“This is a never-ending well”: Katie McElhenney, Ashly Burch and John Howell Harris on Side Quest

In Side Quest, the Mythic Quest universe branches out in unexpected ways, trading the familiar office drama for an anthology of self-contained stories that explore the game’s impact beyond its creators. Each episode shifts focus to the lives of those affected – sometimes upended – by the original series. From a cellist trapped in a dream turned nightmare to comic book fans locked in a fierce battle over a single issue, the series offers a variety of perspectives. Whether it’s an overworked art director on a failed vacation or long-time guildmates confronting a game-breaking glitch, this four-part expansion show proves that the most compelling narratives don’t always come from the top of the leaderboard.

Ahead of the highly anticipated release of Side Quest on Apple TV+, creators and executive producers Katie McElhenney, Ashly Burch and John Howell Harris spoke with The Upcoming about the inspiration behind the expansion series, the distinctive storytelling opportunities it presents, and their favourite episodes. They also reflected on the show’s evolution and shared their vision for its future.

Christina Yang

Side Quest is released on Apple TV+ on 26^th March 2025.

Watch the trailer for Side Quest here: