The ALLBLK network scored big with the crime-thriller series “Double Cross” starring Ashley A. Williams alongside fellow co-star Jeff Logan. Now in its fourth season, Williams spoke on her transformative evolution as an actress, her character’s development throughout the years, and the importance of Black people being in the position to share our own stories from our perspectives.
What do you love most about the evolution of your character throughout the years?
I love how through it all; she remains very consistent in her beliefs about family and how she is going to be by her family’s side no matter what. I love her evolution so far regarding her relationships, love life, her heart, and how selfish she becomes in season four by choosing not to be hurt in certain ways anymore. So, I am excited about that. I love that about Erica.
In what ways have you grown as an actor and in your personal life throughout the series?
As an actor, you get to work with a multitude of different actors, different personalities, and people. It is a true testament to being able to stay focused, stay on top of your dialogue and on top of your scenes. It’s a great way to grow on set when you can get pulled in different directions, and you still must make sure that you come on and do what it is that you need to do. That is a great lesson that I took into my actual life is; no matter what obstacles get thrown my way, just stay focused on the prize and go and get it done.
If you had to pick one moment that you would say was a defining moment on the show for you, which would it be?
There is an episode that happens where someone comes into the picture, and it is a huge moment for the twins. But for me, it is an extremely emotional moment. Things that you thought were tied up and sent off, signed, sealed, and delivered—they come back around in a shocking way. When you all see it, you will know what I am talking about because I am not going to tell you now. You will have to watch it.
Has any of your character’s traits been imprinted on you?
Not the crazy trait! So no, I do not kill people, but I have become even more vulnerable. I would say I hold my family members a little bit tighter when I get a chance to be around them and see them because this show is so family based with the twins and Robin… So I imprint-wise, I do spend a lot more time with my family, and I appreciate their presence in my life because of it.
What do you like most about Erica’s relationship with her brother?
I love that Erica is like a nurturer, even though they are twins, and she is only like a minute older. I feel like she takes on that motherly nurturing role when it comes to Eric, making sure that he is okay and making sure that people are doing right by him. I love that aspect about her. She wears her emotions on her sleeve, and she is not afraid to show you if something’s bothering her. She is always going to do her best to stick by Eric’s side, at least to the best of her ability. What I also like about her is that she is caring and kind… And if you do not piss her off, you will not die.
Being on ALLBLK network and this interview was for the black history issue. Why is it so important for us to create and tell our own stories?
We are the originators of so many things. I mean, if anybody knows you, it is going to be someone who experiences life the way you do. It is not going to be someone from another culture or another race. ALLBLK being able to have a network where you are going to hire black filmmakers, and then those Black filmmakers are going to write characters that are that are 99.9% African American to tell our stories… It matters. There’s so much diversity in the diaspora of Black people ,and ALLBLK is one of those networks that you get to see a little bit of that in every show that you come across. There are so many stories to tell from the Black experience. There is not just one story that needs to be about siblings. There can be so many different points of view and perspectives and ALLBLK just allows filmmakers to come in and explore that. It is a beautiful way to watch Black talent on screen.
What was it about your role that made you decide to join the cast?
Well, to be honest, I was offered the role. I did not have to audition for it. So when it was presented to me, Crystal, who was the creator, told me what it was about. I thought it was so unique and special. Of course, I would want to be a part of it. I knew we were touching on human trafficking and the kidnapping of kids. I loved that it had such an important storyline, on top of just Erica being this bad ass doctor. I took Pre -Med in college, so I was like, let me put this degree to use somehow because it cost a pretty penny (laughing). Again, it was exciting to bring the science aspect of my college years into playing the doctor. It was a lot of little things…
Now, during your time away from the set, how do you perform self-care?
Oh man, daytime naps… This whole thing about not napping in the afternoon is wild to me. You get to a certain age and self-care is all about taking naps throughout the day. I also enjoy fitness. I work out. I make sure to keep my health up and do things that are adventurous. I am a Gemini, so I like to explore. I do not like sitting down for too long doing one thing, and that helps me lighten my heart and my load. It just makes me feel free and vibrant. I think, for me, self-care in that way is important.
Lastly, tell us something that most fans of the show do not know about you.
I am the only left-handed person in my family, so I consider myself an anomaly. I consider myself extremely special when I get around my family. All I do is wave my left hand around and they already know what it is; Princess treatment all day because I am not like any of you up people. I post my family a lot on social media. Being from the Caribbean… My parents are Jamaican immigrants. Being Jamaican or coming from Jamaican blood, that is something I hope people appreciate about me, because I appreciate it about myself.
Be’n Original
