For viewers who tune into the new Peacock series “Laid” this weekend, don’t be surprised if you spot a familiar public figure.
Amanda Knox, the American exchange student who was convicted in Italy of murdering her roommate — before being ultimately acquitted by that country’s highest court in 2015 — makes a surprise appearance in “Laid,” as viewers will see late in the season.
In “Laid,” AJ (Zosia Mamet) is a true crime fanatic who helps her best friend, Ruby (Stephanie Hsu), figure out why all of her ex’s are dying in the exact pattern she slept with them. Ruby is obsessed with Knox throughout the show and, by the end, the real-life Knox makes a cameo appearance.
This reps Knox’s first appearance in a fictional television series. Years after her case and eventual acquittal rocked Italy — and became huge headlines even here in the U.S. — Knox continues to be a familiar figure in popular culture. The Netflix doc “Amanda Knox” uncovered the story of Knox’s trial and eventual acquittal of murder charges, and a limited series about Knox’s case, tentatively titled “Amanda,” is currently in production for Hulu, with stars including series lead Grace Van Patten and Sharon Horgan.
According to showrunners Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna, when they were pitching ideas for a true crime personality that AJ could frantically follow, Knox checked all of the boxes.
“We needed a figure in true crime but obviously an innocent person — somebody that AJ would respect and look up to,” Bradford McKenna told Variety. “And then in approaching [Amanda], we were so lucky that she also has an interest in comedy. I think she does stand-up, she also hosts a podcast. She was into it even just as being part of a comedy show.”
Then, as discussions continued, they also realized the thematic resonance of Knox’s casting with Ruby’s journey in the show and the roommate dynamic — given how Knox was originally accused of murdering her roommate.
“With the stakes being so high, you’re just like a college student trying to get a job and your first boyfriend and this crazy, dark thing is happening. And you’re still kind of juggling both,” Bradford McKenna says of the similarities.
“Laid” features several cameos of familiar faces: Early on, singer/music producer Finneas O’Connell (aka Billie Eilish’s brother and musical partner) makes an appearance in “Laid” as one of Ruby’s paramours.
Casting directors Anya Colop and Michael Nicolo pitched O’Connell for the show, having worked with him 13 years ago on “Bad Teacher.”
When he came in for a chemistry read, Khan says she thought, “‘Oh, he’s an actor. He’s not just a singer who can act, he also is an actor.’ He was so good.”
All eight episodes of “Laid” are currently streaming on Peacock.
English (US) ·