The ‘Burbs cast and showrunner Celeste Hughey dive into dark secrets, shocking twists, and filming action scenes with a broken ankle.
In the new series The ‘Burbs, Rob and Samira Fisher’s move to the idyllic cul-de-sac of Ashfield Place is anything but peaceful. What begins as a quiet life for the new parents quickly unravels when a mysterious man moves into the long-abandoned Victorian house across the street.
While on maternity leave, Samira finds herself drawn into the local lore of Hinkley Hills, eventually teaming up with a ragtag group of quirky neighbors to investigate suspicious activity. As their amateur sleuthing escalates, long-buried secrets and deadly threats emerge, shattering the town’s reputation as “The Safest Town in America” and forcing Samira to decide exactly how far she will go to protect her family.
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE ‘BURBS SEASON ONE AHEAD!
Mama’s Geeky sat down with some of the cast and creatives to talk all about the series. Showrunner Celeste Hughey emphasized that while this is a new world with new characters, it was vital to handle the project with loving hands that respect the original 1989 film. She explained that the series is built on the foundation that the story really runs on secrets, and in Hinkley Hills, those secrets are exceptionally dark.
From neighbors hiding husbands in refrigerators to characters carrying 15-year-old traumas, the show balances suburban comedy with a propulsive mystery. Hughey noted that the actors enjoyed playing their scenes with the underlying knowledge of these secrets, allowing audiences to look back and see what they were actually hiding.
A major highlight of the season was the shocking reveal that the character Betsy was actually the long-lost Allison. In the interview, we learned that the production team was nervous about whether the audience would see it coming. To maintain the mystery, Hughey decided to place the reveal halfway through the season rather than saving it for a finale cliffhanger, ensuring it landed as a big gasp moment before the plot thickened.
Erica Dasher, who plays the role, revealed her unique approach to the character’s ambiguity: during her audition and on set, she would provide three distinct takes for each scene – one dark and aloof, one comedic and light, and a third that blended the two. This allowed the editors to craft a performance where you couldn’t quite put your finger on her, making the eventual “aha moment” feel both surprising and earned.
The ensemble cast, described by Dasher as a “fun Scooby-Doo gang,” developed a natural chemistry that translated perfectly to their on-screen investigatory misadventures. Kapil Talwalkar, who plays Naveen, discussed his character’s significant emotional arc, evolving from the “comedic relief sidekick” into a fan favorite whose life hangs in the balance by the finale.
Erica Dasher also shared an incredible behind-the-scenes anecdote regarding the physical demands of the show; she actually filmed her intense action sequences – including being harnessed and yanked through an air vent – while nursing a real-life broken ankle. She joked that despite the pain, she was more than ready to “commit homicide” for the sake of the scene’s catharsis.
Is Naveen dead or alive? Will Allison return to rescue her friend? To hear the cast’s wildest theories and learn more about the “sardine lore” hidden in the show, be sure to watch our full interview video.
The Burbs season one is streaming now on Peacock.