‘The Good Place’: Ted Danson Teases New Soulmates For Bad Place Residents

Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani and Jason are all getting new soulmates in Season 2 of NBC’s “The Good Place.” While viewers have to tune in for tonight’s season premiere to discover who these new characters are, series star Ted Danson said that viewers are going to find the new pairings hilarious.

“The pairings are funny from an audience point of view, because you realize they are playing off of last season and what we’ve learned,” Danson, who plays ambitious afterlife architect Michael, told Entertainment Weekly. “Eleanor’s (Kristen Bell) new soulmate would appear to be perfectly her — everyone appears to be their dream, but really turns out to be a nightmarish new soulmate.”

In a separate interview with Entertainment Weekly, series creator Michael Schur praised the show’s writers for their great work in determining what kind of soulmates will best torment Eleanor, Chidi (William Jackson Harper), Tahani (Jameela Jamil) and Jason (Manny Jacinto). “The writing staff did a very good job in figuring out exactly the kind of people to make them absolutely miserable,” said Schur.

In a sneak peek from tonight season-opener, Michael brings Jason to the house of his new soulmate. While the video doesn’t offer a look at Jason’s new soulmate, Michael tells the “Buddhist monk” that his relationship with his soulmate is going to be “unique.” “Every residents here in the Good Place has a soulmate. Some of the pairings are platonic. Some are romantic,” the architect explains to Jason. “But what you have with your soulmate is unique. You have a spiritual connection that transcends the physical realms. This person’s gonna be your best bud.”

Although viewers are now privy to Michael’s evil mission to have Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani and Jason torture each other in eternal damnation, Schur told TV Insider that the show will retain Season 1’s sunny tone in Season 2. “I still consider it to be an optimistic show,” Schur said. “It’s saying everyone has flaws, everyone screws up. And if you just spend a little time thinking about ways you can behave that are more empathetic, you can actually become a better person. That’s what I cling to.”

“The Good Place” Season 2 premieres tonight with back-to-back episodes at 10 p.m. EDT on NBC.