Viola Davis Created a Production Company ‘Out of Necessity’ for More ‘Prestige’ Roles for Black Actors
thewrap.comWhen Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon created their production company JuVee Productions in 2011, the Oscar-winning actress said they did so “out of necessity” to create more fully realized roles for people of color, including themselves. “I always say if you want to see where your career is going, see where the top people are in your category,” Davis said during a panel at Saturday’s Produced By conference. “And I didn’t see anything.
The talent is there, but the material was not. So, after a while you have to be the change you want to see.”The multi-hyphenate explained that she and her husband of 19 years were seeking “prestige” projects that allowed Black actors — and other creators of color — to not only showcase their talent through complex roles but also dispel the myths and harmful stereotypes about marginalized communities. “With all due respect, I did not want to see another narrative where I was crying over my dead son’s body after dying from a drive-by shooting.
I see myself as more complicated, and I see all people of color as way more complicated,” she said. “We were seeking material that honored people who were on the periphery who want to be seen, who want their humanity to be seen fully and completely — and that’s anyone standing on the sideline.”Her words reminded moderator Yvette Nicole Brown of Davis’ role as Annalise Keating on ABC’s “How to Get Away With Murder.” Specifically, Brown referenced a scene from Season 1, where Davis sits down at her vanity and removes her wig to reveal her natural hair before wiping away her makeup.
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