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Gabrielle Union on FlashForward's hopeful diversity
Gabrielle Union joined the cast of ABC's upcoming sci-fi thriller series FlashForward after the pilot and told us that she'll play a criminal defense attorney engaged to Demetri Noh (John Cho). She said the pairing of her African-American character and Cho's Asian-American character was deliberate.
"The cultural differences with our families, not only blending families in the middle of a recession but blending families that come from different cultures and races and backgrounds, will definitely be explored," Union said in an exclusive interview last week in Pasadena, Calif. "And, I love John."
In the series, based on Robert J. Sawyer's SF novel, everyone in the world blacks out for 2 minutes 17 seconds, during which time each person has a glimpse of the future and their lives on a specific date: April 29, 2010. The show's characters, played by Joseph Fiennes, Sonya Walger and others, will spend the bulk of the first season figuring out what will come true and whether they can alter the predictions. Union said her scenes with Cho focus on their relationship.
"[I've shot] a lot of time with John," She continued. "We have a really good relationship. I'm so glad that they're showing two people of color with, like, a really ... loving and nurturing relationship. I haven't really seen that on TV, and certainly not in an interracial relationship, very loving and sweet in a genuine sort of way." (Major spoilers ahead!)
In the pilot episode, one flash forward saves a character from suicide. Others characters worry that their own futures include a relapse into alcoholism or an end to their marriages. Union's not telling what she sees.
"It's life-affirming, that's for sure," she teased.
Cho's character sees nothing in his flash forward, leading him to believe he doesn't make it to April 29. So far, this has not affected his relationship in early episodes, Union said.
"Well, he has not shared with me his flash forward, so ignorance is bliss at this point," Union said.
Union came to FlashForward because of her previous relationship with ABC: She starred on the short-lived Night Stalker and guested on Ugly Betty, so the network wanted to get back in the Gabrielle Union business.
"They've been incredibly supportive," Union said. "A lot of people give lip service to 'We want to increase diversity,' and then you just never see any people of color. They actually really mean it. If one thing doesn't work out, they come up with more opportunities. So they're like, 'We want you back in the family,' and by chance, the next day the Goyers [executive producers Jessika Borsiczky Goyer and David Goyer] called them, and they were like, 'Do you think Gabrielle would ever be interested in returning to television?' They're like, 'Funny you should ask. We just talked to her about this.'"
Since FlashForward has a long-term mythology that the creators are guarding closely, it's one of those shows where even the actors don't get information beyond the script they are shooting. That creates a challenging work environment for Union.
"It's more hard that we are given very limited information, to the point where filming a scene, I think I have all the information I need," she said. "We do a take, and they're like, 'Oh, nobody told her.' Then they whisper it in your ear, and I'm like, 'Oh, OK, that changes everything.' So I'm literally getting information on a need-to-have basis. That's more challenging. Literally, they tell me on a need-to-know basis."
FlashForward premieres Sept. 24 on ABC.
By River at 6:46 AM ON 08/13/09
Love Gabrielle and John! It's great to see her in genre programs again. Always know that her characters are going to be intelligent and sexy. John's awesome.
Can't wait to see them in action.
By Kryche at 1:48 PM ON 08/13/09
I'm not a fan, I hope they kill her character off before the end of the first season.
By LaGrange at 6:04 PM ON 08/13/09
Krikey, what a git.
By that.girl at 7:21 PM ON 08/13/09
kryche...STFU and STFD....Thanks.
By joesocwork at 9:33 PM ON 08/13/09
I think she's put some thoughtfulness in what I sometimes thought were some annoying characters.
Just like other shows within the genre, I hope the writers have thought what they're going to do all the way through.
By Dragon at 10:41 AM ON 08/14/09
An Asian male in a relationship w/ a beautiful woman...ONSCREEN?! Unheard of!!!!
Everyone knows we're asexual, non-threatening geeks, oppressive fathers and ponytailed assassins. What is this world coming to?!
