I had the pleasure of working with Marianne on With Out A Trace and she was wonderful and fun... If they gave an Emmy/Acadamy Award for being a great person she would win... She is a true actor with real talent and charisma and heart.
shareNo way to confirm what you are saying. But, if you really did work with her, did you get any type of insight as to why she's so underutilized on this show? Its so obvious that she is neglected on this show.
What was the atmosphere on the set like?
Were the other actors as genuine as Marianne? Sorry, but I just don't buy that sets don't have jealousy and petty people--we are all human and these people have a limited amount of screen time.
Its frustrating as a viewer to see her character so completely ignored. thx
you must be a bit new on the cinematic scene. black actors and actresses are historically underutilized.
shareActually, I've enjoyed film and TV for years. And I understand your point.
I am just suprised at how underutilized MJB is, considering her Oscar nomination. even a nomination, is a rare category for an actor to be in, so, I figured that was one of the reasons the show hired her. And based on how popular Secret and Lies was as a film and how popular the director is, I thought all of this would lead to the actress being given major screen time on the show. Clearly, my expectations are unrealistic in this day and age, which is a shame.
Frankly, I'm suprised the actress has remained with the show. She is barely utilized in my opinion. It really frustrates me as a viewer and has for years.
Any viewer should watch MJB in the following episdoes: Risen, Prodigy, No Mas and then explain to me why she is not a lead in this show. Makes no sense.
She went to school with my sis at St Saviour and St Olaves girl school in South London. Even back in those days she was a member of the young Vic theatre group and everyone in the school new her as a very talented actress, who often said to other pupils that one day she'd be famous and they'd see her on tv. Now she walking her talk. Molre power to her.
shareI agree. It's a shame that Poppy Montgomery (talented, yes, but also a beautiful blonde) gets so much more media attention.
shareI totally agree with the topic heading. She is probably my FAVORITE person on the show. Of all of them, she's the one I would choose to have as a close friend.
Funny thing. I got a dvd from their first season. It was a special features dvd and it had the actors speak about the show and their parts. They go to Marianne and here's this GREAT Eastenders accent. I was so surprised because when she speaks, I don't hear a clue that she wasn't born in the USA. If I did it would distract me, but I don't.
Also, the director and casting person describe the kind of person they wanted for her role, and she EXACTLY fits that. I don't know how much of it is terrific acting, but given her many award nominations, I'm gonna have to guess some of it is acting. But in the past when I described the reason I like Vivian, I used most of the same words they used when they described the kind of person they wanted. So she is fitting herself very precisely into the role's requirements.
Go, Marianne, you ARE the best, ma'am.
Oh, I'm so agree with everybody, who says that MJB is really high-class actress and how much she's underrated... That's a SHAME.. Just because she's black?? I am white and this thing pisses me off!!!!
shareLet me totally agree with everything you wrote 8 years ago))) I became a fan of MJB just this summer and I'm deeply astonished by her!!!
Yes, that's true, that her charachter had less attention in "Without a trace", than Poppy's, but I think Vivian is just more smart and stable, so she doesn't have any stupid love-stories, crazy siblings and all that stuff.. She's happily married, the only worry is her son (which depicted on the show).. so.. I guess it's just a character.. I hate to think that it might be because of her skin color.. people, it's 21st century!!! I can't believe!!!