Delving into Black Cake: A Close Encounter with Director Natalia Leite and the Series Premiere

Article Overview

You can now stream the initial three episodes of Black Cake on Hulu, and anticipate the release of new episodes every week. The narrative centers around Covey, a young woman who flees from her arranged marriage and becomes a fugitive following a tragic event.

Director Natalia Leite sheds light on the show's casting process and the collaboration between actors Mia Isaac and Chipo Chung, who both portray the same character. They worked closely to harmonize accents and deliver a seamless performance.

Leite also explores the intricacies of Covey's personality and her responsibilities as a caretaker, examining the poignant moments in the show and the collective endeavor to portray them with authenticity.

The initial three episodes of Black Cake can now be streamed on Hulu, with new episodes being released every Wednesday. Adapted from Charmaine Wilkerson's novel, the narrative revolves around Covey, a young woman coerced into a forced marriage by her selfish father. Nevertheless, when her husband is tragically murdered on their wedding night, Covey finds herself both escaping as a runaway bride and concealing her identity as a fugitive.

Marissa Jo Cerar created the series, with Natalia Leite directing the first arc. Leite has gained recognition for her work on popular series such as The Handmaid's Tale, In the Dark, and Love, Victor. Mia Isaac takes on the lead role of Covey in the Black Cake cast, alongside Adrienne Warren, Chipo Chung, Ashley Thomas, Lashay Anderson, Faith Alabi, Glynn Turman, Ahmed Eljah, Simon Wan, and Sonita Henry who also have starring roles.

Our website recently conducted an interview with Natalia Leite, discussing her experience directing the first three episodes of the series and giving viewers a glimpse into what they can expect as the season progresses.

Natalia Leite Talks Black Cake

Did Chipo Chung and Mia Isaac have an opportunity to meet since they both portray the same character on our website? Natalia Leite is uncertain about it as she was not present during their meeting. However, she found it fascinating that the more time she spent with them, the more she noticed their resemblance, which made them a well-suited casting pair. The team had discussions about ensuring their accents aligned, as both were performing Jamaican accents, along with other characters like Gibbs. This was necessary to avoid any inconsistencies when they reappeared after several years.

When Covey handed over her scarf to her father, it struck me as a gesture that someone familiar with caregiving would make. Could you discuss the ways in which you envisioned Covey having to assume parental responsibilities over the years?

Natalia Leite: Mia and I had conversations about this because, in the story, Covey's mother left a while ago. She has Pearl, the housekeeper, but Pearl has taken on a more parental role in their relationship. This dynamic has worked in Covey's favor as she has become an independent individual who can handle living in another country and has a mentality of self-reliance and problem-solving. However, deep down, I believe Covey's character still yearns for a mother figure, someone to take care of her. After all, she is still young.

In the aftermath of the fire, her father returns to the house, and I admired Mia's portrayal of this scene because she exudes a strong sense of authority. She confronts him, expressing disbelief at his decision to make a deal with a sketchy individual she refers to as a loan shark. Despite being a broken and diminished figure, her father stands up to her and becomes visibly angry. The dynamic between these two characters is a constant power struggle, as they both navigate their desires and assert their dominance over one another.

In the pilot, Covey experiences an unwelcome visitor, and the subsequent emotional breakdown is intensely raw. How did the process of perfecting this scene, particularly without any dialogue, unfold?

Natalia Leite prefers to maintain a sense of authenticity and freshness in her directing style. Rather than constantly yelling "cut" and instructing actors to hit specific marks, she aims to create a realistic and genuine atmosphere, especially during emotionally charged scenes. One particular scene stands out in her memory, where she and the actors experimented and collaborated on different approaches. Both actors had a strong rapport, and their individual brilliance greatly contributed to the scene's success. Natalia's goal was to establish a cohesive and focused environment on set, where everyone understood and worked towards the same vision. She ensured that when there were breaks or the need to reset, no one engaged in distracting behavior like laughing or joking around, as it would disrupt the actors' concentration and commitment to their roles. Natalia sought to create an ambiance that fully supported the actors during important moments. In one instance, when the character leaves and Mia enters the bedroom to close the door and scream, there was initially some hesitation for her to fully unleash and scream without reservation.

Mia, who is also 18, possesses an incredible depth of emotion that she is able to draw upon. However, due to her youth, both MJ and I were present in the room with her to provide support and encouragement. We all screamed together, creating a collaborative and comfortable environment for Mia to express herself. It was a rare opportunity for us to freely release our emotions, which was incredibly liberating. Working alongside Mia, we aimed to reach the desired emotional intensity in the scenes.

Covey enters the show with established relationships and also develops new connections throughout the first three episodes. As the director, which dynamic did you find the most intriguing to develop with the actors?

Natalia Leite: You're correct. She has various relationships with the individuals on the show. The dynamic between her and Lashay, who portrays Bunny, was particularly enjoyable for me. I must say, Lashay is an extraordinary actor. I especially liked the earlier scenes where they were goofing around in the pool. Their chemistry was so natural and it felt like they had a long history and supported each other immensely.

I was also intrigued by the connection between Beatrice and Mia. Beatrice has a sort of authority among the other girls in that space, and when Mia enters, they treat her really cruelly. However, towards the end, they reconcile because they both experience a traumatic event together. It was an incredible experience collaborating with them to understand the subtleties leading up to that moment.

What surprises and unexpected twists can viewers anticipate after the initial three episodes? The interwoven timelines bring forth revelations that will make you reevaluate scenes previously witnessed. It is an exhilarating voyage of discovery.

About Black Cake

"Black Cake," based on Charmaine Wilkerson's bestselling novel, is a captivating blend of family drama and murder mystery. Produced by Marissa Jo Cerar, Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films, and Aaron Kaplans' Kapital Entertainment, the series boasts a diverse cast of characters and a global backdrop set in Jamaica, Rome, Scotland, England, and Southern California. Cerar, the showrunner, has skillfully adapted the story, which unfolds over several decades.

In the late 1960s, a bride named Covey vanishes under mysterious circumstances while enjoying the Jamaican coastline. Some speculate she drowned, while others believe she fled after being accused of her husband's murder. Fast forward fifty years to California, where an ailing widow named Eleanor Bennett succumbs to cancer. Her passing leaves behind a legacy for her estranged children, Byron and Benny, in the form of a flash drive containing untold tales of her journey from the Caribbean to America. As Eleanor's narratives unfold, her children are shocked and forced to confront their preconceived notions about their family's past. Don't miss "Black Cake," streaming on Hulu!

The first three episodes of Black Cake are currently available to stream on Hulu.

Check out our previous interview with Natalia Leite and our interview with showrunner Marissa Jo Cerar, as well.

Source: Our website Plus

Editor's P/S

As an avid fan of Black Cake, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to delve deeper into the series with director Natalia Leite. Her insights into the casting process and the collaboration between actors Mia Isaac and Chipo Chung, who both portray the same character, were particularly fascinating. The way in which they worked closely to harmonize their accents and deliver a seamless performance is a testament to their dedication and skill as actresses.

Leite's exploration of Covey's personality and her responsibilities as a caretaker also resonated deeply with me. The poignant moments in the show, such as when Covey hands over her scarf to her father, highlight the complexities of her character and the emotional depth that she brings to the story. Overall, I am incredibly impressed with the first three episodes of Black Cake and cannot wait to see how the narrative unfolds in the coming weeks.