ACTRESS DEVERY JACOBS Standing Up For Diversity And What Is Right
Devery Jacobs Rising Star Q and A by Blaine Schlechter
You have a very successful week with
two shows premiering almost at the same
time! Let’s start with the Netflix Original
series that just debuted this week – THE
ORDER. You play the character of LILITH
BATHORY…tell us a little about the
character and about what viewers can
expect when they watch the show?
Yes, it seems like all of the projects I’ve done
recently are coming together all at once! Lilith is
a bad ass. She is a double agent between the
two sworn secret societies. Lilith is really like not
having this guy; she hates the order, she doesn’t
agree with what Jack’s doing, but even though
she’s kind of a tough character with a bit of a
mean streak and some blood lust, she’s also a
really good friend deep down. It was a really fun
journey in exploring such a sassy character. It’s a
fun show.
Speaking of great shows…another one that had its season 2
premiere – AMERICAN GODS, where Devery plays SAM BLACK CROW.
What’s in store for the fans in the second season?
Sam Black Crow is the biggest female characters in the novel, which I was a
huge fan of. Sam represents two-spirited indigenous people and it was a
character that I was hounding for years, because I have been such a fan of the
novel. So I’m happy that I was cast in it and there’s been a huge outpouring of
support for Sam and wanting me to play Sam and I’m really excited for
everybody to see the introduction of Sam in the season. I make an appearance
in episode three and its Sam’s first encounter with Shadow Moon. Sam is really
sarcastic, she’s another tough…I don’t know what it is but apparently I’m like
really good at tough character’s (laughs). She’s tough and sarcastic but she’s
also innately curious about life, but also about Shadow and they have a really
amusing encounter that exposes a side of shadow that we haven’t seen in the
show before. This is the introduction to Sam in this season and there’s so much
source materiel to pull from the book…I’m excited for everybody to see us dive
into Sam.
You are known for being proud of your
Indigenous roots, what does it mean to you
to be considered a role model for other
indigenous actors or any young female
actor for that matter?
I definitely feel the pressure of that and the
pressure of representing my community
properly. I think it’s something that I take on
because the history of media and the history of
film and television has, since the beginning of
the inception of the industry, has always been
filled with misrepresentation; like white washing
and red face. Now is a time where we can finally
take control of our stories back and to share our
truths on screen, which is something that is so
important and I’m so grateful to be able to do
that in my work. I take it on and being able to
help Indigenous people is something that I’m
hugely passionate about in my life and
something that I love exploring through art.
So being a self-proclaimed foodie – which
do you prefer, dining out or cooking at
home?
I used to say dining out for the most part,
because there some really talented chefs out
there from other cultures that I don’t
understand the flavors of cooking with yet. But
I’m getting into combining flavors and
experimenting in the kitchen, so I need that
balance of both.
Kawennáhere
Devery Jacobs,
photos by Justine
Nelson and
Amira de Vera of
Project Four PR
Follow @kdeveryjacobs
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