Sarah Chalke and Roan Curtis have never lost when playing limbo. Coincidence? They think not. “I don’t think we could have shared a character if that wasn’t the case,” Chalke tells Tudum. 

The character shared by the two actors is Kate Mularkey, one-half of the epic friendship at the heart of Firefly Lane: Curtis plays Kate as a high-schooler during the 1970s, and Chalke through Kate’s coming of age in the 1980s and into adulthood in the early aughts. Likewise, Ali Skovbye plays Kate’s teenage bestie Tully Hart, while Katherine Heigl plays Tully as an adult. For the record: “Ali and I have never tried to limbo,” Heigl says. 

Finding common ground was crucial for a series that constantly toggles between past and present. Based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Kristin Hannah, the series tracks Kate and Tully over the course of three decades, as they navigate high school, professional challenges, heartache and motherhood. 

How Love Remains in Firefly LaneUzo Aduba reads an emotional scene from Kristin Hannah's novel.

“Getting to play a part spanning a few decades was such a unique experience, something I’ve never gotten to do before,” Chalke says. “[You get to] figure out, ‘What did it feel like in your 20s, and how did you move and how did you stand in your heels and how did you grow into yourself emotionally?’”

Curtis and Skovbye absorbed Chalke’s and Heigl’s mannerisms and quirks in real time, watching the dailies of their scenes to keep things as consistent as possible. Still, they didn’t want their performances to come off as simple impersonations. As younger versions of the characters, they had to show the formative years. “It’s like you see those training wheels,” Curtis adds. “Playing the young version of the character, it was so fun to get to look at where Sarah’s at and be like, ‘How do we start so that we get to that point? How do we fill in that gap?’”

The easy relationship between the four women is obvious when they come together on Zoom ahead of Firefly Lane’s Season 2, Part 1 premiere. (The final six episodes will be released on June 8.) Heigl, who as a producer on the series was involved in casting the two Canadian newcomers, remembers being blown away by the continuity even in their audition tapes. “I was like, ‘This is eerie,’” Heigl says. “I weirdly was seeing myself as Ali.”

Chalke agrees. “I remember sitting at the table read; it was the first time I’d met Ali and Roan, and my jaw was on the floor,” she says. “They’re both so talented and such incredible actresses, but also just captured so much of these characters. And then there’s just sort of an intangible similarity and connection between us that was just not predictable.”

Playing the older, wiser versions of Curtis’ and Skovbye’s characters, the two seasoned actors became protective of their younger counterparts off-screen as well. Heigl recalls that when the four of them got together over wine and cheese, she suddenly felt desperate to impart whatever wisdom she could. “All I wanted to do was lecture the hell out of them,” she says. “‘Watch for this, don’t let anybody do this to you, don’t let anybody treat you like this.’ It’s a scary industry, especially for young women, and they are both so beautiful and talented, and it could be exploited, or nurtured and celebrated.”

Diyah Pera/Netflix

Throughout Firefly Lane, Kate and Tully struggle to find women role models. More than once, Tully’s ambitions to become a news anchor are thwarted by male executives who don’t take her seriously, while Kate wrestles with the guilt of becoming a stay-at-home mom, chafing at the old-school example set by her mother. Instead, they rely on each other for guidance and support. But with Chalke and Heigl acting as mentors, Curtis and Skovbye say they feel empowered to dream big. 

“One of the beautiful things about this project and our greatest takeaways is the fact that we all became friends,” Curtis tells Chalke and Heigl. “We’ve come out of this having such a perfect example of how to lead a set and how to show up and make everyone feel good and get the day done in a fast, efficient, respectful manner.”

The behind-the-scenes bonds of Firefly Lane are fitting given the show’s emphasis on the enduring power of love and friendship. For Skovbye, that focus is what makes Firefly Lane so special. “Being able to play strong, powerful women and have [the] story focus not on a romantic relationship, but a platonic relationship, is beautiful,” she says. “I love it.”

Tully and Kate’s relationship isn’t perfect. Season 2, in particular, sees them hitting a number of rough patches, one of which might be too serious to overcome. But as the series heads toward its final bow next year, the women who brought that beloved world to life are sticking together.  

Watch Ali Skovbye's Audition Tape for Firefly LaneSee Ali's reading for Young Tully.

Turning to Skovbye and Curtis, Heigl shares a parting piece of advice: “It really sometimes comes down to who you trust, and it’s hard to know who to trust sometimes. But you guys can trust Sarah and I. If you need us, call us. Okay? We got you.”

Watch Roan Curtis' Audition Tape for Firefly LaneSee Roan's reading for Young Tully.