From “cut!” to curtain call. Jessica Frances Dukes (she / her) plays FBI agent Maya Miller in Ozark and recently made her Broadway debut as Millie Davis in Trouble in Mind. The play sheds light on the many issues Black actors faced in the 1950s—and still do today.

Here, the actress explains why it’s an important time to tell this story, how the set of Ozark felt like summer camp, and why her mother won’t speak to her when a new season drops. Spoiler: She’s too busy binge-watching, and we’re right there with her.

What is Trouble in Mind about?
It’s a Broadway show about a Broadway show in the ‘50s, and the challenges Black actors were going through at the time, especially with being put into stereotypical roles. It sparks a conversation of, at what point do you say enough is enough, and what are you risking when you say it? It took 66 years to get Trouble in Mind onto a stage because—just like in the play—when the writer presented it to the producers in the ‘50s, they wanted her to change it, so she didn’t get her debut until 2021 / 2022.

Why is now an important time to tell a story like this?
Because unfortunately, being a Black actor myself, I know it’s still very relevant. And after all the things we’ve been through as a country, I think it’s time to shed light on how, in some areas, we still have a long way to go.

How did it feel to make your Broadway debut?
I’ve wanted this since I was 6 years old—not to be in any play, but this specific play. It was a dream come true. I remember crying my first night at curtain call, I just couldn’t believe I was there. Being part of that conversation was an absolute honor.

And what was it like being cast for Ozark?!
When I got the call, I was floored, because you rarely get a chance to audition for a show you already binge. And on my first day of shooting, I was shaking, because I was like, “I’m going into this massively well-oiled machine with these pros—I have to bring it.” But as soon as I walked in, it felt like I’d been there forever. Everyone treated me as if I was coming back to summer camp and we hadn’t seen each other in a while. It made me realize that even massive celebrities are real, regular people.

How’d you approach your character, Maya Miller?
I come from a music background, too, so I tend to look at shows as orchestras, and characters as instruments. Coming into the show, I wanted to find out what kind of instrument I was, and whether I was being added to the melody, the bass, or the rhythm. It’s like, “What will I bring to it? What is Maya Miller’s purpose?” Finding that out was a big part of the work.

When the new season dropped, were you more nervous or excited?
A lot of my friends love this show so much, so hanging out with them and not being able to say anything, post anything, or even hint at anything was the hardest part. It’s funny because my family had all these fan theories that were actually the opposite of what happened. I called my mom once while she was binging and she was like, “I can’t talk to you right now.” And I was like, “This is crazy… I’m the one on the show!” [Laughing.]