US AND THEM
Deborah Ayorinde returns to “Them” to play a brand-new character in Season 2 of the popular horror anthology series on Prime Video after her standout turn as Livia “Lucky” Emory in Season 1.
The new season (now streaming), titled “Them: The Scare,” moves from Compton in 1952 to Los Angeles County in 1991 and follows Detective Dawn Reeve (Ayorinde) as she investigates the violent murder of a foster home mother.
Dawn struggles to navigate challenges brought on by her personal life, her professional life, and the horrific case, as well as the community’s resistance to the LAPD following the assault of Black activist Rodney King.
“She’s extremely lonely,” Ayorinde says about her character. “She’s surrounded by a lot of people, but she’s extremely lonely in her experience, and she doesn’t know why.”
Ayorinde spoke about her unexpected return for Season 2, her trust in series creator Little Marvin, working with co-star Pam Grier, and whether she’d return for a third season.
Little Marvin told me that he envisioned you in the role of Detective Reeve while he was writing the character. What encouraged you to return for a second season?
Honestly, he is such a genius. I trust him in a way that I don’t trust a lot of people with my art. When you’re an actor, you do the work, you give it away, and you leave it in the hands of the creatives or the editors. With LM, I’ve always trusted my art in his hands. He’s such a joy to work with. He listens and I feel seen.
I was fascinated by your character in this season because she’s so different from
your character in Season 1. Did you have any questions for Little Marvin when it came to taking on the role and digging into your character’s backstory?
I actually had those questions, too. Like, how much of Lucky do you want me to infuse into Dawn? The answer was nothing. [Little Marvin] wanted to make this character completely separate. That was challenging, but I was definitely up for the challenge.
The season spends a lot of time with Dawn and her mother. There seems to be some tension there, but also the foundation of love and respect. How did you build your onscreen chemistry with your co-star Pam Grier?
From day one, she just embraced me and it was shocking for me because I’m like, “You’re this whole living legend.” I expected there to be a wall, but
Deborah Ayorinde talks “Them” Season 2
she jumped into being so nurturing, kind, and loving. I just felt very safe with her.
What are some of the challenges that Dawn faces throughout the season?
She’s surrounded by a lot of people, but she’s extremely lonely in her experience and she doesn’t know why.
Would you return for a third season?
I don’t know what LM is going to do, but I’m here for whatever he comes up with.