If you thought Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed was just another thriller, think again. The Apple TV+ series, starring Tatiana Maslany as a single mom caught in a deadly blackmail plot, has been a wild ride from start to finish. But for Jake Johnson, who plays her ex-husband Karl, the finale was a total shocker.
In a recent interview, Johnson admitted he was "floored" by how the season ended. "I didn't see it coming," he said. "The whole custody battle thing, I thought Karl had a solid case. But the show is all about perspective, and from Paula's side, it makes sense."
Johnson's Karl is positioned as the antagonist, but the actor argues he's just a dad trying to do right by his daughter. "He's not evil. He just wants what's best for Hazel, which he thinks is moving to Boise. From his point of view, Paula is involved in murders. That's not ideal for a kid."
The finale's custody decision left Johnson surprised, but he also found it intellectually interesting. "The audience reaction has been wild. People really hate Karl. But I don't think he's doing anything wrong. He's just a guy who got caught up in a messy situation."
Johnson also reflected on Karl's arc, noting that by the end, his new wife Mallory (Jessy Hodges) starts driving the train. "Karl loses control. He thought he'd win on merit, but things get away from him. That's where he becomes more of a 'bad guy'—not because of his intentions, but because he doesn't know how to handle the chaos."
When asked about a potential Season 2, Johnson joked that a Karl spin-off would be boring. "He's just a guy in Boise with potatoes. Not great TV." But he did hint that the events in Portland "solidified" Karl's perspective. "There was no turning back for him."
Beyond Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, Johnson is gearing up for The Dink, an Apple TV+ comedy about pickleball set for July 24. "It's a joke-filled blast with tons of cameos," he said. "We designed it to be pure fun."
For fans of the series, Johnson's insights offer a fresh take on a show that's already a hidden gem. And if you're still team Paula, that's okay—just remember, Karl is just a dad who wants to go skiing in Boise.
For more on the finale, check out our exclusive sneak peek at the Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed finale and Tatiana Maslany's take on that bonkers ending.
