YOU WON'T BELIEVE Who's Behind the Catastrophic Cyberattack in Netflix's 'Zero Day'

ATTENTION: The following discussion reveals plot points from every episode of “Zero Day,” currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Throughout “Zero Day,” Lizzy Caplan’s character, Congresswoman Alexandra Mullen (formerly the First Daughter), had been a mystery. However, it was eventually revealed in the final moments of the Netflix political thriller that she was indeed responsible for the catastrophic cyberattack causing widespread fear and an existential crisis. Interestingly, this shocking twist unfolds early in the finale, with Robert De Niro, making his first significant foray into television, portraying President Robert Mullen, a retired populist leader who steps back into politics to head a commission investigating the nationwide power outage.

When she learned that her character was villainous, she mentions: “I believe it was likely before I delved into the scripts. I might not have fully grasped the extent of her involvement at that time. I may have thought there would be other characters involved, but I hadn’t anticipated how central Alex’s role would be.

In an intense, private conversation within my apartment, I confessed to my father that the Zero Day attack was orchestrated from the very top echelons of our government – and how everything went disastrously awry. As it transpired, Richard Dreyer (Matthew Modine), the current Speaker of the House, had formed an alliance with tech tycoon Monica Kidder (Gaby Hoffmann) to execute a scheme against President Evelyn Mitchell’s (Angela Bassett) administration. Driven by my frustration with the excessive political squabbling that was hindering crucial legislation from being enacted, I found myself drawn into this rebellion.

In a mere sixty seconds, [Kidder] had the power to underscore our vulnerability and fragility, an observation which resonated with my father. ‘It’s understandable,’ he said, ‘because when we can remind people of what truly matters, perhaps they’ll filter out the distractions, the nonsense, and the deceit. In that case, we could reconnect more genuinely. We allowed it to transpire because it drove home that message for us, even better than we could have done ourselves. However, I was unaware that anyone would lose their life in the process.’

Dreyer and Mitchell managed to persuade Robert to allow Kidder to bear the blame for the cyberattack in his report, suggesting it as the best option for everyone concerned. However, upon receiving a resignation letter from Alex which he read during his public address of the report, Robert chose to reveal Dreyer’s part in the incident, despite the fact that this would also implicate his daughter and deepen the rift within his family even more.

Dreyer and Mitchell successfully convinced Robert to let Kidder take the fall for the cyberattack in his report, as they believed it was the best course of action. But when Alex handed her father a resignation letter to read during his public speech about the report, Robert decided to unveil Dreyer’s role, even if this meant implicating his daughter and exacerbating the family tension further.

In the passage below, Caplan discusses her perspective on Alex’s behaviors, lessons learned from collaborating with on-screen dad De Niro, and the ongoing impact of “Mean Girls” that still astounds her.

Caplan shares insights into how she understood and rationalized Alex’s actions, key lessons from working alongside iconic actor De Niro, and her continued awe at the lasting influence of “Mean Girls.

What did you find most intriguing about this fictional world that seems eerily similar to our current political climate?

The political elements are clearly propelling the narrative, and that’s the essence of the show: What unfolds when a nation as divided as this one experiences such a terrible event, leaving us uncertain about who to believe and questioning truth itself? Moreover, what if the concept of truth becomes less concrete and more dependent on individual perspectives? I found it all extremely intriguing.

However, what truly captivated me was the intricate emotional interactions hidden beneath all of this. Alex’s bond with both her parents, particularly her father, is intricate and fraught. There are deep-seated issues that the Mullen family has yet to fully address – not just the tragic overdose death of her brother, but also the role played by the Valerie Whitesell character in their family dynamics. In essence, there seems to be a multitude of hidden secrets within the Mullen household. Alex harbors significant anger towards her father for many reasons and also feels resentment towards her mother for standing by her father.

The task involved balancing the underlying personal conflicts with the grand, global political drama in this series, as every scene contained characters hiding their true intentions. There are seldom straightforward moments, instead, they’re consistently weaving lies or half-truths. This aspect was captivating yet difficult, as it seemed there were 15 thoughts rushing through Alex’s mind at each moment of the show. She also had her own hidden secrets to manage on top of everything else, but working with the cast and Lesli Linka Glatter made this intricate exploration a delight. I believe it adds depth that makes the series more than just a typical political thriller.

