During a conversation with NewsweekBilly Crystal praised the “great” chemistry he had with Judith Light while filming the upcoming Apple TV+ series For.

Although Crystal is best known for his comedic roles, the Emmy Award- and Tony Award-winning actor flexes his dramatic muscles as Eli, a child psychiatrist struggling with the recent loss of his wife Lynn, played by Light.

His world takes a chilling turn when he meets Noah (Jacobi Jupe), a troubled young boy who seems eerily connected to Eli’s past. As Eli tries to help Noah, their bond uncovers terrifying memories and disturbing secrets, blurring the lines between past and present. The series also stars Rosie Perez, Maria Dizzia and Ava Lalezarzadeh.

While both Crystal and Light told it Newsweek that they have been friends for years, this is the first time they appear on screen together – and both actors praised their collaboration.

“We’ve known each other for a long time and we always enjoyed being around each other because we giggled a lot. She’s very funny and I loved being with her,” Crystal explained.

“When this part came up and she said, ‘Absolutely,’ and we knew this was going to happen — we can’t reveal what happened — but we knew there was a moment that was going to be difficult.

“And that day was really amazing because very little was said and it’s intense because it’s the key to everything about Eli – all the bad things he’s holding on to are because of this moment he has to have with (Lyn). And when we were done, we both felt about 40 pounds lighter.”

While Newsweek Since I can’t spoil the moment in the show that Crystal is talking about, the actor explained that there was some concern leading up to the filming of that particular scene. However, this washed away once they were on set.

He continued, “It was directed by Jet Wilkinson, and she did a great job with it, and the crew was so, at that point, you know, it was shot towards the end of the ten episodes. And the crew is now the story follow, so they know what this moment is.

“Everyone just left us alone and it was one of those scenes where it was shot in intense close-ups but I didn’t see the camera. I just saw Judith and she just saw me and that was that.”

Light expressed her deep pride in her work For and emphasized the significance of her character in shaping the story. She noted how Lynn’s presence is crucial to Eli’s emotional evolution, even after her death, and described the complexities of portraying such a nuanced role.

She also talked about a particularly intense and emotionally charged scene, the same one Crystal referenced, in which the chemistry between their characters was crucial to moving the story forward. While most people would think that filming an emotional scene would have been difficult for the two actors, Light said this was not the case.

“This is going to sound strange and when people see it they’re going to think it sounds strange, but it was… It was beautiful. It was tender and vulnerable and vulnerable and absolutely completely connected in the most powerful and powerful way,” she shared Newsweek.

“(Viewers) have to watch it until the end to understand what the story is really about, and in many ways it is Lynn who leads Eli to this almost dark night of the soul’s journey.”

As the character-driven series unfolds, viewers gradually discover the source of Eli’s terrifying personal demons and witness his struggle to face his deepest fears. Central to his emotional journey is the memory of his deceased wife, whose continued presence profoundly shapes how he deals with being the one left behind.

“We won’t spoil it, but the essence, the intention and the importance of that relationship is what moves the story forward and it needed to be so fully present,” Light explained.

“Billy and I are friends, so we were able to capture that together, I think, through the writing and through the camera work and the music and the lighting and the direction, it all came together beautifully. I’m so proud of it. .

“But it wasn’t like we did a lot of research between the two of us or talked a lot. There was a snapshot, we’d known each other for a long time, and it was the most natural thing in the world. I don’t know how else to put it .It was spontaneous and natural.

“It’s like you know someone before, no pun intended, and you and your friends know each other. There’s a kind of intimacy that you don’t have to work on, you know what I mean? So that can really make a difference.”

The atmospheric and character-driven ten-episode psychological thriller was created by Sarah Thorp, who also served as showrunner, writer and executive producer. Crystal executive produced with Eric Roth, pilot director Adam Bernstein and production director Wilkinson.

The 10-episode limited series will make its worldwide debut with the first two episodes on Friday, October 25, with one new episode released every Friday through December 20.