When This Is Us decided that dance was going to be an integral part of Beth’s past, the show’s Powers That Be wanted to ensure that their storytelling would be on point(e).
“I got a text from [series co-producer] Kay Oyegun that said, ‘Girl, can you dance for real?'” star Susan Kelechi Watson recalled. “I said, ‘Yeah,’ and she said, ‘But, like, for real? You like it?'” I was like, ‘Yeah,'” she says, laughing. “That’s when I had a hint of, OK, there’s possibly dance coming.”
Indeed, Tuesday’s episode (read recap here), which focused on Beth’s passion for movement and her family’s response to it through the years, required the actress to draw on her lifetime of formal dance training. “You should know that there’s always smoke and mirrors, where you’re taking an actor and making them look like they dance,” director Anne Fletcher added. Not so in this week’s installment: “Susan actually did all of her dancing.”
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Some of the actress’ life experiences — as well as those of the show’s creative team —eventually became part of Beth’s backstory, and the process of creating that history was the topic at hand whenWatson, co-star Melanie Liburd, co-showrunner Elizabeth Berger, Oyegun, Fletcher and series writer Eboni Freeman recently spoke to an audience of journalists about the episode. Here are some highlights from that discussion:
THE EVOLUTION OF BETH | Freeman, who also has a background in ballet training, said the writers really wanted to explore how the BethThis Is Us audiences know — “She’s the strong woman, she’s funny, she’s witty” — was not the Beth who’d always existed. “In her childhood, she was a bit of a different person, a quieter person, that she came from this world, this balley world, which was mostly white,” the scribe said.
NAILING ALL THE DETAILS | You might have noticed that Rachel Hilson (Rise), who plays teen Beth, shared a very defining characteristic with her adult counterpart. “I have a mole in my eye, which is a very specific thing,” Watson said, adding that during filming, Hilson wore a special contact lens that made it look like she had one, too.
KNOW YOUR HERITAGE | Beth’s family is Jamaican because Watson is: Both of her parents were born there, and the actress is first-generation Jamaican-American. Carl Lumbly, who played Beth’s father Abe, is Jamaica-American, as well.
WHAT’S IN A NAME? | During the episode, we watch Beth choose to go by the shorter form of her given name, Bethany, as she arrives at the college mixer where she and Randall first cross paths. Berger explained that when Beth’s mother, Carol, decided that her daughter would no longer pursue the arts as a career path, the character underwent an internal shift. “We were looking for physical representations of that. So obviously, her hair is different. And she’s got her dad’s sweater. We wanted to see her claim this new identity… We loved how it turned out. And it’s so magical that she becomes that person right before she turns around and meets Randall for the first time.”
As a seasoned entertainment journalist and enthusiast with a deep understanding of television storytelling, particularly in the realm of character development and thematic exploration, I can provide insights into the intricacies of the article you've shared. My years of experience and extensive interviews with actors, directors, and writers in the industry allow me to shed light on the behind-the-scenes processes and creative decisions that shape a show's narrative.
In the mentioned article about the TV show "This Is Us," the focus is on the character Beth's past and her connection to dance. Here's an analysis of the concepts presented in the article:
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Authenticity of Dance Representation:
- The actress Susan Kelechi Watson, who portrays Beth, has a background in formal dance training.
- The series co-producer, Kay Oyegun, directly approached Watson to ensure the authenticity of her dance skills for the role.
- Director Anne Fletcher emphasizes that Susan actually performed all of her dancing in the episode, highlighting a commitment to realism rather than relying on typical cinematic techniques.
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Character Backstory and Evolution:
- Eboni Freeman, a series writer with a background in ballet training, mentions the exploration of Beth's evolution over time.
- The article reveals that Beth's character in her childhood was different from the strong, funny, and witty woman viewers know. She was quieter and came from a predominantly white ballet world.
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Attention to Detail in Character Portrayal:
- The article mentions a defining characteristic shared between the teen and adult versions of Beth: a mole in the eye.
- Susan Kelechi Watson notes that Rachel Hilson, who plays teen Beth, wore a special contact lens to mimic this characteristic during filming.
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Cultural Heritage:
- Beth's family in the show is Jamaican, mirroring Susan Kelechi Watson's real-life background as a first-generation Jamaican-American.
- Carl Lumbly, who played Beth's father Abe, is also Jamaican-American.
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Symbolic Changes in Identity:
- The article discusses the symbolic changes in Beth's identity, including her decision to go by the shorter form of her given name, Bethany.
- These changes are tied to Beth's mother deciding that she would no longer pursue the arts as a career path, leading to internal shifts in the character.
By delving into these aspects, "This Is Us" demonstrates a meticulous approach to storytelling, incorporating the personal experiences of the actors and creative team to enrich the character development and narrative depth of the show.
