‘Gilmore Girls’ doc directors on cast interviews: ‘Surprising’



They’re taking a trip to Star’s Hollow. 

In the upcoming documentary “Drink Coffee, Talk Fast,” directors Meghna Balakumar and Kevin Konrad Hanna revealed that it wasn’t hard to get the show’s stars to talk. 

“Everyone’s been really, really open to the point where it’s actually been surprising,” Balakumar exclusively told The Post. 

“We went to people’s houses [to interview them]. We actually spent the day with them and their families, and kind of got to live their lives for a little while.”

The new project celebrates the 25th anniversary of “Gilmore Girls.”

Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham in “Gilmore Girls.” ©CW Network/Courtesy Everett Collection
Documentary director Kevin Konrad Hanna, left, Jared Padalecki, center, and documentary director Meghna Balakumar, right. Ink On Paper Studios

She joked that she was “scared” to go meet Kelly Bishop, because of her stern character, Emily Gilmore, but, “she was so warm and welcoming.”  

“Drink Coffee, Talk Fast” doesn’t have a premiere date yet, but it’s eyeing a summer 2026 release.

For now, they’re raising money to fund it on Kickstarter, with a goal of just under $70,000, which has already been exceeded.  

Kelly Bishop, Chad Michael Murray, Keiko Agena, Jared Padalecki, and Sally Struthers in “Drink Coffee, Talk Fast.” Ink On Paper Studios
Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham in “Gilmore Girls” ©CW Network/Courtesy Everett Collection

The documentary will cover the beloved family drama, which aired from 2000 to 2007 on The WB (which then became the CW) before it got a 2016 Netflix revival series, “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.” 

“Gilmore Girls” follows former teen mom Lorelai (Lauren Graham), as she raises her precocious  teen daughter, Rory, (Alexis Bledel) in the quaint town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. 

Supporting characters include Lorelai’s difficult mother, Emily (Bishop), her diner owner love interest, Luke (Scott Patterson), Luke’s nephew Jess (Milo Ventimiglia), Rory’s first boyfriend, Dean (Padalecki), local town weirdo, Kirk (Sean Gunn), and Lorelai’s best friend, Sookie (Melissa McCarthy).

Keiko Angena, Yanic Truesdale, Liza Weil, Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann, Melissa McCarthy, Liz Torres, and Sean Gunn. (L to R-bottom row): Milo Ventimiglia, Scott Patterson, Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel and Jared Padaleck in “Gilmore Girls.” ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Alexis Bledel and Jared Padalecki in a 2001 episode of “Gilmore Girls.” ©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co

“When you talk to the cast about this show, it still sits in such a special place in their hearts,” Balakumar and Hanna said. “You see their eyes light up, and you can tell it’s just like this moment in time in TV that can never quite be recreated.” 

For instance, she said about the cast, “they’re like, ‘yeah, come on over,’ and you fly to Austin [Texas] and you’re walking into Jared Padalecki’s house.” 

Although Padalecki is better known for his long-running starring role on “Supernatural,” playing Rory’s boyfriend Dean on “Gilmore Girls” is “where he started.”

“He learned the industry and built relationships,” Hanna told The Post. “For him, that was basically his high school college experience: growing up on the set of ‘Gilmore Girls,’ and the relationships and friendships that he made.”

Jared Padalecki in “Drink Coffee, Talk Fast.” Ink On Paper Studios
Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop and Lauren Graham in “Gilmore Girls.” ©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co

Hanna recalled seeing Padalecki take a “call from Milo when we were hanging out with him,” referring to Milo Ventimiglia, 48, who played Jess, Dean’s rival for Rory’s affections.

“So you can hear them just being good friends today. And I think that’s amazing.”

He added that the “Supernatural” star “lived with Chad during his early years,” referring to Chad Michael Murray, who also played one of Dean’s adversaries, since Murray’s character, Tristan Dugray, flirted with Rory. 

“It feels like ‘Gilmore Girls’ was this kind of camp [for the cast].” 

Chad Michael Murray in the doc “Drink Coffee Talk Fast.” Ink On Paper Studios

The filmmakers said that the documentary aims to cover both the main show and the Netflix revival.

“All the Gilmores. Every Gilmore,” Hanna quipped. 

And, although it will be a “positive” doc, they won’t shy away from “hot takes,” such as the audience’s reaction to the controversial “A Year in The Life.” 

“This show has created fun division in the teams of the boys,” Balakumar said, referring to how some viewers prefer Rory to be paired with Dean, others with Jess, and others with her college boyfriend, Logan (Matt Czuchry).

And, since “A Year in the Life” left Rory pregnant with an unclear father, the doc will cover rampant fan speculation about “who is Rory’s baby daddy?” 

“We want to cover all the discourse around it,” she noted. 

Kelly Bishop in “Drink Coffee, Talk Fast.” Ink On Paper Studios
Melissa McCarthy, Scott Patterson, Edward Herrmann, Lauren Graham. Alexis Bledel Yanic Truesdale. Keiko Agena in “Gilmore Girls.” ©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co

Despite including the bulk of the show’s cast, they haven’t yet confirmed if Graham, Bledel, or Amy Sherman-Palladino will participate. 

“We’re not done filming [the documentary], so we’re really hoping that we’ll be able to include everyone by the time we’re complete,” said Balakumar. 

Hanna added that they have “more people we will be announcing soon” and “conversations are being had.” 



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