“The DNA of the show is such that the past is always with us,” noted Kessler of the show’s flashback-heavy format. “We’re going to learn more about Danny’s effect on the family and more about his past, and also what his effects are in the present day.”
“There’s a very important story that we’re interested in telling that includes [Danny],” he added.
The decision to keep Danny around was made long before Mendelsohn emerged as the show’s breakout performer. “That was always part of the plan,” maintained Kessler. “When we first hired him, it was for more than the first season.”