Essence Atkins talks ‘From This Day Forward,’ and her first Mother’s DayBy Wilson Morales
May 11, 2012
Playing this weekend on GMC TV is the Original World Television Premiere of “From This Day Forward“, a new original gospel stage play produced exclusively for television starring Leon (Deon), Essence Atkins (Patrice), Antwon Tanner (Lucas) and Vanessa Simmons (Corinne).
“From This Day Forward” tells the humor-filled and moving story of two couples at different stages in their relationships who are each grappling with issues of trust and expectations in marriage. Deon and Patrice seem like the perfect couple after their four years of matrimony, however Patrice doesn’t trust her husband and is obsessed with thoughts of him cheating. Deon, who has always been faithful, is fed up with Patrice’s snooping and plays a trick on her to catch her red-handed. Corrine and Lucas are newly engaged but already struggling with mismatched perspectives on marriage stemming from Lucas’s decision to present Corrine with a pre-nuptial agreement to sign. Enraged and hurt, Corrine gives him a taste of his own medicine by giving him a “pre-nup” of her own. With one couple wrestling with the baggage of the past and the other dealing with the ‘what-ifs’ of the future, “From This Day Forward” explores how happiness in love—whether between spouses or those about to take the plunge—is a state that must be won again and again.
For Atkins, a veteran actress who TV and film projects include the UPN sitcom ‘Half & Half,’ ‘N-Secure,’ ‘Dance Flick,’ ‘Dysfunctional Friends,’ and who’s currently starring in the TV series ‘Are We There Yet?’ as Suzanne Kingston-Persons, this production gives her the opportunity to portray another character that people will be able to relate with.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Atkins talked about her latest project, working with Marlon Wayans in an upcoming film, and celebrating her first Mother’s Day.
How would you describe Patrice?
Essence Atkins: She’s a character that a lot of women can relate with. She’s a working woman. She’s highly accomplished and she’s in this marriage and struggling with a lot of insecurities.
What attracted you to the project?
Essence Atkins: A couple of things. One is that I liked the people that were attached to the project. I’ve worked with Leon before and I know Antwon, but also I like doing stories that talk some of the things that we all struggle with in terms of relationship and issues and I like telling good stories.
How different is this from shooting a TV series or a film, since it’s a stage play meant for the small screen?
Essence Atkins: It’s a fast paced way of shooting because you’re pretty much shooting in sequence, which most film and TV productions do not do. Generally, we shoot out of order, but it’s fun. It’s fast paced. You don’t have the audience there as you normally would if you had a stage play. That’s part of the unfortunate part. I love working in front of a live audience, but it’s a fun way of getting things done and you can do it rather quickly.
How different is Patrice from Suzanne Kingston-Persons, the character you play on ‘Are We There Yet?’
Essence Atkins: She doesn’t have children. That’s the first big difference. She’s struggling with whether she waited too long to have children or want children. We find the character Patrice mulling over that. She’s also an accomplished woman who has her own career, which is similar to Suzanne. They are both wrestling with issues in their marriage. Suzanne deals with that on a weekly basis with Terry Crews’ character, Nick.
When will the next episodes of ‘Are We There Yet?’ be on the air?
Essence Atkins: I don’t know. That’s the honest answer. I’m not sure. We did 100 episodes already and 40 of them have aired and there are 60 episodes that have not aired. I’m not sure when it will be back on television. I think it may be moved from TBS to somewhere else, but I haven’t been told where yet. But the episodes are done and in the can.
What changes are installed once they get on the air?
Essence Atkins: We have some amazing guest stars. One of my favorites that I got to work with is Joan Rivers. Joan Rivers and Suzanne end up in jail together and comedy ensues. That’s all I’m going to say. We have lots of wonderful guest stars. Laila Ali came back. We did an episode with Leon. A few folks from ‘Saturday Night Live’ come and join the cast for a few episodes. We have some great stories for the kids and parents to watch. The wonderful Lynn Whitfield makes an appearance as my mother, which is fantastic as well.
Earlier this year, you appeared in the indie film, ‘Dysfunctional Friends,’ and Vanessa Simmons was also in the cast. Although you didn’t have any scenes together there, how was working on this production?
Essence Atkins: She’s such a sweetheart. What a nice young woman. She’s so great, so beautiful and very kind. As an actress whose career is on the rise, she’s very humble and very sweet. It was a pleasure working with her.
You’ll be working with Marlon Wayans in ‘Smart Ass.’ How’s working with him again after ‘Dance Flick?’
Essence Atkins: I love working with Marlon. I told him that if he needed me to be his porter and carry his bags around the world, I would do it. That’s how much fun I have with him. He’s such a great guy and so funny and so talented. He has so much energy and enthusiasm and it’s infectious. I just love working with him because he’s so creative and he’ll let you do anything and bring ideas, good, bad, and indifferent to the table and you just work them out on the day. It’s a great environment to work in. I’ve signed a non-disclosure regarding the film so I can’t say much regarding it or my character.
How excited are you to celebrate your first Mother’s Day this weekend?
Essence Atkins: Yes. It’s my first one. It’s strange to be on the receiving end. I’m still pinching myself. It’s a bit surreal. My son is four months old and I’m like, “Wow! I’m a mom.” It’s my first Mother’s Day and it’s cool. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I keep waiting for someone to show up at the door and say, “You have a baby. What are you doing?” (Laughs)
What’s a good reason to see ‘From This Day Forward‘?
Essence Atkins: You’re going to love the story and you’ll be able to relate to it. The story is about two couples who are influx and at different points in their relationship. The key ingredient is communication and every person who’s ever been in a relationship can relate to how if there’s no communication, things can go array very quickly. It deals with that and how the couples can overcome these issues.
“From This Day Forward” makes its world television premiere exclusively on GMC TV on Saturday, May 12th at 7:00 pm ET with encore broadcasts at 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm.
