EXCLUSIVE: Rashida Jones recalls meeting her robot co-star in Apple TV+ “Sunny”

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — Apple TV+’s new show “Sunny”, is available now where stars Rashida Jones as Suzie Sakamoto, a grieving wife who teams up with a robot named Sunny (Joanna Sotomura) to discover what truly happened behind her family’s disappearance.

The two explore Japan in search of answers in this dark comedy centered around connection, grief, and the idea that machines can help us find more humanity in ourselves.

ABC4’s Film Critic Patrick Beatty met with lead actress, Rashida Jones, to learn more about the series and her influences. Jones, known for starring in “Parks and Recreation” as Ann Perkins and Karen Filippelli in “The Office” said it’s different from other roles you may be used to seeing her in.

“I’ve been extremely lucky in my career to work with very talented people a lot of comedians, but I did feel like it was sort of time for me to maybe explore a darker side of myself and also maybe like a less likable version of myself,” she said. “…It was kind of a relief, I think, to play somebody who is so ornery and doesn’t care what people, or seemingly doesn’t care, what people think about her, and isn’t really looking to be friends with anybody and just says it like it is and cusses people out.”

Jones said that on her meet-and-greet with Sunny before the show, her first impression was to give her a hug, though it wasn’t until she was voiced that the character truly took shape.

“She’s so cute. I was really impressed by just the form that she had taken, but really, she didn’t come to life for me until Joanna Sotomura, who plays Sunny’s voice and expressions, inhabited the character,” said Jones.

The show was shot in various locations throughout Japan, Jones said that filming and visiting spots throughout the country left an impression on her.

“I’d only ever really been to Tokyo and Kyoto. So, being able to explore the countryside, being able to go to Okinawa, to go to Naoshima the Art Islands, to go to Hakone, to go to Mount Fuji, there’s so much history,” she said. “It’s such an old country. They’re very respectful of their own traditions and history and to learn about that and live there, and travel whenever I had time off was truly inspiring, not just for the part in the show, but for my whole life, really.”

Jones also spoke to the dynamic of the characters, which viewers will be able to watch unfold over time, as Suzie, who is first distrustful of Sunny, slowly warms up to her.

“She knows a lot about Suzie’s family, and so she does make herself kind of indispensable to Suzie in her life. She does kind of wear her down in a way where she finally is vulnerable with her, and they do become friends,” she said.

To watch “Sunny”, visit Apple TV+ for the first two episodes, and tune in weekly for the entire season. For more interviews head to ABC4.com, click the shows tab, and See It or Skip It for more.

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