Titans’ Bryan Edward Hill discusses Dick’s personal growth on the show

Ahead of Titans’ third season, Bam Smack Pow caught up with writer Bryan Edward Hill and chatted about the show’s journey thus far.

DC Universe is home to a nice selection of DC content, including new shows like Harley Quinn and Stargirl. But it’s safe to say that its flagship show is Titans.

Though it’s currently on hiatus, the DCU’s original show has enjoyed two successful seasons thus far, and its third is on the horizon.

We recently had the chance to speak to one of the show’s writers, Bryan Edward Hill, chatting about his time on the show so far, his favorite episodes and which characters can still grow and develop further in the future

BamSmackPow: You’ve been writing for Titans since the show’s first season in 2018. How did that gig come about?

Bryan E. Hill: Links from people I’ve worked with before. In that case, Mark Verhiden, the showrunner of ASH VS. EVIL DEAD recommended me to the TITANS group and I met with them. Got the job from that.

BSP: Was dropping the “Teen” from “Teen Titans” always the purpose and, if so, did it have anything to do with the show’s more mature approach?  

BH: Funnily enough, I’ve never really thought about it. I suppose that was the intention. It was titled before I got there, but that’s a good theory.

BSP: You’ve written some of the best episodes such as 1.5 “Together” and 2.7 “Bruce Wayne”. What would you say is your favorite episode of the show as a writer or viewer?

BH: That’s kind, but every episode is really a collaboration. We all break the stories together and help one another. The byline doesn’t tell the real truth of creation. I enjoyed “Bruce Wayne” because I’ve always loved Batman and getting a chance to work with Iain Glen was phenomenal. Such a nice guy. Great life moment, being on that set.

BSP: What is it like in the writer’s room at Warner Bros. Television in terms of the process in developing and writing for Titans?

BH: Our room is full of friends so that helps. We gather every day and break the stories, talk the thematics, all of that and Greg Walker, the showrunner, leads us into his vision. That’s really the job of television, realizing the vision of your showrunner.

BSP: When Titans first dropped, many noticed that it had a significantly darker tone than the comic books. Do you think the show benefits from the dark tone, or do you think there’s still room for more optimism like we saw in Season 2?

BH: Hopefully there’s optimism inside the darkness that the audience can find. Optimism is important to me, writing aspirational fiction. Even though the plotting can be dark, I always try to make sure there’s a light of aspiration in the middle of it, as much as I can.

BSP: Dick Grayson finally assumed the mantle of Nightwing in the Season 2 finale.  Do you think he’s finally found some form of peace in terms of who he has become, or do you think there’s still potential growth there?

BH: No matter what we’ve achieved, we always have room for personal growth. Dick is just like all of us. He has traveled far, but he has a lot of road to walk.

BSP: Titans features such an incredible ensemble of characters, each with their own unique backstories and varying levels of depth. From a writing standpoint, is there any character (or characters) you particularly enjoy writing or would like to have the chance to write more for?

BH: It’s more about the actors for me, than the character, the people I’m writing for and I like all of them very much. Hard to pick one over another.

BSP: With the continued evolution of the streaming landscape, do you hope Titans could/should join the leads of Stargirl or Doom Patrol in expanding to other platforms such as The CW and HBO Max?

BH: Hmm. I try not to think too much about the business behind the business because there’s a LOT I don’t know. That stuff I leave up to the suits who live in that world day in, day out. Ultimately, I’m an artist so that’s where I put my thoughts, into the creating.

BSP: Are there any other potential projects outside of Titans you can possibly tell us you are currently working on at the moment?

BH: Nothing I can speak about at the moment, but if people follow me on social media, I update there as I’m able.

Titans Seasons 1 and 2 are currently streaming on the DC Universe in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally. Are you looking forward to the third season? Let us know in the comments below!