‘High Desert’ Star Patricia Arquette Previews ‘Flawed & Dangerous’ Character

(Credit: Apple TV+)

“She’s a flawed person with a complicated survival mechanism,” Arquette says of bighearted Peggy, who’s determined to earn back the respect of her siblings after the death of their mom (Bernadette Peters, who shows up in a separate, fascinating role during the season’s eight episodes).

Peggy wheedles her way into working for emotionally fragile PI Bruce (Brad Garrett). She convinces him she has a scheme to save his failing business that involves anchorman turned crooked shaman Guru Bob (Rupert Friend), the ex-boyfriend of Peggy’s coworker at her other gig: a historical reenactor at the cheesy Pioneertown. “She’s attracted to and repulsed by Bob, and they end up in danger together,” Arquette reveals.

Trying to save her is parolee/fellow addict Denny — whom she hopes to divorce. Driving her beat-up dune buggy, Peggy is very much on her own twisty path. Says Arquette, “She has enough knowledge of [any one thing] to make her kind of dangerous.”

High Desert, New Episodes, Wednesdays, Apple TV+