Bahia Watson [Interview]

Hello There, Folks! I am absolutely delighted to share this amazing interview with a wonderful young actress who is as impressive as she is talented. It’s Bahia Watson, Everyone! She is an incredible actress, who you can catch on the critically acclaimed Hulu Original series The Handmade’s Tail, and in so damn much more to come. Bahia has been doing some amazing work both on screen and on the stage, and we are so excited to have her grace our digital pages today.

Beyond acting, Bahia is also a wonderful musician, poet, and playwright who is determined to speak her mind and spread her talent across the globe. The limits in which a person of this much are seemingly endless, and we are so excited to see what the future holds for her. Which is why are so happy that we were able to get a few replies from her to share with you all today.

So Folks, please enjoy some incredible words from the even more incredible human being, the great Bahia Watson!

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What inspired you to get into the world of acting? Was it something that you have always been passionate about? Or did you happen to find yourself in this world one day?

I guess I stumbled into this world. I’ve always loved stories and writing. I grew up dancing, but I never wished to make a career of it. After graduating high school I took a psychology course and fell in love with the human mind and how personalities and emotions are constructed. Around that same time, there was a large casting call for extras in my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. I wandered into that and was thrilled by whole behind-the-scenes society involved in film and television making. And then I started auditioning and taking acting classes and kind of fell in love with the challenges that acting presents. I never dreamt this would be my life. it’s been a winding journey.

You have been a regular on a series that is truly one of the greatest available right now entitled The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s such a dark story that, sadly, doesn’t seem so unlikely to become the real world someday. Anyway, I am curious to know how it has been to work on such a wildly successful television series?

It’s exciting. I read the book in high school, and it has always stuck with me as a profound and frightening envisioning of the future. The world Margaret Atwood has created is so deep and thorough, and so being able to be inside of it and a part of bringing it to life, is a thrilling honour. When I first auditioned, I was blown away by the writing, and I continue to be. It’s such a strong group of artists working on this show, I’m happy to be in such exquisite company.

Although the subject matter can be dark, do you still manage to have a good time on the set of The Handmaid’s Tale? What do you do to stay loose and a bit less terrified on the set?

As comedy is often borne of tragedy, we definitely find the humour in the darkness. nina kiri, who plays alma, and i are totally the clowns on set. and ann dowd is a treasure. we have fun.

If you were handed the opportunity to portray any legendary figure in American history, who would it be?

Oooh, interesting question… Josephine Baker, maybe? or Lorraine Hansberry.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

I’ve open[ed] a play at the Soulpepper Theatre company in Toronto, it’s called The Virgin Trial, where I play a young Queen Elizabeth the first. On March 28th, I will be producing and performing a one night only variety show called MASHUP which i create with my friend liza paul, at theatre passe muraille in toronto. in the fall we did a short performance for TEDxtoronto under the theme of identity, you can watch that here: https://youtu.be/uxFoJ4Z3X5Q. it’s a kind of island circus ting. and… you might just catch me on another futuristic show soon too.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Killing Eve. i’m obsessed with villanelle.