As a fan of Kerry Washington‘s acting career, I am in awe of her remarkable journey and the impact she has made on television, particularly with her iconic role as Olivia Pope in “Scandal.” Looking back at the last decade, it’s clear that Washington’s portrayal of this complex and powerful character paved the way for Black female leads to shine and be seen in a new light. I am deeply moved by Washington’s gratitude for the experience and how she has continued to make a difference in the industry with her subsequent roles.
SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers for Season 2 of “UnPrisoned,” now streaming on Hulu.
Kerry Washington doesn’t shy away from challenges after her successful seven-year stint as Olivia Pope in “Scandal.” Since then, she has expanded her horizons by delving into producing and directing projects. Simultaneously, she continues to search for acting roles that broaden her resume and push her beyond her comfort zone.
In her newest TV production titled “UnPrisoned” on Hulu and Onyx Collective, actress Washington takes a fresh approach with a blend of drama and comedy (dramedy), deviating from her previous more somber roles. This project marks another portrayal of complex women dealing with the wounds of their past. In this series, Washington stars as Paige Alexander, a marriage counselor, who finds herself applying her expertise when her long-absent father, Edwin (Dlando Lindo), unexpectedly returns from prison and moves in with her and her teenage son Finn (Faly Rakotohavana). As her own abandonment issues and the weight of past relationships resurface, Paige is forced to confront them head-on.
The lighthearted yet thought-provoking atmosphere of the program has provided a refreshing break for Washington. In an interview with EbMaster, she shares, “If someone asked me to name my two most cherished experiences in life, excluding anything related to my children because they take priority above all else – I would choose my honeymoon and my week on SNL.” After spending years acting in one-hour dramas, and even moving on to theater and films, she was elated at the prospect of doing comedy. Consequently, her enjoyment lies in exploring the “dramedy” genre. Moreover, she derives great satisfaction from conveying a significant story through this medium at this stage of her career.
Recently, Washington traveled back to New York City for the Season 2 premiere of “UnPrisoned,” but unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19 the day before its release. As she was required to self-isolate in her room, Washington discussed her experiences while filming the third installment of “Knives Out” with an impressive ensemble. She also shared how writing her successful memoir influenced her perspective on the show’s examination of intergenerational wounds, her delight in performing physical humor, and her enduring affection for Olivia Pope.
What discussions took place among the “UnPrisoned” creative team as we prepared for Season 2 about the direction of the story’s next phase?
Tracy, Yvette Bowser, and our writers deserve recognition for successfully mapping out the next phase of our story. I personally believe that this current season surpasses the previous one. To me, it seems more humorous, and I attribute this to its bravery. In the first season, we delved into understanding what it means to readjust, start anew, and construct a family when faced with the distinct difficulties of welcoming a returning citizen back into our lives.
In the Alexander family’s journey during Season 2, they have moved past the initial stage of discovering one another’s quirks and conflicts. Instead, we wanted their characters to focus on personal growth by confronting their own individual challenges. This was our vision of courageous self-accountability. Therefore, in contrast to Season 1 where they were primarily trying to understand each other, Season 2 portrays a family that recognizes the need for introspection and self-improvement.
In the current season, the Alexanders are now capable of engaging in discussions that weren’t ripe for exploration during Season 1. Not all of these conversations are heavy or challenging. For instance, Edwin’s suggestion for Paige to be more “cool” while dating is a light-hearted example of a conversation that wouldn’t have transpired back then.
I truly appreciate how the show explores the importance of establishing mutual respect and understanding as a foundation for any relationship. In Season 1, both Paige and Edwin were grappling with defining their personal boundaries. Yet, they soon discovered that while boundaries are essential in maintaining a healthy connection, intimacy is equally important to keep the relationship alive. Boundaries set the stage for a deep and meaningful bond, but without the presence of intimacy, such a relationship risks remaining just platonic.
