Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Spider-Noir aiming his webshooter
Marvel TV Shows Spider-Noir showrunner says there are other unannounced Spider-Man variant projects in the works
Eleven and Hopper in Netflix's Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Streaming Services The 6 best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and more (April 21–April 26)
Cillian Murphy as Tommy in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
Movies The 25 best movies on Netflix to watch right now
One Piece
Netflix The 25 best shows on Netflix to watch in 2026
Eleven in Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 ending explained – Does Nikki die? Where did the monsters come from?
GTA 5
Games Former GTA lead Dan Houser's new video game and TV show unveils its first stars, including SNL alum
A character line-up of the heroes of Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Streaming Services Stranger Things: Tales from '85 and all the other new shows and movies on Netflix in April.
Nikki talking to Lucas, Mike, and co in Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 boss has an ironclad explanation as to why newbie Nikki isn't in season 3 of the OG show
Eleven in Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 boss says "more adventures" are on the cards, as he teases What If?-style future for the animated spin-off
Steve and Dustin in Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things spin-off once featured more Hawkins adults, but scenes were cut to bring back its "youthful innocence"
Man-Spider in Spider-Noir
Marvel TV Shows New Spider-Noir trailer gives first look at Man-Spider and impressive taste of Nic Cage in action
Adam Scott in Severance
Sci-Fi Shows Adam Scott already knows how Severance ends and teases "so many surprises" still to come in season 3
The Boroughs
Sci-Fi Shows New Netflix sci-fi series from the Duffer Brothers about aliens at a retirement home gets first look and release date
Nikki Baxter in Stranger Things Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 showrunner teases Will's relationship with Hawkins' punky new kid Nikki
Ben the chimp making friends in the trailer for Primate
Streaming Services 6 best new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (March 27–29)
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Comedy Shows

Russian Doll's original pitch included roles for Jordan Peele and Alfred Molina

News
By Emily Garbutt published 25 April 2022

Russian Doll was originally a very different show

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Natasha Lyonne in Russian Doll
(Image credit: Netflix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Russian Doll star and co-creator Natasha Lyonne has revealed some new details about the show's original pitch, including two surprising cast members. 

"It's funny to look at that pitch document. It's so charming, because there's so much in it that is [different]. First of all, Jordan Peele plays heavily in it as a love interest," Lyonne tells EW. "Which is just funny to think that it's such a pre-Jordan Peele, Oscar-winning auteur era, where we're just like, 'Okay, great. So he plays the boyfriend.'"

Lyonne also revealed that the pitch featured a small role for Alfred Molina. "It's a very specific document, and it's almost like a time capsule, because it took so long, even from the time that [Netflix] ordered a script to green lighting us direct to series, and a year went by, and in that time, so much changed," she continued. 

You may like
  • David Lynch as Gordon Cole and Laura Dern as Diane in Twin Peaks: The Return. The 25 best shows on Paramount Plus to watch right now
  • The Last of Us The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin says "of course" Catherine O'Hara would have returned in season 3
  • Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams Wednesday season 3 teaser confirms filming has begun, but we're busy thinking about Winona Ryder's casting

"I still look back at it and share it with [first-time] showrunners and stuff, because it's so sweet. You can tell that our hearts are in it all the way, and it's also really interesting to see how much it's sort of deviated from itself, even in season 1."

The latest season of the hit Netflix show picks up four years after the end of season 1 – Nadia (Lyonne) and Alan (Charlie Barnett) "must sift through their pasts via an unexpected time portal located in one of Manhattan's most iconic locales." Schitt's Creek star Annie Murphy and District 9 star Sharlto Copley have also joined the cast for season 2. 

Russian Doll season 2 is streaming now on Netflix. When you've watched all the episodes, check out our guides to the Russian Doll season 2 ending explained and the Russian Doll season 2 timeline explained. You can also check out our guide to Russian Doll season 3.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Netflix Streaming Services
Emily Garbutt
Emily Garbutt
Social Links Navigation
Entertainment Writer

I’m an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering everything film and TV-related. I help bring you all the latest news, features, and reviews, as well as helming our Big Screen Spotlight column. I’ve previously written for publications like HuffPost and i-D after getting my NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism.

Read more
David Lynch as Gordon Cole and Laura Dern as Diane in Twin Peaks: The Return.
Streaming Services The 25 best shows on Paramount Plus to watch right now
 
 
The Last of Us
Horror Shows The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin says "of course" Catherine O'Hara would have returned in season 3
 
 
Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams
Fantasy Shows Wednesday season 3 teaser confirms filming has begun, but we're busy thinking about Winona Ryder's casting
 
 
Something Very Bad is Going to Happen
Streaming Services 3 new to Netflix shows I recommend you binge-watch this weekend (March 27–March 29)
 
 
Something Very Bad is Going to Happen
Horror Shows Netflix drops first trailer for the Duffer Brothers' new horror show Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen
 
 
Nikki talking to Lucas, Mike, and co in Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 boss has an ironclad explanation as to why newbie Nikki isn't in season 3 of the OG show
 
 
Latest in Comedy Shows
The characters of Ted season 2 sit around a table
Comedy Shows Seth MacFarlane wants Ted season 3 or a live-action movie, but says it's up to Peacock
 
 
Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, and Bryan Cranston in Malcom in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair
Comedy Shows New trailer for Hulu's Malcolm in the Middle revival proves life is still unfair
 
 
Rick and Morty season 9
Animated Shows Rick and Morty takes aim at "AI slop" as it confirms season 9 release date: "Grade A organic slop, made by real humans"
 
 
Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan in Beef season 2
Drama Shows Season 2 of hit Netflix show with 98% Rotten Tomatoes score unveils its White Lotus-esque first trailer
 
 
Jay McCarrol and Matt Johnson
Comedy Shows Nirvanna the Band the Show stars reveal the iconic Wii Shop song only took 5 hours to write, perform, and edit
 
 
Seth MacFarlane in The Orville
Comedy Shows Seth MacFarlane says an entire new season of The Orville has been written, but Ted could be dead
 
 
Latest in News
The Boys
Superhero Shows Soldier Boy never being an actual soldier may be a focal point in spin-off Vought Rising
 
 
Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 3
Fantasy Shows House of the Dragon season 3 trailer cleverly sets-up a major tragedy to come from George R.R. Martin's book
 
 
Hugh Jackman petting a sheep in new movie The Sheep Detectives
Comedy Movies Wolverine star Hugh Jackman breaks his Rotten Tomatoes record… with a talking sheep movie
 
 
Steam and Valve's Gabe Newell
Games 14 years ago, Valve boss Gabe Newell thought Steam would be replaced in "2 or 3 years"
 
 
Final Fantasy 14: Evercold
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 Evercold promises to scrap the MMO's 2-minute meta and change jobs for the better
 
 
Qimir and Osha in The Acolyte
Star Wars TV Shows Star Wars fans double down on call to bring back canceled show after it briefly returns to Disney Plus' top 10
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Arc Raiders Shoring up Defenses
    1
    Shoring Up Defenses quest walkthrough for Arc Raiders
  2. 2
    Soldier Boy never being an actual soldier may be a focal point in upcoming spin-off Vought Rising, as The Boys fans spot clues hidden in the show's first look
  3. 3
    House of the Dragon season 3 trailer cleverly sets-up a major tragedy to come from George R.R. Martin's book
  4. 4
    The Battening Down quest in Arc Raiders is best completed in the wrong order, so don't repeat my mistake
  5. 5
    Wolverine star Hugh Jackman breaks his Rotten Tomatoes record… with a talking sheep movie

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...