Annagjid “Kee” Taylor
Whenever critically-acclaimed TV show Ebony Lightning debuted at the start of 2018, it made headlines for many and varied reasons. Not merely achieved it feature a family group of black superheroes, but inaddition it introduced us to TV’s first ever black superhero that is lesbian Anissa Pierce aka Thunder.
About landing the historic role – one which has provided an unapologetic-yet-normalised view of life and love as a gay woman in a way that’s rarely seen in mainstream media“ I remember crying the first time I put my suit on, just knowing that I was about to be that representation that we’d never seen or had before, ” actress Nafessa Williams tells us. Having a third period confirmed, we talked to Nafessa about being an ally towards the LGBTQ community and just why playing Thunder is her “dream” part.
Congratulations on Ebony Lightning being renewed for a 3rd period! It should feel well to understand it’s getting this type of response that is great. Yeah, it is truly a blessing to learn that that which we attempted to do is exactly what we’re really doing. I do believe as a musician, once you create work you need to verify like we have those aspects with the show that it’s effective, and it’s relatable, and I feel.
Playing the very first black colored lesbian superhero on television is really a massive deal. How come it is thought by you’s so essential that folks reach see on their own represented in main-stream news? Well, i do believe representation is essential since when we view TV or we go right to the cinema, you want to see figures whom seem like us and whom we’re in a position to relate solely to. That’s are thought by me why we’ve prevailed, particularly with this specific character in specific. Prior to this, black colored teenage females have not seen on their own as lesbians on display screen, and not only black colored females but all females. My love interest regarding the show Grace Choi, there’s a complete group of fans on her, and you will find those who seem like her who’ve never ever seen on their own celebrated and glorified in a loving method as a lesbian, therefore it’s something perfect for the tradition, it is one thing perfect for our generation. It’s stunning to see, plus it’s additionally gorgeous the method we’ve normalised the concept. There isn’t a being released moment, it absolutely was exactly like, ‘Yeah, she’s a lesbian, and her family members supports her’. I usually wish families who will be tuning in and viewing are prompted to guide kids just how parents that are anissa’s her.
Had been you nervous accepting a job you knew could be this kind of moment that is huge? As a star, you constantly would you like to extend your self, and accept roles that are different and experience various things, thus I think we ended up being more excited than anything. There was clearly some pressure dealing with the role as a whole, understanding that you’re using on the part to be the initial, but we knew that which our manufacturers and our authors would perform some figures justice, and for me personally playing a lesbian opposite a lady isn’t any different than playing opposite a person – I just be sure that love could be the first step toward the connection. It takes a lot of pressure off when you’re authentically telling that truth.
It is also essential for girls and men to see strong characters that are female their displays… definitely. We now have three really leads that are strong plus it’s not only us, all of the ladies who come right into the show are extremely strong and 
powerful, they’re really educated, they know precisely whatever they want, and they’re really fearless. As a lady so that as a musician, you wish to undertake roles which highlight the potency of females, and our show does a job that is great that. We’re really blessed, we are really.
For many people, being fully a superhero had been the dream that is ultimate if they had been young. So how exactly does it feel getting to put that costume on and live away that fantasy on display? We tell people on a regular basis, whether you’re an star or perhaps not, there’s this dream of planning to develop into a superhero, as well as for actors just about everyone has that on our list to test down. It’s such a lovely and experience that is overwhelming. From the crying the first-time We place my suit on, simply comprehending that I happened to be going to be that representation that we’d never ever seen or had before. So that it had been an honour, we felt actually grateful to be selected, plus it had been literally a fantasy become a reality.
Just What gets the reaction been like from fans? Oh man, it is been fantastic, specially through the LGBTQ community, there’s an overwhelming support that I’ve been getting.
It should be incredible to know you’re having such a direct effect on audiences. Yeah, and I also gotta state, before we took face to face, we knew us being the very first black colored superhero television show will be powerful, and also you give up to the type and do every thing making it a great show, you could never ever assume what the reaction will be, or plan or anticipate it, it is one of those actions where you’ve gotta hold back until the viewers start to see the show. However it’s had this kind of response that is great and we also wouldn’t have season three minus the fans tuning in.
Perhaps you have had any negative feedback for the show including LGBTQ characters? Yeah, but i need to state about 95per cent associated with the feedback was actually uplifting and positive. There’s been about 5% negative, but I ignore them. I’ve had some individuals say, ‘Why must you get this character a lesbian? ’ But we’re really homage that is just paying whom the smoothness was at the comic publications. It is maybe not like we simply woke up and stated, ‘Ooh, let’s make her a lesbian’. But we don’t spend those reactions mind that is much because at the conclusion of the time they nevertheless view the show.
Exactly just What message would you hope viewers simply take far from Black Lightning along with your character? I want visitors to just take away the theory to be just who you will be, become motivated become authentically who you really are, also to walk boldly. We come across that with Anissa, she’s unapologetically who she’s, and I also wish that whenever individuals view the show they’re motivated by that.
You can view Black Lightning on Netflix in britain.
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