parts these days.
Diana Silvers: He can't. Even if they're animated. He oozes coolness in a way that he can't embody anything other than cool and hot.
Ben Schwartz: Idris Elba taking an ugly role would take the amount of prosthetics that Jared Leto went through for House of Gucci.
Diana Silvers: Even for animation.
Ben Schwartz: These are all correct statements.
I love it. Thank you guys. I came here to be validated and I got it. Thank you.
Lastly, what are just three words you would use to describe season two of Space Force? Something you want fans to know.
Jimmy O. Yang: Hilarious.
Ben Schwartz: Nice. Keep going. You have two more, Jimmy.
Jimmy O. Yang: A hilarious cast.
Ben Schwartz: Got one more.
Jimmy O. Yang: Can I do phrases?
Yeah, sure.
Jimmy O. Yang: And Steve Carrell being Steve Carrell. That's pretty good. Which is the reason to watch I mean, it's amazing.
Ben Schwartz: I would say funny space ensemble. I like that.
Jimmy O. Yang: Yeah, that's better. Just cut out my part, please.
Space Force season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.