Dionne Brown, a talented actress at 28, is set to illuminate screens as the protagonist of Hulu’s eight-part adaptation of Candice Carty-Williams’s ‘Queenie.’ Brown, a London native, found the role of Queenie, a journalist navigating a quarter-life crisis, not only a dream come true but also a transformative experience. She confides, “Before reading the book, I didn’t realize other Black women shared similar sentiments.”
Brown draws a connection between the internalization of emotions and the distinct ways Black women process grief and fear. The role has instilled within her a newfound acceptance of her past adversities. Upon securing the lead role, her first, Brown expressed both excitement and a sense of responsibility to faithfully portray a character that resonates deeply with countless individuals.
Filming intimate sex scenes presented a significant challenge for Brown, who admits to having limited experience with kissing in drama school. “Suddenly, I’m kissing four different guys in a short period,” she remarks. “It was quite an experience.”
Brown’s path to acting began early, with lessons in ballet, violin, and piano. Her knack for performance was evident, and she pursued acting classes and attended ArtsEd in London. She made her debut on ITV’s ‘Chewing Gum’ and later starred alongside Peter Capaldi in Apple TV+’s ‘The Long Song.’
With the success of ‘The Long Song,’ Brown found herself recognized in public, an experience she approaches with a mixture of amusement and reluctance. She values her privacy and prefers to maintain a low profile, but she is open to the possibilities that lie ahead, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing art above all else.
