Actress talks ‘Greenleaf,’ fashion and meeting Oprah
Merle Dandridge has had an illustrious career starring in Broadway musicals (“Rent” and “Aida”) and TV shows, including “Sons of Anarchy.”
Last fall, Oprah Winfrey tapped the stylish actress and singer for the role of Grace Greenleaf in the juicy drama series “Greenleaf ” on Winfrey’s OWN network. “Greenleaf ” is a story about the troubled family of a Memphis megachurch, where sexual abuse and adultery are part of the dysfunction. Dandridge plays the estranged daughter who returns home after 20 years to investigate her family’s crimes.
The show was the most-watched debut in the network’s six-year history.
With Season 2 underway, Dandridge — who was born in Japan to an African American U.S. soldier and a Korean mother — talked about the show’s popularity, meeting Winfrey and how fashion adds another layer to the drama series.
Q: Why does “Greenleaf ” resonate with so many viewers?
A: I feel like we’re digging into some really gristly meat. I think we tap into things with the church and the family that we don’t necessarily talk about. Who knew that people would react so strongly? Thank God. I feel like it’s opened up a whole other realm of conversation.
Q: What was it like meeting Oprah?
A: I was working on another show at the time, and I got an email that Oprah wanted to meet me that day. … There was some nerves, of course, but if things are for you, they are for you. … We just talked about the show for a couple of hours and fell right into a groove and an understanding about what we are trying to do, and it just felt right.
Q: “Greenleaf ” is a serious drama. Which one of your co-stars is the jokester behind the scenes?
A: Lynn Whitfield (who plays Lady Mae, the family’s matriarch). She does spot-on impersonations of everyone. She needs her own comedy show. She is really amazing and such an accomplished dramatic actor, but I don’t think people know how funny she is.
Q: Does fashion play an important role in the series as your character evolves?
A: It’s very important. When Grace comes back after the 20-year absence, you see her with no-nonsense hair and minimal makeup, and the way she dresses is a little more comfortable. Then you go into the opulent Greenleaf mansion, and everyone is tailored to a T, hair done and makeup perfect. So over the course of Grace trying to find her way and path, you slowly see her look become a little more polished, a little more refined. I think it was a little awkward for her to put on the Greenleaf-esque costumes — but in Season 2, she’s relaxed into it, so you see her effortlessly put on more elaborate jewelry, and the hair is more polished. It’s very interesting. Q: Any similarities between you and Grace? A: I relate to her in a fundamental way because my family — the Dandridges — are in the black church in Memphis, but I grew up in Nebraska. So I would always come home (to Memphis) to that tradition and a big family every summer. Also, I love that Grace is always trying to do what’s right, even though she messes up from time to time. She’s always goes back and tries again and again. That’s one of things I admire about her, and I like to think I have some of that in myself.
Q: What do you want people to take away from the show?
A: I hope relationships can find some healing, families can have open conversations and hearts can be healed.
Q: What brings you joy?
A: Being with people I love, laughing as hard with them as I do with my cast, being with my family and attending a really rowdy Nebraska Cornhuskers football game.