SENSE8 IS ENOUGH
‘Multi-faceted’ role thrills Clayton
Sense8 Season 2 now streaming, Netflix
The people who play the eight main characters on the Netflix series Sense8 all live together, right?
Like in the Beatles movie Help!, where the Fab Four have separate townhouse entrances, but when you see inside, all four doors open into one big dwelling.
“Well, it’s funny when we’re in hotel rooms,” said Jamie Clayton, who plays Nomi Marks in Sense8. “You know sometimes in hotels where there will be a door adjoining the rooms?
“Sometimes we end up in these rooms, and when we’re hanging out on our off-days or after work, sometimes it will be, ‘Oh, meet me in Tuppence’s room,’ or, ‘Everybody meet in Max’s room.’ But we’ll walk in and the doors (between the rooms), will be open, and we’ll all be in there.
Season 2 of Sense8 — a sci-fi drama about eight strangers who are mentally and emotionally linked — is streaming on Netflix. We caught up with Clayton in New York to talk about the show.
Q Nomi is both very vulnerable and super strong, so it must be fun to get to play those extremes, all in one character.
A Nomi has gone through a lot of s--- in her life, with her transition and her family, trying to find herself, and heartache, and finding love with Amanita (played by Freema Agyeman). Nomi is living her authentic life, her authentic self. She’s a sensitive person, so there is a vulnerability.
Q When you were cast for this, do you think they saw all those traits in you, or has the role
helped to bring those out?
A It’s interesting, I think it’s a combination of both. The casting process for Sense8 obviously was global; it was huge. They worked with a network of casting directors all over the world to bring the Wachowskis the best possible actors for each role. And I know with Nomi, Lana (Wachowski) was very adamant about casting someone with enough acting experience who was trans, because she wanted to bring an extra level of authenticity to the character. But now, when any actor is doing a show and you go into a second season, you really get to know your character through the first season. With the help of Freema, the two of us have developed the relationship between these two people, Nomi and Amanita. Our chemistry is so great, it made it even more authentic for us, and then I think for the audience watching us, because I love Freema so much, she’s great. So yeah, there were all these layers. And then the more I got to play Nomi, it grew even more into season 2.
Q The thing is, in a less ambitious show, it would have been way easier, and much more stereotypical, for Nomi to be written as a loner.
A That would be the network version of the show. Because they would be terrified to show a trans person being loved.
Q That’s a really interesting observation. Because when you see somebody caring for Nomi, it automatically makes her more of a complete, real person for the audience. A Exactly. You don’t feel bad for Nomi.