The Struggles Faced by Director Natalia Leite While Filming In the Ocean

Summary

Hulu's new show Black Cake premieres on November 1, following the story of Covey who flees Jamaica after being suspected of her husband's murder.

The show skillfully intertwines various storylines, alternating between the 1960s and the present day, to unfold the narrative of a fractured family unraveling their ancestral roots. Helmed by Natalia Leite, acclaimed for her contributions to The Handmaid's Tale, this production showcases a diverse ensemble cast and delves into the themes of multiculturalism across generations.

Hulu's new series, Black Cake, based on the best-selling book by Charmaine Wilkerson, will be premiering exclusively on the streaming service on Wednesday, November 1. The show centers around Covey, a young woman who flees Jamaica under suspicion of her husband's murder. Black Cake skillfully weaves together multiple plot lines, switching between the 1960s and the present day, to tell the story of an estranged family who come together to uncover their ancestral history.

Marissa Jo Cerar is the creator of the series, with Natalia Leite directing the first three episodes, all of which will be released simultaneously. Leite is renowned for her work on acclaimed projects like The Handmaid's Tale, In the Dark, and Love, Victor. The cast of Black Cake includes Mia Isaac, Adrienne Warren, Chipo Chung, Ashley Thomas, Lashay Anderson, Faith Alabi, Glynn Turman, Ahmed Eljah, Simon Wan, and Sonita Henry.

Natalia Leite Talks Black Cake

In a pre-show interview, our website had the exclusive opportunity to chat with director Natalia Leite. We discussed the significant influence of the novel on the show and the various hurdles faced while filming in the ocean.

Our website: How did you first get involved in Black Cake? What drew you to the series?

Natalia Leite: When I received the pilot script during the time I was filming The Handmaid's Tale, I initially hesitated about the timing. However, I soon developed a deep affection for the script and made the quick decision to transition from one show to the next. What attracted me to it was the fact that it's a multicultural, multi-generational story that resonated strongly with my background. Growing up with an international upbringing and a diverse family, I was captivated by the epic family sagas presented in books like Isabel Allende's House of Spirits. The concept that the actions of one generation can leave lasting imprints on future generations, even if they remain unknown, fascinated me.

Regarding your question about incorporating the novel into my directing approach, I pondered whether to depart from the book or retain the essence of the original characters.

Natalia Leite explained that when she learned about the project, she hadn't yet read the book. She made a deliberate decision not to read it before working on the job, as she wanted to avoid it influencing her perspective. She mentioned that many people may not have read the book and will be watching the show without knowing the background or a character's backstory. Natalia wanted to approach the script objectively, focusing on what was on the page rather than questioning whether it originated from the book or the TV version. She found it easier to separate the two since it was an adaptation. Although she is a big fan of the story, she plans to read the book now that she has finished working on the production.

Natalia was asked if she was present for the voice-over recordings that tie the story together, in addition to being on set.

Natalia Leite: During the editing process, while working on the show, I asked Chipo, who portrays Eleanor, to quickly record some things on her iPhone and send them to me. This allowed us to have some additional material to consider. It felt distracting to solely rely on either my own or the editor's voice to guide us in shaping the story. MJ, the showrunner, did an exceptional job interweaving various timelines. There were many instances where Chipo and I debated whether certain voiceovers were necessary or not. The entire process was a collaborative construction. So, in response to your question, I was involved in her recording, at least for my episodes.

I would greatly appreciate if you could provide some background information on the process of shooting these scenes in the ocean. How was it to film in that environment?

Natalia Leite: It was quite challenging. While some productions have the resources to shoot in a controlled environment like a tank, we were actually in Jamaica, filming in the water. Some of the cast members had limited experience swimming in the ocean, so their comfort level was not high. However, we were fortunate to have a lot of support. We had water safety personnel, underwater cameras, and people on jet skis assisting us. It felt reassuring to have this support, as safety was our top priority. Nevertheless, it was still challenging because the water has its own unpredictable nature. There would be moments where waves would occur, causing all of us to bounce along with the movement of the water.

Did all the actors participate, or were doubles necessary?

Natalia Leite: All the actors were involved in the water scenes. However, for certain moments where Mia's character had to swim underwater, we enlisted a body double. Our intention was to prevent exhaustion, although Mia was enthusiastic about performing all the stunts. Despite her willingness, we utilized a body double for certain portions.

About Black Cake

"Black Cake" is an engaging murder mystery meets family drama that draws inspiration from Charmaine Wilkerson's best-selling book. With a talented and diverse cast, this captivating series, brought to life by Marissa Jo Cerar, Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films, and Aaron Kaplans' Kapital Entertainment, takes viewers on a global journey through Jamaica, Rome, Scotland, England, and Southern California. Cerar, as the showrunner, has adapted the story, ensuring its seamless flow across decades.

In the late 1960s, Covey, a bride who vanished while running away on the shores of Jamaica, continues to intrigue with her disappearance and suspected involvement in her husband's murder. Fast forward fifty years to California, where Eleanor Bennett, a widow, succumbs to cancer, leaving her estranged children, Byron and Benny, a flash drive that unveils the previously untold tales of her Caribbean-to-America odyssey. Narrated by Eleanor herself, these shocking stories challenge and upend everything her children believed about their family's origins. Experience the gripping series "Black Cake" exclusively on Hulu!

The first three episodes of Black Cake will premiere on Hulu on November 1.