Gail Bean Gives Voice To The Unheard On 'Snowfall' and 'P-Valley'
essence.comGail Bean is living many a young actress’ dream, almost by happenstance. The 29-year-old actress comes to millions of screens weekly on one of network television’s most binge-able crime dramas, FX’s Snowfall, as one of its most tortured and nuanced characters, Wanda Bell.
Though Wanda’s arc – from young fun-loving drug dealer’s girlfriend to the dregs of crack addiction – has been a beautifully written, heartwrenching tale that is sadly all-too-familiar for many in our communities, Bean actually had no clue she was signing up for something so affecting when she landed the role. “I’m going to be honest, I had no idea Wanda was going to be such a full circle, well-rounded, beautifully painted character,” she said. “I honestly thought I was just coming in playing and around-the-way LA girl.
I was justexcited; I get to wear nails, I get to be cute, I get to have my little LA accent. It all caught me by surprise, how far it took her down the rabbit hole.”Despite her surprise, Bean has stepped up to the challenge with grace, bringing a nuanced authenticity to the role and a sensitivity to the character that makes viewers root for her even when she’s at her lowest, attempting to sell her own avulsed tooth on the streets for drug money. “Some people don’t even get to see a character arc like Wanda’s in a whole series, let alone a season or an episode,” she said of her good fortune with this amazing role. “I’m so, so grateful.”Now that her character has been to the darkest depths of addiction, Bean is eager for fans to follow along for her climb to redemption as Season 5 progresses. “I’m excited for fans to see Wanda as more than just a drug addict.
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