We recently chatted with actress Sydney Mitchell who plays Lawanda in Starz’s upcoming drama series Black Mafia Family (BMF) premiering on September 26, 2021. Inspired by a true story, the series follows Detroit brothers Demetrius and Terry Flenory as they run a powerful drug and money laundering organization.
Image credit: Andre Brown

Here’s what Sydney Mitchell had to say about her acting experiences and BMF.

When did you decide that storytelling and acting was something you wanted to do?   

SM: I decided that I wanted to pursue storytelling when I started dancing and modeling at 9 years old. That was the first place I was able to start being creative and expressive. Later, I decided I wanted something different, so I enrolled in basic acting classes in Los Angeles and Atlanta. After 2 years of training, I was able to get into Rob Melo’s Acting School. This is where I began taking my storytelling to another level through acting. I felt like it was such a release for me. Although it was a little intimidating for me at first, once I started, I never wanted to stop.

What advice would you give to people pursuing acting?

SM: The best advice I could give to someone pursuing a career in acting would be first to remain patient and persistent. Great things take time, and although it may feel that you’re not moving forward fast enough, you have to continue to believe in yourself and what you are trying to accomplish. The second would be to focus on the craft. Often times, people get distracted by agents, managers, and all ofthe glamor of the business. However, if you continue to focus on the bigger picture and are at your highest potential talent wise, all of the other things will fall into place. I always say that success comes when preparation meets opportunity. Be prepared when the opportunity comes.

What was your first acting role?

SM: My first acting role was in a Television Movie called “Three’s Complicated” where I played a bartender with one line. I was so excited and nervous, but that was definitely when I knew that I wanted to continue pursuing a career in acting. It’s been a process coming from having one small line to having such a crucial role that I’ve enjoyed and am extremely grateful for.

What do you enjoy the most about acting?

SM: What I love the most about acting is being able to embody a new charter in every audition and role. I also love being able to take my real life emotions and bring them to each character. Being able to have fun with the characters and playing roles that are totally different from what people would expect to see me in is also another element that’s super exciting for me. I love playing edgy, athletic, action characters that allow me to go full out and be expressive and raw.

What can you tell us about Black Mafia Family on Starz?

SM: Black Mafia Family is the story of two brothers who rose from the streets of Detroit and became one of the most influential crime families in the country. It’s a show with an amazing cast of new, upcoming, as well as seasoned veteran actors who come together to tell a story and create a great show that I believe the world will love.

When people watch the show, what are you hoping they get out of it?

SM: One of the biggest things I hope people get out of watching the show is that everyone has a story to tell. Just because you hear about things on television and in the media, there is always more to the stories than what meets the eye. There is so much more to this story than just drugs, violence, etc. This was a real family with real struggles chasing the “American Dream.”

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Follow Sydney Mitchell on social media: Instagram|Twitter

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