Viewers of Hulu’s new crime dramaCandywere in for a treat! The May 13 episode featured international pop star Justin Timberlake in the role of deputy investigator Steve “Diffy” Deffibaugh. Timberlake starred in the role opposite his real-life wife, Jessica Biel.
The series follows thetrue crime storyof the 1990s homemaker Candy Montgomery (Biel) and was created byThe Actcollaborators Robin Veith and Nick Antosco. The title character is well-respected in her community and a devoted churchgoer who becomes entangled in the brutal murder of her best friend Betty Gore.Game Rantspoke with Veith - three-time Emmy Award nominee for her work onMad Men- about casting Justin Timberlake.
Related:Interview: Candy Showrunner Robin Veith Talks Casting Jessica Biel, Adapting True Crime, And Five-Day Event
When it came to pre-production, the “SexyBack” singer wasn’t on Veith’s radar. Describing him as a “sex symbol,” she shared that everybody found it humorous to see his physical transformation for the role which required slicked back hair, a Chevron mustache, and a potbelly. In a rather unconventional manner, the role ended up piquing Timberlake’s interest after he read Biel’s script.
He read her scripts and asked if he could come play the character. He’s incredible. He’s just a really sweet guy and extremely talented actor. He was reading Jessica’s scripts, and he said, “I know who this guy is. I know this guy.” So, he was specifically interested in playing him, and we were like, “Sure!”
While Timberlake’s claim to fame is his vocal chops, this is not his first acting role. He has starred in a variety of movies across the genre, such asThe Social Network,Friends With Benefits, andTrolls. More recently, he tested his dramatic skills in Apple TV’sPalmer, which he starred in alongsideTed Lasso’s Juno Temple, Alisha Wainwright, and June Squibb. When it comes toCandy, Veith described how dedicated Timberlake was to the limited series time and his characters - he even met with the real-life Texan deputy.
[Having Timberlake on set] was like having a second, unofficial dialect coach, with him being from deep Tennessee. He spoke to the real Steve - which we all did. He took it very seriously and wanted to make sure his points came across as deeply heartfelt. The actual deputy said many of the things you see Justin saying in the show.
