Director of Palm Royale Discusses Laura Dern’s Collaboration with Her Father Bruce on Screen
In Palm Royale, a woman named Maxine (Kristen Wiig) infiltrates the wealthy elite of Palm Beach, Florida, in 1969. Laura Dern portrays Linda, the local feminist of the community. In episode six, titled “Maxine Takes a Step,” Dern shares the screen with her real-life father, Bruce Dern, for the first time ever.
“It’s such an iconic moment on television, the two of them acting together,” says director Stephanie Laing. “But more than that, it signifies the journey they’re about to take in the story.”
He plays Linda’s father, Skeet, who is coming to terms with his impending death, and receives the blessing of his daughter to move on. The pair trip on LSD while watching the Apollo 12 launch.
To capture the moment accurately, details were crucial: “We put them in chairs, instead of on a couch, to emulate the rocket chairs,” says Laing. “He’s become the child, she’s become the parent, and there’s a little reflective mirror on top of the TV console that signifies this reflective moment in their relationship.”
To acknowledge the significance of the two real-life screen titans coming together, Laing specifically allocated time in the schedule for them to relax and play on set.
“Sometimes TV can be so rushed, but we were not rushed during any of these scenes,” she says, adding, “[We] just let these legends do their thing and portray these characters honestly.”
This story first appeared in a June standalone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.