INDIANAPOLIS — "'Found' is all about representing the underrepresented, highlighting people who are missing who don't get media attention," said actress Shanola Hampton ("Shameless"), who plays Gabi Mosely, a public relations specialist and crisis manager who was kidnapped as a child. "Her purpose in life is to make sure that no one has to save themselves like she had to."
The twist of it all? Mosely kidnaps the man (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) who abducted her as revenge and keeps him locked up in her basement.
"It's going to be a long season. It's 22 episodes, which we feel very fortunate that NBC believes in us, and we believe in NBC, so it's a very good fit," said Gosselaar ("Saved by the Bell," "NYPD Blue") of the second season. "We're gonna really dig into the rest of the cast and understand their backstories a little bit more."
Although a fictional drama, "Found" is a great conversation-starter on bringing more attention to missing persons cases in underserved communities from all backgrounds, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, elderly, sex workers and more.
"It feels like I am doing something that is so relevant and so timely and makes so much sense right now to be highlighted," Hampton said. "Should we have been having these conversations earlier? Yes. Am I so happy and thrilled we're doing them now? Absolutely."
Growing up before audiences' eyes as protagonist Zack Morris in seven seasons of "Saved by the Bell," Gosselaar is embracing his villainous role in "Found."
"I think I've been playing a villain my entire career. I don't think Zack Morris was necessarily the angel sitting on the shoulders of everyone he came in contact with," Gosselaar said. "I've been playing dark characters my entire life. There's something about these characters that I get drawn to. I think it's the challenge of playing them."
After 11 seasons as the charismatic Veronica "V" Fisher in "Shameless," Hampton is embracing the opportunity to take on a role in a drama series.
"We always strive to, as actors, diversify our career and let people know you're not just one thing," Hampton said. "It's really nice for people to see the juxtaposition between the two characters. I love V so much. People still call me her in the streets, and I answer. I love Gabi Mosely. It's just nice that I'm able to have a career where I can play two strong women that lead different paths of life."
New episodes of "Found" air Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on NBC and stream the next day on Peacock.