Claws
Sunday, 9 p.m., TNT
The “Claws” are cracked heading into the show’s Season 1 finale.
“You gotta keep your eyes open because everybody on this show is not who they say,” said Niecy Nash (“Getting On,” “Reno 911!”) of Sunday’s closer, which reveals a jaw-dropping twist in its final seconds. “It will set Season 2 off in a whole other direction.”
The TNT show follows a Florida nail salon owner named Desna, played by Nash, who takes up money laundering for Dixie drug kingpin Uncle Daddy (Dean Norris) after being wooed by his nephew, Roller (Jack Kesy). But she catches him hooking up with her employee, Virginia (Karrueche Tran), who shoots and presumably kills him. The two women then set his body adrift on a swamp in a burning boat. In a soap-worthy twist, Roller resurfaces, very much alive, and exacts revenge. In last Sunday’s episode, Desna was shaken to the core after Roller aimed a gun at her, just inches from her face.
Nash, 47, spoke with The Post about Desna and Roller’s sick relationship, and how her own mother’s shooting by an ex-boyfriend (which she survived) affects Nash to this day.
You nail Desna’s desperation in the scene where Roller aims his gun at her. How difficult was it to film that?
It’s always challenging when somebody pulls a gun on me [in a scene]. I saw my mother get shot when I was 15, so I have to double- and triple-check the gun and make sure it’s empty. Then I try to manage my real feelings about it because if that’s not where the character is, then I don’t need to be ahead of her — you know what I mean?
Does Desna regret ever being with Roller?
I would say so. It started off as a relationship of convenience. He was like a Mr. Fix-it — a utility lover. While she was able to make some money, it has caused a lot of damage, not just for her but other people as well.
What do you think worries her the most?
In the finale, you find her not only fighting for her life, but somebody else’s life is on the line now. I’m not gonna tell you who, but she’s fighting for that person as well.
What do you think of Desna’s flashy, form-fitting clothing and big hair?
I’m used to the skintight world. Desna dresses like a superhero in a lot of ways; that’s kind of how I dress. I fought very hard for her aesthetic. They wanted me to have a soccer- mom bob with blond highlights. I was like, “Absolutely not!” It felt so false. I wanted her wild and untamed.
The cast seems so cohesive. How did you bond?
I was the first actor to come aboard the project, and as each girl was added I dated them all separately. Being in New Orleans, you bond over a good meal. The thing that makes the chemistry work on-camera is that it really works off-camera.
— Eric Hegedus
And here’s what else to watch this week:
Insecure
Sunday, 10:30 p.m., HBO
At a day party, Issa’s (Issa Rae) newfound confidence is shaken when she meets a handsome stranger who seems remote. Meanwhile, Molly (Yvonne Orji) unexpectedly runs into a childhood friend. A trip to the supermarket turns into an unsatisfying threesome for Lawrence (Jay Ellis).
Get Shorty
Sunday, 10 p.m., Epix
Series premiere. Nevada hitman Miles Daly (Chris O’Dowd) is intent on becoming a movie producer as a way to escape his past and win back his estranged family. He meets Rick Moreweather (Ray Romano), a washed-up producer who becomes his partner. While learning the business, Miles attempts to elude the head of a crime ring. Co-starring Sean Bridgers as Louis.
Bachelor in Paradise
Monday, 8 p.m., ABC
Season premiere. Production was suspended when it was discovered that contestants DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios were involved in some state of sexual congress. The legal department at Warner Bros. launched an investigation and cleared the way for this prime-time Club Med to resume its tasteless soft-core porn. Co-starring Kristina Schulman and Iggy Rodriguez.
The Defenders
Friday, Netflix
Series premiere. In this Marvel franchise iteration, four superheroes — Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter, above center) and Iron Fist (Finn Jones) — join forces to save New York City.
Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath
Tuesday, 9 p.m., A&E
Season premiere. “King of Queens” star Leah Remini was nominated for an Emmy award for her exposé of Scientology in a series of interviews with former believers. In the new episodes, viewers will learn about the church’s paramilitary organization as well as the daunting experiences of Paul Haggis, an Oscar-winning filmmaker.
Marlon
Wednesday, 9 p.m., NBC
Series premiere. Exes Ashley (Essence Atkins, below left) and Marlon (Marlon Wayans, second from left) try a friendly divorce for their children’s sake, but things get tricky when she starts dating. Co-starring Amir O’Neil (second from right) and Notlim Taylor (right).
Game of Thrones
Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO
Will Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Bronn (Jerome Flynn) emerge from the water? Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) gives the Lannister army an ultimatum: Join her forces or die. Cersei (Lena Headey) tries to take the bad news about her army in stride. C0-starring Kit Harington and Sophie Turner.