When it came time for co-creators J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan to figure out who would star as the lead of their new '70s crime thriller Duster, there was only one name from the beginning of the process. Watching Josh Holloway in the role of hotshot, smooth-talking getaway driver Jim Ellis, it's a decision that makes all kinds of sense. While Jim has been a loyal member of Ezra Saxton's (Keith David) crime family for several years now, a new arrival on the scene leads him to question everything he thought he knew about his boss.
Meanwhile, newly-minted FBI Agent Nina Hayes (Rachel Hilson) has her own personal bone to pick with Sax, but the only way she can get close enough to take down his organization is by hooking herself a confidential informant — and that's where Jim comes in. As the two reluctantly pair up, they're both put into a position of being forced to trust each other, but they're also individually questioning everything they thought they knew about one of the most notorious men in Arizona.
Ahead of the premiere of Duster, Collider had the opportunity to speak with Holloway and Hilson about teaming up for their new HBO Max series. Over the course of the interview, which you can watch above or read below, Holloway reveals the pitch that immediately convinced him to sign on, while Hilson elaborates on which traits instantly drew her to her character. They also discuss the show's intensive stunt driving, why the characters Holloway plays are always handing out nicknames, the experience of working with Keith David, and more.