‘The Other Two’s Perfect Cameo Streak Continues With Kiernan Shipka and Lukas Gage

The Other Two Season 3 is consistently raising the bar when it comes to comedy, pop-culture homages, and guest stars. And Episode 5, “Cary & Brooke Go To An AIDS Play,” is no different.

On the heels of Dylan O’Brien’s memorable shower scene and a picture-perfect Pleasantville tribute, the Max Original accompanies Cary (Drew Tarver), Brooke (Heléne Yorke), Lance (Josh Segarra), Streeter (Ken Marino), Shuli (Wanda Sykes), and Chase (Case Walker) to a play titled, “8 Gay Men With AIDS: A Poem In Many Hours,” starring Cary’s method actor boyfriend Lucas Lambert Moy (Fin Argus). In addition to a whole lot of laughs and a stunning Romeo + Juliet parody, the episode also features cameos from actors Kiernan Shipka and Lukas Gage as…themselves. Who else!?

Ahead of the play, Kiernan Shipka walks into the theater arm in arm with Chase, because, well, THEY’RE ENGAGED! “Chase has been 18 for nine weeks now, and it’s high time he settled down and had three to five children with a member of the Hollywood elite. Kiernan’s part of that elite,” Shuli explains. After Shipka poses for a photo with Brooke, treating her like a normal fan instead of a fellow industry member, Shuli accompanies her and Chase up to their box seats. But as they’re walking up the stairs, Chase and a normal girl lock eyes, reenact the memorable Romeo + Juliet aquarium scene with a popcorn machine, and vow to meet again at intermission. Brooke clocks her brother and his new crush, Pam Snot, trading glances during the play and later finds the forbidden lovers in a prop bed getting their Romeo + Juliet on again. “Just think what would happen if Kiernan’s team got word of this,” Shuli says. “I don’t care about Kiernan Shipka! I care about Pam!” Chase replies. And we never see Kiernan Shipka again. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star was on screen for mere minutes, but her cameo genuinely enhanced the episode while adding a crucial legitimacy to Chase’s fame.

Shipka’s stint on the show was short-lived, but she wasn’t the only star at The Other Two‘s play. During the show, Cary overhears his boyfriend’s manager Mike bragging about being responsible for every role Lucas takes. Because Lucas is SO committed to method acting and this is the third consecutive role he’s played where he can’t have sex, Cary confronts Mike at intermission and encourages him to book Lucas for an Adam McKay movie about pornstars in the 70s. A deeply desperate Cary swipes Mike’s phone, calls the producer, and asks him to hire Lucas for the role. But when Cary gets back to his seat, the camera cuts to the row in front of him, where another familiar face looks at his phone and exclaims, “Oh my god I just got cast in an Adam McKay movie! Me. Lukas Gage.” Mike manages TWO Luc/kases?! A stunning reveal.

On Night 2 of the play (yes, this production lasts multiple nights — and that’s totally fine!), Cary confronts Gage and asks him to give the role to his boyfriend so they can have sex. “I think I understand, and I would love to help. I just think I’m perfect for that role. Underneath these clothes, my body is really good,” Gage explains. “I think you’re being selfish. You already got your ass ate in White Lotus. I feel like you should let other people have sex on camera,” Cary says. “OK, how about this: If you give up the role, I’ll eat your ass. Or you can eat mine.” Still, Gage says no. And at intermission, he tells Cary he’s going to duck out because the play is too long. That’s when Cary crosses over to the dark side.

“I’ll tweet that you left! I’ll tweet that I saw you, Lukas Gage, walking out of the AIDS play…I haven’t fucked in months, who knows what I’ll do?” a manic Cary says, with phone and drafted tweet in hand. Rather than caving to the threat, Gage stays at the play. But the next night (Part 2, Chapter 2), the YOU star snaps in a hilarious display of agonizing impatience, surrendering the part to Lucas in exchange for his freedom.

The Other Two is one of the best shows on TV right now, and the fact that well-known celebrities — everyone from O’Brien and Michael Che to Andy Cohen and Alessia Cara — frequently drop by to have the tiniest cameos and spit laughably outrageous dialogue only confirms the show’s brilliance. The writers continue crafting equally hilarious, thoughtful roles that integrate high-profile guests into the Dubek family’s world in ways that make sense but still leave viewers and characters starstruck. Plus, their sheer presence and the references made in their scenes are yet another test of viewers’ pop-culture knowledge.

Cary may have missed his sex window of opportunity with Lucas, but the episode ends with the method actor receiving a Tony nomination and flowers from Debra Messing, so here’s hoping there are many more celebrity cameos to come.

The Other Two is currently streaming on Max.