Title: Darnell Williams Interview
Description: Essence.com
phyllisshnell - January 29, 2008 04:02 AM (GMT)
http://www.essence.com/essence/themix/ente...ellWilliamsLink ESSENCE . CULTURE . ENTERTAINMENT
Darnell Williams: The Second Time Around
Veteran actor Darnell “Jesse” Williams Joins Debbi “Angie” Morgan in a dramatic return to ABC Daytime TV
By Bridgette Bartlett
As one half of daytime television’s favorite dynamic duo of the ‘80s, Darnell Williams caused soap fans to swoon for nearly a decade as Jesse Hubbard. This month, the two-time Emmy winner returns to ABC’s All My Children for what is sure to be an unforgettable plot twister. (C’mon, did you really think Jesse was dead?) Read on to find out more about Williams’ British roots, the real deal on his return to Pine Valley and his impressive roles behind the camera. Oh and ladies, he’s still single!
Essence.com: What has it been like going back to work at All My Children?
Darnell Williams: People don’t realize that I’ve been over at ABC since 2001 training as a director and coaching other actors. It’s not like I was away as long as the public thinks.
Essence.com: Talk a little about how you play Jesse now versus how you played him twenty years ago.
D.W.: Well, I’m still figuring that out. I’ve only been doing it for two weeks so I’m still exploring. I’m trying to find this character again.
Essence.com: There are so few examples of strong Black couples on mainstream television. Did this void have anything to do with you returning to the show?
D.W.: No, my decision wasn’t political. I’m back on the show because it was a job that came along. I think we should all diversify. The answers lie in diversity.
Essence.com: Are you ever surprised that people still scream “Jesse” when they see you on the street?
D.W.: I’m not surprised. People don’t forget. You burn an image in their minds. I think it’s pretty flattering.
Essence.com: Can you talk a little about how Jesse is coming back without giving away too much?
D.W.: Well let’s just say that he wasn’t killed and he had to assume the position to protect his family. How’s that?
Essence.com: Excellent. I know you’ve done some directing since you left. What do you prefer more – being in front of the camera or behind the camera?
D.W.: I enjoy it all. Which one do I like more? It’s hard to say. I enjoy both processes.
Essence.com: Do you feel as though you were a trailblazer in playing a “supercouple” with Debbi Morgan?
D.W.: I’ve been hearing that term for the last few years but we didn’t look at ourselves as trailblazers. We just looked at ourselves as a couple of fortunate actors with good jobs (laughs).
Essence.com: I understand that you’re originally from London?
D.W.: Yes. I was born there.
Essence.com: But I don’t detect an accent at all.
D.W.: No, no, no. I left when I was a kid. I was raised there until I was about seven years old. So I’m an American. No, that’s not true, I’m a Brooklynite.
Essence.com: How has your personal life changed since you left the show? Wife? Kids?
D.W.: No, my personal life hasn’t changed. My personal life is pretty much the same as it’s always been. Personal. But no, I’m single. No kids.
Essence.com: Single? I’m sure a lot of our readers will be happy to read that!
D.W.: I love to make people happy.