Linda Cardellini’s Mysterious Motives In HBO’s Dark 7-Part Series Explained By Creator & Star

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Linda Cardellini recently discussed her enigmatic character, Carol, in the new HBO show, DTF St. Louis, with ScreenRant.

The story revolves around Carol and her estranged husband, Floyd (David Harbour), and how their lives are complicated by the arrival of Clark (Jason Bateman). Both men are looking for something more in their relationships, but when Floyd unexpectedly dies, Clark becomes the prime suspect. This forces Carol to confront a hidden affair she had with him.

I recently read a really interesting interview with Steven Conrad, the creator of DTF St. Louis, and actress Nancy Cardellini over at ScreenRant. They were talking about Carol, and it got me thinking about what drives her. Apparently, Nancy really connected with the idea that Carol puts up these walls around herself, almost like a defense mechanism, as she was preparing for the role. It’s fascinating to hear how she approached the character, especially as the investigators try to figure out what really happened to Floyd.

Image via HBO

The actor noted that she’s become much more reserved, unlike Floyd and Clark, who are very open. Carol is carrying a heavy weight of past and present responsibilities, stemming from her childhood.

Even though Carol is grown up and has a more settled life, she still feels like she has to handle everything on her own. Being with her husband, Floyd, leaves her exhausted, but when she’s with Clark, she begins to feel optimistic and like things could be different.

She’s built up strong emotional walls because of past experiences, making her very guarded. She’s hesitant to revisit old pain, and she’s carried a lot of responsibility from a young age. It feels like she’s constantly handling difficult situations on her own, especially because her partner often creates problems for them. Being with him leaves her feeling exhausted. But when she’s with Clark, she feels a sense of hope and the possibility of something different.

The contrast between these two relationships is driving the intense emotions and actions we’ve seen in the first two episodes of DTF St. Louis. Even though she’s having an affair, Cardellini genuinely believes Carol has strong feelings for Floyd. This love comes from a deep friendship they shared for many years. Carol cares about her family more than she initially lets on, and that care is a powerful force throughout the series.

You know, what really struck me about this film is the way it plays with two different relationships. But as things unfold, you realize her actions, even the complicated ones, stem from a deep love for Floyd. It’s really a story about connection, specifically their friendship – and how much she values her family, even if she doesn’t show it right away. It’s subtle, but it’s definitely there.

With the popular streaming series DTF St. Louis continuing to air – it currently has an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – viewers will soon learn more about the enigmatic Carol. The first part of the season primarily followed Clark and Floyd, but the focus will shift as Carol’s story and the truth behind it are revealed.

As a movie lover, I’ve noticed that the investigators looking into what happened after Floyd’s death – Donoghue Homer and Jodie Plumb – have really different styles. They’re both trying to figure things out, but their approaches couldn’t be more distinct, which makes it fascinating to watch.

I’m really impressed with how Donoghue is thinking now. It’s like Jodie’s come in and completely changed her perspective on the case. She’s not afraid to tell her partner he’s stuck in his ways, that he’s approaching it with an outdated mindset. She keeps saying things just feel wrong to her, and it’s so clear – as a young woman, she sees things they’re missing. She truly believes everything they assume is off base, and honestly, I think she’s right.

Although it doesn’t seem immediately obvious, the story is being re-examined and understood in new ways because Richard Jenkins’ character is becoming more open-minded. His younger coworker, played by Joy Sunday, challenges his perspective, pointing out he’s viewing things with the biases of his age. From my perspective as a young woman, the situation isn’t what he believes it to be.

I think Richard Jenkins is just phenomenal as the older detective. Conrad really highlighted what makes him so good – he’s an actor who can truly transform. The way Richard is playing the role makes me think viewers will start to see that this character is capable of growth and even admitting when he’s made a mistake. It’s a really nuanced performance.

Richard is a compelling actor because he’s naturally able to transform. You really root for him to grow and be willing to admit when he’s made a mistake – to challenge his own assumptions and surprise even himself.

Donoghue has always viewed suburban life as an outsider, and he admits he wrongly judged what motivated the people who live there. It’s currently unclear if his initial assessment was correct, but through his work with Jodie, he’s beginning to understand that the people he’s investigating – like Carol – are just as complex and troubled as anyone else, regardless of where they live.

It’s unclear if he’s right, but he’s starting to realize that everyone has their own struggles, and things aren’t always as they appear. He’s a city person who’s always viewed suburban life from a distance, making assumptions about what people are like. Now he’s discovering that people in the suburbs have the same complexities and hidden depths as anyone else. Those episodes where unexpected things happen are actually getting at a deeper truth, and we explore that more and more as the show goes on.

Conrad hinted that the last three episodes of the season will reveal answers to many outstanding questions.

DTF St. Louis airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EDT on HBO.

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2026-03-10 15:22