And Just Like That season two, episode five, titled “Trick or Treat,” delves into the complexities of Che Diaz’s character, played by Sara Ramirez. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ramirez shared that Che’s storyline of having their life turned into a sitcom pilot was inspired by a person they know who had a similar experience. This individual was hired by a network to create a sitcom based on their life, and they encountered similar challenges to what Che faces in the show.
Che’s new job in Season 2 involves their life being the main source of inspiration for a potential TV comedy. Cynthia Nixon’s Miranda moves to Los Angeles to support Che on this journey, which proves to be more tumultuous than they anticipated. The show reveals how Che’s personal story is manipulated and reshaped by executives who want to mold it into something palatable for sitcom audiences. This leads to constant battles over creative decisions, such as the appearance and background of the characters in the show.
Ramirez explained that this narrative resonated with them because it reflects the way capitalism seeks to flatten individuals and make them more digestible for a broader audience. The heartbreaking aspect of the storyline is that Che’s pilot doesn’t move forward due to negative feedback from a nonbinary LGBTQ test audience member. The show not only pokes fun at the Hollywood machine but also sheds light on the industry’s tendency to exploit and discard talent.
While Ramirez didn’t directly relate to their character’s specific experiences, they and showrunner Michael Patrick King wanted to explore Che’s humanity and vulnerability in Season 2. The aim was to peel back the layers and show what lies beneath their performative state. The opportunity to make Che more dimensional and human excited King, who believed Ramirez’s portrayal would be deeply felt.
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One of the ways the audience witnesses Che’s vulnerability is when they confront Hollywood’s obsession with weight. After a hurtful comment from a costumer about their stomach, Che opens up to Miranda about their insecurities regarding body size. Ramirez shared that the timing of this plotline was interesting for them personally, as they were reading a book that highlighted the relationship between anti-Blackness and fatphobia. This exploration of anti-fatness and internalized fatphobia resonated with Ramirez and added depth to Che’s character development.
The show also brings Che’s past into the present when they have a near sexual throuple experience involving Miranda and their former partner, Lyle, played by Oliver Hudson. This storyline shakes Miranda’s understanding of Che and leads to a deeper exploration of their relationship. Ramirez emphasized the importance of bringing the past into the present to showcase the growth and complexity of Che’s character.
Ramirez praised Hudson for his respectful and supportive presence on set, as they navigated intimate scenes that required trust and vulnerability. This season explores modern identity and relationships, reflecting contemporary perspectives on intimacy and sex.
Overall, And Just Like That’s second season delves into the complexities of Che Diaz’s character, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals whose lives become the subject of sitcoms. The storyline provides a glimpse into the manipulative nature of the Hollywood machine while allowing the audience to witness Che’s vulnerability and personal growth. The season also pushes boundaries by exploring contemporary attitudes towards intimacy and sex.
