Photo illustration: The Cut Photo: Disney/Ramona Rosales
Be Queenie for a day: “She's a really relatable character,” says actress Dionne Brown, 28, who plays the film's British-Jamaican lead character. Queenie“Queenie” is a Hulu series based on novelist Candice Carty Williams' bestselling 2019 book of the same name. In the show, Brown plays an aspiring writer bouncing back from heartbreak, surviving microaggressions at work, juggling family turmoil and trying to repair a fractured relationship with her mother. It's not easy being Queenie, but of course it helps that she has a corgi, as she calls it, to guide her, like the late Queen Elizabeth's canine companion. “Candice is such an eloquent writer, and when I read the book, I was like, 'Wow, this is the kind of person that I am.' I didn't know other people felt the same way.” says Brown.
Queenie It follows Queenie Jenkins as she tries to balance the realities of being a black millennial in the UK. It might destroy you, Fleabagand Bridget Jones's DiaryThis is a series that fans of Richard Curtis' other popular romantic comedies will enjoy. Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually — will love it. R&B musicians Bella and youHulu's Tilly Keeper will play Queenie's best friend in life, and familiar British TV faces including Michelle Greenidge, Laura Whitmore and Sally Phillips will also appear. Since Hulu's recent partnership with Onyx Collective, there has been a lot of activity on the platform with book-to-film adaptations, including: Queenie For screen. The film includes a number of fascinating stories about Jamaican culture in the UK, the experiences of the Windrush generation (such as Queenie's grandparents, played by Llewella Gideon and Joseph Marcel), and familiar locations from colourful TV shows and films set in the districts of Brixton and Peckham ( Rylane Or Steve McQueen's Small axe Anthology). “These areas are so culturally rich and you're sure to find what you need at Brixton Market,” Brown tells me, as he shows me around many of South London's sights. Queenie“But,” she quickly explained, “I North London girl.”
The series alternates between lighthearted and profound moments. In her inner monologue, Queenie often talks about her relationships with other people: white people, other women, sexual partners. She says she is being tested, or that circumstances are designed to prevent her from succeeding. Did that resonate with you?
You see the space in her heart, and it's almost as if this space was made for her. From scenes in the show and in the book, we see her friend Darcy saying that her boyfriend Tom always pushed her into a corner. We see that Queenie is a little bit awkward, a little bit out of her zone, and has to be social and on the social front because that's usually her boyfriend's job. I had to really get into the fact that she's awkward and uncomfortable. I'm not that kind of socially awkward person… I hope I am… Maybe a little bit…
You have studied acting since you were a child, what is your favorite script that you performed during your acting studies?
When I was in junior high school, we Raisins in the sunand then my drama teacher at the time flipped it so all the girls were playing boys and all the boys were playing girls. We were like, “Can we sit with our legs apart? Can we take up all the space?” It was kind of uncomfortable doing that because it felt a little unnatural and not the way we're conditioned to act as women. But it was so much fun! By the end, we were taking up all the space. Neatly.
Queenie Jenkins is from South London and you're a proud North Londoner, what's your favourite place in South London?
I like to go to Franks Cafe in Peckham. It's a rooftop bar with no lift and it's in a big building. You have to take the stairs to get to the top but the stairs are all pink. Every day is leg day if you go to Franks. Pubs. Pub quizzes are huge in the UK and the standard is always high. The questions are always difficult! I also like Brixton Market and Brockwell Park.
Queenie isn't much of a rule follower and is struggling to recover from the end of her relationship with her boyfriend, Tom, who effectively broke things off with her. What's the number one rule for recovering from a breakup?
No contact. Why are you talking? It's over!
Is it okay to ignore someone after a date?
No, I'm not, but it's a bit unrealistic to not expect that from people these days. Society seems to make it the norm, but personally, I don't think it's something to be proud of.
Queenie tends to be an outsider in many situations, whether it's being the youngest person in the room at an office meeting or being one of the few black people at a lavish engagement party. How would you handle these situations?
You'll probably bring a friend. If you don't bring a friend, it's just going to be a night of small talk. If you go to a party and you don't know anyone there and you start talking to someone, you'll end up talking to them all night because you don't want to be alone. But you have to move around and talk to as many people as you can. That's OK. Some of you, like me, run out of social batteries quickly.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I guess it's ambiverted. When I'm around my People and family understand my personality 400 times better, but I'm very comfortable being quiet, and I'm fine with the room being empty when I'm there, or full.
Do you have a large family with siblings?
Yes, I have five children. I am a twin. If I wasn't a twin, I would be the second to last. He is 30 minutes older than me.
Have you ever had your own twin language?
We were always together. With twins, one is independent and the other is dependent. I was the independent one, guiding him and telling him what to do. We had to share cake until I was 6 years old. When my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I said, “I want my own cake.” She always said, “Happy birthday to you both,” and it really made me want to be alone. We wore matching clothes. He never did anything to attract attention. I hate clubs. I don't go to clubs much anymore, but I loved going to parties as a child.
What do you listen to when you're getting ready to go out to the club?
Back then, being Caribbean, I listened to bashment music. It was like a pain in the ass. Now, If I did that If I go to a club, I listen to Afrobeat or Amapiano. But I don't go to clubs. I listen to that while I'm cleaning the house.
Since you're not going out clubbing, what's your ideal way to spend an evening?
Watch a movie with a glass of Prosecco or white wine, maybe an old series. Lord of the RingAfter watching them all, I thought: If I had joined this franchise, I would have done some damage! A little snack, popcorn.
What movies and shows have you been interested in lately?
I saw now Slow HorseI love dramas. I love sci-fi shows. alien There's a spinoff coming. I love sci-fi and I love the series and I love Ridley Scott. I'm excited to see what happens there.
What's the secret to hosting a successful dinner party?
Alcohol. Good food. Chicken, macaroni and cheese, veggies. For dessert I'll have a nice pudding or maybe make an apple crumble.
How do I cancel my plan?
Just say you're not going. Be clear about it. Just say, “I don't see it” or “I'm not going to do that anymore.” If you're going but don't want to go, let them know you won't be there for long. I'm also a French walk-out type.
Is exiting in French okay in your rule book?
Absolutely. When it's time to go home, just go home! If you start saying “goodbye” to someone, you'll be saying “goodbye” for like 45 minutes. I've been in a position where I was really forced to stay. If I can't take it anymore, I'm leaving! People consider that rude, so I say, “I'm leaving!” What did I do?! Did you need me at your party? Okay…
What's the number one rule when walking on London's sidewalks?
Don't walk slowly and act like you have to get somewhere, because everyone does. Walk in a straight line so I can get around you when I need to. That's it. Don't get in my way.
Queenie is based on a book: Have you read a book recently that you had a hard time putting down?
I finished The next fireby James Baldwin, Random Acts of Heroic Loveby Danny Scheinman. They were very different. Baldwin's work was more memoir, more of a portrait of his consciousness. He was clearly an intellectual. Random Acts of Heroic Love It was very sad. It starts on a sad note.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
It's about not taking yourself too seriously.
And the worst advice?
When I was a teenager, around 18 or 19, I was talking to a girl. She was a little older. She told me, “If the guy you like has a girlfriend, it doesn't matter. You can still fuck him.” What?! There are rules! I was like, “No, no … No, thanksThat was the worst advice ever. I never spoke to her about guys again. I have an older sister so I wasn't even asking her for advice in the first place. It all came out of the blue! Saying it out loud, it feels like such an outrageous thing to say to someone.
