Why ‘Better Things’ Star Pamela Adlon Is Directing Every Season 2 Episode

Pamela Adlon juggles a lot of roles. She’s an actress, showrunner, mother of three and she is back in the director’s chair again. However, she isn’t just stepping in to direct a couple episodes of FX’s “Better Things,” as she did last year. She’s directing all of Season 2, and she told International Business Times that she prefers being in charge.

“It’s been a lot easier, believe it or not,” she told IBT at the Peabody Awards in New York, which was honoring the comedy with an award.

“Everything flows through one person and it’s just a very handmade show,” she continued. “It’s my vision. So now I’ve stopped having to kind of step back and let other people do it, and it just goes quicker. It’s a bit easier, everything flows through one fun lady.”

“Better Things,” co-created by Louie C.K., is inspired by Adlon’s life as an actress and mother. She plays Sam Fox, a working actress and single mother trying to balance her career with taking care of her three children — teenager Max (Mikey Madison), eccentric pre-teen Frankie (Hannah Alligood) and adorable grade schooler Duke (Olivia Edward) — and watching out for her mother Phil (Celia Imrie), who happens to live across the street. “Better Things” has been praised for its realism and relatability, two aspects the star is striving to maintain in the second season as she explores some of the supporting characters more.

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The “Californication” alum promised that the half-hour show will be “getting deeper into characters that you may not necessarily want to hear from or sympathize with. That’s interesting to me. We’re trying all kinds of things, but mostly trying to stay authentic and resonate with people.”

The actress couldn’t say too much about what’s coming up for her character Sam in Season 2, though. “I never know how to answer that because I don’t want to ruin things,” she said. “But just everyday. Basically, being able to come to terms with certain things, accept love and give love in her own way.”

While showrunning and directing are new to Adlon, acting is not. She’s been in the business for over 30 years, since she was just 12 years old. Her daughters, however, are just getting started. Adlon explained that she is happy to have her girls, Odessa (who will soon be on CMT’s “Nashville”) and Gideon, join the business.

“I think it’s great. I’m not one of those hypocritical actor parents who are like, ‘I’m not going to let my child do that.’ And then my older daughter’s in Seth Rogen’s new movie shooting in Atlanta right now, so anyway, they’re welcome,” she laughed.

While the girls are just getting started, Adlon has the joy of finally being able to work on a passion project. After speaking to IBT on the red carpet, Adlon accepted her Peabody onstage at Cipriani Wall Street. She revealed how close to her heart “Better Things” is.

“I’ve worked in a million things that it never really mattered if I liked the show or the movie because I needed to work…Now I have a show, and it’s mine,” she told the audience. “This one is mine. And it’s exactly the show that I would have wanted to do, and I can’t believe that I’m doing. It’s the story that I want, the way I want to be telling it. I never dreamed that this could be my job, and I’m so grateful for that.”

You can watch Adlon accept her Peabody Award when the ceremony airs Friday, June 2 at 9 p.m. EDT on Fusion and PBS. “Better Things” Season 2 does not yet have a premiere date.