An Interview with David Appelbaum, Creator & Showrunner of ‘La Brea’

LA BREA -- Pictured: "La Brea" Key Art -- (Photo by: NBC)

David Appelbaum is an accomplished writer and producer that has worked on some incredible shows, such as The Mentalist and NCIS: New Orleans. But David is best known for his work on La Brea on NBC. A show he created and where he serves as Showrunner and Executive Producer and with La Brea coming to a close, we here at NTG had the distinct honor of sitting down with David to discuss the end of this beloved series.
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John Betancourt: What does it mean to you as a showrunner and creator, to end this series on your terms.

David Appelbaum: It means a lot. You know, this has really been a labor of love for almost four and a half years, for me. Starting with just an idea, you know, it was just like the idea of a sinkhole opening, and now it's grown into three seasons, working with hundreds and hundreds of people, a show that’s seen by millions of people around the world. It's amazing. And I feel, you know, so grateful that I was given this opportunity. So, it's exciting, that we got to wrap it up, in a great way, but also, you know, a lot of emotions, it's been a real journey for me, personally. And I think, you know, for the fans too, to see where these characters have gone over, you know, 30 episodes.

John Betancourt: It’s safe to say that anyone that creates a story takes something away from that story when it’s finished. What did you take away from this show?

David Appelbaum: I think the biggest thing is just how to be a showrunner. You know, there's just so many demands that are put upon a showrunner, having a creative vision, overseeing a budget, overseeing visual effects, managing notes, and feedback from network executives and from studio, and from other producers, cast relations, there's just so many things that you have to be able to do. So, you know, being able to grow into that role. And understand the demands of it, I think if there's something that I take away from it, that I never had, this was the first show that I've created and run. So, I never had to do anything like this before, the only thing I had to do before was write scripts, which is just part of… which is just the beginning of what you have to do. So, I think all of those different aspects and those different roles are the things that I probably have taken away from it, and you know, knowing how to do it all at once.

John Betancourt: What are you most proud of when it comes to this show?

David Appelbaum: I think it's, you know, on a personal level, it's really friendships that I've made, the chance to work with people, you know, to meet people that I never would have had the chance to meet before. You know, the show was shot in Australia, and, you know, there’s friends I've made from around the world. So, I think it's really the relationships that I've taken with me, into whatever, whatever I do next, it's definitely been like, creatively fulfilling, to be able to have, you know, your own idea and your own show, be put out there. But more than that, it's just getting the chance to work with great people and the people you meet along the way.

John Betancourt: Last question I have for you today, how would you describe the final season of La Brea?

David Appelbaum: Epic. I think it's an epic journey, in terms of the scale of the show. You know, we have this this show that, you know, that there are no dinosaurs in 10,000 BC. So, just on a pure visceral level, it's epic. But also, in terms of like, the emotional journeys, that characters are going on, they’re epic, you know, they're really bringing them to their conclusion. So, I think everyone is, you know, we're bringing… everything is building to a great climax. So, I think definitely, it's an epic season of television. And it is, you know, it is a thrill ride. Like, that's how we've always designed the show, but now more than ever, I think, this season is one that, you know, really takes that to a new level.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. The final season of ‘La Brea’ debuts on NBC on January 9, 2024, at 9p-10p ET/PT and will be streaming on Peacock, the next day.

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