“People will see themselves in one of these characters”: Jemima Kirke, Ashley Zukerman, Nico Tortorella, Xavier Clyde, Chase Sui Wonders and Wyatt Oleff on City on Fire

Eight-episode new thriller series City on Fire adapts the 2015 bestselling book of the same name, written by award-winning author Garth Risk Hallberg. Set in New York in 2003, the plot centres around the shooting of a female college student called Samantha Cicciaro in the middle of Central Park. The investigation that follows reveals connections to an underground music scene, a series of city fires and an affluent family harbouring their own secrets. 

Created by big-name producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (the duo behind The OC and Gossip Girl), City on Fire brings a sea of established young names to screen, as well as a brilliant music score and firm nods to the pre-tech world and the glitzy underground scene of New York after the tragic events of 9/11. The show delves into the multiverse of this city, offering a unique insight into the rich and culturally diverse neon metropolis from Downtown to upscale Manhattan.

The Upcoming had the pleasure of speaking to Jemima Kirke and Ashley Zukerman to get an outline of the series and the roles they each have. We also discussed what it was like to play a married couple with children experiencing marital difficulties, how they could relate and the result of mistrust. 

Nico Tortorella and Xavier Clyde chatted to us about their on-screen romantic relationship, the cultural aspects of the show (especially the music side of things), what it was like to work with the rest of the cast, and what makes this drama stand out against other New York series like Succession or gang-related crime thrillers.

We also spoke to Chase Sui Wonders and Wyatt Oleff about coming on board to tell this story, and how they prepared for their roles to so easily together bringing their relationship to life. We also discussed their favourite moments during filming and what they think makes this series so unique.

Ezelle Alblas

City on Fire is released on Apple TV+ on 12^th May 2023. Read our review here.

Watch the trailer for City On Fire here: