Jeff Hiller & Tim Bagley Find Each Other (and Happiness) on 'Somebody, Somewhere'

There is something bittersweet about watching the third season of "Somebody, Somewhere," the HBO comedy about the midlife crisis of a lesbian who moves home to care for her dying sister. After she passes, the woman – Sam (the phenomenal Bridget Everett) stays on to deal with her dysfunctional family, as well as reacquainting herself with her old friends, who include her gay bestie, Joel (Jeff Hiller).

Why it is bittersweet is that this will be the final season of this cult favorite, which shows that LGBTQ+ life in the Midwest is alive and well and most diverse. Sam doesn't lack contact with a community, what's missing is the confidence in herself to find her place in this world. A talented singer, will she finally gain the confidence to pursue her career? And is life in a small Kansas town what she wants?

While the show has been ignored by the Emmys, it won a Peabody Award last year. In their citation, they wrote: "Co-created by Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, the series' second season builds on the critical acclaim of its premiere season, continuing to interweave multiple engrossing storylines with razor-sharp dialogue and ribald comedic insight. Supported by an ensemble cast of heartfelt characters who are as flawed as they are endearing, and grounded by Everett's powerfully understated performance as Sam, 'Somebody Somewhere' discovers moments of authentic tenderness in the painful absurdities of the human condition. For its combination of pathos and hilarity, we recognize Somebody Somewhere with a Peabody award."

Watch Bridget Everett's acceptance speech.

As Sam, Everett is qually churlish and charming, and bring a wonderful complexity to a woman at a crossroad in her life; plus the show runners wisely cast a strong supporting cast of quirky and funny queer actors that bring a rainbow consciousness to this Red State community.

Chief amongst them is Joel, (Hiller), Sam's endearing bff, who is slowly moving away from her having found Brad (Tim Bagley), a friend from church with whom he is romantically involved. At the start of the season, Joel has sold his house and moved in with Brad; and as they bond as housemates, but Sam is beginning to feel him becoming more emotionally remote.

Hiller has been one of the show's numerous delights – his lanky presence and oddball sense of humor makes a perfect fit for the darkly funny Sam. And the addition of Brad (Bagley) helps complete the character's story arc. Maybe what's next should be a spinoff starring Hiller and Bagley. EDGE spoke to Hiller and Bagley about the show.

EDGE: For season three, is there anything you are most excited about for the views to experience?

Jeff Hiller: Personally, I think the scenes between Tim and me where we are trying to figure out what it's like to live together feel so truthful and universal. I think a lot of people are going to say, "Oh my God, were they listening inside my house?" and I like that.

Tim Bagley: The only thing I would add is that something special happens towards the end for Bridget's character, Sam. It happens near the end. And I don't believe I am in the episode, but it's my favorite. It's just so beautiful.

EDGE: What I loved about the two of you as a couple is that the relationship felt real. Was it easy for you to find that chemistry?

Tim Bagley: Well, look at Jeff's face. How do you not love this face? It was very easy. I had the good fortune of watching that whole first season. I wasn't in it, but I got to watch him. I remember watching the pilot with friends and saying, "I love this guy." Then I stepped into it a year later and was able to look at him and feel like I already knew him. It was very easy.

Jeff Hiller: It was good writing, and we get along well off-camera, too, so it was easy. The other thing is that we laughed a lot. We laughed a lot while we were shooting and even when we were not shooting.