“Everlasting” is getting a makeover. The reality dating show at the center of Lifetime’s “UnREAL” is making history for the second season in a row. Last season saw a black suitor introduced for the first time, and this season will mark the first time a female suitor has held the reins in “Everlasting.” “UnREAL” stars Shiri Appleby and Constance Zimmer announced the news via a Facebook Live chat, TV Guide reports.
“You won’t only have two strong female leads, but we’re going to add a third one,” Zimmer revealed. She jokingly added, “I wonder how many of the 25 men you get together with and Quinn will get together with.” As “UnREAL” audiences know, there’s just as much — if not more — drama behind the scenes of “Everlasting” as there is on camera.
“We’re so excited and looking forward to it. I think it will be great to add another strong female to the mix, someone to really battle with Quinn and Rachel,” Appleby told Entertainment Tonight.
While we’re happy to see another female lead added to the series, we will miss seeing a large, diverse ensemble of actresses playing contestants on “Everlasting.” That being said, it will be interesting to see how a female suitor will affect the gender dynamics of both “Everlasting” and “UnREAL.”
“UnREAL” was created by Marti Noxon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Mad Men”) and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (“Sequin Raze”), the latter of whom worked as a producer on “The Bachelor.”
Appleby plays Rachel, a long-time producer who excels at her job but hates herself for doing it — the avowed feminist makes a living exploiting and manipulating other women. Zimmer portrays her ambitious, ratings-driven boss. Zimmer received an Emmy nomination this year for her supporting role on the series, and Noxon and Shapiro got a nod for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
A female suitor on “Everlasting” isn’t the only major change taking place in Season 3 of the Peabody Award-winning drama. “UnREAL” also has a new showrunner: Stacy Rukeyser, an executive producer who has worked on the series since it launched, will take over the role. Production for Season 3 kicks off in February, 2017.
Appleby directed the sixth episode of “UnREAL’s” second season, “Casualty.” No word on whether she’ll step behind the camera in Season 3.
