Is art imitating life? Hollywood is churning out several incredibly gripping apocalyptic-themed series, and viewers cannot get enough. The latest is Hulu’s Paradise, which is a real nail-biter from start to finish. The breakout hit had fans instantly hooked and obsessed with solving a murder and unraveling the mysteries of this unique world created by Dan Fogelman.

Paradise concluded its eight-episode first season this week with news of a second season pick-up mid-season. The streamer is also bringing back another fan favorite with The Handmaid’s Tale, which is returning in April with its sixth and final season. Both of these series are fantastic, with themes that, at times, mirror real life a little too much.

In an interview post finale, Sarah Shahi discussed this type of material and how she got the role as Dr. Gabriela Torabi in Paradise. She portrays a therapist who helped build the underground city that 25,000 “lucky” survivors have called home for more than a decade when the viewers first meet them.

Shahi described her layered and conflicted character. “I feel like she’s a very moral person. She has a lot of trauma. She talks about how both of her parents died when she was young, and she went down a bad road with drinking and gambling. I think getting into therapy and palliative care was a way to get on the straight and narrow for her, but I believe she harbors a lot of guilt. She doesn’t have anyone to talk to. Everyone comes to her, but who does she go to? There's a loneliness to her. Instead of looking at her problems, she distracts herself. I do that, too.”

As to why she thinks viewers are drawn to these darker shows, Shahi believes it’s a mix of our current reality and the demands of viewers wanting relatable content. “These are fantastic stories. The writing is incredible. Audiences are so smart; they demand sophisticated storytelling and superb writing. I think you could have a great story, but if the writing isn’t there, then it's not going to work. The writing is essential. As for Paradise, it’s a fun, escapist ride.”

Paradise is set in a serene community inhabited by some of the world’s most prominent people. On the surface, this tranquil town is the ideal place to live, but the reality is a far cry from its perfectly manicured lawns and tree-lined streets. Everything changes when a violent murder leads to a high-stakes investigation. The facade of perfection and safety is permanently destroyed.

There are relatable themes. Those who made it to Paradise are among the wealthiest, making this a survival-of-the-fittest, or richest, tale. We’re seeing this in real life, too; those with money and power run the show.

HBO had huge success with The Last of Us, and Netflix saw its political thriller Zero Day top its TV charts with over 19 million views in its first four days. What is it about these end-of-life-as-we-know-it storylines that’s drawing viewers in?

We have lived through incredibly uncertain, life-altering times in the last few years, with a pandemic, multiple wars, and a divisive political climate. Perhaps viewers are seeking comfort through this type of storytelling. These stories are dark, yet hopeful testaments to the human will to survive against all odds.

Paradise has become a massive breakout hit and one that fans are talking about. It’s one of the best shows out there. The murder mystery, sci-fi, natural catastrophe tale hooks its viewers within the first few scenes and doesn’t let go until the very last scene, and even then, you’re left wanting more. The superb writing and stellar cast, including Shahi, Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, and Julianne Nicholson, makes this a must-watch series. At first, it seems to be a very intense murder mystery, but there is so much more to the story.

Well-known for the phenomenal Netflix series Sex/Life, Shahi described a years-long appreciation for Fogelman’s work, which dates back to his award-winning series, This Is Us.

Shahi talked about her audition for the role in Paradise and admitted she’d reached out to Fogelman a decade prior, pleading to work with him. “I was such a fan of This Is Us that I wrote Dan an email in the first season and told him that his writing hits me in a way that no other writer does.”

Though she never heard back from Fogelman after sending him that heartfelt email, she got an offer a few months later for his show at the time, Pitch. She was in a few episodes, but the two never met in person until her audition last year for Paradise.

“Cut to nine or ten years later, I walked into that audition room and the first thing he said was, ‘Sarah, you are so sweet. I have been waiting to meet you. Thank you so much for your kind email.’ I was so surprised he remembered me because I wasn't even going to bring it up,” she recalled.

Not too long after her first audition, she was called in for a chemistry read with Brown. “It was the day that he got his Oscar nomination (he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in American Fiction). I was expecting a real piece of work to walk through the door. I was like, ‘Oh man, this guy’s gotta be so high on himself right now.’”

Shahi admitted she was wrong about Brown. “He’s the most humble, kindest human I’ve ever met. He's such a giver. He was lovely, you know, and has remained that way every moment since.”

Paradise was an immediate fan favorite, and Hulu wasted no time announcing that the edge-of-your-seat story would continue. Fans can look forward to seeing Shahi in season two.

She’s also excited about her new endeavor as an author. Her first book, “Life Is Lifey: The A to Z’s on Navigating Life’s Messy Middle,” will be available in hardcover later this year. “It’s a fun, raunchy, humorous insight into my life that was inspired by my journey while I was on Sex/Life.”

In the meantime, Shahi will be busy prepping for the second season of Paradise, and she’s looking forward to delving deeper into her character. “There’s so much about her that we don't know. It will be interesting to find out where her moral compass lies. Is she truly this kind-natured, peace-keeping, benevolent person? Or will her darker side come out? I would love to find out more about Gabriela. I want to see the cracks in her veneer, and I want to see her unhinged. I want some drama!”