Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, who was born in Germany and raised in Kansas, graduated from the Theater School of DePaul University in Chicago. She is an actress and voiceover artist who is best known for her roles in “Real Husbands of Hollywood” as Trina Shaw and “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” as Sensia. She also gets behind the voices of famously known characters Gamora in “Marvel’s What If...?” and Senna in “League of Legends: Absolution and League of Legends: Before Dawn.” Currently, she is starring in BET+’s new series “Average Joe” as Cathy Montgomery alongside “Black-ish” star Deon Cole.

Gown by Baruni
Rose Gold Hoops by Mahrukh Akuly

What drew you to acting?
When I was about 11 years old, I worked in a library stacking books as my afterschool job. I loved putting the plays and poetry away in 811 and 812 (good old Dewey Decimal system) but somehow the books in that section never made it to the stacks quite as fast. I'd sit in the aisles and read plays for hours, hearing the characters in my head, seeing the stories played out. I wrote plays and submitted them to theater companies and eventually I had a play produced at a local theater. When an actress got sick and couldn't go on, I had to step in for her. I haven't gotten off the stage since.

Who was your inspiration growing up?
Growing up I was inspired by my mother and father’s marriage; they met when they were 16. They were an interracial couple in a time and place where it wasn’t nearly as acceptable, they got married young without the support of my mom’s family, had 2 children by the age of 20, my father joined the military to support his family and my mom left the country alone with an infant to be with my father in Berlin, Germany, where I was eventually born. Despite all those challenges and just the difficulty of growing and changing alongside another human; they stayed together, stayed friends, stayed respectful and stayed loving. My parents inspired me to pursue my dreams because they instilled the principles of love and faith in me. I felt from a very young age that I was safe to fail and try again because I witnessed them do this in their own lives, with one another and even with me. And I saw that love carried us all through. I’ve loved this craft and that has carried me through the journey of wins and losses along the way.

Have you always had an interest in films and series?
Yes, we went to drive in theaters as a family, we watched TGIF and Nick at Night. As I got older, we watched thrillers and sat around trying to guess who did it. We had long discussions after “The Shawshank Redemption” or heated debates over “The Wire.” My family played a huge role in developing my tastes in film and television. They encouraged conversation and thought and allowed me to be free to ask questions and express my point of view. While many teenagers were off in their room with a door shut, I was more often on the couch watching this week’s anticipated episode or going off on a movie date with my Dad to the latest summer blockbuster. I mean, I also slammed a few doors, don’t get me wrong.

**Left:**
Faux leather blazer, shorts & crop top by alice + olivia by StaceyBendet
Bow Heels by Bella Belle
Earrings by ADIBA
Bracelet by Federica Rossi
**Right:**
Rodeo Set by TELL THE TRUTH
The Kensington Shoe by Willa Phoenix
Earrings by Mahrukh Akuly
Ring by Federica Rossi
Cuff by Georgina Jewelry

What has been your favorite project you’ve worked on? Why?
I did a pilot, “Love Is a Four-Letter Word” for NBC. After a shake-up at a table read, I ended up playing the lead in this well-written, beautiful relationship drama. I don’t think at the time I appreciated what an awesome opportunity that was, because it all happened so fast. But I walked into the role with grace and proficiency that surprised even me. It was my favorite, not because of its wild success, but because there wasn’t any. Sadly, we were never even picked up. But it was the greatest success of my career because I rose to the occasion; gave a dynamic performance, created a new full character on the spot; found chemistry with new partners, worked with my director closely and fostered a genuine relationship with my writer/EP that I still cherish today. I had the time of my life, and I appreciated it while it was happening. That was an incredible experience.

How was it like working alongside Samuel L Jackson in “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey?” Did he share any tips and advice?
I've been extremely fortunate to work with some huge "names" and I've learned so much from them all about work ethic and balance. Sam is so practiced at his craft and it is a wonder to watch; so effortlessly smooth yet you can see the years of experience that went into it. He doesn’t really give advice, but he tells a lot of great stories. I think a lot of people don’t know how long he worked in the theater before becoming a film star. I loved hearing him talk about the old days working in New York, studying August Wilson, hanging out with Debbie Allen, etc. Now, as a veteran and icon, when filming he does two takes maximum and would say, ‘if you didn’t get the performance in two takes that was someone else’s fault not mine, lol. And we would move on to the next shot. And I tell you, he wasn’t kidding. He doesn’t hold anything back; he gives it all every take. In doing so, he didn’t offer advice per se but demonstrated a lesson I take with me.

Tell us about your new role as Cathy Montgomery in” Average Joe.”
She’s sort of Peg Bundy meets Mary J. Blige. All the wisecracking of Peg and the style and edge of Mary J. I think in the beginning Cathy was written to be a bit of a “bitch” who just kind of nags or tears her husband down. But I never like to reduce characters to those sorts of one-dimensional labels. Even a bitchy wife had to be loveable enough to earn the affections of her husband at one time, at least enough that he wanted to marry her. So, I really tried to think about the woman Cathy was before and how her life shaped who she became. But today, Cathy is tough as nails, says what she means, means what she says and doesn’t sugarcoat while saying it.

