What role did you play on each show? Describe each character’s story in one or two sentences.

In Lost in Space, I play Angela Goddard, a survivor struggling with post traumatic stress disorder. She’s manipulated by Dr. Smith and has a strained relationship with the Robot. In Season 2, we learn that she’s a scientist and see what role she plays in helping the colonists get to Alpha Centauri.

In Siren, I play Donna, a mermaid who is captured in the pilot episode of Season 1. This causes her sister, Ryn, to come to land, where they both have different experiences with humans. Donna is tortured and experimented on in the first few episodes, eventually escaping and reuniting with her sister.

In Dark/Web I play Amy Rider, an edgy hacker looking for her missing girlfriend, Molly. She reluctantly teams up with Molly’s friends and they overcome their differences to go on a journey in search for Molly.

 

How did you book these shows?

I went through the regular audition process, brought my personal experiences to the characters and in these cases, they dug it!

 

What other projects are you working on (or where can we see you next)?

Lost In Space is currently streaming on Netflix. I will be in a couple episodes of the new HBO show Lovecraft Country coming out later this year, and I also guest starred on a CBS show, God Friended Me, which will come out in a few weeks.

 

What challenges have you faced as an actor so far in Hollywood?

Omg, so many! Apart from the usual, I think there are unique challenges you face as an African actor. A lot of people have stereotypes about what being African is and when you don’t fit into that box, they can get confused. For example, Hollywood has an “African accent” but as we all know, Africa is not a country and we all sound different depending on which region you’re from. Only recently have I seen breakdowns that are more specific, asking for South African, Ugandan, Ethiopian etc, accents.

 

What’s the best piece of advice you can offer actors who transition from other film industries (like South Africa) to Hollywood?

The best advice I was told was to come with a year’s worth of savings. You may not work for a while and if you’re coming from another country, you’re most likely on an O visa that has a limited amount of time and only allows you to work as an actor. Some may see this as a disadvantage, but I saw it as an opportunity. It meant I had to put all my time and resources into acting. It took about half a year before I started booking regularly.

 

How long have you been a 3As member and how has the organization benefited you?

I think I’ve been a member for as long as I’ve been here, I was encouraged to join as soon as I moved to L.A. and I’m so glad I did. I had no idea how the industry worked and by bringing in speakers from different parts of the business, it’s helped me understand the industry as well as have a sense of community. I still go to meetings when I’m in town.