Did you know, Hulu’s ‘Paradise‘ is the result of two very specific real-life moments? One came from a tense meeting with an incredibly powerful Hollywood figure, while the other happened just minutes later when creator Dan Fogelman witnessed a sudden construction accident that startled him.
These two completely different experiences, one about power, the other about chaos, came together in his mind and became the foundation of Paradise.
How One Meeting With A Powerful Man Birthed The Idea Of ‘Paradise’
‘Paradise‘ has become one of the most talked-about shows of recent times. The story starts with Secret Service agent Xavier Collins as he investigates the murder of the U.S. President. But the plot takes a major turn, and we find out that everyone is living in a massive underground bunker after an extinction-level event.
Related: 10 Shows to Watch If You Like ‘Paradise’
The inception of this idea goes back to a real meeting. Dan Fogelman once sat down with a very powerful celebrity, and the experience left a strong impression on him. He later shared, “This might be the most powerful person I’ve ever been in a room with.” He also admitted that he was so focused on the person’s influence that he couldn’t properly listen to what was being said.
That moment made him think about power in a very real way. He started wondering what someone like that would do if everything suddenly broke down. If money, status, and control stopped working the way they usually do.
A Sudden Construction Accident Turned That Idea Into A Story
Right after that meeting, something unexpected happened that pushed the idea further. While driving through Culver City, Fogelman heard a loud crash from a construction site where a crane had dropped something. The noise shocked him, but more importantly, it made him think. He began to imagine a sudden disaster; something that could change everything in seconds.
In case you missed it: 25 Must-Watch Dystopian Movies
He thought about how even someone with extreme wealth and influence would not be able to escape a true crisis. Well, when things really go wrong, everyone ends up in the same position. This realization became the main push behind ‘Paradise.’
As the show developed, both of these experiences came together. Even though it started as a political thriller, it turned into a mix of mystery and post-apocalyptic drama, where power and survival are constantly in conflict.
This is where Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond comes in. She is the billionaire who built the bunker and seems to control everything behind the scenes. But she wasn’t part of the original idea. At first, Fogelman planned to make the President the most powerful character.
But as he kept writing, he realized something important: there is always someone more powerful behind the scenes. As he explained, “Even presidents have people they’re answering to.” That idea led to the creation of Sinatra.
In the end, ‘Paradise‘ came from two very different real-life experiences; one that showed what power looks like, and another that showed how quickly it can lose meaning.
You might also like to read: 10 Hollywood Deaths That Remain Unsolved and Shrouded in Mystery
