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Actor Mark Tallman, of First Wives Club, Rise, and State of Affairs fame, is back at it again with the Apple TV + series Your Friends and Neighbors. Tallman shines as former NBA All-Star Nick Brandes, the (also former) best friend of Jon Hamm’s character Coop. With new episodes dropping each week, the highly buzzed about series is packed with drama, secrets, and laughs, with Nick caught firmly in the web. Read on to learn why Tallman was drawn to playing such a conflicted character, how he pulled from his own athletic background for the role, working alongside scene partner Jon Hamm, as well as where he sees Nick going in season two.

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Can you set up Your Friends and Neighbors for us? How would you describe the show’s story?
Andrew “Coop” Cooper (Jon Hamm) gets fired from his job as a hedge fund manager, while also grappling with his recent divorce, and in order to keep up with the Jones's, resorts to stealing from the homes of his friends and neighbors. And in doing so, he makes some quick cash but also discovers secrets and encounters dangers beyond what he had hoped for. And I’m sure you can imagine the drama (and comedy!) that ensues in the wake of such a bold decision, for Coop and, of course, his friends and neighbors. Buckle up!

What drew you to the role of Nick Brandes?
Most of my favorite characters in TV, film, & theater exist within a space of constant conflict, and Jonathan Tropper wrote this character (Nick Brandes) precisely in that vein of conflicting awkwardness — he’s forced to put on a lot of brave faces while perhaps covering up some underlying anger, jealousy, frustration, and more. Oh, and he’s a former NBA All-Star! Give me a chance to play a role of an athlete, and I’ll jump at the opportunity every time!

Nick is a former NBA player, and you have your own personal experience as a D1 football player and coach. How did your athletic background shape your approach to this character?
There are the obvious things like making sure he was swaggy, confident, charismatic, and so forth. Or the physical aspects that come with being a former athlete — I was proud to let the production team know that I was comfortable with making the physical prowess of my character completely believable (especially in this case, where we see Nick playing some hoops, surely, but he’s also seen on the golf course, swimming, playing tennis, etc.). There’s also a mental-emotional side of being an athlete that I found helpful in bringing this character to life. I touched on the underlying conflict that I hoped to infuse into Nick. Well, most athletes are taught, or expected, to “show up” in high pressure moments or exude positive energy even after a loss, making it easier for me to tap into being a source of positive energy for other characters without necessarily exposing the underlying issues my character may be wrestling with. But similar to being an actor, there’s a joy that comes with being an athlete because, yes, you’re working, but the “work” will oftentimes also double as your passion. So for me, that mindset is at the forefront of every day I’m on set! Leading with gratitude, and constantly reminding myself that I’m living a dream.

You and Jon Hamm share an interesting tension on screen. What was it like working alongside him and bringing that dynamic to life?
Ha! Yes, our characters absolutely share some interesting tension on screen. Nick has been one of Coop’s best friends for quite some time, but the series starts off with audiences watching them as “frienemies” at best! Fortunately, Jon and I have a great relationship off screen! We’re usually either joking around or talking about sports. That guy is sneaky FUNNY! And, like myself, he’s a pretty big dude, and you don’t grow up in the south with God-given size and don’t play sports! Haha! So that sports background we share has been a natural thing for us to vibe on. Working with Jon has been an absolute dream! As an award-winning actor, his talent is undeniable. But for me, it’s bigger than that —it’s his work ethic that’s inspired me. Hamm is a pro’s pro! He’s always prepared and is a very generous actor, in that he always gives us fellow actors so much to work with and is reciprocally present and responsive across from us.

