On the surface Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson is one massive lol. But, like OITNB itself, the character, played by Danielle Brooks, has developed many subtle nuances as the show has evolved. We talk to Brooks about buying pants and getting gypped by Jodie Foster…
I know you can’t give much away, so what’s the ‘official’ line for series 2?
I think it goes deeper, it’s stronger, it intensifies, in every sense of the word, in terms of the humour, the drama, every which way it pulls at you. People will be excited I think. The cliffhangers from Season 1 are answered as well as new things where you wonder what will happen. It keeps you on your toes.
How does the character of Taystee develop this series?
I feel like with Season One, she found laughter through her pain. She was able to cope and find joy even in moments that were very difficult; that was her cover-up in a sense. With Season Two, she is not able to do that. There are forces entering Litchfield, things coming back from her past that are really stopping her from hiding behind this false sense of happiness. She’s having to really deal with her stuff, her baggage. For Taystee, it’s all about loyalty and who she can trust and finding herself in the midst of that. So it’s going to be a shift from what people are used to seeing Taystee as. Another part of it sparks from the conversation in the library with Pousey that we leave off with at the end of Season One. I think in this season she really takes that to heart. But once again, forces from society are not helping her reach her highest potential.
On the days you’re doing laundry or going to get underwear from K-Mart, the days you don’t want anybody to see you, that’s the day everyone sees you…
Why is OITNB so important?
I think it is, and not just with race, but with age as well. You have Kate Mulgrew and Lorraine Toussaint, Annie Golden… the list goes on. It’s diversified in every sense of the word – apart from no men (laughs). This ain’t your time, y’all go and hang out somewhere! So it’s very exciting. I’m very new in this business, this is my first breakout role, but it’s exciting because it feels like we’re at the brink of something new and I’m a part of that. Getting to act alongside people that look like me, and show the world that we’re all so diverse…. Any other TV show would have five white girls without blinking – any show. These women in these shows are all so diverse and we are too. [Creator] Jenji Kohan has mentioned before that this is her vehicle, via this white woman [Piper], to get to tell all these other stories. I’m just glad I get to be a part of that.
How’s life changed for you?
(Laughs) It’s crazy. In a matter of 13 hours you become ‘famous’ or a ‘celebrity’ or whatever. It blows my mind. People are really obsessed with Taystee, which is exciting, because they’re really drawn into the work. But sometimes, I look like this (hair did, make-up did, everything did) and no one recognises me. The minute I walk out the house with no make-up on, my hair all over the place, then it’s like ‘Oh it’s her’. On the days you’re doing laundry or going to get underwear from K-Mart, the days you don’t want anybody to see you, that’s the day everyone sees you. It’s been an interesting journey. The most difficult part for me is the level of privacy that has now gone (laughs). It’s non-existent anymore. Some people will respectfully let you eat but at the same time, they know who you are, they’re listening to your conversation, they’re interested in you. That part isn’t fun. But it’s definitely teaching me a better character to have as a person (laughs).
Do you have much in common with Taystee?
I think I do. At first I didn’t want to because the further you are away from the character, the better you are an actor – or some crap! But I am and I’m proud to say that. I do try to find joy in moments that are hard and I do feel insecure in the same way that she does. She has a conversation with Miss Claudette and says ‘no one’s ever gonna take me seriously’. And I still feel that way, even in the position I’m in, I still feel blocked so I can relate to her in that way. There’s other things that I can’t relate to; I’m not in prison and haven’t been in foster care my entire life! But I think that’s the beauty of acting. Each character gives you a gift and Taystee has definitely given me gifts throughout this journey that are mine to keep that I won’t share! So I’m thankful for getting to play her because of our differences, I’m able to explore more about myself.
I love getting to watch amazing women act…
You and prison in real life; how would that go down?
If I had to go to prison I think I would probably play it similar to my character. She’s very smart in terms of who to get what from. She has that relationship with Mr. Healy and knows how to work the system. I would try to take that angle; act tough but actually be soft as butter. I think that would be my way in.
How was working with Jodie Foster and Andrew McCarthy as directors?
Andrew was more fun in Season 2 cos he gotten to know us a bit. Especially the newbies, cos we’re legit actors. I mean, we don’t have as much experience in front of the camera, but we have some chops (laughs). So he gave us a little more respect in that way in Season Two. I didn’t have any scenes with Jodie – maybe I did, I can’t remember? I always get hyped when Jodie Foster comes in, cos I don’t have a big scene with her, I have like one line and I’m like ‘Maaaan’ (laughs).
If you had to share a cell with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Now, I’m being sentimental in a way, but Maya Angelou just passed away. I started to read a lot of her quotes last night and I think I would want to be with her right now. She was so wise and she had beautiful words for every moment so I’d hang out with her.
What album would you take with you?
I’d probably go for India.Arie cos I’m a huge fan of her earlier albums. I’d rock with her to mellow me out.
If you could follow one person on social media while inside, who would it be?
Probably like CNN to get the news? But maybe not, cos it might make me depressed. Shoot. I don’t know. Probably Iyania Vanzant. She has a show called Fix My Life on Oprah, where she fixes people’s problems. She puts up like 100,000 quotes a day, so I would probably follow her.
Who’s your best mate on show?
I hang out with Uzo the most, Crazy Eyes. We just went to Japan together for New Year’s this year, which was a lot of fun. That’s my road dawg.
What’s the most LOL night you’ve had as a cast?
We do stuff all the time. The most fun is our wrap parties though; the last one we did skating and that was so much fun. A lot of the girls dressed up with the high socks and short shorts – Laverne went in!
What’s the best thing about being on OITNB?
I love getting to watch amazing women act. A lot of time after I wrap, I’ll stay on set just to watch my fellow actors cos they’re brilliant, they really are. Getting to learn from watching Kate, and Uzo and Samira and Taylor, I’m one of those actors who enjoys watching the work – and not just the end result. Watching people’s process is a lot of fun for me.
Credits
Text Hattie Collins
Photography Kate Cox
Read our cast interviews with Jason Biggs, Taylor Schilling and Laura Prepon.