Paradise fans know Sterling K. Brown‘s wife, Ryan Michelle Bathé, is the perfect host for the show’s companion podcast — but she took some convincing.
“Initially, I was a little bit lukewarm about doing the podcast because I was like, ‘There’s no way [they can top season 1],’” Bathé, 49, who is also appearing in a mystery role in season 2, exclusively told Luxury Handbag Shopping. “[Creator] Dan [Fogelman] is a genius. He’s got great writers but I thought that it’s not going to be as good as season 1.”
Bathé was happy to be proven wrong. “How do you top perfection? You can’t match perfection. So I was going to try it but I was [preparing] for a sophomore slump. I was wrong. Not only was I wrong — but I was so very wrong.”
She continued: “It’s incredible. I don’t know how they create a perfect season of television in season one and then take it apart and take the pieces and put them back together in an even more — or just as interesting — way. I kept asking that question and they’re all so humble.”
Paradise, which premiered in January 2025, initially appeared to be set in a serene and wealthy community forced to face the realities of a shocking murder. In typical Fogelman fashion, the political thriller introduced a twist when Paradise was revealed to be an underground bunker housing the world’s most prominent individuals after an apocalyptic event destroyed the rest of humanity.
At the center of the hit Hulu series is Bathé’s husband, Brown, 49. As social media users know, Bathé enjoyed documenting her reaction to the first season of her husband’s new show — including videos where she questioned some of his character Xavier’s choices.
After Bathé’s hilarious content, it only made sense that she got to host the official companion podcast. Podcast guests through the season will include Brown, Fogelman and actors James Marsden, Shailene Woodley, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Krys Marshall, Jon Beavers, Thomas Doherty, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Enuka Okuma, Charlie Evans and Aliyah Mastin.
Multiple writers and executive producers for the show will also appear — as well as scientific consultant Jonathan Mijs and author and bunker expert Douglas Rushkoff.
“I wish I were crafty enough for a long con. I am not but the stars did feel like they aligned,” she told Us about the project, which premiered with a season 1 recap ahead of its weekly episodes on Mondays. “It felt like a blessing to have it all come together.”
Bathé’s love for the show allowed her to get all our burning questions answered, saying, “I truly love the show and I hope that the way I like to watch the show and the questions that I ask match up with the rest of the fandom. I’m a true fan — but I just hope that I make the fandom proud.”
In addition to her new hosting gig, Bathé got to film scenes for season 2, which returns on Monday, February 23. While details on Bathé’s role are being kept under wraps, the actress’ connection to Paradise allowed her to enjoy the show all at once before its premiere.
“I’ve done my share of binging but I’ve also enjoyed the delayed gratification that I’m forced into [with weekly releases]. I’m training my brain but I like to both binge and watch weekly when it comes to Paradise.”
Hosting the podcast allowed Bathé to score spoilers she wouldn’t get otherwise — despite being married to the show’s lead.
“I know better [than to ask Sterling about what happens]. Because I tried to beg for spoilers for This Is Us,” she said about Brown’s previous collaboration with Fogelman. “He’s like, ‘No, I’m telling you nothing.’ He knew how This Is Us was going to end when he signed up. I did not find out until the rest of the world.”
Paradise premieres February 23 on Hulu with new episodes of the show — and the companion podcast — airing every Monday.
