Sweetbitter’s Heart: Jasmine Mathews & Eden Epstein Unpack Relatable Characters and the Allure of NYC Restaurant Life
The highly anticipated Starz series Sweetbitter made its grand premiere on May 6, captivating audiences with its raw and immersive portrayal of youth, ambition, and the culinary world of New York City. Based on Stephanie Danler’s acclaimed 2016 best-selling novel, the show invites viewers into the turbulent life of Tess, a young woman who arrives in the bustling metropolis seeking a fresh start. Her journey quickly leads her to a prestigious Manhattan restaurant, where she encounters a vibrant cast of characters who profoundly influence her burgeoning independence. Among these pivotal figures are Ariel and Heather, brought to life by the talented actresses Eden Epstein and Jasmine Mathews. HollywoodLife had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Epstein and Mathews to delve into their characters’ relatable struggles, the show’s unique approach to adapting its source material, and the often-overlooked realities of working in the cutthroat restaurant industry. This in-depth conversation provides a fascinating glimpse into the heart of Sweetbitter, exploring themes of identity, purpose, and the unexpected bonds forged in a demanding environment.
From Page to Screen: Adapting a Beloved Novel with Creative Freedom
Fans of Stephanie Danler’s evocative novel have eagerly awaited the television adaptation, naturally curious about how closely the series would mirror the book’s intricate narrative and sensory atmosphere. During the show’s press junket, Eden Epstein and Jasmine Mathews provided exclusive insights, revealing that the first season serves as a foundational exploration rather than a comprehensive retelling. This strategic choice allows for a nuanced adaptation that honors the source material while also embracing the unique opportunities of episodic television.
“It’s a prologue, the first season is a slice of it,” Eden explained, emphasizing the vast depth of the original text. “The book is so rich, and I think the way Stu [showrunner Stuart Zicherman] and Stephanie constructed the first season was the idea to stay true to the book as much as they wanted to, and then to be able to grow with the cast because there’s the characters in the book, and then there’s us… There was freedom, it was fun.” This statement highlights a deliberate and thoughtful creative process, where the creators aimed to capture the essence of Danler’s work while also allowing for organic growth and evolution in the series. This approach ensures that Sweetbitter can develop its own distinct identity on screen, offering both familiarity for book enthusiasts and fresh perspectives for new audiences. It also lays the groundwork for potential future seasons to delve even deeper into the lives and complexities of Tess and her colleagues.
Jasmine Mathews further elaborated on this empowering creative liberty, expressing her profound gratitude for the collaborative and trusting environment fostered on set. “I love that Steph and Stu allowed us to bring what we could as actors and what we found on set,” she shared. “And, Stephanie was very adamant about, ‘This isn’t the book. You are the character, so bring what we have,’ and I love that. It was very relaxing and safe.” This emphasis on the actors’ interpretations speaks volumes about the respect given to their artistic contributions. It allowed Mathews and Epstein, along with the rest of the cast, to truly inhabit their roles, infusing them with personal experiences and professional instincts. This dynamic interplay between the original vision and the actors’ creative input enriches the series, making the characters feel more authentic and multi-dimensional. The show becomes not just an adaptation, but a living, breathing entity that evolves with its cast, promising a truly engaging viewing experience for those drawn to coming-of-age stories and explorations of identity in challenging urban settings.
Deep Dive into Character: Relatability and the Universal Quest for Self-Discovery
At its core, Sweetbitter resonates deeply because of its intensely relatable characters, each navigating the challenging waters of self-discovery and ambition in the demanding landscape of New York City. Both Jasmine Mathews and Eden Epstein found profound, personal connections with their respective characters, allowing them to infuse their performances with authentic emotion and a nuanced understanding of their roles. Their experiences shed light on the universal quest for identity and belonging that underpins the entire narrative of Sweetbitter.
Jasmine Mathews on Heather’s Complex Quest for Purpose and Approval
Jasmine Mathews spoke candidly about her immediate connection to Heather, particularly concerning the character’s unique position within the bustling restaurant environment. “On the surface level, her being the only person of color working the front of house, that’s my own story,” Jasmine revealed. This personal resonance adds a crucial and authentic layer to Heather’s portrayal, touching upon important themes of representation, inclusion, and the experience of navigating spaces where one might feel like an outsider. Beyond this immediate and visible relatability, Mathews delved deeper into Heather’s intricate inner world, hinting at profound complexities that viewers might not initially perceive.