Why did you choose John Stamos to play the role of Murphy, the unconventional therapist who helps each Alexander family member gain some personal and interpersonal understanding during their sessions?
John brings something exceptional to the show this season, resonating with many of us behind the scenes who invest deeply in our own personal growth to portray complex character transformations. John himself has undergone extensive mental and emotional preparation, making him an ideal counterpart to Paige early on. We sought an actor capable of winning Edwin’s trust while engaging each Alexander family member, ultimately leaving a lasting impression on all three characters.
During Shiri Appleby’s direction, the decision on who to cast for a role came up unexpectedly. It was a unanimous yes from all of us. I believe Shiri had already contacted him and passed on my number. So, I texted him an invitation, not knowing him well but being a big fan. He quickly responded with his affirmation, and I’m confident he will excel as the unconventional, quirky therapist character.
To ensure a balanced approach while exploring deep emotional themes, we sought after a comedic collaborator with remarkable wit and timing. Delroy and I usually don’t lean towards humor first, making it essential to have someone well-versed in this area on our team.
You also had an opportunity to play up the physical comedy this season — there is the fun Alexander family therapy session in a WWE-esque ring, and then, of course, Paige’s first pole-dancing class with her ex-boyfriend Mal’s (Marque Richardson) new girlfriend (Brandee Evans).
Last season’s dance battle episode was particularly captivating for me. Many viewers shared my enthusiasm, as this scene symbolically represented how the family was dealing with their conflicts. By transforming their disputes into a dance competition, we could observe and appreciate their struggles in a unique and engaging way.
When the writers proposed the concept of this season featuring wrestling-style matches akin to WWE, I was thrilled. We frequently employ wrestling metaphors when dealing with challenging situations. I’m really looking forward to it – the physical comedy has brought me great pleasure during filming. As an actor, I often focus on my body first. It’s where I initiate the acting process. So, engaging in pole dancing and wrestling for this season was an absolute delight.
How did you approach the pole dancing scenes?
We had an incredible, award-winning choreographer, Kelly, who came highly recommended, and who my husband [Nnamdi Asomugha] actually went to college with — they were both at Berkeley — which was so funny. Kelly is really good friends with Pamela [Morrone], a friend of mine that I’ve had for decades. Pamela is a professional organizer. She has a company that’s all around creating clarity, and I’ve known her for close to 20 years in that capacity. She’s organized closets for me. She’s helped me move across the country three or four times. But I’ve always known that she had this pole dancing hobby on the side and that she would do competitive pole dancing or teach pole dancing. But I’d never seen this side of Pamela. She’s in the scene. She wound up assisting Kelly, and it was so fun for me to see this new version of somebody who I’ve been friends with for over a decade.
Instead of working tirelessly to master the pole dance routine only to discover that my dance partner, Paige, wouldn’t be able to perform it flawlessly right away, I decided to adapt the performance. I became the pursuer in our “cat and mouse” dance, deliberately falling behind or stumbling slightly, adding a comical element to the routine. It was an enjoyable experience to thoroughly understand the dance and then collaborate with Kelly and Brandee to unearth more physical humor within it.
As a passionate fan of this captivating series, I’ve been left pondering over the thrilling twists and turns that unfolded in the finale. The way things ended for Paige was nothing short of intriguing. On one hand, she rekindled her relationship with Mal, only to be hit with another shocking revelation. Her surrogate mother figure had passed away, leaving a void in her heart. Just as she began to grieve, her biological mother appeared unexpectedly at her doorstep.
I deeply enjoy our final episode and it brought me laughter as well. For seven seasons on “Scandal,” I prepared for the massive cliffhanger in Season 2: my dad (portrayed by Joe Morton) surprisingly returned and joined me in the limo. Now, transitioning to a new project, it’s intriguing to be part of a show where I am the enigmatic character – the mother. I’m eager for potential future seasons, allowing us to delve deeper into that role and tackle related challenges.
