Photographer: Tisha Brenee | Styling: Carnita Nicole | Makeup: Bobbie Riley | Hair: Shawnna Courtney
We caught up with Cynthia Kaye McWilliams who we will soon see starring as Cathy in the new BET+ series Average Joe premiering June 26th. The dark comedy series is inspired by showrunner Robb Cullen’s life experiences and follows a blue collar plumber, Joe Washington (played by comedian and actor Deon Cole), who discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Those people think Joe knows where the money is, and it turns into a bloody and violent confrontation triggering a chain of events that forces Joe and his close-knit circle of friends and family out of their average and mundane lives.
It also stars Tammy Townsend (Queen Sugar, K.C Undercover), Malcolm Barrett (The Boys, Timeless), Michael Trucco (Fire Country, Battlestar Galactica), Ashley Olivia Fisher (The System), and Pasha Lychnikoff (Deadwood, Shameless).
We asked Cynthia about her character in Average Joe, what we can expect when we tune in, her preparation for the series, and her previous work in BET’s NAACP award-winning comedy series Real Husbands of Hollywood alongside Kevin Hart.
Check out our conversation below.
Average Joe is described as a dark comedy series. What can audiences expect when they watch?
Cynthia Kaye McWilliams (CKM): I jokingly say Average Joe is Ozark but with black people. But to be honest, there really aren’t many similar shows. Often in black family dramas, the plot centers around some drama inside the family. Comedies tend to be kitchen sink or broad comedy. Crime dramas are about the drug game in urban streets or gang violence. This show’s family drama stems from an outside criminal elementwith an atypical antagonist (Russian mobsters), which spins the audience into suspense and with unexpectedcomedy that is more often in between the lines than a punchline, more underplayed than on the nose. This show is a mix of genres and yet in its own lane. Audiences should expect to be surprised!
What can you tell us about your character and how you prepared for the role?
CKM: She’s sort of Peg Bundy meets Mary J. Blige. All the wisecracking of Peg and the style and edge of Mary J. I think in the beginning Cathy was written to be a bit of a “bitch” who just kind of nags or tears her husband down. But I never like to reduce characters to those sorts of one-dimensional labels. Even a bitchy wife had to be loveable enough to earn the affections of her husband at one time, at least enough that he wanted to marry her. So I really tried to think about the woman Cathy was before and how her life shaped who she became. But today, Cathy is tough as nails, says what she means, means what she says and doesn’t sugarcoat while saying it.
As far as preparation, I prepare for everything in pretty much the same way. It always starts with the script – it’s the map that tells me where all the treasure is buried. I find the secrets and clues to my character by paying attention to how other characters speak about me, the things I say and things I don’t. I pay attention to stage directions, even punctuation to learn about how the writer envisioned the character. Somewhere between what they wrote, who I am (my experiences, emotions and opinion) and the story the character wants told…. that’s where I find my character. Sometimes, other things may help to shape or influence character too. In this show, Cathy has so much confidence and a strange kind of dangerous sex appeal – I wore heels far more often than my normal flip flop or sneaker lifestyle, just to stay in that strut.
Was there a particular aspect (or aspects) of this series that initially drew you towards it?
CKM: I found out that Eric Dean Seaton was directing the first two episodes and honestly that was a huge influence. I’d worked with him before and knew he was a fantastic director and would bring experience, vision and great energy to the project. After reading the script, I was sold! Robb Cullen crafted such a suspenseful tale, kept me laughing in what sometimes felt inappropriate places, but it all felt so right; I immediately understood the tone of the show and wanted to be a part of creating it.
An interesting part of the series is that is inspired by the life of creator Robb Cullen. Were you aware of this when you first joined the series?
CKM: Yes! I found it fascinating that Robb’s story translated so effortlessly told through the lens of a black family. I’ve always felt that the more specific a story is, the more universal it becomes. I think this demonstrates that perfectly.
What was your experience on set like with the cast?
CKM: Love them all! It is so rare to get the 3 P’s…Quality project, for quality pay, with quality people. This was an embarrassment of riches. I’m so fortunate that this studio and production invested in such an amazing cast, crew and locations. And more fortunate that I got to work on this excellent material with such a fun, genuine and talented cast.
You also play Trina in BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood alongside Kevin Hart. Are you drawn towards comedy, or does it depend on the kind of project?
CKM: Yes, I had the pleasure of being the lady who wrangled all the men of RHOH for 6 seasons and was joined by other gorgeous, iconic actresses throughout the seasons; Tiffany Haddish, Tisha Campbell, Nicole Ari-Parker, Regina Hall, Nadine Velasquez, Erica Ash, Raquel Lee, Eva Marcille, Angela Rye, Michelle Williams and more! I had a blast working with Kevin Hart, all the fellas of RHOH and all these funny ladies. I love comedy, of course but no- I do not have a preference. My preference is to be working, ha! I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to bounce back and forth between love stories, episodic story driven cop shows, period pieces, live studio audience sitcoms, improv and sketch based comedy, animation, video games, voiceover, theater and dark suspenseful dramedies like this upcoming project, Average Joe! You like how I segued right on into that plug?! Watch Average Joe on BETplus on 6/26.
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Average Joe premieres Monday, June 26th on BET+
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