Jill Scott talks ‘Flint,’ pure water and pure evil
Jill Scott is on a mission with her latest role.
In the Lifetime movie Flint (Saturday, 8 ET/PT), Scott portrays Nayyirah Shariff, a real-life community activist in the Michigan city. Shariff was one of the women who helped lead and rally neighbors to expose the dangers of the drinking water flowing into their homes as a result of a switch to a new source, the polluted Flint River, in 2014.
The city’s residents suffered from the effects of water contaminated with lead and other toxins. Activists helped push for tests that led to a return to the previous water source and eventual criminal charges for some government officials. Betsy Brandt, Marin Ireland and Queen Latifah, who also executive-produces, co-star.
Scott took some time out to chat with USA TODAY about Flint and her role as villainous Lady Eve in the CW series Black Lightning, due in 2018.
Q What is it about Flint that made you want to be a part of it?
A Mostly, it was just shock that
the water could be so bad. That this was even possible in the United States. Two years ago, I moved to a rural community and the ice was tasting funny. I decided to have my water tested. When
I saw what was in my water, I was shocked. It looked like sludge. I had my entire house filtered. It just made me feel better, so of course I thought about: What is the water like where I grew up? What is the water like in the United States?
Q Did you approach the role differently, knowing the inspiration for your character is around to judge how you portray her? Q What can you tell me about Lady Eve in Black Lightning?
A Yes. I talked to Nayyirah quite a bit. I watched videos of her speaking. I wanted to get her tone right. I wanted to get her body movements. I wanted to wear the clothes she would wear. This young woman is actually fighting the good fight right now, and I wanted to represent her because she’s an American hero.
Q This is a different genre for you.
A( Creator Salim Akil) and I have been working on a few things together for maybe about two years. Black Lightning came up. I got the phone call asking would I be interested. ... I absolutely adore her. She is vile, and it’s so much fun to play someone
who has literally no filter and all the power in the world — very Trumpish. A Marvel’s played I would Black the Panther, voice say yes. of but Storm I this have in is exactly up reading what comic I’d hoped books for. all I grew my life. ... It’s kind of a dream come true to be in something that has an African-American cast as superheroes with powers and villains. The fact that I get to be diabolical and do no harm in real life is just thrilling.