Interview: Drew Tarver on Leaning into Drama on Season Three of ‘The Other Two’

Since its premiere in January of 2019, The Other Two has been among the funniest shows on TV. Now in its third season (and its second as a Max Original), the show has emerged as one of TV’s flat-out best, due in large part to its willingness to take bigger comedic and dramatic swings.

Drew Tarver‘s Cary Dubek has sat at the core of those big swings, his arc carrying him to professional highs but personal lows. Basking in his best friend Curtis’ misfortune and shilling on behalf of yet another queerbaiting attempt from Disney, Cary has tested viewers’ patience at times this season, including Tarver himself!

“He always was dipping his toe in unlikability, and for little moments here and there letting his desperation get the best of him. But he would kind of come back to earth a little bit, or take his foot off the gas of being a monster,” Tarver explains. “This season I think he is really starting to double down.”

And yet, Tarver can’t help but sympathize with the character he has been playing for over four years now. “I don’t relate to him, but I relate to how he got there. I see how you could make the wrong turn at a lot of different crossroads.”

More than anything, Tarver is just relishing this unique opportunity to flex his dramatic chops as an actor, even if it can be a bit daunting as well.

“Having mostly done comedy, it can be exhilarating and scary. Sometimes I feel like I’m holding onto jokes as a way to keep me afloat, just because that’s in my bones. I’ve done that for so long. When I’m just doing acting, I’m like ‘am I doing this right? Is this believable? Don’t joke out! Stay in it!'”.

Tarver later quips that actors may be unimpressed with his description, but anyone who has seen the show understands the careful balance of comedy and drama to which he is referring.

Watch the full interview to hear more about Tarver’s experience filming with longtime friend Brandon Scott Jones, as well as his reaction to the show’s surging popularity in recent weeks.

Watch all three seasons of The Other Two on Max, where new episodes are releasing each Thursday.