“But, there’s also something about her I think I’m hoping we can get into in season 2,” Mathews continued, offering a glimpse into future character development. “She comes across as very confident and sure of herself, but underneath that there’s a woman that’s seeking for approval and is trying to figure out, ‘What am I here for? What’s my purpose?’ And, that really resonated with me.” This insight paints Heather as a powerfully multifaceted character, whose outward poise and apparent self-assurance skillfully mask an internal struggle common to many young adults. The search for external validation and an inherent sense of purpose, especially amidst the pressures of a demanding career in a bustling, often indifferent city, makes Heather’s journey profoundly resonant. Her character embodies the broader human experience of yearning for significance and belonging, turning her individual struggles into a compelling reflection of universal emotional challenges.
Eden Epstein on Ariel’s Mischievous Spirit and Real-World Restaurant Roots
For Eden Epstein, embodying the character of Ariel was a surprisingly seamless and almost intuitive transition, feeling very much like art imitating her own life. “I knew Ariel when I read her, I was like, ‘I know this person.’ I know her in lots of different people I’ve met in my life,” Eden shared, highlighting an immediate, visceral understanding of Ariel’s essence and personality. This deep, almost innate connection allowed Epstein to draw directly and extensively from her personal experiences, particularly her significant background in the service industry.
“I waited tables for 6 years and I had my last shift before the night of call-backs actually,” she recounted with a touch of irony. “So, I went from working in one restaurant to working in another which was wonderful. It wasn’t a stretch.” This invaluable firsthand knowledge provided a robust and authentic foundation for her portrayal, enabling Epstein to depict the often-unseen intricacies of restaurant life with genuine credibility. From the repetitive, mundane routines to the exhilarating, high-stakes pressures of a busy dinner service, her experience allowed her to bring a level of realism that truly enhances Sweetbitter‘s immersive quality.
Epstein further elaborated on the sheer joy she found in playing Ariel, particularly in embracing her character’s less conventional and more audacious traits. “It’s fun to kind of touch on your darkness and say the things that everyone wants to say but don’t have the audacity to say because it’s mean or impolite,” she confessed. “I really enjoyed the fun in playing her and she’s kind of mischievous.” Ariel emerges as a captivating and complex character who dares to challenge social norms and express unfiltered thoughts, offering a cathartic and often liberating experience for both the actress and the audience. Her bold, slightly rebellious nature provides a compelling counterpoint to the other characters’ journeys, adding a dynamic and unpredictable edge to the ensemble. This ability to embody a character’s full spectrum of complexities, including their less agreeable facets, is what makes Ariel such an intriguing and memorable presence in the rich tapestry of Sweetbitter. Her performance underscores the diverse personalities that authentically populate the high-pressure world of a New York City restaurant.
The Heart of New York City’s Culinary Scene: A World of Transience and Intimacy
Beyond the individual character journeys, Sweetbitter excels in immersing its audience in the very distinct and often exhilarating culture of the restaurant industry, especially as it exists in a dynamic metropolis like New York. Both actresses underscored the unique social and professional dynamics at play within these intense environments, revealing them to be far more than just typical workplaces.
“This is often people’s side hustles. You don’t think you’ll stay there, you think it’s temporary,” Eden explained, perfectly capturing the transient nature of many restaurant jobs in a city brimming with aspirational young people. For a significant number of New Yorkers, particularly those pursuing creative arts like acting, writing, or music, waiting tables or working in the kitchen is often a means to an end. It’s perceived as a temporary stop, a flexible way to earn a living while simultaneously nurturing grander, long-term aspirations. This creates a fascinating tension, as individuals with big dreams often find themselves deeply entrenched in the immediate, demanding realities of their service jobs, navigating a duality between their present and their hoped-for future.
