Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Jake Johnson Was “Floored” by ‘Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed’s Finale
Actor Jake Johnson has spoken to Collider about the Season 1 finale of Apple TV's comedic thriller "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed", revealing he was left "floored" by the outcome of a custody storyline in the show. Johnson plays Karl, the ex-husband of Tatiana Maslany's lead character Paula, and argues that Karl should not be seen as the series' villain, but as a father genuinely trying to act in his daughter's best interests. The interview offers insight into how the actor approached a role that is positioned as an antagonist largely because he stands in opposition to the show's protagonist.
In the interview, Johnson explains that Karl wanted to relocate to Boise with his new wife, Mallory (played by Jessy Hodges), taking daughter Hazel (Nola Wallace) with him, and was genuinely shocked when he lost the custody battle in the finale. The ten-episode series, created by David J. Rosen, follows Maslany's Paula as a newly single mother who becomes entangled in a blackmail plot alongside her divorce proceedings. Johnson also discussed his upcoming Apple TV comedy film "The Dink", a cameo-filled pickleball comedy due for release on 24 July 2026.
In short
- Jake Johnson says his "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed" character Karl isn't a villain
- Johnson was shocked Karl lost the custody battle in the finale
- Johnson's pickleball comedy "The Dink" hits Apple TV on 24 July
Explained simply
"Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed" is a comedic thriller on Apple TV created by David J. Rosen. The series follows Paula, played by Tatiana Maslany, as a newly single mother caught up in a blackmail plot whilst navigating her divorce. The first season comprised ten episodes.
Jake Johnson plays Karl, Paula's ex-husband and the father of their daughter Hazel. In the story, Karl is positioned as an antagonist because he opposes Paula, pursuing custody of Hazel with his new wife Mallory.
Johnson has discussed his character's perspective in interviews, arguing that Karl should not be viewed as a villain but as a father attempting to act in his daughter's best interests. This offers viewers a more nuanced view of why supporting characters may stand in opposition to the protagonist.