Sep 14, 2024
Cast of Sunny: An In-Depth Look at the Star-Studded Lineup of Apple TV+’s Upcoming Series
The highly anticipated series Sunny is set to launch on Apple TV+ on July 10, 2024. Combining elements of dark comedy, mystery, and futuristic technology, Sunny promises to be a gripping ride for viewers. This original series is based on Colin O’Sullivan’s novel The Dark Manual and is helmed by Katie Robbins (The Affair) and director Lucy Tcherniak (The End of the F*ing World). Set in a near-future Japan, the show follows *Suzie*, a woman struggling with the loss of her family, as she navigates life alongside a domestic robot named *Sunny*. As the relationship between Suzie and Sunny develops, the series dives deep into themes of grief, artificial intelligence, and corporate conspiracies.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the cast that brings this intense and captivating world to life, highlighting their roles, background, and contribution to the show’s narrative.
1. Rashida Jones as Suzie
At the heart of Sunny is Rashida Jones, who stars as Suzie, a grieving wife and mother. Suzie’s life takes an unexpected turn after the death of her husband and child in a mysterious plane crash. Rashida Jones, known for her roles in hit shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation, is no stranger to both comedic and dramatic performances.
Suzie’s character starts out as hostile towards Sunny, her newly introduced robot companion, but over time, a complex bond forms between them. Initially, she views Sunny as nothing more than a cold replacement for her family, but Sunny gradually becomes a central figure in Suzie’s life as they unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding her husband’s death.
Jones herself has expressed her excitement about the role, stating that playing Suzie allowed her to explore a genre she hadn’t worked in before. According to Jones, Suzie is a complex and layered character: “She’s a loner, doesn’t follow the rules, and has built emotional defenses over time. However, her vulnerability becomes evident as the story unfolds.”
2. Joanna Sotomura as Sunny (Voice and Motion Capture)
The titular role of Sunny, the domestic robot, is voiced and performed via motion capture by Joanna Sotomura. As a cutting-edge homebot, Sunny is designed to assist Suzie through her grief. However, the robot’s eager optimism and seemingly helpful nature soon raise questions about its true role in Suzie’s life.
Joanna Sotomura is an actor known for her roles in The Good Place and Barry, and Sunny marks a significant leap into a futuristic, emotionally driven role. What makes Sunny unique is that Sotomura physically acts out the robot’s movements while interacting with other cast members, making the robot feel more human than expected.
The process of bringing Sunny to life was technically challenging. Sotomura had to wear a special helmet with cameras and monitors to simulate the robot’s head movements and facial expressions in real-time. This interaction with Jones creates a dynamic on-screen chemistry between a human and a machine.
3. Hidetoshi Nishijima as Masa
Hidetoshi Nishijima plays Masa, Suzie’s husband, whose mysterious disappearance in a plane crash serves as the catalyst for the series. Although his role in the series seems limited at first, Masa’s connection to the robotics company and the secrets surrounding his work at Imatech gradually become central to the story.
Nishijima is a celebrated Japanese actor, best known for his work in films like Drive My Car, which received international acclaim. His portrayal of Masa adds depth to the series as the audience uncovers more about his character posthumously through flashbacks and Sunny’s revelations. Masa’s hidden life and questionable involvement in secretive robotics experiments create the show’s core mystery.
4. Jun Kunimura as Yuki Tanaka
Jun Kunimura, an esteemed Japanese actor, plays Yuki Tanaka, a shadowy figure tied to Masa’s past. Yuki claims to be one of Masa’s co-workers at Imatech, the company responsible for creating Sunny. However, as Suzie delves deeper into Masa’s life, Yuki’s motives and relationship with Masa come into question.
Kunimura is well-known internationally, with credits in major films such as Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Black Rain. His role as Yuki introduces an element of suspense and danger as Suzie begins to suspect that Yuki may be hiding crucial information about her husband’s work and the true purpose of Sunny.
