Diego Peralta
The second season of Paradise expanded the story of Dr. Teri Rogers-Collins (Enuka Okuma) and several other characters who keep audiences on the edge of their seats in Dan Fogelman‘s political thriller. The drama goes on. Recent episodes of Paradise allowed Teri to be reunited with James (Percy Daggs IV), but the meeting came at a price.
In the middle of several plot lines moving together at the same time, Enuka’s performance allowed Teri to stand out in Paradise. The actor has come a long way since the days in which she used to star in Madison and Da Vinci’s Inquest.
Awards Radar had the opportunity to interview Enuka, who didn’t even let a couple of raging thunderstorm-related connectivity issues keep her from sharing her thoughts about Teri’s journey with her audience.
Paradise has already been renewed for a third season by Hulu. But before the character’s next steps can be revealed, Enuka took some time to discuss Teri’s disappearance, her influence over other characters, and the ideas that could make her relatable to audiences. Paradise still has plenty of twists and turns to deliver before all is said and done.
Awards Radar: Enuka, why was the mystery around Teri’s disappearance so important for how the audience perceived the character?
Enuka Okuma: Finding Teri is Xavier’s driving force for the majority of season two, so the mystery he must unravel, of what happened to Teri and where she’s been, is essential. Our brilliant writers gave us that little meet-cute in episode two, so that we understand how their love was born. Then, when they re-introduce Teri in episode five, in a vulnerable state, in survival mode, we see that she too is on a mission, in the same way that he is, to find her beloved. Seeing her suffer without him endears us to her and knowing her side of the story, makes us root for their reunion even more.
AR: How does Teri’s relationship with Gary change her? How does Teri become a major influence to the point of leading Gary to kill Ennis?
EO: Gary is the man who saved Teri’s life and she will be forever indebted to him for that. How can you ever thank someone enough for that kind of grace? She holds him so dear because of what he did for her and Bean. But Gary falls in love with her and proves that he would do anything, including killing his best friend, to keep her. Teri understands that love and loneliness can push us all to the extremes and though Gary made a bad decision, he’s not a bad person.
AR: Teri is also seen recovering from surgery at the beginning of the season. She falls in love with Collins in the process? Why is love such a powerful driving force for Teri?
EO: Love is the driving force for both Teri and Xavier. Knowing that Xavier, Presley and James are out there, is what is what fuels Teri to stay alive and figure out how to get back to them. It is her love, as a mother and a wife, knowing that she has purpose and people to live for, that keeps her hopeful. It is the same for Xavier, once he knows Teri could be alive. His love for Teri is the only reason he would leave his children in the care of others and leave the safety of that bunker.
AR: How did Liza Johnson, as a director, want to portray the defining moments of Teri’s life in this Season?
EO: Liza was tasked with directing the mini-movie that is Episode 5, THE MAILMAN and I think she beautifully captured Teri’s story on the outside. Katie French’s exceptional script dances between the past and the present, as the audience learns what happened to Teri, along with Xavier, but the challenge for the director is getting the balance between the two timelines just right. It was a joy to collaborate with Liza, as she really took the time to allow us actors to explore all the layers, all the ways to play something, until we landed somewhere that we all felt was true.
AR: Major events from Teri’s past were depicted in Season 2. Now that audiences have more information regarding the character, how do you expect Teri is perceived?
EO: We now have more of a complete picture of who Teri is and how well she and Xavier are matched. It is clear that these two are both strong, loyal and ferocious with their love. As they embark on their journey, finally together and with the new additions to their family, it’s clear that these two are formidable leaders on they’re own, but are clearly better when they’re together. Teri and Xavier are an unstoppable force and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them.
AR: What can make people fall in love with Teri?
EO: Teri is determined. She is hard-working. She’s a woman on a mission, I like to say. Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes. Her stubbornness, I don’t know if it will make you fall in love with her, but it will make you respect her. When she sets her mind on something, it happens.
Both seasons of Paradise are now streaming on Hulu. The third season is in development.
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