‘Beef’ Director Jack Schreier Breaks Down His Return to the Acclaimed Netflix Series

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In 2023, Netflix saw huge success with the 10-episode series Beef, created by Lee Sung Jin (also known as Sonny Lee). Starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, the show followed the fallout from a minor road rage incident – a near-miss in a parking lot – which quickly turned into a dangerous chase and sent the characters’ lives spiraling. While the show has been renewed for a second season, it won’t continue the story of Yeun and Wong’s characters. Instead, season two will feature a completely new storyline and cast.

Even though the story changed for Season 2, many of the same people worked behind the scenes, including director and producer Jake Schreier. Schreier directed all eight episodes of the new season, and while the storyline was different, he aimed to subtly maintain the elements that made Season 1 so popular. Viewers might not even notice these connections, but they’re there.

In an interview with MovieWeb, Shcreier discussed how the visual style of Season 2 differed from that of Season 1.

As a viewer, I really noticed a deliberate visual style in ‘Beef’. The filmmakers and I – especially co-director Sonny – established a certain way of shooting in Season 1, focusing on how the camera reflected each character’s perspective and using an uneven balance in the shots. We definitely wanted to carry that forward – it’s become a key part of how I approach directing. But visually, we also pushed ourselves to evolve and explore new territory, which was something Sonny was keen on from the start. It felt like a real step forward.

This season, we’re working with James Laxton as our cinematographer, a change from Larkin Seiple. They both have unique visions for how things should look, and are both exceptionally talented. Our production designer, Gracie Yun, also developed a fresh visual style for the season, collaborating closely with Sonny to achieve it.

He explained that Sonny consistently strives for innovation, comparing it to a band releasing a new album. Just like fans want to see a band evolve and create something fresh, rather than simply repeating their old style, Sonny is always looking to push boundaries and do something different.

The second season of the show features Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Cailee Spaeny, and Charles Melton. Like the first season, it explores the consequences of a surprising event, but this time the story centers on a country club and a troubled marriage.

Man, Season 1 was everywhere in 2023, and for good reason – it was amazing! It cleaned up at the Emmys and Golden Globes, winning big for Limited Series. Steven Yeun and Ali Wong both took home those same awards for their acting, which was totally deserved. Honestly, it felt like the show came out of nowhere, so the creator, Schreier, started talking about how they approached crafting a second season knowing how much everyone loved the first.

It didn’t feel drastically different from other projects. We didn’t have to go to great lengths to conceal details like costumes on set. What’s really impressive about working with Sonny is his dedication and drive. He’s always pushing himself, and he expects the same from everyone around him, so there was never a sense of complacency. Of course, there’s always pressure when you’re trying to create something worthwhile, but that’s just part of the process.

Creating anything worthwhile is challenging, and we always strive for excellence, hoping everything comes together. However, this season didn’t feel drastically different from the first. We were fortunate to have a fantastic team who were passionate about making something meaningful and delivering the highest quality work possible.

After the success of the first season, most people expect the second season to do well too – the big question is just how popular it will become.

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2026-04-16 02:03