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Were thrilled to be screening the season 6 finale ofQueen Sugarat Vulture Festival this year.
It was a jealous man.
What did you then learn about Maya?There was a real complexity to the Maya in the book.
Its much more specific about all of the different things that she was going through.
There was something very visceral about her and something very brave.
And I kind of just, I dont know …
I loved her, you know, I cared for her.
By that point, you played yourfair share of high-schoolers.
I like her moxie, her strength in that sense.
It felt like she had a very strong sense of identity.
I think right before that, I played a witch or something.
With any artists its just,Is this something new for me to explore?
Can I bring something to the table?
Can they bring something to me?
Sometimes when I read characters, the first time I read them, I can hear their voice.
I can hear the syncopation of the way they speak.
I can see how they dress.
She always felt cool to me.
I dont recall having that conversation.
and I was like, God, no.
It was a fact of the character.
It was sort of like,Okay, shes in love with this other girl and thats the truth.
Thats the highest kind of compliment.
Maya helps Emily accept who she is, and also sort of come to terms with Alisons death.
And then she disappears and we find out shes killed.
What did you make ofMayas death?I didnt know she was gonna die.
I was at an audition and I ran into an actress there that was also on the show.
And she was like, Oh, my God, Im so sorry.
Im like, What do you mean?
I havent read the script.
And she was like, Oh, my God.
Because I wasnt in that episode, technically, so I didnt see that script.
She goes, Oh, no one told you?
and she felt really badly about it.
So, I found out when I [watched it on TV].
All you might do is be present with whatever it is in the moment.
Thats just the nature of life in the business.
Once it was done, it was done.
Its just a bit more realistic to the time.
Theres open dialogue now.
Things are a bit more not so hidden, like,Oh, we can really talk about this.
Its a blessing that its had that kind of impact.
You mentioned you see yourself as a character actor.
Does that term mean something different to actors of color?Well, this is an interesting thing.
You get to be all these different things.
Whats fantastic is that theres more of an opportunity to be lead, youre seeing us more as leads.
Look at someone like Viola Davis: Shes a leading woman and she completely transforms.
Notoriously, theyve kind of only been relegated to character actors or the side character.
So, it takes on a completely different meaning within the sort of lens of race and opportunity.
Do you see them coming across your desk?
[Laughs] Just being 100 with you.
I mean, its just … its our creators [Ava DuVernay] and our directors.
Its just the caliber of people involved and the talent.
Now shes in a happy place and she has a family.
Getting to do all of these things, its almost like Im living a second life.
So, its a very different experience.
She wasnt a regular when I started.
I thought Darla was only going to be in a couple episodes like the other characters, you know?
And she stuck around.
I will say with this character, I feel like this is the first billboard Ive ever been on.
I think, for me, its more the names youre associated with.
