ROOM 104 Returns to HBO for Season Two
By: Kaitlin Milligan Oct. 19, 2018
"The banal" can be a most interesting place - if you stop and take a look.
Telling tales of the characters who pass through a single room of a typical American chain motel, the anthology series ROOM 104 begins its 12-episode second season FRIDAY, NOV. 9 (11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET/PT), debuting two episodes back-to-back, followed by two new episodes subsequent Fridays at the same time, exclusively on HBO. From creators and executive producers Mark and Jay Duplass, the show tells a different story of the assorted characters who stay in THE ROOM in each episode, ranging from dark comedy and horror to poignant drama and musical romance. Filled with twists and surprises, ROOM 104 offers a new discovery from one episode to the next, telling tales of everyday people striving for connection and meaning inside a single room.
The series is also available on HBO On Demand, HBO NOW, HBO GO and partners' streaming platforms.
The stories and characters featured in season two include: a 30th birthday celebration sidetracked by a jealous sister; an internet first date between a famous Russian political technologist and a veterinary nurse; a woman who hears a voice inside the walls; two men who meet to fulfill an unusual fantasy; and more.
Season two actors include: Mahershala Ali, Joel Allen, Stephanie Allynne, Katie Aselton, Frank Birney, Josephine Decker, James Earl, Marlene Forte, Abby Ryder Fortson, Ginger Gonzaga, Judy Greer, Brian Tyree Henry, Anita Kalathara, Jennifer Lafleur, Tom Lenk, Phil Matarese, Sheaun McKinney, Natalie Morales, Kent Osborne, Zane Pais, Leonora Pitts, Mark Proksch, Pia Shah, Michael Shannon, Onur Tukel, Dolly Wells, Rainn Wilson, Mary Wiseman, Charlyne Yi and Katya Zamolodchikova.
Season two directors include: Patrick Brice, Josephine Decker, Mark Duplass, Gaby Hoffmann, Liza Johnson, So Yong Kim, Jonah Markowitz, Natalie Morales, Lila Neugebauer, Ross Partridge and Julian Wass.
Season two writers include: Lauren Budd, Josephine Decker, Mark Duplass, Esti Giordani, Liza Johnson, Onur Tukel and Julian Wass.
Episodes include:
Episode #13: "FOMO"
Debut: FRIDAY, NOV. 9 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT)
Grace (Charlyne Yi) and her friends (Tom Lenk and Pia Shah) take a weekend trip to celebrate Grace's 30th birthday, only to be surprised by the arrival of her uninvited sister (Jennifer Lafleur).
Written by Mark Duplass; directed by Ross Partridge
Episode #14: "Mr. Mulvahill"
Debut: FRIDAY, NOV. 9 (midnight-12:30 a.m.)
Jim (Rainn Wilson) reunites with Mr. Mulvahill (Frank Birney), his third-grade teacher, and challenges him to admit to an incident from the past that left Jim forever changed.
Written by Mark Duplass; directed by Ross Partridge
Episode #15: "Swipe Right"
Debut: FRIDAY, NOV. 16 (11:30 p.m.-midnight)
A powerful Russian political technologist (Michael Shannon) arranges an internet first date with a veterinary nurse (Judy Greer), who tries to figure out the truth behind his shifting identity.
Written and directed by Liza Johnson
Episode #16: "Hungry"
Debut: FRIDAY, NOV. 16 (midnight-12:30 a.m.)
Two strangers (Mark Proksch and Kent Osborne) meet to fulfill an unusual mutual fantasy.
Written by Mark Duplass; directed by Patrick Brice
Episode #17: "The Woman in the Wall"
Debut: FRIDAY, NOV. 23 (11:30 p.m.-midnight)
Plagued by a host of ailments, Catherine (Dolly Wells) is comforted by a disembodied woman's voice (Leonora Pitts).
Story by Esti Giordani; teleplay by Mark Duplass; directed by Gaby Hoffmann
Episode #18: "Arnold"
Debut: FRIDAY, NOV. 23 (midnight-12:30 a.m.)
After waking up soaking wet and with no memory of the previous night, Arnold (Brian Tyree Henry) tries to piece together the events that got him to Room 104.
Written by Mark Duplass & Julian Wass; directed by Julian Wass
Episode #19: "The Man and the Baby and the Man"
Debut: FRIDAY, NOV. 30 (11:30 p.m.-midnight)
A couple (Josephine DECKER and Onur Tukel) hoping to conceive makes a video of their emotionally-charged night for their future child.
Story by Josephine Decker; teleplay by Josephine DECKER & Onur Tukel; directed by Josephine DECKER
Episode #20: "A Nightmare"
Debut: FRIDAY, NOV. 30 (midnight-12:30 a.m.)
A woman (Natalie Morales) finds herself trapped in increasingly terrifying versions of the same nightmare.
Written by Mark Duplass; directed by Jonah Markowitz
Episode #21: "The Return"
Debut: FRIDAY, DEC. 7 (11:30 p.m.-midnight)
Grieving the death of her father months earlier in Room 104, a young girl (Abby Ryder Fortson) returns with her mother (Stephanie Allynne) in hopes of being able to communicate with him.
Written by Mark Duplass; directed by So Yong Kim
Episode #22: "Artificial"
Debut: FRIDAY, DEC. 7 (midnight-12:30 a.m.)
A reporter (Sheaun McKinney) looks to uncover the truth about a woman (Katie Aselton) who claims to be a hybrid robot warning of an impending AI takeover.
Written by Mark Duplass; Directed by Natalie Morales
Episode #23: "Shark"
Debut: FRIDAY, DEC. 14 (11:30 p.m.-midnight)
A charismatic pool shark (Mahershala Ali) tries to convince his reluctant cousin (James Earl) to stay in the hustling game.
Written and directed by Mark Duplass
Episode #24: "Josie & Me" (Season finale)
Debut: FRIDAY, DEC. 14 (midnight-12:30 a.m.)
A woman (Mary Wiseman) asks her slightly-younger self to recreate the events of one night at a college frat party.
Written by Lauren Budd; directed by Lila Neugebauer
Among the critical raves for the first season, the Los Angeles Times called the series "wildly creative" and the New York Times noted that ROOM 104 "takes eager advantage of the possibility that any episode can go anywhere," while Variety said the show "is to be lauded for its adventurousness" and TV Guide observed that the "tales are compelling, deeply engrossing and in a few cases so haunting that they'll linger in your psyche."
Filmmaking brothers Jay and Mark Duplass (along with Steve Zissis) were creators of the HBO comedy series "Togetherness." They are also executive producers of HBO's adult animated comedy series "Animals," which concluded its third season in October.
Jay and Mark Duplass have written, directed and/or produced more than 20 films, including "Cyrus," "Jeff, Who Lives at Home," "Baghead" and their 2005 Sundance Film Festival breakout hit, "The Puffy Chair." Other films produced by the Duplass Brothers include the Independent Spirit Award-winning "Safety Not Guaranteed" and "Tangerine."
Season two credits: ROOM 104 was created by Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass; executive producers, Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, Sydney Fleischmann, Mel Eslyn; producer, Tyler Romary.
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