Interview: Bernadette Peters Talks 'Irreverent' New Series HIGH DESERT on Apple TV+

Hi, Bernadette. How are you

I'm good. How are you? I am great. It is always so exciting when we get you on our TV screens

I am so excited about this series. I want to know what initially drew you to this character and this role in the series

Well, you know, I get these, a script will come across my kitchen table and I'm reading it

And this one came across and I went, this is one of the best things that I've read in

I don't know how long. So I just said, gosh, and Patricia Arquette is in it, and it's so original and it's so irreverent, and I just have to be in it

So here I am. Here you are. Thank God. You mentioned Patricia Arquette, and you have a lot of scenes with her

So what was it like filming with her for the series? You know, she's a brilliant actress, and now she's funny in this

It was remarkable just to be with somebody so great and a privilege

and I, all of my scenes basically were with Patricia, with maybe some other people here and there

but I just adore her, I fell in love with her, her creativity, her artistry

and her fun to be in the moment with her and was, it couldn't be better

Yeah, I mean, so much of your role is sort of exploring

this woman's really serious bond with her mother. What was it like

exploring those themes throughout the series. Well it was great It was great to have that love It was like another love story Her mother was her rock Her mother was her champion Her mother was her soulmate basically So to do those scenes where you so connected with someone where you have so much fun with someone where you so close to someone and you just you don want to be any place else in the world but with that person it was it was it was

wonderful to explore. And, of course, to be with Patricia was, you know, great

And the series has such an excellent tone. It's funny. It's spicy

It's exciting. It's, like, intense. What was it like on set filming the series and exploring that tone

Well, it was great. You know, the writers were on the set, and sometimes they throw lines at us

and we would do different lines, you know, have another line. If a scene needed a line, and they're such great writers, it'd be fun

lines, but, you know, the whole show is kind of irreverent because Peggy, Patricia's character

is an ex-junkie who's still popping pills, who is on a methadone treatment, and then her mother

dies, and now she's spiraling, and now she's trying to get back on her feet, but within all

of that and the crazy things that she chooses to do, she's grieving the loss of her mother

so there's a real thread that goes throughout, that's very heartfelt, and, and, and, you know

and beautiful. And just you know it encouraging for people to see someone try to overcome obstacles even if they put them there themselves and trying to move forward and not be stuck So it hopeful in that in that respect

Yeah, definitely. And I don't want to give too much away, but there is a certain theatrical

events about halfway through the season. What was it like getting to bring that to the TV

screen? That was so fun. I mean, here's this other person that is very self-involved

and very narcissistic and a heat-seeking missile for any attention she can get

no matter where it is or whatever place it is and has an elevated

an elevated feeling about herself and an actress so that was fun to play

As you can see it's a really great neighbor Oh yeah it's a great park. The house has great fun. Oh, I'm sorry, would you excuse me

What the hell happened? Hidden Rod. I'm never going to that Walmart again

We supported you while mommy was here, but ain't happening anymore

I told you. I'm a private investigator now. You're just going to happen

I need a hustle. No, two hustle. This is the time peg

You a Phoenix baby I know What are you supposed to be A real PI What are you playing at I not hiring I a natural detective You need me

And I need this job. Be her Monday morning at 9 a.m

I don't get up before 11. When I had money, we all had money

From dealing drugs. It was a little pot. Maybe some hash. There was cocaine

Well, that was much later. And I did it. I didn't sell it. Oh, wow

Congratulations. Good comes from bad But I need that thing that I've always missed

You got some oxy I'm on methadone Creep You don't think things are going to change that fast

What they do I'm worried that the next time I come out here

Is going to be from my sister's funeral Fire in the hole You're at the plane