MAID
Role: Hank
Release: 10.1.2021
Watch on: Netflix
Photo: Ricardo Hubbs / Netflix
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synopsis
Written by Molly Smith Metzler, Maid is inspired by Stephanie Land’s bestselling memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. It revolves around Alex (Margaret Qualley), a single mother who turns to housekeeping to — barely — make ends meet as she battles against poverty, homelessness, and bureaucracy. Told primarily through her point of view, Maid is described as a beautiful, alive, gritty and inspiring exploration of poverty in America.
Billy Burke plays Hank Russell, the father of Alex and the ex-husband of Paula (Andie MacDowell), from whom he is very estranged. A contractor whose life and career was hard hit by alcoholism and the recession, Hank has survived by becoming deeply religious and sobering up. Now remarried with twins, he denies any of the darkness in his past. The reason Alex is not close with him is because he, as a young angry alcoholic, abused her mother. Billy appears in episodes 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
Metzler executive produces and serves as showrunner. Wells and Erin Jontow executive produce with John Wells Prods., along with Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Brett Hedblom via LuckyChap Entertainment, and Land. John Wells Productions, LuckyChap Entertainment and Warner Bros. TV co-produce.
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quotes
[Doing Maid] was beautiful in so many ways, great cast, beautiful production in general. When it was all said and done, I was very proud of this project. It took a while for me to understand what I was playing ’cause it wasn’t all written out there for me at the beginning so I saw the beginnings of the charcater, what he may or may not become and I made it up as I went along and was fed information about his backstory, and we made up some of it as we went along too, to fit the tone of the story.
– Billy Burke, Hot Corn – June 12, 2022
reviews
Although Maid fictionalizes all of the characters and locations from the book, there are clear homages to the source material. For instance, the Washington city of Port Townsend became Port Hampstead, which writer Molly Smith Metzler explained still feels a lot like the real city. Two of the leading actors are also from Washington: Robinson is originally from Seattle, and Billy Burke, who was Charlie Swan in Twilight and Alex’s father in Maid, is from Bellingham. Both actors were able to bring those perspectives into the show as well to add even more authenticity.
– Autumn Cejer, Screen Rant
With an absolutely superb performance from Qualley, and excellent work from a supporting cast including Nick Robinson, Anika Noni Rose, Tracy Vilar, Billy Burke and Qualley’s real-life mother Andie MacDowell, Maid is nothing less than a miniseries triumph.
– Daniel Morris, Express & Star
Love love Billy Burke’s work in MAID.
– Tracy Vilar (Yolanda in the series), Instagram
Billy Burke plays a fitting role in the miniseries “Maid” with some excellent scenes with his and Margaret Qualley’s characters.
– Scott Smith, Twitter
It was so good to work with Billy Burke again. Our first time was Revolution the series. He is a consummate actor and an excellent human being.
– Helen Shaver (director), Instagram
From the series’ premiere episode, Maid’s cast has been convincing and engaging. Nick Robinson as Sean, the father of Alex’s daughter Maddy, and Billy Burke as Alex’s father Hank both credibly portray abusive men who weaponize charm and gaslight their victims.
– Paul Johnson, 25YL
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Ph. Ricardo Hubbs / Netflix
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