Milauna Jackson is definitely a name your going to get used to with her new role on How To Get Away With Murder.
Milauna has joined the veteran drama as a lawyer, who quickly becomes a threat to Viola Davis’ character. Milauna is best known for her role in the Critics’ Choice awarded series, Aquarius. Previous to Aquarius, Jackson recurred on the critically acclaimed Cinemax drama, Strike Back.
We caught up with Milauna, to talk about her juicy role on HTGAWM.
Congratulations on the role tell us how you ended up on this amazing show?
Thank you. Truthfully, I initially auditioned for the role of the President, and before I went in I had some major doubts about being cast in the role as her boss. But I convinced myself that I had absolutely nothing to lose by simply presenting my choice for that character and casting directors Linda Lowy and John Bace agreed. It was the best decision I could have made to release all self doubt and judgment because instead they presented me with the offer of an ADA and casted the talented Lauren Luna Velez as the University President. That is pretty dope.
Your character is pretty tough women. Is there anyone in your life you draw inspiration from?
Absolutely. I surround myself with and constantly study the actions of strong, mentally agile women. I am genuinely inspired by women in my family, some of my peers and women from our history. Shirley Chisholm is a great inspiration, my grandmother, and one of my best friends who is a thespian, director, and published playwright- J Nicole Brooks.
You are working with the genius Shonda Rhimes, what has that process been like?
Actually, Peter Nowalk created HTGAWM, and I have not had the opportunity to meet nor work with the genius Shonda Rhimes yet. Nonetheless, working with Pete has been a career changing process for me. What was originally presented as a one or two episode offer, has become a multiple episode recurring character and Annalise’s third season rival.
You work with such an amazing cast tell us what’s that been like?
The show is successfully cast with an extremely diverse group of talented actors. I see it as an ultimate compliment to be given the opportunity of joining them this season.
Your character is constantly going head to head with Viola Davis. Was that at all a bit intimidating?
For at least 14 years, I have been a fan of Viola’s when she was cast in Antwone Fisher. Watching her work then and now has been inspirational, so working with her every episode is quite intimidating. However, every time I hear “action” I have to see Annalise Keating, and I was hired to go head to head with her. Thus, Rene’s ultimate goal, win or lose, is to battle Annalise as strategically and forcefully as possible.
What can we expect from your character for the rest of the season?
OMG, you can expect my character’s behavior and actions to shift due to some given circumstances revealed in this upcoming episode. I am not certain about the future, but I do believe her genuine intentions will become more defined as well. I’m actually quite excited about the possibility of it all.