Violett Beane brings us up to speed with season 2 of The Flash
|||Debashine Thangevelo
INDUSTRY newcomer, Violett Beane, is making a lot of noise in her role as Jesse Wells-cum-superhero-Jesse Quick in the second season of The Flash.
The 19-year-old previously appeared as Taylor Truitt in The Leftovers 2. She also did an indie horror flick, Flay, and the comedy, Slash.
It is safe to say, though, that The Flash is giving her an amazing platform in this era when DC Comics’ superhero characters are coming to life in myriad TV series.
In fact, there have been crossover storylines between The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl. So the arrival of a new face sparks curiosity.
Jesse Wells is the daughter of scientist Harrison Wells from Earth-2. Unlike his doppelganger, he’s a good guy.
After her father frees her from the clutches of the current super villain, Zoom, she becomes part of the team in Barry Allen’s (aka The Flash) world.
Going through all the typical teenage emotions, she hasn’t fully transitioned into Jesse Quick in the current storyline on our screens. But that’s the charm of her storyline – its still blossoming.
Tonight caught up with Beane to find out more about her gravitation towards acting and what inspired this pursuit.
She offers: “I took theatre class in middle and high school and really loved being on stage. Senior year of high school, we got a new teacher and we didn’t get along. So he stopped casting me in things. I turned to film/TV as another outlet for my creativity and it’s been a pretty amazing experience so far.”
Of course, when you are starting out in Hollywood, you do so from the hopeful echelon.
Beane reveals: “A documentary I’ve been working on for the past two years – Tower – was actually my first real on-camera experience. It just premiered at SxSW (a film festival in Texas) and won Best Documentary. I’m very grateful that I worked with such a loving and caring creator because he made the experience enjoyable and fun. I’ve learnt to find those people on any set I join because they are the ones who will help you and have fun with you.”
The Leftovers was a big deal for her. Though, she didn’t think she would get the gig.
She recalls: “It’s funny because I left the audition thinking it was the worst audition I had ever done. And a few days later, I found out, I booked it. It was my first television set experience so, of course, I learnt a lot right away. It truly is amazing how many people it takes to create such a production, especially with a network like HBO. I also made a best friend on that set, which is pretty special.”
And she had an interesting anecdote when it comes to her audition for The Flash.
Beane says: “I sent in a self-tape using mock sides. It was about a week to two-week process of back and forth. But when I got the call, I was so excited. The Flash has a special quality about it; something that allows so many different kinds of people to enjoy it.”
As for working alongside Tom Cavanagh, who plays her screen dad, she coos: “I’ve had the pleasure of doing a lot of scenes with Tom, who is an amazing guy. Not only is he hilarious, but he really is a mentor. If you feel lost in a scene or just need a good joke, he will always be there to help. The rest of the cast has been fun to work with as well. Everyone’s so talented that it makes the scenes so easy.”
When she isn’t learning lines, she is latching on to other facets of film-making.
She offers: “In a couple of weeks, I will be releasing a music video for the band, Eyelid Kid, that I directed, edited and starred in. It’s an eerie, dark story of an orphan girl who’s lived in a house with two dolls her whole life. You slowly find out, however, that all may just be a figment of Eyelid Kid’s imagination.”
Feeling blessed about her breaks so far, which she doesn’t take for granted, Beane remains focused on the game plan.
She reveals: “It is to be true to myself and create/work on projects that stand for something.”
If her roles are anything to go by, she has chosen well so far.
A remarkably talented, fresh-faced beauty, Beane is fulfilling her purpose with gusto!
The Flash 2 airs on Vuzu Amp (DStv channel 114) on Tuesdays at 8.30pm.