![]() ![]() Going through it together, Dennis says, was a bonding moment for the troupe, like they’d become “a singing group or an all-girls superhero troupe.” And so that made me comfortable to get up off my couch, finally shave my legs and wear some clothes.” It starts and stops with Robin because of health and safety for her team is very, very important. And that’s why I tease Robin and call her ‘Mama Bear’ because I know where it starts,” she adds. “It really felt like we’re part of this tribe that wanted to protect us and take care of us. We got to ask as many questions as we needed to ask, we got to talk to medical experts.” “But they did such a great job of preparing us. “I was very much taking in way too much toxic information by way of watching the news and all day, so there was this relief and excitement when I got the call,” Dennis recalls. ![]() So, I can just tap right into that mindset.”ĭennis adds that knowing that the series would bring audiences joy - and created some joy for the actors making it amid all of the heaviness of the year - helped her get over her fears of going back to set. I was like, ‘This character is not thinking about COVID, she’s just tried to find a man.’ And that is the only thing on her mind. “And we played so many crazy characters this season. And then it’s like, I have to tap into my training and find peace, and be the funniest I can be,” she says. “Every day we would come in and get tested for COVID, and that would give you some reassurance. Learning how to manage the very scary situation of stepping on stage in front of an audience and not knowing what would happen next helped Black prepare for the uncertainty of working mid-pandemic. “This year - this is gonna sound so cheesy - but I was really grateful for my improv training.” “We created this amazing bubble on the set that just felt like so safe, and so fun and so full of love,” Black says. As one of the first productions back, it was a big responsibility, but everyone was dedicated. Like if she’s good, I’m 1,000% good, because there’s way more pressure on her than me.”īut the pressure was on the entire cast to get it right when it came to safety. “The trailer got me so excited,” Dennis says, “and Robin’s excitement is so infectious. “A little secret,” Thede reveals, “Gabrielle and Ashley have not seen anything.” Thede and the show’s team are still wrapping up post-production on the “dense” six episodes that make up the new season and, while she can hardly contain her excitement for fans to see what they’ve cooked up, her co-stars are even more anxious. “Not that we didn’t have apprehension and fear. “I said ‘OK, we’re coming back,’ and I explained how we were going to do it, these women said ‘OK, let’s go,’” she recalls. ![]() But all credit goes to her cast and crew for staying the course, she says. Pointing to Black and Dennis, Thede adds, “What these women are doing on camera is nothing short of miraculous because it was absolutely during a whole global pandemic - the height of it - and they brought their A-game.”Īll the while, Thede, the writers and producing team were working with COVID compliance experts, figuring out how the show could go on safely. But due to pandemic-forced shifts in the schedule, Season 1 star Quinta Brunson was unable to appear in the new season, so now the cast consists of returning players Thede, Ashley Nicole Black and Gabrielle Dennis, alongside new featured players Laci Mosley and Skye Townsend. Thede always set out to create a bigger and bolder version of the show that boasts all Black women in its core cast and writers’ room, and features two Black women (Lacey Duke and Brittany Scott Smith) directing the six-episode season. “All of that really challenged me as a showrunner,” Thede says, explaining that she’s been working on this season for about 18 months, maybe longer. ![]()
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