You landed the role of Trish Murtaugh during the filming of the pilot of Fox’s new Lethal Weapon television series, how did that occur?
What happened was I auditioned for it, and I didn’t get it. I get this call on a Wednesday that I had booked it a few months later. I was so excited about it. I am a Lethal Weapon fanatical fan, let me tell you. I had read the script, and I knew it was great. Initially, I thought it wasn’t meant for me then it comes right back around right before the pilot started shooting. I got the job on a Wednesday, and I was shooting on that Friday. I was so excited, and I felt bless that I had gotten it.
Did you have to study the Lethal Weapons movie saga to prepare for the television show?
No, I’m a fanatical fan, so I know the movies inside and out. I had just watched a marathon of the Lethal Weapon movies the month before. Because I love the movies, I sat down and watched them all in one sitting. I didn’t need to study because I knew the movies really well. That being said, the television series is different from film franchise which is great because it’s very modern as 2016. We couldn’t do what they had done. It would have felt wrong. I knew they had to update it, which they did. Our Trish is really different than the film anyway.
Your character is a high powered defense attorney in the series as opposed to being just a housewife in the film franchise. What are some of the other differences?
Obviously, they are both loving mothers. I love that about Darlene Love’s portrayal. They are both loving mothers and supportive wives, but with my Trish, she is a high-powered defense attorney, so that is going already lead into different story-lines where she’s getting them out while he’s putting them in. That conflict is going to be interesting to see what occurs between the two of them. She doesn’t want him to go out there, but he wants to go back. That’s different than the film where he thought he was too old for this stuff. She’s the breadwinner of the family. She wants him to stay home so she can take care of him.
How was it working with Damon Wayans on set?
Every time I am asked that question I laugh because that is what is exactly what he makes me do when we work together. It’s a pleasure working with him. My Trish fell in love with his Roger because of his humor. It’s okay if I laugh during a take because my character’s husband makes her laugh. I love working with him, and I think that you will hear that from everybody.
You have played so many different characters over the years in as many different story lines and mediums. What would say has been your favorite role to date?
I would have to say Trish right now because she embodies almost everything I like about the characters I have played except for GiGi (Are We There Yet). I have played the wife of a lawyer so many times; now I’m the lawyer. I’m excited about that. I think I would have to say, Trish. I love her. I get to play this powerful woman who loves her husband, and loves her children, but keeps it sexy. Eventually, I hope to see her in action because I’m a boxer and I have study Krav Maga. I want to see her fight. I want to see her save Riggs and Roger, and not be the lady in distress. Don’t laugh now. I’m serious. I can’t wait to see the many possibilities of this role.
Recently you starred in the movie Marshall in the role of Vivien “Buster” Burey, the wife of Thurgood Marshall, what was it like playing the better half of such a historical character?
Just to be a part of something about Thurgood Marshall is a blessing. I think so many people are going to look at this film and say ‘Wow, I didn’t know that about him’ because the movie takes place in the 1940’s, so early in his career. It’s the OJ Simpson trial of the 1940’s. There’s this black man who was accused of the rape and attempted murder of a white woman, but he’s innocent. I love this woman. She was the wife of a man who faced the risk of being shot every day. They lived in Harlem, but he was going to the south where you could be shot for just being black. We are facing similar situations today. She knew that he could have been shot at any time. She was at home, waiting for that phone call, but she knew he had to do it. Much like Roger and Trish, she knew that there was a risk that he might not come back home, but respected that he had to fight for people who couldn’t fight for themselves. It’s who they are, and the women have to be strong for them.
A lot of actors say television is far more strenuous than film. You have done both throughout your career, how would you compare them?
This is what I think is great about the series; you don’t have the same amount of time in a movie to develop the characters as you do for a television series. You have maybe ninety minutes to get from the beginning to end and then it’s done. In a television series, you really get to know the characters. How beautiful is that? Let’s say Riggs – We get to see him happy before tragedy strikes while the movie starts with the character contemplating suicide. You get to connect with characters in ways that never could in a film. There’s simply not enough time for it.
WATCH KEESHA SHARP ON LETHAL WEAPON EVERY WEDNESDAY ON FOX
– BE’N ORIGINAL
