When the groundbreaking LGBTQ drama Eastsiders launched in December 2012, its cast – including show co-creators John Halbach and Kit Williamson – started what would become a memorable journey into the complex personal lives of gay and straight adults in modern-day America.
7 years, 2 Indie Series Award wins and 8 Daytime Emmy nominations later, the critically acclaimed series now wraps up its four season arc on Netflix by paying one last visit to the eclectic circle of characters that Eastsiders‘ viewers have loved since the series’ premiere. Along with all 6 of its final episodes, an in-depth retrospective documentary on Eastsiders is also streaming on YouTube (link at the end of this article).
While the final season of Eastsiders gives its audiences with as many feels as it does funny moments, the series’ cast and crew found filming its last episodes to be as emotional of an experience as watching their work come alive on screen. Williamson recently talked to Snobby Robot about his memories of working on Eastsiders‘ concluding chapter, and previews what the show’s fans can look forward to in its last episodes.
SR: In terms of the characters and story arcs, what can viewers expect to see in the fourth and final season of Eastsiders?
Kit Williamson (“Cal”, co-creator, Eastsiders): Cal (Williamson) and Thom (Van Hansis) are back home from season 3’s cross-country road trip; still a couple but wondering if they are really just best friends with benefits. Douglas (Willam Belli) and Quincy (Stephen Guarino) are engaged to be married, but with very different ideas about what a gay wedding should be. Hillary (Brianna Brown) and Ian (Halbach) are cohabiting peacefully; and Jeremy (Matthew McKelligon) and Derrick (Leith M. Burke) have taken a huge step in their relationship by fostering a child.
SR: What was it like producing this last season of Eastsiders, and what were your feelings during that process knowing you’d be working on this show for the last time?
Kit: It was definitely bittersweet, but there was a real sense of responsibility amongst the cast and crew—I think we all were really invested in sticking the landing.
L-R: EASTSIDERS co-stars Van Hansis and series co-creator Kit Williamson.
SR: As an actor and filmmaker, what has working on Eastsiders over the past several years taught you about those aspects of the creative process?
Kit: Every season has taught me so much; in many ways, season 1 was literally a student film. We shot it while I was in graduate school at UCLA for less than $30,000.
It’s insane to think about, looking back, but I’d held the boom for friends often enough that I had a lot of favors to call in.
SR: In what ways do you feel you’ve grown as an actor and as a filmmaker by doing Eastsiders?
Kit: It’s given me a lot of confidence to take risks—this season is really out there! Juxtaposing something as light and fun as a drag wedding peppered with Instagram Influencers with storylines surrounding undetectability and abortion is kind of the exact sweet spot for me.
SR: Given the explosion of LGBTQ series content online, how have you worked to make Eastsiders unique while continuing to maintain all that’s special about the show?
Kit: Every season we have asked ourselves why it should return in a very literal sense—despite the increased visibility, I think the show fills a void in the industry. We get very few narratives that look at long-term queer relationships.
SR: What do you hope the show’s viewers – both gay and straight – take away from this season of Eastsiders, and the series writ large, especially given the difficult times we live in these days?
Kit: Love f*cking wins, motherf*ckers.
All four seasons of Eastsiders can be seen on Netflix. To watch the documentary retrospective on that series, visit:
ON THE WEB: https://eastsiderstheseries.com/
