OUR 20-YEAR JOURNEY Fences stars Viola Davis and Denzel Washington talk about their friendship, their reunion and the perils of their intense roles.

VIOLA DAVIS & DENZEL WASHINGTON

“Viola is a great actor, I love working with her and I love watching her” —Denzel Washington

Denzelthe first Washingtontime he met doesn’tViola Davis—butremember she does. In 1996, Davis was starring in a Broadway production of August Wilson’s play Seven Guitars. “He came [backstage] and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I met Denzel Washington!’ ” recalls Davis. In 2002, Washington, now 62, directed Davis, 51, in the movie Antwone Fisher, and in 2010 they both won Tony awards for their turns in Wilson’s play Fences, about a troubled 1950s family. Now they’re getting major Oscar buzz for the movie version, which Washington also directed (in cinemas now). The pair spoke to WHO’S Kara Warner about their strong bond.

Why do you love working together? Davis To me, Denzel is familiar, he’s easy. It’s like I know him. It’s like, “That’s Denzel.”

Washington [ Laughs]

Davis And at the same time, I’m a fan. I don’t like telling him that, but I think he always makes interesting choices, I think it’s always rooted in truth and humanity and I think he has a lot of courage, he’s not a wimp and I like that. I think it takes a lot of courage to be an artist and to really go for it with your ideas.

Washington And thank you, goodnight. And scene. [ Laughs]

Davis He won’t say anything about me.

What Washingtondo you I like just mostlike Viola. about Viola Viola? is a great actor, I love working with her and I love watching her. When we did Antwone Fisher, because we’re actors—i recognise one when I see one, I know how I am—i could see she wanted to be left alone, she was in the zone, so I knew what to do [as a director]. Just leave her alone and just watch.

What did you enjoy about returning to these characters?

Davis You can never be tired of that [August Wilson] dialogue. I did Seven Guitars for over a year and even after I left it, I missed it.

I missed those words and the challenge of them. The depth to which it takes you, he could’ve easily said, “I’ll take the baby but you can leave.” August could have written that, but from now on, this child’s got a mother. “You a woman-less man,” the power of those words, that’s what you miss. But you also miss these actors. I love, and usually I hate, being the only girl because I feel like I’m so shy and awkward. I don’t like being around a lot of male energy.

Washington Look at her, as she pulls her coat closed. [ Laughs] That’s interesting.

Davis I know, but I just loved being around all these, they’re just great, great men.

The play and the film are emotional and intense. Do you take any of that home with you?

Washington My wife talks about, “Who’s coming home today?” We went on vacation right after we closed the play that afternoon, we were in Italy 12 hours later, but [my character] Troy was still ... Troy went to Italy.

Davis [ Laughs] Oh no, that’s not good.

Washington Troy went to Italy. And again, here’s the beauty and the brilliance of August, you start saying those lines.

Davis Oh yeah, I’m always quoting, especially with my husband. If I feel like he’s starting to plan. My husband is a planner, I’ll say, “You know, ‘Man got plan but God, he got plan, too. You remember that, Julius?’” That’s the line I always go back to. It’s from Seven Guitars.

Have characters ever come home with you? Washington You’ve got to ask her husband that.

Davis Yeah, I don’t notice it.

Washington My wife says that, I don’t think that. With a play, it’s 114 times in a row, so you don’t have a chance to get away from it.

Davis I don’t notice it. When I’m done on-set, I take my wardrobe off like it’s on fire, I really do. A friend was with me one time and it was the end of the day and she was like, “Viola, wait a minute! You’re tripping over things,” and I was like, “I gotta get out of here,” but, yeah, maybe it’s a better question for my husband. I did King Lear and played Kent as a lesbian who was pretending to be a man. I really took that character home because I had to be so immersed in it. After it was over, I got my hair braided and my nails done. I had to be a girl again.

Washington I just found my next directing job!

The ‘Fences’ stars talk about their friendship, their reunion and the perils of their intense roles