Beef duo Steven Yeun and Ali Wong made sure to create a "very safe and welcoming environment" on set of their new Netflix comedy-drama - despite their characters' mutual hatred for each other.
Produced by A24 for Netflix, Beef follows two strangers named Danny Cho and Amy Lau, who find themselves caught up in a road-rage incident that neither of them can seem to let go of, while they deal with their individual struggles in their own lives.
Last seen in Jordan Peele's sci-fi western Nope, Yeun portrays Danny, whose clash with Wong's character Amy out on the road leads to a really wild ten episodes.
So, sitting down for an exclusive chat with Digital Spy, the pair were asked about the formation of that visceral dynamic they share on screen.
Related: Beef review - Steven Yeun and Ali Wong's new show is uncomfortably brilliant
"It was fun. It was surprisingly warm," said Yeun.
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"In between takes, in between setups, it was just us really coming together in close ways and bonding. It was a very safe and welcoming environment that was created between us. That then allowed us to then go at each other on screen. That was so fun."
Wong, who has enjoyed popular voice roles in Big Mouth and Onward, added: "I think when you look at the show, it seems like you've got two people who hate each other, and who are enemies.
"But it's really about... You know, it's two people who really connect, and seeing each other for who they really are, and accepting it, and really letting each other see each other at their most vulnerable moments.
"I think just as important as having that tension is really having that connection... because tension can be really connecting, too."
Related: Walking Dead's Steven Yeun and Big Mouth's Ali Wong star in first trailer for new Netflix show Beef
Highlighting his co-star's "gracious ways", Yeun finished off with: "You know, we're kind of saying, after we duke it out onscreen – which feels very real – you take a cut; you take a break.
"You're like, 'Hey, I like you.' Then you're like, 'Cool. It feels safe. We're playing now.' And that's fun."
Beef is now streaming on Netflix.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
