Bustle Exclusive
The breakout actor brings Candice Carty-Williams buzzy novel to the screen.
Dionne Brown had questions aboutQueenie.
I would constantly ask Candice, What were you thinking when you wrote that?
What is Queenie thinking?
Instead, she asked the actor to audition.
I was like, if anything, shes a Queenie.
After a few months of callbacks and chemistry reads, she was offered the lead role.
Weve all been in a position where we have to rethink our game plan.
Thats a big turning point in adulthood.
I’m like, Im doing well, so a win is a win.
Below, Brown discusses the pressures of playing Queenie, the Corgis, and the possibility of Season 2.
Congrats on your first lead role.
Did you feel pressure going into it?
The book did so many things for so many people, and I dont want to let them down.
Initially, [I felt] the pressure as a performer.
Am I capable?I was putting pressure on myself to tick all these boxes.
I cant do that; Im one person.
All I can do is my best.
After reading the book and scripts, were there particular scenes that made you feel nervous?
Anything that had to do with the gradual decline of Queenies mental health.
That was looming for me.
Weve all been in positions where were not sitting in ourselves as comfortably as other people seem to be.
The discomfort is like an itch that you cant get rid of.
Those days were a challenge.
What did you do to unwind on those days?
Queenie has some wonderful relationships with her family and friends, who she refers to as the Corgis.
What did you do to build that chemistry with the cast?
It was also really easy.
We all spoke openly and freely, be it about the show or life in general.
I think that fed into our performances.
Does the cast have a group chat?
I have a group chat with Candice and Bellah, but were not talking about anything in particular.
The show has a balance between how she’s feeling and whats surrounding her.
That brings to mind her friendship with Kyazike, since its one of her strongest relationships.
Its important to have a friendship like that, because we need people who hold us accountable.
Theyll let you know that youre loved, but that sometimes you are problematic.
It definitely mirrors the friendships I take a stab at maintain in my own life.
A lot of people have compared the show toInsecureandGirls.
Shes just messy not to say that those arent.
The book came out five years ago.
Did it leave an impression on you?
When I read it, I had no idea other people felt like this.
When were going through hard bouts of trauma or negative self-perception, we make it singular to ourselves.
Youre gonna break if you dont stop.
The book ends as a complete story.
Do you think theres room for a second season?
Theres room for a Season 2, but its not up to me.
I would definitely like to see her journey continue.
She has a negative perception of love right now, especially regarding men of her race.
I would like to see that develop.
I would like to see what shes doing for herself now.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
