The Burbs Star Erica Dasher Talks Show’s Big Twists [THS Interview]

Peacock’s television adaptation of The ‘Burbs was released this weekend. THS was among many who gave the show a positive review. The new series is based on Joe Dante’s film of the same name. It stars Keke Palmer as Samira, a new mom adjusting to suburban life in her husband’s hometown. When Samira starts to suspect her new neighbor of murder, she becomes obsessed with uncovering the secrets of her cul-de-sac. The dark comedy also stars Jack Whitehall, Paula Pell, Mark Proksch, Julia Duffy, Kapil Talwalkar, Justin Kirk, Danielle Kennedy, and Erica Dasher.

In honor of the show’s release, THS had the chance to chat with Dasher, who is best known for playing the titular character in Jane by Design. Dasher’s role in The ‘Burbs is a mysterious one. As the episodes unfold, it becomes clear just how important she is to the town of Hinkley Hills. Warning: The ‘Burbs Spoilers Ahead!

The Truth About Betsy

Dasher is first introduced in The ‘Burbs as Betsy, the wife of Samira’s new neighbor, Gary (Kirk). At first, the character is delightully bizzare. It’s later revealed that she is Alison, a friend of Samira’s husband from high school. Alison disappeared 20 years earlier and was presumed dead. Everyone thought she was murdered, but she actually escaped a kidnapper as a teen and then chose to stay away from her hometown.

During THS’ chat with Dasher, she talked about her character’s big twist. She also revealed that she wasn’t initially told she’d be playing Alison.

“The audition process was a little bit long and I knew there was something, but you know, it’s a writer’s room and it’s television … I knew variables that were being debated … Is she married to Gary? Is she not married to him? Is it a fake setup or whatever? So I knew there was a twist, but I wasn’t exactly sure which way it would go,” Dasher explained.

“I sent three different versions of her,” Dasher said of the audition process. “I would try to do a version where she’s covering up a little more and playing more wifey. And then I would do a version that was just full blown weird. And then I would do a blend … Then there was also the process of coming in to a show that had been established in the first couple of episodes with just geniuses, comedic geniuses.”

The Cast

Dasher also took some time to praise her co-stars.

“Everyone got along. I think actors get a bad rap … that we’re all nuts … just needing validation and a bunch of freaks. But this was a group of very sane, very playful, very generous actors. And I do think it starts at the head, Kiki,” Dasher shared. “She is a unicorn. She’s truly just such a generous actor. She’s so available. She’s so present, she’s so curious. And she’s doing a hundred things. You know, she has her podcast and two books, and she was recording her album and shooting music videos and editing them in the hair and makeup trailer.”

“She just leads the show with such warmth and kindness and brilliance and knows how to trust herself and follow her instincts and play and try new things. And so I think she just really set a beautiful tone on set.”

The Final Blow

Another very cool moment for Dasher was getting to kill her character’s former kidnapper. The villain is revealed to be the garbage man played by Chad Lindberg.

“Since we can say spoilers, I didn’t know I would be the one to … commit the final homicide, which is very exciting,” Dasher shared. “The funny thing is, about halfway through shooting, I broke my ankle. … Everyone took such wonderful care of me … I think it was like around episode six, you could see if you’re paying close attention, I’ll limp into a room, because I was handing off my crutches and then standing around and trying to do the scene.”

“But then, by the time we got to this two-episode action sequence, I had to be harnessed and pulled through an air vent and pushed down the stairs, which was a body double, and stabbing people and kicking somebody in the head … I had to do a lot of it myself too,” she continued.”

You can watch our full interview with Dasher below: