Stepping into the role of Carol Clarke (the mother of Susan Kelechi-Watson’s character Beth Pearson) on NBC’s monster hit show ‘This is Us’ isn’t unfamiliar territory for legendary actress Phylicia Rashad. Since her first appearance this season, Rashad’s presence has added not only an additional level of talent and grace to an already stellar cast but a familiarity to viewers that come from families who believe pursuing the arts isn’t a wise career move.
Following a pre screening of this week’s upcoming episode, entitled R&B, BSO had the chance to speak with the legendary actress on joining the hugely popular show to portray Beth’s mother Carol Clarke, if there are any roles out there, she’s still looking to pursue and maintaining her youthful brilliance.
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BSO: Being part of a hugely popular show is pretty familiar territory for you. Was it difficult for them to convince you to join the cast as Carol Clarke?
PR: They had only to ask. It wasn’t difficult AT ALL.
BSO: Were you already tuning in before you received the call?
PR: Of course! I have friends on the show. Ron Cephas Jones is a friend of mine. We worked together years ago in the theater and I was delighted to see him on television and Susan Kelechi Watson since she was a student at Howard.
BSO: Beth and Randall have been showing the world, much like you did in previous roles, prime examples of a beautiful, non-stereotypical black family. Has the increase in diverse storytelling leveled out the playing field or is there still a gap in representation?
PR: Hmph. You know the answer to that question! There is this and this is important.
BSO: Not that your role on This is Us is ending anytime soon, at this point in your career, is there anything you haven’t tackled that you wished you had?
PR: You know, every time I think that I’m never going to get to do something, I do. Or every time I think ‘oh well, I’ve done this, there’s nothing left to do,’ something else comes along. So, I just stay ready and open.
BSO: You look so beautiful and youthful, honestly you look exactly the same. What is the secret to preserving yourself?
PR: [Laughs] Let’s see, LOTS of water, my father drank a lot of water and his skin was flawless, diet, I mean choosing certain foods and letting others go. Good company, and things I choose not to do. I choose not to drink alcohol, I just think it makes people’s faces turn old.
BSO: With the increased opportunities in film, tv, and digital, what advice would you offer to up and coming creatives for staying the course?
PR: If creative endeavors are what you long to do as a writer and director as producer and a designer as an actor or even as a crew member because none of this works without the crew because let’s face it. If that’s in your heart to do, just do it.
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