So much of Alex’s adult life has been spent trying to step out of her father’s shadow. Midway through the season, Alex insists that she’s a congresswoman and not “daddy’s little girl,” and Speaker Dreyer reminds her that she’s both. What was your interpretation of Alex’s emotionally fraught relationship with Robert? Is she searching for love or approval from him? Does she want to be seen as different from him?

It seems she has a mix of desires and necessities in this relationship that she might not fully recognize. One key aspect she yearns for is transparency about what happened to her brother from her family. She needs them to acknowledge their mistakes and take responsibility for their character flaws. However, she won’t find this honesty from her parents, which consistently leaves her feeling annoyed and disappointed.

It’s possible that there’s a common theme shared by many people, which is the feeling of believing one understands more than their parents, considering them outdated, and not fully grasping the intricacies of the current world. This sentiment seems to be Alex’s downfall. She assumes her understanding of the fast-paced news cycle and social media’s role in politics gives her superior knowledge compared to her father. However, I, Lizzy, strongly oppose this perspective because she lacks his experience and wisdom, and she undervalues these qualities while placing too much emphasis on what she brings to the table. This misguided belief leads her to make some questionable choices.

All six scripts were written before the start of production, so you had a clear way to track Alex’s arc. How did you think about playing and teasing out her inner turmoil over the course of these episodes?

It seems plausible that one might wish to conceal a secret in such a scenario. However, considering the deceptive abilities of people, it’s possible that she is an excellent liar, given the magnitude of her secret-keeping. I’m curious if you’ll notice any subtle signs when you rewatch it.

In my view, her motivations appear to be honorable. While I can grasp her objectives, I wouldn’t have chosen the same approach. I find her behavior somewhat naive and unaware. Despite her hiding such a significant secret and fabricating numerous lies, it seems that, initially at least, her unwavering belief in the cause she is championing keeps her moving forward. It appears that they all share the same goal; she just pursues it in a dubious manner.

All of Alex’s secrets spill out in a heated confrontation with her father in Episode 6. What do you remember from the process of shooting that pivotal scene, and what was it like for you to be able to spar with De Niro in that way?

Extremely tense. That was undoubtedly the moment that made me feel the most anxious. I could hardly contain my nerves, wondering if I could just make it past this scene, I’d be able to relax a bit. We filmed for the entire day, and oh boy, it was a grueling experience. It felt like an eternity. Exhausting doesn’t even begin to describe it. I can’t say for sure if we all felt comfortable that we nailed it. I still have doubts about whether or not we succeeded in the end. Frankly, I can’t imagine any actor enjoying having to maintain such high intensity and emotion for 12 hours straight, but Bob was exceptionally gracious, patient, and a joy to work with. Honestly, his generosity wasn’t something I expected from someone of his stature, but it’s simply incredible. He doesn’t have to be so kind to other actors as he is, and it leaves me in awe. I hold great admiration for him.

Before meeting De Niro for the first time a couple years ago, you told EbMaster that you were “gonna let him lead” because he loomed so large in your brain and in your childhood that you just didn’t know what to expect from him. What do you remember from your initial meeting with him?

It strikes me as my initial encounter with him took place at his office, an extraordinary location indeed. The walls are adorned with numerous photos of him alongside various individuals, countless film frames. It’s almost like stepping into a museum. Yet, despite being Robert De Niro, he exuded kindness, warmth, generosity, and authenticity. His devotion to family is evident, and it’s clear that this is what truly motivates him. I had no preconceived notions about his personality, but he undeniably embodied the characteristics of a devoted family man.

Indeed, I must confess I was quite anxious to encounter him, and I can’t help but empathize with anyone in that situation, being so widely recognized for such an extended period. Navigating life at that level of celebrity surely presents numerous difficulties. Frankly, it seems peculiar to have everyone regard you as if they’re witnessing a remarkable event each time you meet someone. Therefore, I avoid fan-gushing, preferring instead to delve into the individual behind the fame. However, I do know Jesse Plemons somewhat, and he has collaborated extensively with Bob. He shared that Bob is simply a kind, decent man – and this was indeed the case.

The relationship between Alex and Jesse Plemons’ character Roger is, by design, difficult to define, but it’s clear from Alex’s reaction to his murder that he meant a lot to her and that she didn’t expect to lose someone so close to her as an indirect result of this cyberattack. How would you characterize their relationship? Were they just hooking up? Were they actually in love?

