Dionne Brown has questions about Queenie . Hulu's new series is based on Candace Carty Williams' 2019 novel of the same name, and the star needs help understanding the eponymous character who makes counterintuitive decisions. She would tell her family one thing but do another; even during a breakup, she would completely avoid her feelings.
"I often ask Candace, 'What were you thinking when you wrote that sentence? What was Queenie thinking?'" Brown told Buster. "Sometimes I think, 'I'm not trying to challenge you,' but I have to do it so I can broadcast the tennis match that's going on in Queenie's head."
For some, this hard-nosed interrogation would be off-putting, but not for Carty-Williams, who also serves as a producer on the show. Instead, she asked actors to audition. "I recognized how she was thinking and how many questions she asked," Carty-Williams said. "I was like, if anything, she's Queenie."
The eight-episode show, which premiered in its entirety on June 7, tells the story of an eponymous 25-year-old Jamaican-British woman who struggles with a quarter-life crisis as she copes with miscarriage, an unexpected breakup, and feelings of estrangement from those she has grown estranged from. The fight between fears. Mother.
When Brown sent in tapes of her performance, she had just completed her first major television job, Apple TV+'s Criminal Records . After months of callbacks and chemistry readings, she was offered the lead role.
“[Queenie] embodies the pain and transformation of being in your 20s so well,” said Brown, 28. “That’s when you go through that quarter-life crisis and realize that what you know is not who you are. So much as you can imagine.” We are all in a position where we have to rethink our game plan. Like, who am I if I don’t have those things that I think will make me happy? What makes me happy? This is a major turning point in adulthood. "
Brown, who grew up in north London, began studying acting after her childhood ballet lessons became "a bit of a financial struggle". She continued to perform at school and eventually left university in 2017 to join a program with the National Youth Theatre, which has produced alumni such as Daniel Craig and Rosamund Pike. "It's a bit of a joke now," said Brown, who went on to attend London drama school ArtsEd. "[My mom] said, 'I paid all the money for your dance lessons and now you're an actor?' I thought, 'I'm doing great, so a win is a win.'"
Below, Brown discusses the pressures of playing corgi Queenie and the possibility of a second season.
Congratulations on your first starring role. Do you feel any pressure in this regard?
This book has done a lot for a lot of people and I don't want to disappoint them. Initially, [I felt] the pressure of being a performer. You get the job and you're super happy, but then you're like, shit , I have to do this now. Am I capable? I put pressure on myself to check all of those boxes. I can't do that; I'm alone. All I can do is try my best.
After reading the book and script, were there any particular scenes that made you nervous?
Anything to do with the gradual deterioration of Queenie's mental health. That's imminent for me. Sometimes I get overstimulated and have to delve into uncomfortable parts of my life growing up - that's the best way I can put it. We've all been in a situation where the way we sit isn't as comfortable as it seems to others. The discomfort is like an itch that cannot be shaken off. Those days were a challenge.
What did you do to relax during those days?
During that shoot, I spent a lot of time talking to people, answering questions, or being the center of attention. Sometimes, when we have the weekend off, I'll be in my room, light a scented candle, or sit in the living room and not say a word for two days.
Queenie has great relationships with her family and friends, whom she refers to as her "corgis." What did you do to build chemistry with the actors?
I approach everyone like I already know them, which may sound a little arrogant, but I just want to approach everyone with open arms because they play the people closest to Queenie. It's also very easy. We all speak openly and honestly, whether it's about the show or about life. I think that feeds into our performance.
Do actors have a group chat?
I had a group chat with Candice and Bellah, but we didn't talk about anything specific. We were talking about juice this morning because Candace ordered an immunity juice and said, "Guys, this juice is really good!"
There seems to be a lot of levity in the cast, especially for a show that touches on heavy topics.
110%. If it stays heavy, I'll try to handle it, but I don't know if I can handle it gracefully. Many stressful things happened to Queenie, but there was so much love around her. The show strikes a balance between her feelings and the things around her.
This reminds me of her friendship with Kiazik, as it's one of her strongest relationships.
Having friendships like this is important because we need people who hold us accountable. They let you know that you are loved, but sometimes you have problems. It definitely reflects the friendships I try to maintain in my own life.
Many have compared the show to Insecure and Girls . What makes Queenie special?
She's just messy - not that those aren't. But Queenie was still raw. The same thing that hit me so hard about the book was like, oh, other people feel this way too.
This book was published five years ago. Did it leave an impression on you?
When I read it, I had no idea anyone else felt that way. When we experience painful trauma or negative self-perception, we view it as unique. It might sound a little nihilistic, but [I get] a sense of comfort [from knowing] that other people are in that boat, like oh, I'm not the only girl who feels like she's not doing enough, or [worries] I'm too loud. Reading this book, you will also realize that you think too much about yourself. If you don't stop, you will collapse.
The book ends with a complete story. Do you think there's room for a second season?
There's room for a second season, but it's not up to me. I definitely want to see her journey continue. She now has a negative view of love, especially for men of her race. I'd like to see this develop. I want to see what she's doing for herself now.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
