Jennifer Riker – Black Lightning

By starrymag | March 18, 2019

By: Jessica Wolff

 

 

Q) What can you tease about the “Black Lightning” season finale?

 

A) Oh man, I don’t know if I’m allowed to. I don’t know. I just think that there’s gonna be a great cliffhanger at the end. I think the fans will be satisfied with it and excited. That’s about all.

 

Q) Were you a fan of the show before joining the cast?

 

A) No, actually I hadn’t. The genre was pretty new to me and it’s been a great education. I’ve learned a lot because we have some real super fans in the crew. When I first got the part, I remember our design technician, he came up to me with The Outsiders 1988 cover of the comic book with my character on the front of it. He wanted me to sign it, but then he explained to me the Masters of Disaster. He introduced me to the Justice League, Young Justice. It’s been quite an education. It’s exciting now that I understand my [character’s] backstory. Consequently, now I’ve been watching some of the other CW shows. I’ve learned quite a bit about the DC Universe.

 

Q Were you familiar with the cast prior to joining the show?

 

A) Not on a personal level. I knew their work. Like Cress [Williams] and James Remar, I followed their work as well as some of the directors like Robert Townsend. But, no, I hadn’t worked with anyone or met any of them prior to the day I started shooting.

 

Q) With the recent revelation that Agent Odell knows the truth about the Pierce family, how much do you think Dr. Jace knows or how close do you think she is to finding out the truth?

 

A) We alluded to it in Episode 3 that, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a whole family of metas?” Of course, you see Lynn’s (Christine Adams) reaction to that. Because we haven’t revisited that yet and Dr. Jace is all about aligning herself with Tobias (Marvin ‘Krondon’ Jones III) I think it’s safe to say that they don’t dangle any carrots without circling back to it. I think it’s safe to imagine that would be addressed in the next season.

 

Q) Will we learn more about Dr. Jace’s history with Tobias, the ASA or the Markovians next season?

 

A) I think it’s safe to say, yes.

 

Q) How do you approach playing a villainous character like Dr. Jace compared to your previous roles?

 

A) I’m actually having the most fun I’ve ever had as a working actor. I think this character was just a gift from heaven. My favorite movie in the world is Silence of the Lambs and it was pitched to me like a Hannibal Lecter role. You can imagine my enthusiasm when I heard that. As far as approaching it, I think I have to approach it much like Dr. Jace thinks. When an actor’s playing a less than savory character you just have to focus on the ways in which you can be like this person at times. I have to really access the parts where I know what I’m doing even if somebody doesn’t believe in what I’m doing. I’m very meticulous in my work and how I go about ascertaining my data. A criminal doesn’t really think they’re a criminal. They think what they’re doing is justified. I just focus on that and my objective, like any other character on the show, trying to find tactics to deal with your objective ultimately in the end.

 

Q) Is there anyone in the cast you’d love the opportunity to have more scenes with next season?

 

A) I’m really, really enjoying working with Tobias, if I’m being honest. It’s just a juicier storyline. I enjoyed my time with Lynn. We had some fabulous sparring at the top of the season. I don’t really see my character aligning too much with anyone else expect Markovians. That would make sense, since I already dropped that Easter egg on you guys. The whole history of the serum with Tobias, the whole idea that Jace thinks they would make the ultimate team, I believe she’s being self-serving. There are those fans who think she’s jealous of Cutter (Kearran Giovanni), but I think she’s trying to win to save herself. I don’t think she worries about anything else. I think she’s so damn good at what she does. As she said, there’s three in the world who can do what she does. She thinks she’s the best.

 

Q) What was your favorite scene or episode to film this season?

 

A) It’s coming up on Monday. I really enjoyed when Lynn gave me the smackdown. That was pretty awesome to film. But I think the most fun I’ve ever had on this show is this week’s episode.

 

Q) What are the challenges of filming a special effects heavy show like this compared to other projects you’ve been a part of?

 

A) That hasn’t happened on anything on my resume. I haven’t dealt with it. I’ve dealt with doing my own stunts, but I haven’t dealt with green screen work and all the special effects like that. It was just so thrilling to see the hologram scene with myself sitting on the bed watching myself with Todd (RJ Cyler) in the jail. That was thrilling for me. I had never been a part of anything like that with any tricks. I’m used to playing very stoic women, very white-collar criminal. I did that on “Castle.” I was a criminal on that show but very by the book. Conniving, but nothing special effects. I also play a lot of doctors, so to see me play something that has special effects is just a thrill for me because it’s not a world I’m familiar with.

 

Q) Are there any other projects you’re currently working on?

 

A) I’m in a film opening Friday called Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase based on the Nancy Drew books. I don’t know if you were into them as a child, but that was really exciting for me. I don’t usually get to play trashy characters like blue collar, so that was a thrill for me. I’m in a movie coming out in July called Stuber with Dave Bautista. I’m a bit of comic relief in that. Right now, I’m also a professor at Florida State University and I’m teaching on-camera acting at the film school. That occupies a lot of my time when I’m not on set.