Interview by Paul Salfen
Uzo Aduba, who has won a sweep of awards including the 2016 and 2015 SAG Award for “Best Actress in Comedy,” the 2017 SAG Award nomination for “Best Actress in a Comedy,” the 2015 Emmy Award for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series” and the 2014Emmy Award for “Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy,” talks to Paul Salfen about her role as Susan “Crazy Eyes” Warren in the new season of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. She reveals she almost quit showbiz for good, and what we can expect from the latest season of the Netflix Original Series, which returned for it’s sixth season on Friday, July 27th, 2018.
In film, Uzo recently completed production on the independent drama MISS VIRGINA. Inspired by a true story, the film follows a struggling inner-city single mother (Aduba) who moves her at-risk son from their dangerous neighborhood school to an expensive one in a safe area. The film is directed by R.J. DanielHanna from Erin O’Connor’s script. Additionally, she recently wrapped production on the Netflix original film BEATS opposite Anthony Anderson.
She was recently seen in the Netflix original film CANDY JAR opposite Christina Hendricks that premiered on April 27th. Additional film credits include Lionsgate and Hasbro’s MY LITTLE PONY, Ewan McGregor’s AMERICAN PASTORAL opposite McGregor, Jennifer Connelly and Dakota Fanning andSian Heder’s TALLULAH that is available to stream on Netflix.
Also on television, Aduba appeared in NBC’s 2015 musical production of THE WIZ LIVE! as Glinda the Good Witch. Directed by Kenny Leon and produced by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, the production also starred Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Amber Riley, and David Alan Grier.
Aduba made her television debut in 2012 on the hit CBS show BLUE BLOODS.
Before starring on television, Aduba made her Broadway debut in CORAM BOY in 2007 followed by the hit musical revival of GODSPELL in 2011. She discovered her talent for singing at a very early age and became a classical music major at the Boston University School of Fine Arts. Work in theatre quickly followed with critically acclaimed performances at both The Huntington Theatre in Boston and A.R.T. where, under the direction of Dianne Paulus, she won the prestigious Elliot Norton Award for Best Actress in a Play. She recently made her West End Theatre debut in The Jamie Lloyd Company’s contemporary adaptation of Jean Genet’s THE MAIDS. Directed by Lloyd, the play which also starred Laura Carmichael and Zawe Ashton.
Aduba was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Play for her work in the Kennedy Center/Olney Theater production of TRANSLATIONS OF XHOSA. Other theater credits include DESSA ROSE at the New Repertory Theatre, TURNADO: RUMBLE FOR THE RING at the Bay Street Theater and ABYSSINIA at the Goodspeed Theatre.
Past films include the independent shorts OVER THERE and NOTES. Aduba currently resides in New York City.