However, as Eden further elaborated, this seemingly temporary arrangement often blossoms into something far more profound and all-encompassing. “So, people have lives outside of the restaurant. In tandem with that, your life becomes the restaurant because you’re spending so much time there and it’s incestuous. You hang out with the people there, they become your friends, your lovers. It’s really, really all encompassing.” This vivid description paints a clear picture of the intense, almost familial bonds that frequently form among restaurant staff. The exceptionally long hours, the demanding shifts, the shared stresses of navigating chaotic services, and the collective triumphs of a successful night forge an environment where colleagues often transcend professional boundaries. They become confidantes, close friends, and frequently, romantic partners. The restaurant, therefore, transforms from a mere workplace into a vibrant social ecosystem, a crucible where identities are forged, relationships are tested, and life lessons are learned at an accelerated pace. It’s a world unto itself, complete with its own unique hierarchies, unspoken rituals, and distinct rules, all masterfully depicted with gritty realism and captivating charm in Sweetbitter. This intense environment profoundly shapes the characters’ lives, blurring the lines between their professional and personal selves.
The Universal Quest: Waiting for Life to Begin (and Realizing it’s Happening Now)
At the very core of the Sweetbitter series lies a poignant, universal theme: the perpetual human search for purpose, and the often-felt sensation of waiting for one’s “real” life to finally begin. “So I think the thread between all of the characters is that they’re all waiting for their lives to happen, and maybe what they don’t realize is that it’s happening right now,” Eden insightfully observed. This profound statement perfectly captures the essence of youth and early adulthood, particularly in a vibrant but often overwhelming urban environment like New York City, where dreams often feel tantalizingly just out of reach. The characters, much like countless young individuals globally, find themselves in a state of continuous flux, suspended in a transitional space between who they were, who they believe they are, and who they ultimately aspire to become.
Jasmine Mathews powerfully reinforced this sentiment, adding another crucial layer to the characters’ pervasive existential queries. “It’s like, in between the waiting the characters are asking, ‘Who am I?’ Identity was really huge for me, and I think all the characters. We’re just really trying to figure it out.” This highlights the profound and often turbulent journey of self-discovery that Tess, Ariel, Heather, and their diverse array of colleagues embark upon. The restaurant itself serves not only as a compelling backdrop for their interactions but also as a powerful metaphor for this transitional period of life. It’s a demanding, frequently chaotic, and utterly immersive environment where individuals are constantly confronted with their strengths, their vulnerabilities, their evolving desires, and the raw truth of who they are when stripped of preconceived notions.
Amidst the relentless clatter of plates, the urgent rush of orders, the ebb and flow of complex human interactions, and the constant pressure of performance, each character in Sweetbitter is actively, if sometimes unknowingly, constructing their identity. They are learning about their resilience, their passions, their boundaries, and their capacity for connection in a world that simultaneously inspires and challenges them. Sweetbitter, therefore, transcends a simple coming-of-age story; it becomes a deep and resonant exploration of what it truly means to be young, often adrift, and yearning for significance and connection in a fast-paced world that never sleeps. It’s a compelling narrative that promises to resonate profoundly with anyone who has ever felt on the cusp of something bigger, waiting for their unique story to truly unfold and for life to finally reveal its vibrant flavors.
A Must-Watch Series for a Deeply Human Story of Growth and Discovery
With its compelling narrative, deeply relatable characters, and an unflinching yet empathetic look at the complexities of the restaurant world, Sweetbitter promises to be far more than just another television drama. It’s a poignant and insightful exploration of identity, raw ambition, and the often-unexpected connections forged in the crucible of New York City’s demanding culinary scene. The exclusive insights shared by Jasmine Mathews and Eden Epstein underscore the thoughtful craftsmanship and authentic spirit behind the series, from its nuanced adaptation of a beloved novel to its honest portrayal of young lives in flux. As Tess navigates her new life in the city, viewers are invited to witness a journey that is both specific to her unique experience and profoundly universally understood – the timeless search for self amidst the clamor, challenges, and intoxicating allure of a city that truly never sleeps. Prepare to be swept into the vibrant, sometimes harsh, but always compelling world of Sweetbitter, where every shift is a step closer to discovering who you truly are and what you truly desire. This series is a powerful testament to the transformative power of experience, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of one’s place in the world.