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Shes also based on Ruth Lockwood, who was a white producer at WGBH.
That could have been Alice.
He said, if were getting a chance to tell history, why not add those perspectives?
Those people did exist, even if they have been seen more rarely.
I latched onto that because with period pieces, people often act like Black people werent there.
Were in every part of history.
I read somewhere that Alice was added to the show to give context to the struggle.
Yes, Julia Child struggled to make it in her profession because she was a woman.
But she was white and rich.Thats one of my favorite parts about the dynamic between Alice and Julia.
Alice is not a boss lady coming in who has everything figured out.
But they do have a lot of privilege.
Throughout the season, you see how Alice learns from them.
They learn a lot from Alice, too.
While watchingepisode three, I wrote this note very fervently: Alice should be on Julias show!Agreed.
Alice is our way in.
To me, that is Alice.
Will she get to be a producer?
Will she be acknowledged for her efforts?
It was exciting to see this character blossom.
Shes literally blossomed opened up.
I dont know that I was intentional about it, but it happened because of the character arc.
Its a gift as an actor to get to play that.
Shes like, I dont know if its because Im a woman.
I dont know if its because Im Black.
I got a chance to be part of writing those scenes.
Every generation is different with their own civil rights struggles.
She sees people around her struggling for their rights, people who look just like her.
I felt that impostor syndrome both as myself and as Alice.
It was important for her to have that vulnerable moment to say, Look.
Its just really difficult.
I dont know any Black woman who hasnt had a moment like that professionally or personally.
Its powerful to say, I can be vulnerable in this space too.
I dont always have to be strong.
When I read episode seven, I didnt see that coming.
I didnt think Alice would ever say yes to one of her mothers setups.
And like you, I dont want to have a female character suddenly happy and in love.
What I think they did well, and what I appreciated, is that he gives her confidence.
Thats something she doesnt even have with her mom.
Hes the first person who makes her feel like she can step into her power.
In a way, its subversive.
Speaking of subverting traditional female tropes, I love that they created a Black female character who cant cook.
Historically, Black women in America have been cooking and serving onscreen for centuries.I loved that.
In episode one, she was like, Listen, I eat meatloaf at a diner.
She couldnt even crack an egg appropriately.
She is singularly her own.
Did you like them?I mean, theyre just a vehicle for butter.
Which is most of Julia Childs recipes.
It looked questionable, but it tasted very good.
It was all of us all together for the first time in years.
I tried to make Julias beef bourguignon and it was a fail.
The recipe is just so long, and there was some issue with the pancetta.
But I made a Filipino chicken adobo that was delicious.
That was not Julia.
I even got a fancy pasta-maker to make the fresh pasta.
I tend to be the person always asking, Are you sure it tastes okay?
But you should just let people enjoy your food.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
