Few TV shows that focus on death can boast a wide audience. However, the story of the family managing the funeral home and living directly above it turned out to be interesting immediately for many. People who are faced with the grief of losing a loved one do not even think how complicated the life of those who are ready to support in this difficult moment can be, even if not for free.
The series "The Client is Always Dead", whose actors brilliantly coped with their task, has an unusual plot. What, perhaps, conquered the modern viewer. But first things first...
Plot
Returning home after a long absence, Nathaniel found out that his father was no longer alive. The burden of responsibility helped him cope with the bitterness of loss: the parent had his own funeral home, which now needs a good manager. The young man clearly understands that entrusting such a complex matter to his brother, who sees joy only in relations with his boyfriend, or his teenage sister, means destroying everything that his father could achieve.
But Nathaniel suddenly has a competitor, eager to get the business in his own hands - his own mother, who has already managed to have a young lover. A woman is not ready to speak in an open confrontation, but she is not going to part with the dream of her own business. And those around him see only a family continuing the work of Fisher Sr. after his death. They do not care how non-standard the families of the newest owner of the bureau and his girlfriend are; they only need care for their deceased loved ones.
"The customer is always dead": actors
The special atmosphere of the series is associated not only with a carefully thought out plot, perfectly selected music, but also with the excellent play of the actors. The role of the eldest of the children in the family of the deceased owner of the funeral home went to Peter Krause. His brother and sister were played by Michael Hall and L. Ambrose. Lauren at the time of filming the first season was already 23 years old, but it was she who got the role of a 17-year-old girl. Nate's mother appears in the frame with the appearance of Francis Conroy. In real life, the actress is only 12 years older than her "son". James Colmwell played the new husband Ruth. And Matthew St. Patrick appeared before the audience in the image of the wife of David Fisher. There were two spouses in the life of Nathaniel Jr.: the role of one of them went to Lily Taylor, the second was played by Rachel Griffiths.
These famous people took part in the filming of the series "The client is always dead." Actors conquered the modern audience with their professional game. It is also worth noting the supporting actors, they also did not disappoint. Among the characters that appear in the frame for all five seasons, there are Patricia Clarkson, playing sister Ruth, brother and parents of Brenda with the appearance of Jeremy Sisto, Joanna Cassidy and Robert Foxuert.
Peter Krause
Nate had not appeared at home for several years, not wanting to accept responsibility for managing the family business. The young man traveled extensively throughout Europe to later become a successful manager of a company that sells chemicals that do not contain chemicals. Realizing that now he has something to be proud of, he decided to come home and celebrate Christmas with his family. But at home he had an unpleasant surprise - the news of his father’s death and the need to take his place in the leadership of the funeral home. The young man discovered the gift of comforting people in their grief. Relationships with Branda, which did not end with random sex at the airport, also deter him from returning to his previous job.
Nate was diagnosed with a brain disease that could cause sudden death at any time. An incredible fear of dying young did not allow the man to report his illness to relatives, as he did not allow him to remain alone in a foreign city. But the disease cannot keep him from making mistakes. Brenda turned out to be the most serious. Fear did not allow him to establish relations with relatives.
Peter Krause did a great job with his role. Thanks to his brilliant play, the series is very popular with viewers.
M. Hall
As mentioned above, Michael Hall played the role of David, Nate's brother. He is embittered by the return of his brother just in time for the division of the inheritance. But after he managed to overcome himself and confess to his family his sexual orientation, relations between brothers significantly improved. But overcoming awkwardness, shame occurred after the boyfriend of David Keith left him, offended at another refusal in response to the offer to go out together. After this, the time began for betrayal, doubt and understanding that they should be together.
However, the men could not accept their colleagues and other friends of each other, many annoyed them, and they could not express dissatisfaction with the words, which constantly led to quarrels. But turning to an experienced psychotherapist helped them find harmony in their relationship. Men adopted two children, becoming for them wonderful parents. After the death of his brother, David becomes the sole owner of the family business. At this point, he and Keith are already officially married and are moving to a family nest.
F. Conroy
Francis Conroy brought to life the role of the mother of the protagonist. Ruth, like most women, was most afraid of being alone. She understood that all her attempts to keep children close to her would only have the opposite effect, therefore, tearing herself apart from fear and pain, she smiled when she met Brenda in response to her daughter’s desire to prove her independence, and showing her participation to David when he reported that he is homosexual. The real woman was only happy when Maya's granddaughter appeared in the house.
Relations with men were not very encouraging for Ruth. Hairdresser, master of the florist salon, professor. All of them were a way to get beautiful sex and spend several hours in the illusion of their significance, but then all the deception certainly dispersed like the morning fog. Having mastered her fear, the woman began to appreciate independence, which aroused the interest of the male, but this was what prevented her from being with her son in his last minutes.
L. Ambrose
As the reader already knows, Lauren Ambrose played the role of Claire. She was a real tear, tasting the world. She could not hold back any boundaries of morality or sanity. The girl actively tried drugs, met with all the guys she liked, without denying herself the pleasure of having sex with them. But all her love affairs before meeting with Ted were not serious. The only thing that really fascinated her was the story of her family and photography. It took quite a bit of time to prove to others how well she mastered the camera. Claire got a job in New York, where she gradually became one of the most popular photographers, as well as a journalist and an excellent teacher. Fate gave her the opportunity to outlive all her relatives and die in a luxurious apartment known to the whole world.
Lauren Ambrose is simply brilliant in this role. Many film critics can confirm this.
M. St. Patrick
Keith worked as a policeman in Los Angeles, but did not seek to tell colleagues about his sexual preferences. In a relationship with his true love, he constantly has to deal with a misunderstanding of his boyfriend, his secrecy and self-doubt. Realizing that he could not find a replacement for this man, the man began to change in order to maintain a relationship. He left work and got a job as a security guard, learned to be soft next to children. When the government officially allowed gay marriage, Keith had no doubts about the need to legitimize his relationship with David. The man patiently tried on the role of father for the two boys until they really became his family. Later, he gladly helped him manage all the affairs of the funeral home, supporting him in grief over the death of his brother.
F. Rodriguez
Freddy Rodriguez is a supporting actor in this series. But he coped with the role remarkably. The embalmer was not a member of the family, but was always aware of all the events that took place around the Fischers. A man never aspired to power, he simply honestly did his job, helping relatives of the deceased survive his grief. Contrary to the opinion of not the most ordinary family, which is also his employer, he turned out to have excellent human qualities. Thanks to this, he met a magnificent woman who became a mother for his children. The man managed to become a partner of the brothers in their funeral home, and then open his own business, naturally, in the form of a morgue.
"The client is always dead," the actors of which are presented to the attention of the reader in the article, attracted the attention of many. Comments on the series, of course, are diametrically opposed, but this can be said to be normal. After all, how many people - so many opinions. The vast majority of viewers talk about the film in a positive way. However, we recommend watching it!