Creator Matt Roller, Eliza Coupe, and Jimmi Simpson talk about their spooky new animated series.
The doors to The Haunted Hotel are officially open, inviting audiences into a world that’s equal parts heartfelt and hilariously haunted. Created by Rick & Morty alum Matt Roller, the 10-episode animated comedy follows a single mother of two who struggles to run a haunted hotel with the help of her estranged brother, who just so happens to be one of the ghosts haunting the property.
Produced by Titmouse and executive produced by Chris McKenna, Dan Harmon, Steve Levy, and Roller, the series features Will Forte as Nathan, Eliza Coupe as Katherine, Skyler Gisondo as Ben, Natalie Palamides as Esther, and Jimmi Simpson as Abaddon. Erica Hayes (Rick & Morty) serves as supervising director.
Crafting the Perfect Opening
Roller said his goal from the start was to hook viewers instantly with the series’ opening sequence. “I knew I wanted to do, like, an opening credits, you know, like The Simpsons [or] Bob’s Burgers,” Roller explained. “Something that swoops you through our world and primes your brain for the fun of it. A big part of that was the song—we kept going until it was hummable. Once I found myself humming, I was like, okay, I think we’re good.”
If Ghosts Could Play Around
When asked what real-life location they would haunt for fun, the cast had plenty of mischievous ideas. Coupe admitted, “I was just thinking of all the people I don’t like… I’d go to their house. And I’d bring all my dogs. I have five.”
Roller took a different approach: “I would haunt my house. I think it would be fun for my family to be like, Dad’s a ghost this week. They could bring their friends over.”
A Yelp Review from the Afterlife
The group also had some fun imagining one-sentence Yelp reviews for the UnderVeil Hotel, the fictional haunt at the center of the series. Simpson quipped, “It’s scary enough to make you clutch your partner, but not scary enough to make you light your bed on fire.”
Roller, meanwhile, leaned into his comedic instincts: “I would write, ‘And the guy above me is wrong. It’s not just Fawlty Towers with ghosts.’”
Dream Guests to Check In
Asked which character from another show or film they’d want to see check into the UnderVeil, Simpson immediately said, “I’d like to see Colonel Jessup from A Few Good Men show up there. I’d like to break that guy.”
Roller, still thinking in animation mode, added, “Sterling Archer. Put him in a ghost world, have him shooting at the walls all the time.” Coupe playfully threw in a nostalgic pick: “Mr. Belvedere. Just a very current reference I thought I’d throw out there.”
A Spirited New Comedy
With its blend of heartfelt family drama, quirky ghost hijinks, and a top-notch comedic cast, The Haunted Hotel looks poised to be a standout in the animated comedy space. As Simpson summed up during the conversation, the show is all about balance: “Have some fun. It’s scary enough to make you clutch your partner, but not scary enough to make you light your bed on fire.”
The Haunted Hotel is now available to stream on Netflix.
Read more News on Nerdtropolis. Subscribe to our YouTube.
Discover more from Nerdtropolis - Movie News, Reviews, Interviews, and Trailers
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
