Kaci Walfall center of her own TV universe
But superhero series ‘Naomi’ grounded in normalcy, actor says
Kaci Walfall has a universe on her shoulders.
The 17-year-old actor plays the title character in “Naomi,” DC Comics’ panel-to-screen adaptation about an overachieving teen who discovers that she’s beyond extraordinary. Good thing Walfall has some superpowers of her own.
“When I’m casting ... the hard part is, do I want to be in a relationship with this person for potentially many years? That is something that was apparent very early on in the process with her,” said executive producer Ava DuVernay.
“When it all comes together — the talent and the personhood, who they are — you get lucky and magic happens, and she’s our magic.”
Naomi McDuffie — whose last name is a tribute to the revered late comics writer Dwayne McDuffie — is a popular teenager who lives in the military town of Port Oswego, Oregon, and is obsessed with Superman because they’re both adopted.
When what appears to be her favorite hero is seen fighting above her town, Naomi skateboards to the scene but passes out before she can get the scoop for her fan website. Revelations, surprising powers and menacing antagonists ensue. Soon, she enlists her friends to find out more about the “stunt” and what’s happening to her — and to her town.
Naomi — aka Powerhouse in the comics — was created in 2019, a relatively new superhero when it comes to TV adaptations. The show’s writers are excited about the room for growth.
“I was such a huge fan of the comic when it came out — Brian Bendis, David Walker, Jamal Campbell’s beautiful art. What they created was this incredible foundation. But what was so lovely is that they also really gave us the freedom to kind of make it our own and to really run with it,” said executive producer Jill Blankenship.
One might assume that includes the crossover events for which The CW’s DC shows have become known, but this is “Naomi’s” world.
“I really think that this is the first part of the Naomiverse and that people need to be trying to cross over over here,” said DuVernay. “You won’t see any crossover season one. That’s a little spoiler.
“She is firmly in her story. And we are singularly
focused on that journey.”
A “grateful” Walfall is all in: She “feels like this world existed before.”
Walfall talked about that journey in an interview that has been edited for clarity and length.
Q: Who is Naomi?
A: Naomi feels like a friend. Someone that I just want to be protective over and tell her how great she is. She’s a 16-year-old girl. She’s still in high school. She’s still trying to figure things out. But what I really love about her, and this is genuine, is her heart. She is genuinely a great person. She really sees the best in everyone. No matter if it’s in her teenage world or her superhero world.
Q: Did you find similarities with the character?
A: I have this green
book that I carry — I have since the pilot — and the first thing I did once I got the script of the pilot and finished reading it, I wrote down a diagram of my character in the comic versus Kaci versus Naomi. And that was really helpful because I could pull things that I love from the comic and then pull the differences that I loved and then also pull things from myself that I wanted to bring within the character. Because I think once you pull things from yourself and your experience, sometimes they feel more authentic.
Q: The way that you interact with other cast members feels authentic too. I know the writing is where it’s at, but was it almost natural when you guys got together?
A: Yeah, I think I have chemistry with everyone. The great thing about the cast is we all truly get along. And we love working with each other. The younger generation of the “Naomi” cast did a Zoom before we started because we couldn’t see each other in person really, because of COVID. ... I also did a Zoom with Mary-Charles (Jones), who plays Annabelle, because it’s a little hard when you don’t know someone to fake being best friends with them for three years.
Q: Ava called you an “incredible leader of the cast,” and said, “You’ve done it with such grace,” Your co-star Barry Watson called you a gem. What do you feel when you hear how enthusiastic the producers and the cast are about this character and in turn also you?
A: It makes me feel good just to know that Miss Ava chose me and says that I’m a good leader because she’s the best leader. She’s like the alpha, and Naomi’s the alpha, so I take that within my character and pull that out of myself. And I’m the youngest. Sometimes when you’re young you can feel like older people are trying to be more “powerful” than you, but they don’t treat me like I’m younger, which I really love. Just being in this leadership position, it’s been fun. And just having the support of the cast, the crew and the producers and everyone — WB, CW, Array, DC — is really helpful because I’m often very hard on myself.
Q: Teenage girls that look like you can see themselves on-screen with “Naomi.” Is that in your head too? Do you feel like you need to speak up for them?
A: I think 13-year-old me would look up to Naomi. I don’t know if I feel pressure because ... this show’s grounded in normalcy. It’s highlighting, like, the greatness of being a Black girl, and, you know, Black girls who are powerful when we’re all powerful. Naomi is a great example. She’s like a lot of girls I know in real life.
Q: Ava said, “This is the first part of the Naomiverse.” What does that mean for you?
A: I love that it’s put into a different universe. And I love how universes can come together, like the Arrowverse can come to us or we can come to them. Not to speak for her but that could imply maybe future people, future stories and future DC characters — she’s in the Justice League, and she’s in Young Justice — will live in the Naomiverse with her.