By: Kelly Kearney
Q) “Duster,” produced by J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan, follows the first Black female FBI agent as she takes down a crime syndicate with the help of a getaway driver played by Josh Holloway. What was it about this project that attracted you to the role?
A) JJ Abrams. Period. End of story!
No, but seriously, when you’re auditioning for a J.J. Abrams project, there are NDAs and what feels like a paper trail of clues. I knew Izzy was a single mom, she drove a truck and had a complicated history with Jim (Josh Holloway). That alone intrigued me. She felt raw, grounded, and unlike any woman I’d played before. I was in.
Q) How did they initially describe your character Izzy Reina?
A) She was described as independent, fearless and brassy as hell. Someone you want in your corner.
Q) She is inspired by the 1970s pioneering female trucker Adriesue “Bitsy” Gomez. Did you research Bitsy to prepare for portraying this fearless feminist in a male-dominated industry? And did that glimpse into the past influence your acting approach?
A) Izzy isn’t based on any one person – she’s a fictional character shaped by the time period. But one part of her story was inspired by “Bitsy” Gomez, a trailblazing trucker who fought for women’s rights in the 1970’s. Learning about her gave me valuable context and a kind of secret power for the role. But, honestly, it wasn’t just the history that influenced my approach. The writing, the other characters and even the wardrobe all played a huge part.
Q) Izzy is such a bold, physical role. Did stepping into her shoes challenge you in new ways, either emotionally or physically?
A) Honestly, the role is more about the illusion of physicality. You don’t see Izzy hauling cargo or doing stunts, but you feel the weight she’s carrying; she’s tired, overworked, juggling a million things. That part wasn’t a stretch for me. As a working mom, I know what that kind of exhaustion feels like. Playing her didn’t require me to reach far outside of myself, but rather it asked me to be honest.
The emotional part was definitely more of a challenge. Izzy’s hiding so much— she’s constantly masking what she’s really feeling. Riding that fine line between strength and vulnerability was tricky. I had to find a way to show the cracks without letting everything spill out. It took some time, but finding that balance ended up being one of the most rewarding parts of playing her.
Q) As a feminist yourself—particularly someone on the front lines of advocating for women’s rights and reproductive health—was there something about Izzy that especially resonated with you?
A) There’s a fire in Izzy that builds over time and I recognized that in myself. Sometimes life pushes you to a point where staying silent just isn’t an option anymore.
Izzy never set out to be an activist, she just wanted to survive. That felt very real to me. I didn’t plan on becoming an advocate for reproductive rights either, but when something affects you so deeply, you speak up. Or at least, I do.
Q) What was it like working alongside Josh Holloway?
A) Josh is like a big kid—we had a lot of fun on set. What surprised me is how emotional he can get in scenes—sometimes even more than me! I remember one moment where we were both crying during a take and JJ was like, “Okay, this is too much.” We’re both Cancers, so the waterworks come easy. It made for some really raw, connected moments between our characters.
Q) You filmed this on location in New Mexico. How did the setting contribute to the tone and feel of the series?
A) New Mexico brought so much grit and atmosphere to the show. The wide-open roads, the dust, the heat—it all added to that sense of danger and desperation that runs through the story. What’s funny is, even though it looks like the middle of summer on screen, we were actually filming in January. It was 29 degrees and absolutely freezing—but you’d never know it from watching.
Q) This series blends action with a strong character-driven story. How do you hope audiences connect with Izzy and her journey?
A) It does, for sure. What I hope people connect with is Izzy’s resilience. She’s not perfect—she’s overwhelmed, exhausted, making hard choices, but she keeps going. There’s something in her fight that feels universal.
And in a time where we’re seeing a kind of feminist revival, much like in the early 1970s, I hope audiences are reminded that no voice is too small. Change often starts with one person speaking up. Izzy shows us that.
Q) Let’s talk about showrunners J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. They wrote the first two episodes, and while their styles may differ, their collaboration brought this memorable project to life. Were they hands-on during production?
A) Both J.J. and LaToya were very involved—especially early on. We had rehearsals with both of them before production started and got to workshop scenes together, which was incredible. You could feel the magic from both of their creative minds. They were on set in the beginning, and honestly, it was exhilarating.
Then, the writers’ strike hit. Suddenly, we were shooting this massive show with no writers on set. We’d get calls saying we were doing a great job, they were watching from home, but we couldn’t get a single note or change a single word. It was a very challenging time to be building a new series at this level.
Q) With car crashes, shootouts, truck driving, and heart-stopping stunts— what was your most challenging scene to film?
A) I’m not in any of the action scenes—yet! I’ve been chomping at the bit. I keep pitching to the writers, “Hey, I drive a semi—let’s put Izzy in a high-speed chase to save Jim’s life!” We’ll see if they take me up on it. For now, I’m holding it down in the emotional trenches while everyone else gets the shootouts.
Q) What makes “Duster” stand out as must-see TV?
A) It’s got grit, style and that raw 1970s energy. It’s high-stakes, character-driven and full of surprises. Plus, it’s J.J. Abrams. Enough said.
Q) What’s next for you? Are you working on any other projects that fans should watch for?
A) I’m starring in and producing a new film called Drowning, which is set to release next year—and I’m really proud of that one. I’ve also got a few other projects in development—still under wraps, but definitely in motion. It’s an exciting chapter, especially as I lean more into producing and telling the kinds of stories I want to see in the world.
Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of the wonderful work you do on our screens?
A) Thank you. Your support means everything. I’m so grateful to tell these stories and I hope they continue to move you or make you feel seen.