As a film enthusiast, I’m eagerly looking forward to delving deeper into Paige’s complex backstory of abandonment. Her struggles with attachment can be traced back to both the physical absence of her father due to his incarceration and the emotional absence inflicted by her mother’s abandonment at a young age, particularly on Christmas day. I can’t wait to uncover more about these intriguing dynamics in the film.
Reflecting on the development of television over the past 10 years, it’s clear to see Olivia Pope’s influence on other Black female leads that followed, such as Emayatzy Corinealdi’s Jax Stewart in “Reasonable Doubt,” a series you executive produce. What is the connection between yourself and your “Scandal” character now? How do you ponder over those years of your past?
I can relate to the speaker’s deep sense of gratitude towards the impactful figure they mention. Having gone through my own transformative experiences, I understand how profoundly influential certain individuals can be in shaping our lives and perceptions of the world. The speaker’s acknowledgement of this person’s role in changing their personal growth, cultural landscape, and professional opportunities resonates with me deeply. If it weren’t for these experiences, I might have struggled to embrace the positive impact they had on my life and the legacy they left behind. In fact, I am grateful for the lessons learned, the growth achieved, and the new perspectives gained as a result of their presence in my life.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring one of the most iconic characters in our cultural narrative to life through “Scandal,” and yet, I’ve been blessed with the chance to continue my artistic journey by working on projects like “American Son,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” “UnPrisoned,” and even “The Prom.” These roles have not only been met with warm reception but have also allowed me to explore new stories and characters that resonate deeply with me. I’m thankful for this post-“Scandal” life, as an artist, I’m constantly drawn to telling stories about diverse people and situations. However, my heart will always belong to Olivia Pope – she holds a special place in both my professional and personal growth.
Shonda Rhimes, the brilliant mind behind “Scandal,” has shared that among all the industry professionals she frequently engages with, excluding those on her payroll, it’s you and J.J. Abrams who consistently hold the top spots in her conversation circle. So, what do we talk about? Perhaps exchanging ideas for groundbreaking storytelling or brainstorming ways to push boundaries within our respective creative realms.
In our relationship, we have always been open and candid about everything. This is likely one reason why we serve as confidants for each other. She was among the initial readers of my memoir, alongside my husband, parents, and Shonda. Our conversations encompass various topics, including motherhood, business ventures, personal emotions, future aspirations, and travel experiences.
In your discussion, you brought up your memoir titled “Thicker Than Water,” where you shared that your biological father is not the man you’ve always known as your dad, since you were conceived using a sperm donor. How have people responded to your book? Have you found an increase in individuals sharing their personal family stories with you?
I was taken aback, as it wasn’t something I had expected. I understood that others would share confidences, but I didn’t realize they would choose me as their confidant. The experience of providing that safe space for people has been an incredibly humbling and rewarding privilege, and I take great pride in having carried out that role.
During the gap between Seasons 1 and 2, I, Kerry, delved deeper into unraveling my own family’s and personal traumas. This introspection allowed me to recognize the blessings bestowed upon me by my parents that shaped who I am, as well as the patterns I wished to break. Gaining this newfound clarity significantly influenced my perspective when Paige declared in the second season’s opening episode, “It has to end with us.” By following this path of alignment, I came to appreciate the necessity for change within my family.
As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate the depth and complexity that comes from confronting personal challenges head-on. Although my own family doesn’t share the same experience of having a father who was incarcerated, we were trapped in our own secretive world. Delving into this truth, gaining clarity for myself, empowered me to fully engage in the story of the Alexander family with increased creativity and raw emotional vulnerability.
As a dedicated fan of thought-provoking documentaries, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with fellow enthusiasts! Having binge-watched numerous series over the years, I can confidently say that “UnPrisoned” is one production that truly stands out. And here’s why: I’ve recently discovered that the first two seasons of this captivating show are now available to stream on Hulu.
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2024-07-24 02:18