Edwina Findley Dickerson – If Loving You Is Wrong

Interview By: Laurie Allred

Q: Let’s talk about your character, Kelly, on “If Loving You Is Wrong.” What’s the story of how you got that role?

A) It’s funny, I did this movie called Middle of Nowhere two years ago, and one of my castmates, David Oyelowo, passed the movie along to Oprah [Winfrey]. And then fast forward to 2014, Oprah is now producing his next movies and when I walked into my audition for this show, Tyler Perry was like “Wait a minute, is that you in that movie, Middle of Nowhere?” I’d like to believe I nailed the audition and then I got a phone call saying, “I really want you for this show.” I had just seen the movie that the show was a spin-off from and really enjoyed it. So, it was kind of a perfect symbiotic union, so to speak. I really loved what Oprah and Tyler were doing, and they loved what I brought to it, and the rest is history.

Q: It’s a very dramatic show. How do you prepare for this role as Kelly?

A) It’s a lot of intense preparation, honestly, because of our filming schedule. It’s definitely a rigorous schedule. Lucky for us, I was able to read the whole season up-front, which is really special on television because as an actor you are reading the script as the episodes come out. You’re typically shooting one episode and then reading the next episode to find out where your character is going. And one of the things I really enjoy about working on this project is that I knew where the story was going. So, as an actor, it really helped me create an arc of the character. I knew where the character was going to end up and where she started.

Q. What is your filming schedule for the show?

A) Well, we actually wrapped now. So, we are done as far as this season. It was a very condensed schedule. Filming this for me, honestly, was very much like filming a movie because in a movie you’re able to read the whole script at once and find things out as you turn the page.

Q: How did your role on “Treme” prepare you for this role?

A) One of the ways that it really prepared me was emotionally because that show was based in New Orleans and about families that were survivors of Hurricane Katrina. For the backdrop, the music is what connected a lot of the characters. As the seasons went on, for instance, in the fourth season, my father dies of cancer and walking through the whole experience with him for me, it really brought certain things out of me as an actor and stepping into that place and allowing myself to go through a journey. I always say that a lot of times actors do the opposite of what we do in our own lives, meaning that a lot of times people run away from pain. We don’t want to feel pain. We don’t want to feel hurt, brokenhearted and lost. And yet, as an actor, that’s a part of our job – to run to the places where a lot of people run away from. And approaching this character, my character really has her heart broken and she’s struggling with her sense of self, her own independence and identity as a woman and she’s madly in love with her boyfriend who betrays her. She also has a young son and wants to do right by him. And she is experiencing pain in her life. While I’m not yet a mother, I know a lot of single moms (including my mother who was a single mom) so that experience is something that is unique and also very taxing. Working on “Treme” and the progression of all the things that happened with our characters really helped open me up as an actor emotionally.

Q: You mentioned a lot of differences between yourself and Kelly, but do you see any similarities between Kelly and your own life?

A) I do. The primary connection I feel with her is that I’m a dreamer. I can be very optimistic. I can be very hopeful and be the optimist and still fighting to overcome and fighting for the good. I feel like that’s what happens with her. She has this dream. She has this vision and expecting and hoping for her and her boyfriend that they’re going to be together. I think what a lot of us share is we have to love and have to be loved. I think that’s something that is common among women. With Kelly, it’s a strong and passionate desire except there’s a void in her life. I definitely relate to her desire to be loved and definitely relate to her optimism and hopefulness. I think the places where we’re different is that I try to be as wise as possible for the decisions I make. When it comes to love, that’s where Kelly really needs some support. She had to get her heart broken in order for her to learn certain lessons and now she’s trying to pick up the pieces. I think she’s going to be a stronger and better person because of it.

Q: Speaking of being loved and finding love, how would you describe the chemistry between you and on-screen love interest, actor Denzel Wells, who actually started out as a model?

A) What’s interesting is as actors you’re constantly maintaining a professional balance so you’re creating the illusion of two people that have known each other for years and years and are madly in love with each other to the point of heartache and heartbreak. But then as an actor, you meet him one day and then the next day, you’re shooting. A lot of it is created. I have a lot of respect for Denzel. This was his very first television show. So, backstage we’re off-screen spending a lot of time together and getting him ready for this experience. We definitely developed a camaraderie off-screen because we’re constantly running lines together and talking about the characters and talking about the backstories. We’re very professional. When it’s time to turn it on, we turn it on. He’s very attractive. It’s not that hard to turn it on. He’s very professional.

Q: What is it like being on a show entirely written, directed, and produced by Tyler Perry?

A) It’s great. It really is. This was my first time working with him. I didn’t know exactly what to expect. It’s wonderful and he’s a very generous person and has a generous heart and that translates to filming and working. What I felt with him is that he was very open. He really wanted it to be as organic as possible. He was very generous and lovely when it come to exploring and untapping the character and I really appreciated that. And I also enjoyed the places where he had a strong opinion. We were able to discover together and collaborate together. He writes, directs, produces and has an incredible studio down in Atlanta. I just have a lot of respect for him using all of his gifts in such a positive way. Between him and Oprah, those are my two favorite people and and I’m really glad to be part of this family now. It happened very quickly. It’s amazing how quickly we all bonded and formed strong relationships, which is great and I think is such an asset when you’re talking about playing characters who are so close to one another.

Q: The series premiere was the highest-rated in the network’s history. What do you see for the future of the show?

Well, I’ll say this – I’ll say that Tyler is very aware of his audience. He knows his audience. He knows what they like, what they respond to, what they enjoy watching, what they’re moved by. He’s going to keep surprising fans and keep fans on the edge of their seat. I think he’s going to continue with some twists and turns that none of us will anticipate.

Q: Is there anything you can tease or share about any upcoming storylines or character arcs?

A) Well, what I will say that is that fans were able to see this past week, at least for Kelly, that finally the tables are turning with regards to Kelly and Travis. One thing that I want to say is that they’re definitely going to start seeing Kelly standing on her own two feet. Now, you’re going to start seeing her place of self-discovery.

Q: Regarding your upcoming slate of movies to be released in 2015, what was it like working with Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart in Get Hard, and switching from drama to comedy?

A) Just before filming that movie, I filmed the most intense drama of my entire life, which was based on a true story. It was called Free in Deed. It was so emotional, very heartbreaking. Honestly, it was very rewarding as an actor to be able to play such completely different roles with completely different circumstances. It was really a joy because what I really enjoy being about an actor is that versatility. From improv to tragedy to comedy and everything in between, it’s kind of why I do what I do. It was definitely an honor working opposite Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell. They are comedic geniuses and I learned so much from them and being around them. I heard it’s testing really well and I’m excited for audiences to see it.