*Jocko Sims and KeiLyn Durrel Jones are two of the stars in Hulu’s newest comedy-drama, “How to Die Alone,” created and led by Natasha Rothwell (“Insecure.”) In this hilarious series, they play Alex and Terrence, two key characters connected to Mel (Rothwell), a woman navigating life’s complicated relationships and personal growth. Sims and Jones recently opened up about what drew them to the project and how the series uniquely blends humor with emotional resonance.
Sims shared his excitement about the opportunity to work on “How to Die Alone.” “ I was drawn to it because I had been itching to do a comedy after all these years of doing dramas. The opportunity came along to read, and with Natasha at the helm, I’ve been a big fan of hers; watching her is all it took for me. And of course, the script was one of the funniest scripts I’d ever read. The pilot.”
Sims, known for his dramatic roles in series like *New Amsterdam*, reveals that “How to Die Alone” offered a refreshing change of pace for him. He embraced the chance to be part of a project that balances comedic and dramatic elements. “You can’t just call this a comedy, which is harder, in my opinion, than drama—comedy is based on real emotions and reality. But if you can thread that needle and have the heart, the drama, and the humor, man, that’s the sweet spot.”
The project’s appeal was equally strong for KeiLyn Durrel Jones, who plays “Terrence.” Mel’s co-worker and friend. “I think Natasha is hilarious, brilliant, incredibly smart, and fun to watch,” Jones said. “At the chemistry read, when we got to go in and connect, even though we were on Zoom…we got to get in there and muck around, you know, as actors with a capital A, just get in there and play.”
Despite the initial distance of a virtual chemistry read, the chemistry between the cast members became a core element of the series. Jones particularly connected with the heart of his character. “I really like the heart that Mel has and gets cracked open, but what Terrence brings to the table, I like, really connect with Terrence.”
As the series progresses, viewers see Mel’s complex relationships with Alex-her ex – and Terrence. These interactions highlight modern-day relationship challenges that many can relate to. Sims reflected on the blurred lines between relationships in today’s world, especially post-pandemic: “People can get caught up even in big cities, you know, like New York, people can get caught up in being surrounded by people, but still managing to be lonely. I appreciate how Natasha and the show highlighted a difference between loneliness and being lonely, and being lonely is not necessarily a pejorative thing if you’re doing the work of self-improvement.”
Terrence, in particular, embodies this self-improvement journey. As Jones explained, “Terrence cares about Melissa. They’re really good friends at work. We don’t get to see Terrence outside of work too much, but if Alex and Melissa were happy, Terrence would be okay with that. Terrence sees Alex as just something else in Melissa’s life that is not good for her, but she continues to go back to.”
Both actors also reflected on the unique environment that Rothwell cultivated on set. Sims praised her ability to bring out the best in her cast and crew: “Natasha is really good at cultivating a family-like, friendly environment. And not every set is like that…since then, I’ve strived to find my own little tribe on each set.”
Jones was similarly impressed by Rothwell’s multitasking abilities. “She’s a multi-hyphenate, doing many things—actor, writer, producer, director. I’m stepping into that now, but to see her do it gracefully…I’m learning a lot.”
“How to Die Alone” begins streaming on Hulu on September 13.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. You can follow her on all social media @StilettoJill or check out JillMunroe.com
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