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Your co-stars also include Olivia Munn and Amanda Peet. What was the energy like on set? Any standout moments behind-the-scenes that come to mind?
Olivia Munn and Amanda Peet?! I mean, what’s not to love?!?! They’re both so sweet, SO talented, and, what I didn’t know before working with them, soooooo funny!! Olivia will cut you right down to the ground and smile while doing it (which you’ll see throughout the series). I’m still not sure whether I know when she’s joking and when she’s not. Haha!! And with Amanda, I literally can’t remember a moment between takes where she wasn’t cracking me up! In fact, I’m gonna have to get her back while we’re filming season 2, ‘cause she carried one too many of those in-between-takes-laugh-fests right into some of our not-so-funny scenes. LOL! The three of us can also relate with each other’s circumstances as parents in this industry. It can be especially difficult to thrive in your roles as parents while doing the job we do, traveling, working the hours we work. So it’s been comforting to work alongside folks who can relate to one another on and off screen.

Prior to its release, the show has already been renewed for a second season. How do you see your character, Nick, and his storyline evolving the second time around?
Oh, y’all tryin’ to get me in trouble!! Okay, I think I can do this in a safe way… Well, with Nick being as jovial and non-confrontational as he is throughout most of season 1, I feel like there’s a lot of room for our writers to expand on his storyline. Is Nick hiding something behind that smile of his? Is there some dirt on him for audiences to discover? Will his business ventures continue to be successful, or no? What will his love-life look like in season 2? We. Shall. See! I’d also love for audiences to see more of the friendship between Coop, Nick, & Barney (Hoon Lee). I say that for selfish reasons as well! We had a great time together during the 1st season!

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The show has been named one of the most anticipated of 2025. What sets it apart from other dramas right now, in your opinion?
The writing! There’s something special about your screenwriter also being an accomplished author. Our cast is undeniably talented! And although it’s billed as a drama, there’s a constant dark comedic undertone that makes it more fun to watch than most of your typical dramas.

What do you think makes Your Friends and Neighbors so compelling?
Some shows are an escape from reality. But this show is an escape from reality and much more! It’s a wild ride! The through-line of this series is laced with such juicy themes — affluence, love, danger, lies, loyalty, redemption, loss — I believe every viewer will at least discover one theme, if not more, that they can latch onto. And anything Jonathan Tropper creates keeps audiences engaged and always wanting more. With the character-driven richness of his writing, viewers tend to find themselves rooting for several different characters to win. How fun is that? To be rooting for the good AND bad girl/guy…at the same damn time?! Sign me up!

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How does filming this show compare to your time on First Wives Club?
The first thing that comes to mind for me is how both projects showcase strong female characters, played by supremely talented actresses. And just as being trusted by Tracy Oliver to bring her meaningful, fun, nuanced pieces of work to life was an absolute honor, being a pivotal character in a Jon Hamm-lead Jonathan Tropper brainchild has been a dream come true!

What’s your favorite thing about being an actor?
The opportunity to have such a significant impact on so many people would probably be my favorite thing. There’s great power AND humility in being able to make others feel something from your work! I also love that, in an industry like arts & entertainment, regardless how successful I become, there are always new challenges that keep me learning and growing. And, as scary as it is to never know what’s next, there’s also a unique excitement in not knowing what’s around the corner!

On a perfect day off, what are you most likely to be doing?
At this point in my life, it’s all about my family! With schedules as complicated as ours, my wife, Jessica, and I are intentional about scheduling consistent date nights (and that’s on top of us working as VOLUNTEER Uber drivers taking our children to what feels like 100 soccer practices & games every week!)! Ha! And we love every second of it! But I’m also a hardcore foodie and sports junkie, so I’m either hunting down the next best bite (or cocktail) I can get my hands on or busy being the loudest person at any stadium or arena I can score tickets to!

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CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Mark Tallman
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Jaime Pavon
Fashion Stylist + Producer: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Groomer: Laura Costa for Exclusive Artists using Milk Makeup
Fashion Stylist Interns: Keya Baker, Mariliet Vin-kab, Nick Fell, Esther Thiane
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Logan Dutra, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Photo Studio: Blonde Studios, Julie Stahl, Ann Lawlor

Mark Tallman, Your Friend (But Not Your Neighbor)