Bria Samone Henderson thrives on portraying strong characters.
And Henderson has other projects and equally fascinating new characters in her sights as well.
And there’s a certain way you have to navigate it.
And a lot of times when we get character breakdowns, it’s never positive like that.
It never really exudes the diverseness of black women.
I just knew that when I’m ready, I said, this sounds like me.
And that’s what I think piqued my interest.
I think Jordan speaks out a little bit more.
She just chooses any time if she has an opinion, she’s just going to say it.
She’s that kind of person who crosses boundaries when it’s appropriate.
But it’s also that thing where it’s like for Bria, I would be uncomfortable.
But our similarities, I was raised in a Christian household.
I’m very spiritual.
We definitely meet in the middle with that.
Jordan’s really big with her hairstyles, her fashion.
Have you always liked medical dramas?
I left Atlanta, Georgia, where I did my undergrad time.
And then I went straight to Seattle, and there was just two different worlds, two different coasts.
And I just remember being depressed because I was just lonely.
I just didn’t feel like I knew anyone or no one really understood me.
You don’t have time to do health checks.
You’re just in school.
They take all of your life and hours.
So the only time I actually had was when I was done with homework or very late at night.
And Chandra Wilson is someone I’ve watched for years who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey.
So it’s really weird.
And then to come into another medical role and play another fierce Black doctor is an honor.
It’s an honor.
And also aligned with who I am.
But that’s the only medical drama I’ve really watched and been a fan of.
Medical dramas are a very specific world that I’m still learning to get used to.
You wake up really early, and you head to set.
And then you go onto set to rehearse and block with the director for that episode.
And then you head back to your trailer.
You get dressed in your costume for the day, and then you come back and you start shooting.
And then on surgery days so when we’re filming surgery, that’s a whole other ball game.
It’s like being in like biology class all over again.
What do you like most about being on the show?
What do I like most about being on the show?
That’s a good question.
Let me think, what I like most.
I feel like for an actor, your process always changes and evolves with you.
That also besides being Dr. Jordan Allen, she is a full person.
She has a life outside of the hospital and how to bring that in, in a natural way.
So I enjoy really playing with guest stars, and I love playing with different directors, too.
What can you tell us about the rest of the season?
Are there any hints that you’re able to share?
It feels like a big face-off between Dr. Lim and Salen Morrison.
And I’m excited to see that, too.
And I just say, look forward to more of that.
What was that like?
Also with Niecy Nash andUzo Aduba, who I really enjoyed working with.
That was my first-ever booking.
That was me straight out of grad school a year later.
That was my first gig that I booked.
And it was, honestly, I still can’t believe that happened.
But that’s what happens sometimes.
You get these big bookings and you’re like, “Is this real?”
And the whole time there I’m like, “Is this really real?”
Even though I was so nervous, it was great.
I played Margaret Sloan-Hunter, and I know a lot of people don’t even know who she is.
I had no idea who she was when I auditioned for her.
What Bria learned from the Mrs. America set
So what was it like playing her?
Did it surprise or intimidate you?
Did you learn anything from it?
It was very intimidating.
I had to do a lot of research, which I love.
It’s just her as a writer and a feminist.
And so that helped subside the intimidation part of it.
That’s what the director needs.
That’s what the DP needs.
That’s what your producers need.
And that’s what honestly the character that you’re playing needs.
And it was just amazing to watch her take up space.
And she brought everyone up to her level of energy.
And so that is something that I will always keep with me.
And it’s about a 30-year-oldish virgin, who is a writer’s assistant for a TV show.
So we’re right now in post-production and we’re submitting to festivals around the world.
So soon, within the next couple months, I will be hearing back from festivals.
So kind of related to that, what would be your dream role if you could play anyone?
Ooh, my dream role, if I could play anyone.
So I would love to one, lead my own dark comedy dramedy show.
I would love to lead that, whatever world and story that just works.
Her story is so interesting.
She died at the young age of 39.
She was addicted to her body image.
She was on a lot of pills and stuff like that.
I just think it would be [a] great story to dig into.
And she’s one of our jazz singers that you just don’t know a lot about.
I think she deserves her own story, her own biopic, and I would love to play her.
Can you tell us a bit about some of that?
Yeah, so I’ve volunteering for a long time.
Service has been a part of my life since I was young.
And that was a program I was a part of for four years.
And through that, I was a part of a group called For My Sisters.
And we promoted excellence and community service with young women in the city.
But then we branched out to Lagos, Nigeria, and then to North Andros, Bahamas.
That was a big organization that I was a part of years ago.
And just to also stretch your artistic muscle because art can be healing.
So those are some of the things that I do.
That sounds really exciting.
First of all, do you have a favorite reality TV show this year?
I love these questions!
So this is the thing: I’m a “Real Housewives of Atlanta” fan.
That’s my No.
1 “Real Housewives.”
But this last season wasn’t the best.
It’s so good.
It’s a guilty pleasure.
Me and my mom, we watch it all the time together.
So do you have any favorite celebrity couple right now?
A favorite celebrity couple.
Ooh, favorite celebrity couple.
But right now, my favorite celebrity couple will have to beMegan Thee Stallionand Pardi.
I really love them together.
And I love that for Meg.
Black women deserve love, and it’s just beautiful to see.
Is there any particular celebrity look that you like this year?
A celebrity look, ooh.
Also, I love a soft wave curl on her.
I’m into her.
