Even though Gabrielle Union was passed over for the lead role of the ABC series Scandal, she has no hard feelings towards fellow actress Kerry Washington for beating her out for the part.
As a matter of fact, AP reports the Think Like A Man actress feels grateful and says the show gave her hope that strong and likable female characters can be created for black actresses.
“I said to myself, ‘Oh my God, these roles are out there,'” Union recalled in a recent interview. “It showed me that you don’t have to settle. Luckily, the success of her and the show bred more work. Just from the audition process, I knew that I couldn’t go backward.”
Now, Union hopes her new lead role in the dramatic movie, Being Mary Jane, could take her career to the levels reached by Washington with Scandal.
“I didn’t get ‘Scandal,’ but I got something better — which is my own show,” Union said. “It’s all about building a legacy. This new opportunity is something I feel that can grow.”
The made for TV drama premieres Tuesday night on BET and is expected to go to transition into an eight-episode TV series in January.
According to the AP story, Gabrielle Union will play a successful TV news anchor who attempts to juggle work, her on-and-off relationships and the needs of her family. The veteran actress says the role would be different from her typical “good girl who meets the bad guy from the other side of the tracks” character.
“If you loved me for one thing and may not have liked me in something else, this role gives the audience a chance to see that I can do more than one thing.”
The film received some good reviews, particularly due to Union’s performance. For example the NY Daily news describes the flick as “freshly poignant,” and gives Gabrielle Union credit for this because she “plays the title character with confidence, exasperation, humor, impulsiveness and an occasional hint of desperation.”
Being Mary Jane hails from the mind of Mara Brock Akil, the producer of BET’s hit series The Game. The show is a big deal for the network as it’s their first original drama series. You can catch Gabrielle Union in the two hour premier on BET tonight at 10:30 p.m.
