Warning: This article contains spoilers for Beef season 2.
Oscar Isaac has addressed the surprise celebrity cameos in Beef season 2, including the emotional experience of getting to perform alongside a band he has admired in real-life.
The latest episodes of the anthology comedy-drama are currently streaming on Netflix, chronicling the grudge held by country club manager Josh (Isaac) and his wife Lindsay (Carey Mulligan), against two junior employees attempting to blackmail them.
The married couple fear damage to their reputation from a worrying video captured by Ashley (Cailee Spaeny) and Austin (Charles Melton), which could cause uproar among their wealthy clientele – including more than one famous face.
Speaking to Radio Times about the string of celebrity cameos in Beef season 2, Isaac saw them as creator Lee Sung Jin (also known as ‘Sonny’) taking elements of real life and inserting them into the show in a way that carries “emotional potency”.
One such example is an extended cameo from British synth-pop band Hot Chip, who Josh admires and gets the chance to perform with in one surreal concert scene. It was a dream come true for Isaac, who has fond memories of listening to their first album.
“[Hot Chip] is a group that we both talked about and one that actually meant a lot to me as well,” he explained. “I remember getting the CD in, I think, 2007 and listening to it obsessively.
“And the fact that we landed on them, and were able to get them to come out and play, there was just a meta level to what we were doing. So that was so exciting when [Sonny] said, ‘It’s happening’.”
Of the scene in question, Isaac added: “It’s also a moment where [Josh] is just trying to hold on to some past feeling and it’s great because, in that moment when he’s at his highest, he is also realising that it’s just an illusion.”
Here’s your guide to all the celebrity cameos in Beef season 2.
Beef season 2 cameos explained: Which celebrities make surprise appearances?
Hot Chip
The first hint towards Hot Chip’s involvement in Beef season 2 was their hit song, Flutes, being featured as the backing track to the initial teaser trailer released in early March.
Within the world of the show, Josh and Lindsay are long-time fans of the band and made fond memories at one of their gigs in the early days of their romance.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is a member of the country club that Josh manages, who chips in to a high-stakes poker game between Troy (played by William Fichtner) and fellow guest star Benny Blanco (more on him below).
Phelps became famous as a professional swimmer competing for the USA and currently holds the record for most Olympic medals won by a single athlete (28 in total, including 23 golds). He announced his retirement after the 2016 games in Rio.
Benny Blanco
Benny Blanco is a record producer known for his collaborations with massively famous artists, such as Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Eminem and SZA, to name just a few.
He is also known for his marriage to singer and Only Murders in the Building star Selena Gomez.
Finneas
Finneas is best known as a singer-songwriter and music producer, having earned particular acclaim for collaborations with his younger sister, pop star Billie Eilish, such as Bond track No Time to Die and Barbie’s What Was I Made For?.
He also composed the original score for Beef season 2, meaning his cameo is just an added bonus on top of that larger role.
Suni Lee
Another elite athlete looking to make use of the club facilities is Suni Lee, a gymnast for the United States’ national team, who currently holds six Olympic medals (including two golds).
She is also known for competing on the 30th season of Dancing with the Stars (the US equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing).
Beef season 2 is available to stream on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media.
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