David Harbour, Jason Bateman & Linda Cardellini Discuss True Meaning Behind DTF St. Louis

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Be warned: This article contains spoilers for DTF St. Louis! The show raises a lot of questions, but it’s about more than just the dating app it’s based on – it explores much deeper themes than just casual encounters in St. Louis.

Driven by dissatisfaction, three adults – , , and – find themselves entangled in a complicated love triangle. Feeling unfulfilled in their routines, they take a daring step: they join a dating app for people who are married and looking for affairs. What begins as a way to add excitement to their lives quickly becomes much more complex, filled with surfacing emotions, hidden secrets, and unforeseen repercussions.

The stars of the new HBO series recently told ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender what the show’s provocative title actually means.

David Harbour explained that as the story unfolds, viewers will learn more about Floyd and Carol’s relationship, including how it started. He mentioned they’ve been married for around eight to ten years, and the show will reveal details about the early days of their marriage.

When viewers first encounter Floyd, played by Harbour, his marriage to Carol is struggling. He’s questioning whether love alone can keep them together after almost ten years. His personal unhappiness and even things like Carol’s clothing choices bother him, and these feelings eventually push him to join the dating app DTF.

When we first meet David Habour, he’s discussing a quirky issue with his partner: she wears her umpire uniform around the house, even while gardening, and it bothers him. Beyond that, Habour seems to think Floyd is a genuinely kind person.

Floyd’s kind nature adds to his trouble when he tries to leave the app. Despite being deeply uncomfortable, he doesn’t want to disappoint his friend. Oddly, Floyd develops a strange sense of loyalty to the man he discovers is having an affair with his wife, and feels obligated to continue the arrangement they’ve all made – a decision that, sadly, ultimately leads to his downfall.

David Harbour believes his character struggles with communication, but really wants to bond with Clark and gain his approval. He points to moments like creating their dating profiles, or when Clark is enthusiastic about the app, as times when his character seems happiest because he’s connecting with his friend.

Even as the story progresses, when a character wants to become intimate, I believe he feels conflicted. He’s embarrassed because the idea originated with another character, and he doesn’t want to cause that person pain. There’s a lot of complex emotion at play here – it’s not just about physical desire. That’s what makes the series so interesting. It initially seems like it will be a straightforward story about casual encounters, but it actually explores deeper, more unusual desires – a need for connection and self-discovery that can be even more powerful than sex.

Everything Else Bateman, Harbour and Cardellini Said About Their Messy DTF Love Triangle

I’ve been so captivated by the complex relationships in this story! It’s fascinating how everyone seems to have these hidden layers, especially within that intense love triangle. I was really curious about Jason’s connection with Floyd. Jason clearly values their friendship, but with everything else going on – the affair, the possibility that Jason might have even been involved in Floyd’s death – it’s a real mystery. I’d love to hear Jason explain what truly lies at the heart of his relationships with both Floyd and the other person involved.

Jason Bateman explained that his character is really looking for a deeper connection in his life, something he’s unable to find with his wife. Their relationship has faded, leaving him feeling desperate, and he starts making choices that only make things worse. The show explores the consequences of these bad decisions, and the idea that he’s trying to grow as a person is ultimately flawed. Luckily, he’s not very good at handling things, which leads to a lot of chaotic and funny moments over the seven episodes.

ScreenRant asked if, as each episode unfolded and revealed more about the characters’ relationships, the actors each had a specific, lingering question about their own character that they hoped the show would address.

I had a straightforward question about my character: was he gay? The show hints at a lot, and another character even points out he’s using the site for male encounters. The answer turned out to be complex, but I started with a very simple question.

My take is pretty similar. I think both characters are grappling with figuring out what to call their attempts to connect with others. As a viewer, I found it really compelling to watch these kind, genuine guys be so open and vulnerable. Steve did a great job crafting that emotional journey.

ScreenRant: Absolutely. [Linda], did you have a question for Carol?

I was curious about what happened after his death. Specifically, I wanted to understand when the relationship truly ended and how it fizzled out. We start with an affair, which then evolves into something else, but ultimately it ends before the major event occurs. I’ve now gotten the answers I was looking for.

What Joy Sunday Had To Say About Her Role As Jodie

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ScreenRant: What stood out to you most about your character when you read the script?

I immediately connected with Steven Universe, especially its subtle and witty humor. I’m a big fan of shows like King of the Hill, and this felt like a more complex, realistic take on everyday life – seeing characters be genuine and flawed in their private moments. What made my character particularly interesting was the contrast between how she appears and who she actually is. She comes across as judgmental, but she’s not at all. I think that really shows how well Steven understood people and created a space where they could be fully themselves.

You know, it’s really cool to hear Steve say that I helped him see the character differently. He was initially thinking of someone older, apparently. As for what I brought to Jodie, well, when I first read the script, she felt one way. But getting to live with her, to actually play her, she really grew into someone much more complex and, honestly, more real. It was a fantastic journey figuring out all the layers.

I felt incredibly honored to have the director’s trust, and that really drew me into the role. I spent a lot of time developing the character’s backstory and understanding her feelings, since I didn’t have scenes showing her private life. It was important to me to know what she knew and how she felt, as that drove her emotional reactions. I really appreciate Steve’s direction – his work has a beautiful, human rhythm. He also allows moments of silence to linger, which isn’t something you’d necessarily expect, but he does it with all the actors. I think that really shows in the final performance, especially for me. I felt like my character had three different versions: what was written in the script, how she was on set, and then how she appears in the finished show. There were different layers to her throughout the process, but I’m really pleased with how she ultimately turned out.

ScreenRant asked the actor about Jodie’s character: she’s naturally inquisitive and tries to uncover the truth. They wondered if there was anything the actor particularly wanted to learn about her character at the start of the series, and if they got their answer by the end.

I was really curious about her life before she and I met. Because she doesn’t show much emotion or share her thoughts, I wanted to understand what she felt about people, why she was so kind and accepting, and how that fit with her quiet, unassuming personality. Getting to know her felt like a gift, and through her, I gained a better understanding of everyone around us. I simply wanted to know her deeply.

ScreenRant mentioned enjoying Jenna Ortega’s performance in ‘Wednesday,’ another mystery series, but one that’s more realistic. They asked if she drew on anything from that role when playing the character in ‘DTF,’ or if the experiences went the other way around.

I learned a lot from working with the incredible cast and crew, especially Richard, Jason, and Linda – Wednesday really prepared me for that. Being a part of DTF was a truly special experience, and it honestly changed my life. Everyone on set was so respectful and valued each other’s contributions. It really reignited my passion for acting and brought a lot of positivity back into my life, which I’m still carrying with me as we film season three.

Check out more of our DTF St. Louis coverage here:

  • Jason Bateman’s New HBO Mystery Series Gets Definitive Season 2 Response From Creator
  • Linda Cardellini’s Mysterious Motives In HBO’s Dark 7-Part Series Explained By Creator & Star
  • HBO Max’s New 7-Part Crime Series With An All-Star Cast Is Killing It As Global Streaming Hit

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2026-03-10 22:12