Rachel Portman and Jon Ehrlich, co-composers for Hulu’s “We Were the Lucky Ones,” collaborated seamlessly despite having met in person only once, working across continents to score the series.
Ehrlich expressed that the distance between them was one of the highlights of their collaboration, describing their process as a continual exchange of creative energy. He likened it to passing a baton back and forth, with each of them contributing and building upon the other’s work.
Based on Georgia Hunter’s bestselling novel, the series portrays her family’s harrowing experiences during the Holocaust in Poland, with Joey King and Logan Lerman leading the cast.
Portman and Ehrlich aimed to infuse the score with hope and anticipation to propel the narrative forward. They carefully selected instruments to evoke emotions, with the piano playing a central role in reflecting the character Addy’s passion for music.
The cello, chosen for its rich and mellow tones, complemented the piano beautifully. They incorporated a mix of live orchestral elements, strings, harps, and non-live elements to create a diverse musical palette.
Ehrlich integrated “non-live elements,” derived from organic sounds, to represent the darker aspects of human cruelty, adding depth to the score.
Collaborating with a live orchestra in Berlin, the composers later layered additional elements during production. They felt a deep sense of purpose in contributing to a story that resonated profoundly with them.
Portman emphasized the score’s contemporary feel, aligning with the characters’ perspectives and providing immediacy to the storytelling.
The series premiered its first three episodes on Hulu, with subsequent episodes released weekly on Thursdays.
