Hulu’s “Paradise” seamlessly blends political intrigue with post-apocalyptic suspense, weaving a complex narrative around the assassination of former President Cal Bradford, played by James Marsden. At the heart of this gripping series is Xavier Collins, embodied by Sterling K. Brown, a top-tier Secret Service agent whose perspective immerses viewers in the intricate web of relationships and tensions that culminated in Bradford’s murder. Brown, known for his compelling performances in “This Is Us,” brings depth to this already intricate drama. Yet, the real surprise comes not from the cast, but from behind the scenes, with a former “Full House” star playing a pivotal role in the show’s creation.

Scott Weinger, fondly remembered as Steve Hale, D.J. Tanner’s boyfriend on “Full House” and its revival “Fuller House,” has taken a significant leap into new territory as a writer and co-executive producer for “Paradise.” This marks a stark contrast from his previous light-hearted roles, yet Weinger embraced the challenge when approached by creator Dan Fogelman. “He knew I’d be thrilled to explore the apocalyptic world-building and all those geeky details,” Weinger shared in an interview with Yahoo! “I was intellectually curious about all these elements.” His enthusiasm has led him down creative rabbit holes, delving into the enigma of the characters and the world they inhabit.

Weinger’s journey from beloved sitcom star to accomplished writer wasn’t instantaneous. “Full House” catapulted him to fame, but he chose to step back and pursue higher education. After a four-year hiatus, he returned to Hollywood with aspirations of writing. “I started at the bottom, delivering coffee and distributing scripts,” he recounted to Yahoo! His perseverance paid off when he crossed paths with Dan Fogelman, who offered him his initial writing opportunity on the WB’s “Like Family” in 2003. This collaboration continued through Fogelman’s other projects like “The Neighbors” and “Galavant,” eventually leading to Weinger’s integral role in “Paradise.”

Continuing his work in Season 2, Weinger penned the episode “Another Day in Paradise,” which delves into the complex persona of tech mogul Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond, portrayed by Julianne Nicholson. His writing not only enriches the show’s lore but also invites viewers to empathize with a seemingly impenetrable character. This contribution highlights Weinger’s skill in character exploration and keeps fans eagerly anticipating future developments. The audience has responded positively: both episodes penned by Weinger have secured spots in the top ten on IMDb.

With “Paradise,” Weinger has proved that he can handle drama, especially with the Season 1’s “Agent Billy Pace.” The episode shows Billy’s (Jon Beavers) backstory before ending with his murder. Weinger told Variety that, despite the somber ending, most of the episode focuses on themes that fans already associate him with, including the joy of young love. “We’ve got a lot of things that I’ve written plenty of times, but put through a fun-house mirror of crazy drama and a crazy situation and really violent, sinister things happening,” he said.

Weinger has also contributed to “Paradise” Season 2, which proves to be emotionally potent. He deeply examines tech billionaire Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond (Julianne Nicholson) in “Another Day in Paradise,” penning an episode that tells the backstory of “Paradise” while helping us connect emotionally to a stone-cold character. It proves just how good Weinger is at character examination while getting fans excited about what will come next. Viewers are certainly enjoying what he’s bringing to the show: Both of Weinger’s “Paradise” episodes to date are ranked in the top ten on IMDb.