The Leftovers (H4BO)

About The Leftovers (HBO)

The Leftovers is a gripping drama television series that aired on HBO from 2014 to 2017. The series, based on Tom Perrotta's novel of the same name, explores the aftermath of a global 'departure,' where 2% of the world's population suddenly vanishes without any scientific or rational explanation. The story revolves around the residents of a small town, Mapleton, as they grapple with the mysterious event and its lingering effects on their lives.

Making / Production

The Leftovers was created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, who also served as executive producers alongside Peter Berg. It was produced by White Rabbit in association with Warner Bros. Television. The team invested a great deal of their time and attention to capture the infinitely complex human emotions that arise in the face of incomprehensible loss.

Actors

• Justin Theroux as Kevin Garvey: Kevin is the chief of police in Mapleton, New York who wrestles with the confusion and pain brought by 'The Departure'. Justin Theroux's portrayal is layered and evocative, firmly anchoring the narrative with his intricate performance.
• Carrie Coon as Nora Durst: Nora lost her entire family in the sudden event and battles with the lingering grief and emptiness. Carrie Coon's extraordinary performance earned her widespread critical acclaim.
• Christopher Eccleston as Matt Jamison: He portrays a former reverend turned newspaper publisher, who tries to interpret the enigmatic 'Departure' through religious readings. Eccleston’s nuanced performance expertly conveys his character's struggle with the inexplicable event and his faith.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series never reveals a definitive reason behind the 'Departure', leaving it open-ended and up to the viewer's interpretation.
• Tom Perrotta, who co-created the show, also wrote the book on which the series is based.
• The show received higher praise for its second and third seasons, as the narrative moved beyond the source material, and the showrunners started to delve deeper into the characters' psyches.

Awards

The Leftovers has received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its performances, storytelling, and thematic depth. The series was nominated for several awards, including a Critics' Choice Television Award for Carrie Coon's performance.

Quotes

• "Nothing is next. There is no next. This is it." - Kevin Garvey
• "There's no moving on from this. You don't just lose your whole family and 'move on.' It's about getting through." - Nora Durst
• "I want my departure. I want what I’ve lost returned. I want to feel the pain of loss, the pain of want, the pain of life." - Matt Jamison

Music, Soundtrack

• The haunting music and score of The Leftovers was composed by Max Richter, whose work plays a major role in setting the series' atmospheric and melancholic tone.
• The series uses a different theme song each season, each notably underscoring the thematic shifts of the series.
• "Let The Mystery Be" by Iris DeMent is the theme song for the second season, conveying the series' unexplained nature.