Barry

About Barry

"Barry" is a dark comedy-crime television series released by HBO in 2018. Created by Alec Berg and Bill Hader, it tells the story of Barry Berkman, a depressed, low-rent hitman from the Midwest, who is sent to Los Angeles to fulfill a hit on an aspiring actor. However, Barry gets drawn into the theater's ongoing acting classes taught by Gene Cousineau. Torn between the crime underworld that wants him to continue as a killer and the positive influence of the acting class, Barry is left-juggling his personal and professional lives.

Making/ Production

The production of Barry had the invaluable input of creators, Alec Berg, a former writer from Seinfeld and Silicon Valley, and Bill Hader, popularly known from Saturday Night Live. With executive producers Aida Rodgers and Emily Heller, the production features an interesting hybrid of dark humor and crime.

Actors

• Bill Hader as Barry Berkman: Plays the lead role of a conflicted hitman turned aspiring actor expertly, bringing a nuanced performance that oscillates between dark humor and drama.
• Henry Winkler as Gene Cousineau: Offers an authentic performance as Barry's acting teacher who is cluelessly entangled in the crime underworld.
• Stephen Root as Monroe Fuches: Depicts Barry's handler who attempts to retain control over Barry even as the latter battles with his own crises.
• Sarah Goldberg as Sally Reed: Plays an ambitious actor in Barry's class, and Barry's love interest, creating a character that mirrors Barry's insecurities and ambitions.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Barry was initially conceptualized as a movie before being developed as a TV series.
• Henry Winkler, who plays 'Gene Cousineau', won his first ever Emmy in 2018, thanks to his performance in Barry.
• During filming, Bill Hader suffered from frequent panic attacks due to the stresses of directing, writing, and starring in the show.

Awards

Barry has received significant critical acclaim, earning 30 Primetime Emmy Nominations and six wins, including Outstanding Lead Actor for Bill Hader and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Henry Winkler.

Quotes

• "Do your job. Do it right. Or I'll get someone else."
• "I'm an instrument of death. I am not someone you should ever idolize."
• "What if you're a bad person, but you're trying to be good? Does that make you good?"

Music/Soundtrack

• The eclectic soundtrack of Barry features modern pop and rock songs along with classic orchestral music.
• The music adds another layer to the storytelling, often being used to underscore the dark comedy and dramatic elements of the series.
• Several episodes have ended with a song that comments on the events of the episode, adding a different dimension to the viewer's understanding.