Samantha Ware considers herself a #SMARTBROWNGIRL. Though the Nebraska native enjoys acting, more importantly, “she is a huge proponent of advocating for social equality, race and gender. She continues to fight the movement that supports young black women in celebrating their ubiquity as females of color while defining beauty on their own terms and bursting the glass ceiling. In what she calls rare free time, she enjoys singing, writing, biking in the hills, horseback riding and spending time with her black cat, Xavier.” Read our exclusive interview with the actress who is candid on her new role and more.
You star in the Netflix series “What/If,” with Renee Zellweger which premiered May 24. How did the role come about?
Roles “come about” through auditioning. That’s the job. You prepare for a couple of days and then a casting director either is interested enough to pass your name to the top or just pass on you. Ha. It’s honestly not something we as actors just stumble into. It’s a lot of no’s and a few yes’s.
Your grandmother saw something special in you at age eight. How important was her support in you following your dreams?
My grandmother was more interested in detaching me from my tomboy ways but she definitely saw something in me that was worth the push.
What’s next for Samantha Ware?
I mean, what’s next for any of us? Hopefully a better understanding of climate change and a new President!
If you can think of something to say to help people make less hurtful exchanges on social media, what would it be?
Get offline. Read a book. Get a therapist. Ride a bike. Stop being a bully!
Follow @SamanthaMarieWare on Instagram
What/If stars Oscar winner Renée Zelwegger as Anne Montgomery, a woman of extreme wealth. Ware plays the role of ‘Angela’, a smart, driven doctor whose surgical career is on the fast track while her marriage has been relegated to autopilot. The neo-noir thriller series explores the ripple effects of what happens when acceptable people start doing unacceptable things. Each season will tackle a different morality tale inspired by culturally consequential source material and the power of a single fateful decision to change the trajectory of an entire life. The first season revolves around cash-strapped newlyweds who accept a lucrative but morally dubious offer from a mysterious female benefactor. Blake Jenner (Sean), Jane Levy (Lisa), Keith Powers (Todd), Juan Castano (Marcos) and Monique Kim (Miles) are some of the stars that round out the cast. The anthology series is produced by Mike Kelley (“Revenge”), Robert Zemeckis (BACK TO THE FUTURE) and Jack Rapke (CAST AWAY, FLIGHT).
By La Trisha and La Tasha
Feature Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez
