Murray Bartlettis about to get physical. After taking his turn managing the titular resort inThe White Lotus, Bartlett is swapping out his suits and Hawaiian shirts for some leg warmers and a leotard in Season 2 ofPhysical, the actor toldVarietyon an episode of their “Just for Variety” podcast. He’s the latest to join the 80s nostalgia dramedy on AppleTV+ following itsrenewal for a second seasonback in August.
In Season 2 of the exercise-heavy series, Bartlett will play another fitness friend and rival forRose Byrne’s Sheila in the form of fitness nut Vincent “Vinnie” Green. Green is a charismatic fellow fitness instructor known for revolutionizing late-night infomercials and his knowledge on all things exercise. Like Sheila, he too wrestles with private personal struggles, making the two perfect partners in misery and aerobics. It’s also the perfect follow-up to playing Armond, another character battling inner demons before relapsing into drug and alcohol abuse and generally going off-the-rails.
Bartlett had little else to say about what to expect from Green other than that he noted that we “won’t be disappointed” by his aerobics attire when he appears on-screen, though he did also comment on why he decided to join the show. “The writing in this season is really fantastic,” he said to Variety. “That stuff that I get to do is really fun, but it’s twisted and smart. It’s interesting because it’s got that whole like ’80s fun thing, but there’s a depth to this show that’s really moving.”
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Season 1 ofPhysicalwas a 80s-soaked dramedy following despondent housewife Sheila finding herself in the world of aerobics. After being stuck as the support unit to her husband, she grasps her own freedom through immersing herself in the exercise before turning it into a business through the power of VHS and becoming a female lifestyle guru. The series hails from creatorAnnie WeismanwithRory Scovel,Dierdre Friel,Della Saba,Lou Taylor Pucci,Paul Sparks,Ashley Liao,andGeoffrey Arendstarring alongside Byrne.
Bartlett’s star has certainly been on the rise since playing the chaotic Armond. The role earned him nods for SAG and the Critic’s Choice awards as well as attention for other projects. He’s nowset to appearinImmigrant, a limited series on the bizarre, drama-filled story surrounding the creation of the Chippendales, alongsideKumail Nanjiani. He’ll also be seen in the upcoming TV adaptation of the critically acclaimed video gameThe Last of Us.
