February 6 marks the premiere of the newest Amazon Prime original series, Clean Slate.
Co-created by and starring, Laverne Cox and George Wallace, with guidance from the celebrated screenwriter and producer Norman Lear, Clean Slate follows the reconciliation between a father and his estranged son, turned daughter. Think modern day Sanford & Son. Harry Slate (Wallace) and his daughter, Desiree (Cox), navigate meshing what is and what was with the help and disturbance of friends and neighbors nestled in a Mobile, Alabama suburb.
On January 29, the Clean Slate cast took over the Crosby Hotel for the show’s New York premiere. Before getting first look at the very relevant sitcom, the Knockturnal received the opportunity to catch up with the cast on the red carpet. When describing the show in one word, both Cox and co-star D.K. Uzoukuw, who plays Lewis, Desiree’s bff; exclaimed, “Family,” without hesitation. Lewis portrays the struggle of leading a double life while hiding his sexuality as the church’s choir director. As Lewis figured himself out, Uzoukuw shared some advice for others in his position. “Bet on yourself” the proud East Coaster insisted. “Lean on your community and lean on your family who loves you.”
Years in the making, Clean Slate arrives at a time when the U.S. faces the censorship of trans expression through recent laws. Cox noted the changing of the times on the carpet when discussing her current read, Bradley Onishi’s Preparing for War. “It’s a very important book to understand this current moment we’re in,” Cox asserted. Though restoring hope, the Orange is the New Black star assures, “If you’re not living authentically and congruently with who you are, it doesn’t work. It takes a lot of energy to try to be somebody else. It’s way easier to be yourself.”
Based on the two episodes premiered in Crosby’s “Prince” room, it is clear this series isn’t only meant to serve as a beacon of light for the LGBTQ+ community, but to anyone in need of a clean slate. “It doesn’t have to be bout transgender life,” Wallace noted. “It could be about drugs, it could be about child abuse.”
No matter the obstacle, the heartfelt comedy acknowledges and champions self love, the importance of support systems and therapy. “It’s all about love,” Wallace beamed. “Loving your neighbor, loving your friend, loving your family and loving yourself.”
Be sure to tune in and show support to Clean Slate, available for streaming on Prime!
