IN THE SPOTLIGHT

it wasn’t that ‘important,’ although the year before the girl had gotten a threepage spread.” In response, she cut ties with Northwestern after graduating until, decades later, she got an apology and an invitation to crown the new queen.

For “Fresh Prince,” she had to persuade viewers to accept her as Vivian after replacing original cast member Janet Hubert in the role.

Reid, who’s settled with her filmmaker-actor husband in his native Virginia, had the luxury of staying close to home when “Jacqueline and Jilly” shot in the state. The miniseries, starring Nikko Austen Smith (“Queen Sugar”), was written and directed by Victoria Rowell (“The Young and the Restless”), who’s also in the cast.

Reid doesn’t rely on acting as her only creative outlet. After a lifetime of taking photos, including on her travels, friends encouraged her to consider a gallery showing. “I thought you have to be an artist to do that,” she replied. “They said, ‘Why don’t you be an artist?“’

On her 60th birthday, she decided to take them up on the suggestion.

“I had to figure out what that encompasses, and the journey was the joy,” said Reid, who had produced books, calendars and more with her photos, with distinctive doors her favorite subject. “I think it’s a metaphor for life for me. … Every decision you make is basically opening a new door.”

Daphne Maxwell Reid, left, and Richard Brooks in “Jacqueline and Jilly.”