Here and Now
Sunday, 9 p.m,. HBO
Adopted Colombian orphan Ramon Boatwright (Daniel Zovatto) is a gamer who begins to have frightening, perhaps cosmic visions in the new family drama “Here and Now.” His mother, former therapist Audrey Bayer (Holly Hunter), fears he is having a schizophrenic episode (this mental health disease runs in her family) and freaks out.
His therapist, Dr. Shokrani (Peter Macdissi), wants the 22-year-old Ramon, who has a promising career ahead of him designing video games, to speak for himself.
But he can’t always articulate his feelings. The only refuge from this personal turmoil seems to be Henry (Andy Bean), an older man who works in the laundromat/cafe not far from Ramon’s Portland apartment.
Peter Macdissi as Dr. Shokrani.HBO“Here and Now” is Alan Ball’s first series since “True Blood,” which ran for seven seasons on HBO. The new show tackles issues of race, religion, sexuality and politics with a large cast headed by Hunter and Tim Robbins, who play the parents of three adopted kids and one biological child. Zovatto, 26, spoke to The Post about his character’s weird storyline by phone from the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills.
How did you feel when you learned that Ramon’s storyline would center on these disturbing visions?
Challenge accepted. You wish for these opportunities. It was obviously a combination of excitement and willingness. A big pie of emotions. And it was six months of feeling crazy and not like myself. But it was a thrill.
Henry comes into Ramon’s life at a significant point. What is the effect on Ramon?
He’s everything to Ramon. He is this joker card. Ramon doesn’t know a lot about him. He knows that Henry cares for him. He’s a safety net and feels with Henry that he has somebody in his corner.
Did you do any research on schizophrenia?
I actually have a person who’s very close to me who’s gone through that with a family member of hers. It’s a very tricky thing. It can be everything from stories of hearing voices or that the government is tracking you or something is living inside your ear. It’s scary because it makes you feel very alone. The biggest thing is the impotence of wanting to do something [to help], but not being able to do very much.
Did you play video games growing up?
I never had an Xbox. I played “FIFA” soccer and “Madden NFL.” That was the extent of my gaming career. For this, I wanted to make sure I had an amazing-ass computer. I downloaded all the games, like “Warcraft.” I spent 10 to 12 hours in front of the computer, barely sleeping, not taking a shower. Getting into the rhythm. Ramon’s trying to discover himself through video games so I tried to live his life every day for as long as I could.
And here’s what else to watch this week:
The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Wednesday, 10 p.m., FX
Ray Mickshaw/FXNaval officer Jeffrey Trail (Finn Wittrock, above) meets Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss) for the first time at a San Diego bar. Meanwhile, Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez) decides to come out to the gay magazine the Advocate, despite the objection of his sister Donatella (Penelope Cruz). With Ricky Martin.
Star Trek: Discovery
Sunday, 8:30 p.m., CBS All Access
CBSSeason finale. Will the Klingons win the war against the Federation? Will Emperor Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) stay in the captain’s chair on the Discovery ship or escape the clutches of the Federation? Will Ash Tyler (Shazad Latif) get back together with his Vulcan girlfriend?
Doctor Zhivago
Thursday, 12:30 a.m., TCM
Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesIn this adaptation of Boris Pasternak’s novel, two forbidden lovers, Yuri (Omar Sharif) and Lara (Julie Christie, below) fight to stay together amid the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. Directed by David Lean, this sweeping romantic saga won five Oscars and was nominated for 5 more, including Best Picture.
The Alienist
Monday, 9 p.m., TNT
Kata VermesKreizler (Daniel Brühl, right) and Sara (Dakota Fanning) discuss the capacity to kill. Moore (Luke Evans) goes on a date. Byrnes (Ted Levine) and Captain Connor (David Wilmot) keep an eye on a potential suspect. Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) finds himself under public scrutiny.
Black Lightning
Tuesday, 9 p.m., The CW
Bob Mahoney/The CWAn unexpected phone call unearths the long-buried need for Jefferson (Cress Williams, left) to investigate the murder of his father. Meanwhile, Anissa (Nafessa Williams) wrestles with the fact that her actions have dire consequences. Lastly, Jennifer (China Anne McClain) learns the importance of controlling her temper.
Mozart in the Jungle
Friday, Amazon
Sarah ShatzSeason premiere. The romance between Rodrigo (Gael Garcia Bernal, below left) and Hailey (Lola Kirke, below right) deepens as they go public. As Rodrigo grasps what it means to be a beau, Hailey enters a conducting competition in Japan. What happens behind the curtains at
the symphony is just as captivating as what happens on stage as the lovers balance romance and classical music.
Homeland
Sunday, 9 p.m., Showtime
Jacob Coppage/SHOWTIMESeason premiere. Having broken her promise to Carrie (Claire Danes, inset) by arresting 200 members of the intelligence community, President Keane (Elizabeth Marvel) thanks her lucky stars following an assassination attempt. Carrie moves in with her sister Maggie (Amy Hargreaves) and decides to secure the release of the 200 prisoners.



