As I reflect upon the character of Jax Stewart and Emayatzy Corinealdi’s portrayal of her in “Reasonable Doubt,” it’s impossible not to be impressed by the depth and authenticity she brings to the role. Emayatzy makes it seem effortless, but that’s the mark of a truly great actor – making the complex appear simple. Her ability to embody all aspects of Jax, from the messy to the strong, vulnerable to assertive, is a testament to her skill and dedication. It’s like she’s not just playing Jax, but living as her. The writing of Raamla Mohamed certainly plays a significant role in this, but Emayatzy’s craft and talent elevate the character to new heights.
[This story contains spoilers from the season two finale of Reasonable Doubt.]
In the season finale of Hulu’s legal drama, Damon Cooke – played by Michael Ealy in Reasonable Doubt – appeared to come back from the dead. However, this return was later revealed to be just a figment of Jax Stewart’s (Emayatzy Corinealdi) imagination, as she grappled with guilt when the truth about Lewis (McKinley Freeman) having a baby with someone else became clear.
Jax’s mental journey isn’t completely astray, as her relationship with Damon and a past colleague were the triggers for her couple’s separation and Lewis sleeping with Toni (Tristan Cunningham) in the season two finale, resulting in a premature birth that tragically cost them their baby. In the final episode of season one, Jax’s romance with Damon took a sinister turn as his obsessive behavior led him to abduct a lawyer and ultimately take his own life when law enforcement arrived to save her. Even though Damon is physically gone, his ghost continues to torment Jax, who in the second season started using medication to manage the anxiety caused by their actions.
As a gamer, I’m eagerly anticipating that when viewers watch the grand finale and observe her conversation with Damon, they will truly sense the healing process. I hope they comprehend the depth of her guilt, which explains why she’s choosing to stay with Lewis. This was something Raamla Mohamed, the creator of the Hulu series, shared in an earlier interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
In this exchange, THR chats with Ealy regarding Mohamed’s clandestine return for the season finale of episode two and, during their discussion, he also touches upon his travels across the nation, accompanying executive producer Kerry Washington, to motivate people to register to vote prior to the upcoming presidential election in the coming month.
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“Let me begin by addressing the query that seems to pop up frequently regarding you on X. What is it about your character that allows you to portray insanity convincingly?”
Oh, quite a chuckle there! You’ve noticed, I often come across as eccentric, isn’t that right? Truth be told, I’m usually rather ordinary. In fact, I’ve led a relatively drama-free life, which I’m truly grateful for. It seems my ability to convincingly portray craziness stems from this mundane reality of mine.
When did Raamla Mohamed ask you about coming back for the season two finale?
Last Yuletide, it seems like she confided in me something private that I should keep to myself. Indeed, I kept mum about it. As instructed, I didn’t share the information with anyone else. Amazingly, she managed to maintain this secret for nearly half a year before we finally executed our plan.
Could you explain what she intended to express during her conversation with Jax and Damon on the porch, and what exactly was the message she aimed to convey in that interaction?
It’s tricky since it happened nearly a year ago, but given the production timeline for their second season, everything had been meticulously planned in advance. The concept that captivated me was that my character would reappear as an aspect of the protagonist’s inner thoughts, which would be portrayed consistently within the series. This idea intrigued me, and in the script, the secret was kept by using “messy Jax” instead of Damon. So, it was like, “Jax is sitting on the street smoking a cigarette, and then ‘messy Jax’ appears.” She believed this character represented her guardian angel or devil whispering into her ear.
How did the cast react when you showed up on set?
Yesterday, Emayatzi had been informed in advance, which left her feeling both joyful and relieved because she wouldn’t have to memorize additional lines or perform the scene twice as two different characters (laughs). The team, led by McKinley, were ecstatic with my return, and I was deeply appreciative for their warm welcome.
Were you aware that Damon would appear for just one season when you initially joined the show, and was this a factor that attracted you to it?
I was aware of the situation, but I didn’t include that factor as the main reason for my departure because I wished I could have explored more with the character. However, I also understood why he couldn’t be part of the story any longer. In some aspects, his role reminded me of Tea Cake from Their Eyes Were Watching God. People enter our lives for a specific period, and that was his. One aspect I appreciated about the narrative was Raamla’s intention to reunite Lewis and Jax. She believed that whatever happened with Damon would strengthen their relationship. This idea of couples overcoming obstacles and rediscovering their love was appealing. So, I thought it was exciting. Damon didn’t need to survive, and this was another significant secret shared among Raamla, Kerry, the producers, and myself – that I wouldn’t last throughout the season. As a result, Raamla and I share a unique, clandestine bond (laughs). She often assigns me mysterious roles.
Over the course of your career, you’ve worked with numerous female co-stars. Could you share what particularly resonates with you regarding the character of Jax Stewart, as portrayed by Emayatzy?
Emayatzy effortlessly portrays her characters with remarkable preparation. Among the many actresses I’ve encountered, she stands out as one of the most meticulous. She consistently arrives on set ready, even when seemingly preoccupied by minor matters such as “What’s for lunch?” Her understanding of humor is spot-on, and she quickly adapts to changes in the script. Her preparation is so thorough that when she plays Jax, it seems natural, almost effortless. She skillfully embodies all aspects of this character, from the complex to the simple. Whether she’s portraying messy Jax or organized Jax, vulnerable Jax, or courtroom Jax, she excels in every role. Emayatzy brings a three-dimensional depth to her characters, a quality I believe is a testament to both Raamla Mohamed’s writing and Emayatzy’s acting talent.
Over the weekend at the Black Love Summit, I had the pleasure of listening to Kerry Washington discuss the surprise that folks express when I knock on their doors during this election season to chat about voting. I’d love to share with you what it’s been like for me being part of the grassroots movement on the ground throughout this electoral cycle.
Initially, I’d like to express my gratitude towards Kerry for her tireless efforts. I can’t think of anyone who’s doing more than Kerry Washington. She’s simply amazing in everything she does. It’s always a pleasure to see people’s smiles, whether it’s at the airport or when they open their door and ask, “Shall we vote this year?” That’s the pleasant part. The challenging part is when folks are finding it hard to do what’s crucial – registering to vote and discussing with their loved ones why and how essential it is. Breaking the ice before that tough discussion and having them be genuinely pleased to see you makes a significant difference, as it sets the conversation at a more positive note.
How are you feeling about the election in general?
I’m honestly doing well, and here’s another advantage of visiting various cities: You can connect with the locals directly, hear their stories firsthand, and get an authentic, unfiltered perspective. This is something that traditional media often can’t provide due to its inherent bias. That’s why I prefer conversing with people on the ground; they are the ones who will ultimately cast their votes. It feels more reassuring to me than simply watching the news or reading the paper.
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Reasonable Doubt season two is now streaming all episodes on Hulu.
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2024-10-22 23:55