Cooper Koch says he auditioned to play a Menendez brother in two other productions before Netflix series
, star of Monsters: Lyle and Erik Menendez, has revealed that prior to landing the role of Erik Menendez in the hit Netflix series, he had auditioned to play one of the brothers in not one, but two other TV productions.
Koch recently appeared in conversation with actor Sam Nivola as part of Variety's Actors On Actors interview series. Whilst speaking with Nivola, he admitted that he had his sights set on playing one of the brothers for years before landing his big break in last year's series.
'My second audition ever was for the Law & Order series about them in 2017,' he revealed.
'And then I also had an audition for the Lifetime movie that they were doing the same year. I just felt like this insane cosmic, universe-y thing that was like, 'I have to play this part,'' Koch told Nivola. 'It was just that immense empathy that you feel for a person, and I had to do it'. And this immense empathy.'
Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders was released in 2017, starring Gus Halper and Miles Gaston Villanueva as Erik and Lyle respectively. Edie Falco also starred as Leslie Abramson, the defense attorney who represented the brothers.
The Lifetime movie Menendez: Blood Brothers was released that same year, starring as Nico Tortorella as Lyle and Myko Olivier as Erik. Hole frontwoman Courtney Love also starred as the brothers' mother Kitty.
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Koch also said that he felt connected to the brothers for a number of reasons, including that they both attended the same Calabasas high school. 'There are all these weird parallels,' he said.
'I still care so deeply about both of them. They're going to parole board in June; that looks very positive,' he went on to say.
The actor has been open about his support for the brothers throughout the promotional campaign for the show, saying : 'It is my firm belief that the Menéndez Brothers did not receive a fair second trial and all the evidence that supported their claims of sexual, psychological, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their mother and father were not considered.'
Koch also recalled his rigorous prepation for the playing Menendez, telling Nivola he poured over recordings of the brother for months before shooting: 'I listened to him every night before I went to bed. I had him on in the car when I was driving,' he recalled. 'I really did want to get his voice and mannerisms, because they all further support that he was being sexually abused by his father. I know there's so many perspectives, but I always wanted the audience to sympathise with him.'
The performer would later go on to be nominated for a Golden Globe award for his turn in the series.
The post Cooper Koch says he auditioned to play a Menendez brother in two other productions before Netflix series appeared first on Attitude.
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Some have even gone so far as to start a petition to "bring back the old user-friendly interface." It's the first major redesign Netflix has done in years, so it's understandable that change feels jarring for some. Despite the grumbles, I actually like the new layout. It feels less overwhelming, which helps me focus on what I want instead of falling into the endless scroll vortex that usually ends with me annoyed and turning the TV off. Sometimes change is exactly what a streaming service needs, and here's why. As mentioned before, the Netflix subreddit is where most opinions are being voiced. The common complaint by far is how few titles are now visible on screen at once. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Previously, a single row could show around seven options, but that number has dropped due to the new design's auto-expanding tiles and autoplay previews. Some users have even noted (somewhat ironically) that they can now see more shows on their phone screen than they can on their much larger TV. I also noticed that a couple of well-liked features have quietly disappeared. The 'new & popular' tab (which used to give a quick overview of trending titles and upcoming releases) is no longer part of the new layout. The update also did away with the 'categories' section, though fewer users seem to be upset about that change. Netflix highlighted the differences between the new "My Netflix" tab and the main homepage, but in practice, they look pretty similar as both show many of the same rows and recommended content. This is a criticism I can't really argue with. Of course, it wouldn't be a real controversy without some backlash on X too. One user commented on how they can't set reminders on movies and TV shows, because they can't even see them. Meanwhile, another user called it 'headache-inducing' due to the titles being too big. However, it's tough to tell just how much the online controversy reflects the opinions of Netflix's entire user base. Plus, it's unclear exactly how many people have even seen the new interface yet. The rollout started in May, but which countries or what portion of users have access remains unknown. It's also important to note that Netflix's own testing indicates that most users (even if they're not vocal about it) actually prefer the new layout (h/t The Hollywood Reporter). While it might seem like everyone's unhappy, you're only hearing one side. Don't get me wrong, I totally get why people are disappointed. Change is frustrating, especially when it comes to the platforms we use daily. But as someone who's incredibly picky about what to watch, I've actually found the new Netflix homepage to be a refreshing update. The fewer titles shown on screen at once make the experience feel less cluttered and more focused on your viewing habits. Instead of getting overwhelmed by endless rows, I can actually take in what's there, and honestly, the larger thumbnails and auto-playing previews make everything look way more appealing (we love a good aesthetic). Despite the redesign, all the essentials are still right where you need them. You've still got the top 10 list, the 'continue watching' row, and the ever-helpful 'new on' section. So while it might look different, nothing else has really been taken away. The same goes for the 'My Netflix' tab. Your personal list is still there, plus a solid lineup of recommendations based on what you've been watching. That said, I do understand why some people are frustrated. A few features do feel a bit more tucked away, and certain titles might not jump out like they used to. But with any big change, there's a bit of a learning curve. Hanging on to the same design forever can get stale pretty fast. People's habits change, tech moves forward, and what felt great ten years ago might now seem a bit clunky or outdated. Updating the interface keeps things feeling fresh, shows Netflix is actually listening and evolving, and helps the service keep up with what we want and need. Plus, with better screens, faster internet, and all kinds of new devices focused on AI, there are better ways to make browsing and watching easier and more fun. Changing things up lets Netflix use those improvements so the whole experience just feels smoother and more enjoyable. So yes, I'll keep defending Netflix's redesign, and I don't think it's quite cause for anyone to rush into canceling their subscriptions over it.
