The creators of Black Rabbit, Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, have cooked up a sizzling drama set amidst the backdrop of a bustling restaurant industry. The series focuses on two brothers, Jake, portrayed by Jude Law, and Vince Friedkin, characterized by Jason Bateman, who seem to experience a string of unfortunate events. These brothers are the brains behind The Black Rabbit, a fashionable Brooklyn eatery that appears grand from the outside yet is deteriorating internally.
With an allure like the two brothers, The Black Rabbit magnetizes not only loyal customers but also danger. This includes individuals like Joe Mancuso, a mob boss Vince is indebted to, played by Troy Kotsur. The inclusive elements of family dynamics, gourmet food, and crime concoct a narrative that is both enthralling and teetering on the edge of danger.
The series carves an undeniable association with the 1970s cinema scene reminiscent of Sidney Lumet and William Friedkin’s body of work. The ambiance of their work can be traced into intricate details of the show through the use of wide shots, the occasional grainy texture, and an overall palpable air of tension. Asking if the creators derived inspiration from 70s thrillers would be answering in the affirmative; we could say they have been significantly inspired by them.
The creators found their muses in gems like The French Connection, Prince of the City, The Verdict, and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. These classics framed complex moral dilemmas against the backdrop of realism and had the ability to tell stories significant for their era while leveraging talented stars. Banked on this, Baylin and Susman had the advantage of having two seasoned actors to flesh out their original script.
The seed for Black Rabbit was planted while considering writing a show based on their personal experiences in New York City’s culinary scene during their formative years. The idea was to encapsulate the thrill and aura that a cool diner or club weaves around them, an exhilarating experience akin to watching a great performance or participating in a significant event.
As the creators conceptualize New York City, they worked in synergy with noted cinematographers to picture the city in a distinctive manner. They wished to convey the anxiety and the hustle-bustle of the city, which engulfs the protagonist brothers’ life, through their distinctive filming style and strong visual language.
Making the restaurant scenes in the show ring true to experienced viewers and blend seamlessly for others, was a painstaking task. By leveraging their past work experiences, the creators extensively collaborated with their network of friends working across New York’s eateries, ensuring every on-screen element felt authentic.
The Black Rabbit, more than being just the adored restaurant in the show, is a reflection of Jake and Vince’s personalities. Although food itself is not the focus of the show, a fair amount of effort went into crafting the restaurant’s menu, always tweaking and exchanging dishes, under the guidance of experienced culinary consultants.
A notable sequence in the pilot episode has Roxy, who had to buy fish in lieu of bills not being paid, sharing screen space with the actual fishmonger of that market. These are the lengths the creators went to, turning to him for advice on current seasonal seafood and how they could tie it into the show’s narrative.
Black Rabbit, in Jason Bateman’s words, not only encapsulates the story of two brothers involved in the restaurant industry, it’s also a narrative about the perils of mismanaged money and a weapon. One of the primary aims of the creators with this portrayal of suspense was to gauge how long they could maintain the narrative tension in the series.
Doing away with the rampant practice of unnecessary padding in most show’s narratives, Baylin and Susman went the other way. The aim was to continuously rev up the narrative, eliminating any chance for viewers to guess what was coming next. It could be an emotional upheaval or a dramatic cliffhanger, but the idea was to keep the audience guessing.
Another unique influence on Black Rabbit was the music scene of New York City. Zach and Kate cherished the music scene during their time in NYC, especially their fondness for bands like The Strokes. They wanted to embed this feeling of stardom and the universe The Strokes occupied, into the characters Jake and Vince.
Completing the show offered the creators a rich source of satisfaction and gratitude. Their fervent wish is that the audience feels as enthralled, emotionally invested, and moved as they did while crafting the story. Despite the series being conceived as a standalone story, there are numerous potential avenues, relationships, and characters to explore if the narrative were to continue.
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