QUIET STEPHANIE BEATRIZ IS

Tell us a little bit about Quiet. As her name suggests, she doesn’t talk much at first. [Laughs] I think fans are going to be really excited to see me play this character because she’s a lot of what I do really well, which is play a fucking badass! But Quiet has a sense of humor that I haven’t been able to bring to roles I’ve played in the past. And there are secrets that she’s holding pretty close to the vest.

There seems to be a good mix of action and comedy on the show. Tell us about the level of physicality the role required, as well as the level of comedy.

By the end of filming, I was ravenous to do more and more fight scenes. It’s thrilling for me as an actress. And [as for humor,] one of my favorite things on set is when you can feel the crew laughing and trying not to ruin your take, and that happened a lot on this show.

What does it mean to you to be part of adapting such a classic franchise?

It’s an honor to step into an adaptation of a video game that is so beloved. I think fans are going to be particularly happy with the car combat. I spent a lot of time on couches in people’s basements, playing video games, eating way too many pizza rolls, and drinking way too much Mountain Dew. I think the show captures that feeling.

What was it like working with Anthony Mackie?

I love working with Anthony. He’s such a giving scene partner, and he’s one of the most professional people I’ve ever met. And he went to Julliard! So to have him express his goofy side on this show is a really unexpected turn for him.

Anthony told us about how entertaining it was to watch you learn how to drive a stunt car… Anthony Mackie is a great driver. Stephanie Beatriz is not. [Laughs] I do my best. There were multiple times when I couldn’t get the car to start or slide, and he was there to make fun of me. I drove a wee bit better when he wasn’t in the car. But the crew made me look great driving on the show!

What was it like filming in New Orleans?

I think I left part of my soul in New Orleans. My daughter was six months old when we started shooting the show, so it was pretty intense to move my family there. But that city embraced me. It’s actually the first city that my father lived in when he immigrated to the United States, so to be able to work there on such an incredible project felt full circle for me.