What attracted you to the show and the character?
I jokingly say “Average Joe” is Ozark but with Black people. But to be honest, there really aren't many similar shows. Typically, in Black family dramas, the plot centers around some drama inside the family. If it's a comedy, it tends to be a kitchen sink or broad comedy. If it's a crime drama, it's about drugs or gang violence. This show's family drama stems from an outside criminal element, which spins the audience into suspense but with an atypical antagonist (Russian mobsters) and the comedy is more often in between the lines than a punchline, more underplayed than on the nose. This show is a mix of genres and yet in its own lane.

**Left:**
Suit by Rebecca Crews
Shoes by Ted Baker
Necklace by Federica Rossi
**Right:**
Rodeo Set by TELL THE TRUTH
Earrings by Mahrukh Akuly
Ring by Federica Rossi
Cuff by Georgina Jewelry

How did you approach bringing a character to life?
I prepare for everything in pretty much the same way. It always starts with the script. It's the map that tells me where all the treasure is buried. I find the secrets and clues to my character by paying attention to how other characters speak about me, the things I say and things I don't. I pay attention to stage directions, even punctuation to learn about how the writer envisioned the character. As I begin to give voice to the character; run the lines, experiment with choices, that's when I discover who "she" is to me. Somewhere between what someone wrote, who I am; my experiences, emotions and opinion, and the story "she" wants told....they all meet in the middle somewhere... that's where I find my character. Sometimes, other things may help to shape or influence character too: .accents, of course, listening to certain music in this show, Cathy has so much confidence and a strange kind of dangerous sex appeal that I wore heels far more often than my normal flip flop or sneaker lifestyle, just to stay in that strut.

Was there any preparation you had to do prior to filming?
Nah, there was no Dallas Buyers Club, Raging Bull level prep going on with this one.

What do you hope viewers will take away from the series?
I hope they’ll talk about it. I hope that people get into arguments over characters, I hope they make plot twist predictions and get wrapped up in the drama. I hope audiences who never watched BET+ programs before are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the storytelling and cinematography and I hope that subscribers are excited to have another great series with a unique point of view.

**Left:**
Suit by Rebecca Crews
Shoes by Ted Baker
Necklace by Federica Rossi
**Right:**
Gown by Baruni
Rose Gold Hoops by Mahrukh Akuly
The ManhaOan Shoe by Willa Phoenix

I understand that you are passionate about supporting women and minority rights, please elaborate.
I’m a Black woman. We are in almost every way, treated or generally regarded as the lowest on the totem pole of society, even though we have been and continue to be the mother of this nation. Black women quite literally raised many of the leaders of this developing nation without being allowed to raise their own children. In coming generations, Black women would be maligned, abused, blamed, shamed, undermined and discounted from political, social and economic conversations and opportunities and yet again go on to become leaders of this nation and a continual force of love, joy, style, grace, and power. Along the way, many other groups have suffered the same or similar dismissal and mistreatment, so we are naturally inclined to empathize and eager to help. Because we know and understand on a deep level; until all of us are equal, none of us are.

Speak about the importance of representation in the industry and how it has impacted your career.
It’s hard being a Black woman in this industry (like most) so it’s pretty cool to see more of us in front of and behind the camera, which generally translates to being treated better and at the very least, more fairly.

What upcoming projects do you have in the works that excite you?
I have a small indie film, “Hard Miles,” that I'm proud that is making its way around the festival circuit and to a theater near you soon. You may hear me sneak into one of your favorite animated series as well. Look out for me in “Hailey's On It” on Disney or as Gamora in season 2 of Marvel's “What If?” Also, I’m returning to my theater roots. I will be performing in the rolling world premiere of “Inda Craig-Galvan’s Welcome to Matteson with Congo Square Theater” in Chicago this September. And, of course, the premier of “Average Joe” on June 26th on BET+.

What are your goals for the next five years of your career?
The same thing we do every year, Pinky, to try and take over the world.

Social Media.
Instagram: @cyncityforever

**Left:**
Gown by Baruni
Rose Gold Hoops by Mahrukh Akuly
The ManhaOan Shoe by Willa Phoenix
**Right:**
Faux leather blazer, shorts & crop top by alice + olivia by StaceyBendet
Bow Heels by Bella Belle
Earrings by ADIBA
Bracelet by Federica Ross

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Videographer: Zapman Creative Haus
Talent: Cynthia Kaye McWilliams
Fashion Stylist: Jessica Armstrong
Hair: Marcela Osegueda at Celestine Agency
Makeup: Raquel Moreno
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Gabriela Gonzalez, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Location: Hype Studios