Acting Up

Actor and producer David Oyelowo joins Cortney to talk about his latest passion project, Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The project is a Western television miniseries based on the life of the first African American Deputy U.S. Marshal, Bass Reeves. David and Cortney talk about the hurdles of getting the project made, why Black Westerns are important narratives to tell, and the complexities of playing a Black member of law enforcement in the 19th Century. Cortney also does a dive into Beyonce’s latest album “Cowboy Carter,” and analyzes how the record may be particularly impactful during this year’s election cycle.

Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation. 

Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.

As we head into Oscars weekend, Black Hollywood has much to be proud of in 2024.  Danielle Brooks, Sterling K. Brown, Colman Domingo, Jeffrey Wright, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph all earned nominations.  On this episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills chats with Best Supporting Actress nominee Da’Vine Joy Randolph about her role as Mary Lamb in “The Holdovers.”   Da’Vine also shares the wisdom she gained on a path through Yale, to roles in “The Idol” and “Dolemite is My Name” and as the voice of Mama Luna from “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” and Sheila B in “Trolls World Tour.” The Academy Awards airs Sunday, March 10th, at 7 p.m. ET/4p.m. PT

Music courtesy of Transitions Music Corporation

Cortney sits down with filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper to discuss her new documentary, James Brown: SAY IT LOUD. The pair speak about James Brown’s role in the Black Power Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Brown’s iconic song “Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud,” slavery’s influence on Black entertainment, the history of hip-hop, r&b, soul, and rock musicians sampling James Brown, and funk music's impact on contemporary genres.  Cortney and Deborah also have a nuanced conversation about how to discuss artists with complicated pasts.

Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation. 

Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.

Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Music Courtesy of: Transitions Music Corporation, Black Ice Publishing, Reach Global Songs

Media Clips Courtesy of: A + E Networks

In the season 3 debut, Cortney sits down with actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor about her new film, Origin, written and directed by Ava DuVernay. Cortney and Aunjanue have an honest conversation about the origins of hate and inhumanity on and off the screen, including why she believes Origin is not getting a fair shake in Hollywood despite the film's crucial global message.

The Oscar-nominated actress shares what it took to bring Isabel Wilkerson’s story to life while illuminating the weighty themes of her award-winning book “Caste: The Origin of our Discontents.” Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor also weighs in on her own experience with pay inequality in Hollywood.

Acting Up is all about Black Hollywood, who's making noise, who's making a difference, and how they're moving the needle regarding representation. 

Cortney Wills has forged deep connections with creatives, actors, directors, producers, writers, executives, and the real decision-makers who shape how our community is represented onscreen, giving Acting Up access to the inner workings of Hollywood.

Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Cortney Wills is joined by Eboni K. Williams, who responds to the backlash she received after a recent episode of “theGrio with Eboni K. Williams” examined the trend of white women seeking their MRS degrees in college. The ladies take a deep dive into the nerves she struck when she advised Black women undergrads who desire marriage to prioritize finding a man while they still can. The former RHONY cast member and host of “Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams” also opens up about her journey to motherhood and how her own experiences have shaped her outlook on marriage.

On this week’s episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills takes us back to Wakanda and dives in to the highly anticipated film ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She sits down with actress Lupita Nyong'o to find out how her character Nakia’s journey through grief compared to her own experience mourning the late Chadwick Boseman. She also talks to the film’s co-writer and director, Ryan Coogler to find out how he continued the story after losing his hero and managed to invite a whole new demographic to the MCU. He also explains how he navigating art imitating life and what parts of the script Chadwick Boseman was excited about before he passed.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Nicole Avant and Alanna Brown to discuss their  riveting film 'Trees of Peace'. Based on a true story, the heart-wrenching project is centered on four women who forge an unbreakable bond while in hiding during the genocide in Rwanda. The ladies discuss the story's message of determination and resilience as well as what it took to bring the idea to fruition after more than eight years. They'll also examine the ways Nicole Avant was able to use her expertise and influence to help this first time filmmaker full of raw talent take it across the finish line.

On this weeks episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills is joined by Michael Harriot to discuss ‘TILL’ the new film that highlights the life and work of Mamie Till-Mobley, a mother who galvanized the Civil Rights Movement after her 14-year-old son Emmet Till was lynched in 1955. 

Starring Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison, Haley Bennett, and Whoopi Goldberg and directed and co-written by Chinonye Chukwu, Cortney and Michael confront the fact that the film is hugely important and deeply heartbreaking.

On this week's episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills sits down with Michelle Buteau. The stand-up comedian, actress, and author who has made her mark on screens big and small gets real about what it's like to juggle her booming career and life as a mom of twins and a wife and takes us behind the scenes of her gig as a host of the hilarious and relatable podcast, Adulting. She also dishes details on her upcoming Netflix project, 'Survival of the Thickest' and how she continues to find the funny during the tumultuous times we're living through.

On this week’s episode of Acting Up, Cortney Wills welcomes Yvonne Orji back to the podcast to hear all about her new comedy special “A Whole Me” debuting on HBO on October 1. Hear how the pandemic helped this beauty become the  best version of herself as well as who’s inspiring her comedy these days. The ladies also dive into life after “Insecure” and what’s next for this talented woman who is working hard to amplify other voices, just directed her first short, and is developing more projects from The Continent.