By kryche at 12:47 PM ON 08/14/09
"kryche...STFU and STFD....Thanks."
Hahaha, must have hit a nerve. Can't handle other peoples opinions huh?
I don't like her. My excitement for this show died the second I read she was cast in it. She has ruined every show I have ever seen her in. I seriously hope they kill her character off before she ruins yet another show.
But then again, it's scifi on network tv so the odds aren't exactly in it's favor. It's going to be really hard to invest in this show, knowing there is a good chance it's going to die and now has one of the worst actresses in Hollywood attached to it.
By jessy24 at 10:59 PM ON 08/17/09
Absoluteley LOVE Gabrielle Union (haters will be haters) and paired with John Cho? Hell YES.
By Joesketeer at 6:13 AM ON 08/18/09
I think that aside from that fact that they have interesting character development, it is just refreshing to see multiethnic pairings at all depicted, let alone African American/Asian pairings (which are almost never seen). I look flash forward to what direction this show decides to go....
By WONDERBREAD9 at 4:48 PM ON 08/19/09
The moment I saw that Gabrielle Union was attached to this project, I was immediately like, "Hellz yes!" I support that actress in everything she does as many people have not seen the full scope of her work; nor have they seen her depth as an actress. And now that she's attached to John Cho. Hellz YES!!! I just hope they expand her character more than just the girlfriend/fiancee/love interest role unlike some other shows that didn't showcase much of the multiethnic cast *cough*Jericho*cough*.
By WONDERBREAD9 at 4:50 PM ON 08/19/09
The moment I saw that Gabrielle Union was attached to this project, I was immediately like, "Hellz yes!" I support that actress in everything she does as many people have not seen the full scope of her work; nor have they seen her depth as an actress. And now that she's attached to John Cho. Hellz YES!!! I just hope they expand her character more than just the girlfriend/fiancee/love interest role unlike some other shows that didn't showcase much of the multiethnic cast *cough*Jericho*cough*.
By Nikki @ Blasian Baby at 7:36 AM ON 08/24/09
As a black women who's been married to an asian man I am beyond ecstatic to see an asian black couple pairing in a series. Great job ABC! I'm so going to blog about this upcoming series and hope it gets lots of support.
Btw, I'm a big fan of Gabrielle Union so it's the iceying on the cake she plays this character =)
By Diamond at 2:15 PM ON 09/13/09
I'm a black woman engaged to an Asian male. I'm very happy to see this pairing on Network TV. The last time I saw this pairing was Romeo Must Die and Akira's Hip Hop Shop. It's not seen often, so I applaud ABC. I'm excited to see the show.
By raqlatinababi at 4:43 AM ON 09/28/09
about time we see more hot asian guys with other ethnic girls. too bad they couldent pair john up with a latina like they did in harold n komar cause that would be awesome but hey this is a start
By M at 11:13 PM ON 09/30/09
As a black women I'm SO going to check out this series. I think Asian men are the sexiest, and I'm a huge fan of Gabrielle's. They are going to burn up the screen. Way to go ABC! I'm spreading the word!
By Lea at 8:12 PM ON 10/08/09
I'm watching now. Glad Gabby's in it!!!
Finally something good to watch on TV.
Thank you, ABC.
By katie at 8:58 PM ON 10/24/09
OMG John Cho is so hot! and Gabby too? This is definitely a must see for me. I haven't watched this much ABC since Alias. ABC has never been afraid of acknowledging diversity and have always been ahead of the curve. I expect their numbers to pummel the other two networks. Good job!
By blkcherokee at 9:03 PM ON 10/31/09
I'm so glad to see a black woman with a man of another color other than a white male (which there's nothing wrong with a white male). This proves that men of other races are attracted to black women (always have been). I would like to see more black women in interelationships with guys not only white but of all races on tv, the media & anywhere else. It shows that our world is finally changing for the better in which it is about time. Goodluck to gabby & john!!!
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