This week, Shonda Rhimes announced the lead for her new ABC Pilot, the beautiful and talented Kerry Washington. If you are not familiar with the actress, than run down to your nearest video store and pick up some of her work, because you are truly missing out.
I was first introduced to the starlet in her first feature film, Save the Last Dance. The next time I would see her in a film would be in Oscar-award nominated film, Ray, where she played a completely different character than that of the one in Save the Last Dance. It was from that moment that I knew I was witnessing a star being born.
Since then she has gone on to appear in a few TV Series and more Films, including her most recent, For Colored Girls, where she gives in my opinion an A+ performance.
The news that Washington will be playing the lead in this new primetime drama, from the creator of the hit and diverse drama, Grey’s Anatomy, is not only a pleasant surprise but also a much needed one.
(The cast of Shondra Rhimes's first ABC show, Grey's Anatomy)
I didn’t want to make another post about this topic because it touches on a lot of what I said in my very first one about the Golden Globes, but I figure it is a message that needs to be pointed out.
Growing up, you often look at figures on television in the hopes that you will see a part of you in a character that you can relate to. By being able to do so, you can feel connected to not only the character, but the storyline, and to the series in general. While this scenario is ideal, it is not the case for many people who tune into television and see everything they are not.
When I look at primetime television now, there are only a handful of shows with a predominately all minority cast even less where a minority is the lead. It is not about finding “black shows” but instead it is about finding a balanced representation on TV.
With this new show in the works, Washington will play a powerful crisis management consultant. WOW! Can’t say I’ve seen a lot of this on TV, especially being portrayed as an African American woman. It will be refreshing to see this play out and see such a non-stereotypical role and not just in a sitcom like show.
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