5. Judy Ongg as Noriko Sakamoto
Judy Ongg portrays Noriko Sakamoto, Suzie’s traditional mother-in-law, who disapproves of her late son’s marriage to Suzie. Ongg’s character is described as a woman steeped in Kyoto traditions, yet burdened by the secrets she holds about Masa’s life and work. As Suzie’s investigation into Masa’s mysterious death intensifies, Noriko becomes an increasingly important player in the unfolding drama.
Judy Ongg has a long and distinguished career in Japanese cinema and television, with credits dating back to her debut as a child actress. She has also appeared in international productions, making her an iconic figure in both the East and West.
6. Annie the Clumsy as Mixxy
Newcomer Annie the Clumsy plays Mixxy, a street-smart bartender with whom Suzie forms an unlikely friendship. Mixxy’s character adds a bit of levity to the otherwise dark and mysterious storyline. Described as an aspiring mixologist, Mixxy becomes a confidante for Suzie, while also developing a comical rivalry with Sunny, as she doesn’t fully trust robots.
Annie the Clumsy, a singer-songwriter and YouTube personality, makes her TV debut in Sunny. Known for her quirky and offbeat persona, Annie brings an authentic, fresh energy to the series, balancing out the more intense emotional scenes with her unique brand of humor.
7. YOU as Hime
YOU, an actor and musician with a robust following in Japan, plays the fearsome Hime, a Yakuza boss who plays a pivotal role in the show’s darker, more dangerous elements. As Suzie’s journey leads her deeper into the criminal underworld, Hime becomes one of the main antagonists, further complicating Suzie’s already precarious situation.
YOU’s previous roles in films like Nobody Knows and Tokyo Tower have established her as a powerful on-screen presence. Her character in Sunny serves as a direct contrast to Suzie’s vulnerability, representing the cold, ruthless world that Suzie finds herself entangled in.
8. Behind the Scenes and Production Team
Sunny boasts a talented behind-the-scenes team that has carefully crafted the world Suzie inhabits. Katie Robbins, known for her work on The Affair, is the showrunner and creator of Sunny. She envisioned a world where futuristic technology and human emotions clash in unexpected ways. Robbins has crafted a narrative that not only highlights the dangers of artificial intelligence but also emphasizes the emotional complexity of grief, love, and loss.
The series is directed by Lucy Tcherniak, who has previously worked on Station Eleven and The End of the F*ing World. Tcherniak’s direction brings a visual depth to the series, particularly in its use of Japan’s urban and traditional landscapes to reflect Suzie’s emotional state.
9. Filming Locations and Visuals
One of the most striking aspects of Sunny is its setting. Filmed on location in Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan becomes an essential character in the series. The vibrant city streets, coupled with the quiet, traditional neighborhoods, mirror Suzie’s internal struggle between the past and the future. The crew filmed in well-known locations such as Yasaka Tower and the Ninenzaka cobblestone streets of Kyoto, as well as the Toho Studios soundstages in Tokyo. These visuals contribute to the show’s immersive atmosphere, grounding its futuristic elements in a richly detailed world.
10. Themes and Storyline
At its core, Sunny is a show about human emotions, the ethics of technology, and the process of grief. Suzie’s relationship with Sunny, a robot designed to assist her, raises questions about the boundaries between humans and machines. Can a robot truly understand human emotion? Can it fill the void left by the loss of a loved one? These are the questions Suzie grapples with as she embarks on a journey that takes her into the depths of her husband’s secretive work at Imatech, the shadowy robotics company.
The show also explores the implications of advanced artificial intelligence, particularly the moral dilemmas surrounding the development of robots with human-like characteristics. Sunny’s design may be to help Suzie, but as the series progresses, it becomes clear that the robot may have hidden agendas of its own.
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With a stellar cast and a captivating plot, Sunny is poised to become one of the most talked-about shows of 2024. From Rashida Jones‘ portrayal of the grief-stricken Suzie to Joanna Sotomura‘s innovative performance as the robot Sunny, the series offers a unique blend of mystery, emotion, and futuristic themes. Coupled with breathtaking visuals of Japan and a gripping storyline, Sunny is set to captivate audiences worldwide.
For fans of dark comedies and emotional dramas, Sunny provides a fresh, thought-provoking take