Fagbenle and Parris Talk Money, Moms, and No Good Deed

In the star-studded dark comedy No Good Deed, the housing market becomes a battlefield of messy relationships, buried secrets, and outrageous antics. The story begins with Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano), empty nesters, preparing to downsize and leave their 1920s Spanish-style Los Angeles villa behind. But their picturesque home hides a secret, and the neighbors vying for it and their unresolved personal dramas are about to bring chaos to the cul-de-sac.

Carla, played by Teyonah Parris, and Dennis, portrayed by O-T Fagbenle, are one of the couples vying for the coveted house at the center of No Good Deed. Dennis, an author battling writer’s block, and Carla, a pregnant architect, find their carefully laid plans thrown into chaos when Dennis’ overbearing mother, Denise (played hilariously by Anna Maria Horsford), decides she wants to contribute financially to the house purchase and move in as well.

Taji Mag caught up with the duo, who shared their insights on their on-screen characters, the secrets couples should never keep, navigating big financial decisions, and the ever-complex topic of mama’s boys. They even teased fans with a little MCU banter. The duo’s off-screen camaraderie mirrors their on-screen chemistry, making their dynamic in No Good Deed all the more believable. Here’s what they had to say.

On Financial Transparency in Relationships

Felipe Patterson “In No Good Deed, your characters face challenges around financial transparency. How do you think financial secrets impact relationships, both in the show and in real life?”

Teyonah Parris: “I mean, they’re huge. We see it all play out with Carla and Dennis on the show. If you’re not being transparent financially — which is a significant pillar in any relationship — that’s going to trickle down and infiltrate all aspects of the relationship.”

O-T Fagbenle: “That’s very well said. Also, you know, a marriage legally ties you to someone’s debts. Knowing what you’re getting into on the legal side just makes sense.”

Big Purchases, Bigger Decisions

Felipe Patterson: Big decisions often require trust and collaboration in a relationship. Your characters experience conflicts while trying to buy the Morgans’ home. How would you personally handle such situations, and what can we learn from your characters’ approach?”

O-T Fagbenle: Well, the big purchases, I mean, the series is centered around making the biggest purchase that almost anyone makes in their life, which is the purchase of their home. What’s interesting, I think, sometimes, is you can have one person in the relationship, Dennis in this case, who is more aspirational, like, ‘Let’s dream big. Let’s manifest that we can afford this house.’ And then you get the other person who is a bit more pragmatic, saying, ‘Let’s cut our coat according to our cloth,’ as my grandmother would say. That tension between the pragmatist and the idealist creates a lot of drama — and humor.”

Teyonah Parris: You have to communicate. You have to talk about what you need and aspire to be in a relationship, and then find common ground. There has to be something you both love and can live with. Communication is key.”

Sketchers! 

Felipe Patterson: “Teyonah, what are your big purchases? I’m curious to know.”

Teyonah Parris: “Food, travel, and now my kid. It’s pretty boring.”

Felipe Patterson: “What kind of food are you eating that’s so expensive?”

Teyonah Parris: “I mean, it’s not expensive. I don’t eat expensive food. You said, what do I spend my money on? Food. That’s where it goes. Organic groceries.”

O-T Fagbenle: “Is it organic or gluten-free?”

Felipe Patterson: “Whole Foods?”

Teyonah Parris: “Just organic. And no, it’s not Whole Foods. I’m not into clothes and shoes unless someone else is dressing me. Naturally, I’m inclined to wear sweats and Sketchers.”

O-T Fagbenle: “I got my first pair of Sketchers recently.”

Teyonah Parris: “They’re hitting, right?”

O-T Fagbenle: “The slip-ons. I don’t even tie my shoelaces anymore.”

Teyonah Parris: “Wait, you have the slip-ons? Good night! My husband hates them, but it’s cool in my book. You’ve got style.”

O-T Fagbenle: “This is why we were meant to be work husband and wife.”

On Mama’s Boys

Felipe Patterson: Family dynamics add complexity to any relationship, as we see with Dennis’s interactions with his mother, Denise. What advice would you give to your characters in navigating these challenges, especially with him being a mama’s boy?

O-T Fagbenle: (Chuckles) Why are you calling my character a mama’s boy?

Felipe Patterson: Hey, I am a mama’s boy.

Teyonah Parris: Well, how do you navigate it?

O-T Fagbenle: Yeah, how do you navigate it?

Felipe Patterson: Full transparency. I mean, she isn’t going to stay with me now because she’s in a whole different state. But she’s my best friend.

Teyonah Parris: Until she wants to stay with you. Then what are you going to do?

Felipe Patterson: You’re right. That’s a difficult question.

O-T Fagbenle: You’re not a real mama’s boy. I’m a mama’s boy. I’ve already got plans for my mom to live with me. And, you know, everybody’s got to know that upfront. My mom is going to live with me. We’re going to live together. Yeah, when she gets older. I mean, she’s older already, but of course, she can’t live with me full-time now. What’s she going to be, though?

Teyonah Parris: That’s different. That’s like, “Okay, she’s older now…” Sure, that’s understandable. But that’s not what we’re talking about. In the show, Denise doesn’t need to live with her child.

O-T Fagbenle: My mom could still live with me. How about that? How about them apples?

Felipe Patterson: Well, my mom wouldn’t want to live with me now. She’d say, “Boy, you need your own space, and I need my own space.” So maybe she could live in a guest house behind me.

O-T Fagbenle: Listen, to be fair, not like (my mom would be) in the room next door to me. You know what I’m saying? 

Teyonah Parris: So now there are stipulations? You’re either going to let her do it, or you’re not.

O-T Fagbenle: I don’t know why you’re raising your voice like that! (Laughs)

Teyonah Parris: Yeah, because you started off with, “Mama can do this. Come on, Mama! I don’t even have to talk to my wife.” And now it’s like, “Okay, well, maybe she’s got to go over here where I (can) say she’s got a nice place to live!”

A Marvel Tease

Felipe Patterson: “Teyonah, I know you can’t say anything about your future in the MCU, but can you give me a thumbs up or down if we’ll see you again soon?”

Teyonah Parris: “Thumbs up for hope. But honestly, I have no clue. It’s not up to me.”

Felipe Patterson: “O-T, you’d make a great Blue Marvel. I’ll have Marvel assign you the role.”

O-T Fagbenle: “I’ll have a word with Marvel.”

Why You Should Watch

No Good Deed is a laugh-out-loud romp through the chaos of family, finances, and finding your forever home. With its razor-sharp wit, perfectly cast ensemble, and heartwarming moments, this show proves that the funniest battles happen when the stakes are sky-high. Streaming now on Netflix, it’s a must-watch that’ll leave you eagerly awaiting each cliffhanger. With its sharp humor and touching moments, No Good Deed delivers laughs, life lessons, and plenty of drama. Whether it’s navigating family ties or finding your dream home, this Netflix hit is a must-watch. I give it a 8/10.