Nadège August brings a quiet intensity and courage to the role of Joan on “Tyler Perry’s Ruthless,” a character whose resilience and vulnerability have made her a standout in the series’. In fact Joan was supposed to die during the first season.
Now in Season 6 on Paramount+, August opens up about embodying Joan’s strength, and navigating the show’s darkest moments, and what fans can look forward to as the drama escalates.
For August, her time as Joan was a blessing and a surprise.
“My character, Joan, came on the about what they call the mid season to second season,” August told TVMusic Network in an exclusive interview.
[Tyler Perry] does 10 episodes and then a season break. My storyline with Joan… she was supposed to die. I was just a recurring guest star. We shot my death scene and everything. I went my on my merry way. I went all out. I had fun. I gave it my all. Then, a couple months later, I get a call saying, Mr. Perry is so impressed with your character…I never have characters portrayed the way you’re playing this. How do you feel about keep going?'”
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This season sese Joan teaming up with Ruth and a few of the other captors to find a way out, which she acknowledges is very hard to do.
“Joan being the accountant, she has access to money, and knows all the ways in which the legal waste money gets funneled through the, uh, the compound,” August continued. “The trafficking of girls, of the ladies, drugs…there’s a whole lot that I have access to. So I’ve been doing something very smart. I say I as in Joan. Embezzling. So I started to embezzle the millions. A couple millions on the side. And, of course, you know, I had to have some help, and that’s how the other characters are now intertwined with me. And we’re all making sure that when we get out, we have plenty to live off of.”
Working on a show with such a heavy topic, its clear to see why someone might get sucked into such a situation as a cult.
“You know what I find interesting? We are living, in this reality, in such difficult times right now, “August said. “Politically,… people are just looking for answers. Working on this show, I realize that is how you get sucked into a cult. Because you’re looking for answers. That no one has to belong to you. So you’re going go to that place that promises you utopia. And then once you’re in, it’s hard to get out.”
What can fans expect for the rest of the season
When asked what fans could expect for the rest of season, August dropped this teaser.
“I would say look out for Ruth, who may or may not be plotting a takeover,” August said. “I think, a better tease is, [watch] to see whether our Ruth can still influence the Highest with her feminine wiles. That’s the sexier tease.”
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Did You Know
- Nadege August is of Haitian decent and was born in Brooklyn
- Her character Joan was supposed to die at the end of Season One
- August has lived all around the world – France, Haiti, and Brooklyn to name a few
Who Stars in Tyler Perry’s Ruthless
The series stars Nadege August, Melissa L. Williams, Matt Cedeno, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Blue Kimble, Colin McCalla, Michelle Núñez, and Joshua Adeyeye.
“Tyler Perry’s Ruthles”s is now playing on Paramount+. Season 6 is underway with weekly episodes through August 25.
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