One advantage of the unexpected six-month hiatus, due to strikes, was that it provided us an opportunity to explore a deeper aspect of the characters. Lesli, Jesse, Eric, and I gathered at Lesli’s apartment, and we found ourselves discussing their relationship, which isn’t extensively portrayed within our show. With minimal scenes between them and high-stress events surrounding them, it was difficult to depict the rich history these two characters share. Therefore, we aimed to pack those scenes with as many meaningful moments as possible to illustrate the length, complexity, and interconnectedness of their lives.

It seems like we delved into Alex’s brother’s passing and the close bond between the three of them. Losing Roger only intensifies the sorrow from losing her brother. They were her circle. Growing up, they were under intense scrutiny, which drove them to find a group where they could let loose, act mischievously, and just be kids. I believe both Alex and Roger’s characters harbor many struggles, vices, and secrets. We wove their past experiences into the narrative, subtly hinting at it throughout the scenes to give depth to their relationship in minimal screen time together.

How did you want to play out the aftermath of Roger’s death from Alex’s perspective?

As I reflect on this film, it becomes increasingly evident that our protagonist’s life is spiraling out of control. The initial plan has veered off course so dramatically that she finds herself barely able to take another step, clinging desperately to the goal she had initially set for herself.

The climax of her conversation with her father seems to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, finally revealing truths that she had been unaware of. However, instead of allowing herself to mourn properly, she appears to be pushing through, perhaps trying to suppress the emotions surfacing not only about Roger but also about her brother and her own role in their shared past.

In essence, this movie is a poignant exploration of denial, resilience, and the human capacity to compartmentalize pain in order to keep moving forward.

You’ve personally gone from strength to strength in three very different shows: “Fleishman Is in Trouble,” “Fatal Attraction” and now “Zero Day.” I think it’s fair to say the “Caplanaissance” is on.

That’s news to me! If I were to learn it again from another source, then perhaps I could consider it as something not fabricated on the spot.

Well, I’ve just coined the term, so someone else can use it now. You’ve openly talked about how a lot of the misfit, left-of-center characters that defined your early body of work weren’t necessarily the people who were getting the really juicy leading roles, but we seem to have arrived at a cultural moment where those kinds of women have become a lot more normalized.

It seems your observation is correct. The cultural and entertainment industry landscape has undergone such a significant transformation that when I initially began my career, left-of-center characters rarely took the lead roles, and they weren’t the popular choices either. People aspired to be the “main character,” while I was always attracted to the more unusual or misfit personas. However, it was often disheartening because these characters didn’t control the narrative as frequently as the main characters. Shows like “Wednesday” would have been uncommon for me when I was 19 years old or so.

Indeed, it seems to me that culture is evolving and so are the roles for women in television. Earlier today, we were discussing “The Sopranos” and Carmela Soprano stands out as one of the most intricate female characters ever created. These complex roles have always been a draw for me, and they continue to be my preference. It’s almost serendipitous that current shows are focusing on these multi-layered, fractured protagonists, which is what truly captivates me.

Last year marked the 20-year anniversary of “Mean Girls.” When you look back on that film, what stands out to you? And did you have any say in Janis’ Goth look that seems to have stood the test of time?

I didn’t get to decide on the hairstyle, but perhaps I suggested straightening specific sections of my damaged, dyed black hair. However, I vividly remember it with fondness. For years afterward, I struggled not to disassociate myself from that character. I didn’t want to be defined solely by her, so I worked tirelessly against that stereotype. Now, two decades later, I believe I’ve managed to achieve a level of separation, which allows me to truly appreciate the film and my role in it. As you pointed out, each new generation seems to embrace it. It feels like a milestone for many young viewers, particularly girls but also boys, so it does seem like a legacy now. It’s something I am immensely proud to have been associated with.

Although the depiction of the high school in that movie seems quite unlike modern-day schools – no screens or social media were present, which would play a significant role today. However, these elements are absent from this story, and they are indeed featured in the remake and musical. So, one might wonder how relevant it is to students attending high school now, given that their experiences appear to differ greatly from those portrayed in “Mean Girls.” Yet, the themes remain universal, and it was an exceptional script. Indeed, there will always be mean girls in any high school setting, even if it’s on another planet.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-02-23 00:18

YOU WON’T BELIEVE Who’s Behind the Catastrophic Cyberattack in Netflix’s ‘Zero Day’