Mindy Kaling Shares Her Playful Jealousy as Ike Barinholtz Takes the Spotlight as Cousin Benny on Running Point
The second season of Netflix’s Running Point has recently concluded, prompting co-creators Mindy Kaling and Ike Barinholtz to discuss the unique pressures they face in developing a show where they would gladly join the cast.
Barinholtz, who was nominated for an Emmy for his work on The Studio, expressed his envy toward the actor group text chain. “I was very jealous. Sometimes I see one of their phones, and when someone texts the group, I’m very jealous I’m not on the actor text chain,” he remarked.
Despite missing out on the coveted group chat, Barinholtz humorously recalled his experience on-screen with the cast. “Mindy said, ‘We should figure out a thing for you to do on the show.’ In my mind, I was like, ‘Oh, I’m the owner of a rival team with a three-episode arc and a romantic involvement with Kate Hudson.’ And Mindy’s like, ‘What if you were their cousin who’s a moron?’” The audience at the DGA theater burst into laughter as he added, “It was one of the most fun characters I’ve ever played in my life. He walks around with a giant Ziplock bag full of Skittles.”
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Though Barinholtz didn’t quite get the romantic subplot he had envisioned, he still delivered a comedic take on his character. “There is a sensuality to [cousin Benny]; he’s a lover who wants to be loved,” he explained. Highlighting a memorable scene, he described, “In episode five, I come up from behind Kate Hudson, who plays my cousin, and I put my arms on her and I’m like, ‘How we doing?’ Before every take, I would pour warm water on my hands, so I’d come over with just wet warm hands. There’s a take where she’s like, ugghh!”
The second season quickly ascended to the top of Netflix’s charts. Executive producer David Stassen noted that while the show has yet to be renewed, they remain “very hopeful” for a third season and are actively brainstorming “big picture ideas.” Kaling emphasized the importance of their star power, stating, “Kate is on a roll right now. Song Sung Blue was incredible. The fact that we can get peak Kate—this is a woman who can bring you to tears in a breakup scene but will also happily walk into a glass wall. She does everything, and it really is an incredible showcase for Kate Hudson, who we are all obsessed with. She’s the reason.”
All ten episodes of season two are now available for streaming on Netflix.
Check back Monday for the panel video.
