Samira Wiley on why her ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ character is a hero

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, May 3, 2017

By Bethonie Butler

The Washington Post

Samira Wiley broke a lot of hearts last summer when Poussey, her character on “Orange Is the New Black,” met a heartbreaking fate. But Wiley has brought her commanding presence back to our screens as Moira in Hulu’s critically acclaimed adaptation of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Wiley’s casting represents one of the major updates to Margaret Atwood’s classic novel, which unfolded in a racist dystopia. In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Wiley discussed taking on the role, meeting Atwood and why she thinks “The Handmaid’s Tale” will resonate in our current political climate.

Q: What attracted you to the role of Moira? How did you feel about Margaret Atwood’s book before you got the part?

A: I’m always attracted to very strong characters and, in terms of scripts, something I believe needs to be said. That’s how I felt after I read the script. I actually wasn’t familiar with Margaret Atwood before the audition and I hadn’t read “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which honestly, I count as a happy accident. A lot of people have so many preconceived notions about the book — people read it in high school and college — and I didn’t have that. So I was able to come to the script and the characters fresh, which I feel like was probably a benefit to me.

I immediately read the book after I got the role and fell in love with Margaret, and also have fallen in love with Margaret in real life. She’s an amazing woman.

Q: Do you feel, as many do, that “The Handmaid’s Tale” has a particular resonance in our current political climate?

A: We started filming before the election happened. I believe we knew then that this was something that needed to be said. We all were very, very surprised when we came back (after the election) and realized, “Oh gosh, this is going to resonate even more.”

Being a lot of different minorities — meaning I’m a black, gay woman — I was a little scared. But again, I’m really interested in scripts that have something to say and are relevant to the time that we live in. I feel that is our job as artists really, to be able to reflect the time and the climate that we’re living in. Regardless of it being a little scary, I do feel very privileged to be able to be part of a project that will resonate so much.

Q: Do you feel like there is something empowering about the producers choosing to cast a black woman as Moira?

A: It’s a reflection of where we are — even in terms of giving actors a chance to be able to play a lot of different roles. I took my cue from the director, the creator, the writers, that this was something that they wanted to do. I think when you take on a role there has to be trust there. And I felt like this was the choice that they were making and I trusted that. Even just for actors, getting different roles. I do feel like it was a smart decision on their part, and an interesting one, to push people to think about things in a different way. And to get me a job.

Q: “The Handmaid’s Tale” also stars your former “Orange Is the New Black” co-star Madeline Brewer [as Janine/Ofwarren]. Did you know you were going to be working with her again?

A: We sort of kept in touch through social media and group “Orange” emails. Actually, when I arrived in Toronto to start the series, I didn’t know that Maddie was a part of it until I saw her face on the casting wall. So it was a happy surprise. And she is amazing in this role. It is something completely different than you have seen her do. And it was nice to be able to work with her in such a very different kind of script.