Vibrant Vibes With Jessica Frances Dukes
PhotoBook’s Cover 10 features actress Jessica Frances Dukes, who appears as Maya Miller in season 3 of the Netflix show Ozark. Ozark won an Emmy in 2019 for best drama series. Maya is strong and determined to get the job done, all while being pregnant. She plays a pivotal role in the FBI investigation of Marty’s casino, and you must see the riveting ending to the season.
Working with Jessica on this photo shoot as COVID regulations lifted, we still followed proper safety measures for the shoot. I got to see Jessica’s exuberant and vibrant personality and perseverance to get the job done. I highlighted her personality with colorful clothing pieces and created themed-designed layouts with a 1970’s influence. We have some up and close personal videos with three designers featured on Jessica, Byron Lars, Arianne Elmy and OxygeneUS that you don’t want to miss.
This month we will feature summer trends for clothing and swimsuits, best summer wines to buy now, and several stories highlighting BLM movement. Later in the month check out the fashion associated with women in politics around the world, how to stay mentally healthy during a quarantine from various psychologists, and who are the next hottest hair, makeup, fashion stylist, and photographers. There will also be interviews with two iconic artists. Stay tuned and check out “Vibrant Vibes With Jessica Frances Dukes” photographed beautifully by Mike Ruiz.
Foreword by Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
White Blouse: Luc de Lew at Flying Solo.
Robe: OxygeneUS at Flying Solo.
Broach: Erickson Beamon
Shoes: Model’s Own
1. Name?
Jessica Frances Dukes.
2. Where are you from?
Riverdale, Maryland, on the outskirts of Washington DC. I stayed in D.C. after graduate school. I worked there for years before moving to New York.
3. Profession?
Actress.
4. When and where did you start acting?
I started acting in my living room. I would grab my mother’s clothes, shoes, hats, etc. I would change and then ring the doorbell. My mother would answer the door with arms wide open and be so excited to see “Shirley,” my first character. My mother would put apple juice in a wine glass for me and pour her Chardonnay and we’d talk about our days at work and our husbands, etc. That’s where it began for me. I went from school plays, to drama club, to teen performing arts troupe, to majoring in college, to a Master of Fine Arts degree, and then I started working professionally.
Right:
Plaid Two-Piece Set: CHAEnewyork at Flying Solo, Top: Lafayette 148, Earrings: Erickson Beamon
Left:
Jacket: Desigual, Top: Richard Radcliffe, Jeans: Model’s Own, Shoes: Model’s Own
5. Please tell us about your role in “Ozark.”
On Ozark, I play Special Agent Maya Miller, a Forensic Accountant for the FBI brought in to audit the casino in season 3.
6. What was it like playing the role of special agent Maya Miller?
I love playing Maya. The writers are so smart, and they’ve given me such a gift with her. First playing a black woman of power, who is as smart, determined, and focused as she is, is a dream. On top of that representing working women who bring life into this world while on the job was a joy as well.
7. Is there anything that you can relate to with agent Maya Miller?
Our work ethic is the same. I also love studying people like she does. As an actor studying people is so apart of the job. I’m also a detective when it comes to studying a script, so it’s really fun to apply those skills in a different way on the show.
8. Are there any challenges you faced when playing the character?
I think the challenges of playing Maya are the fact that I love this show, and these characters are so good. I’ve also loved the actors I’ve worked with for some time now, so the hard part is checking my fan hat at the door in order to be the team member I need to be on set.
Dress: Shotof at DREEMS
Earrings: Erickson Beamon
Shoes: Model’s Own
9. How was it like working with the cast of “Ozark”?
Working with this cast is a dream. They really are just all-around great people to work with. Everyone was so helpful, and I learned so much every time I am on set. They just welcomed me into the team with open arms.
10. Aside from acting on screen, you also have a background in theatre. What was the difference in acting on-screen and on a theatre play?
TV versus theatre is truly apples and oranges for me right now, and I love both. With theatre you have more rehearsal time as a company, which is needed when you are crafting a play. You can’t yell cut and do it over, so the moments have to flow beautifully. It’s live and raw with hundreds of people in the same room staring back at you. Hopefully, we seamlessly trick your mind to go away with us. With TV I’m doing my own acting rehearsal in my apartment figuring out all the ways it may be done. When I get on set the director gives me his or her vision of that moment, and I have time while getting ready to combine my work with the vision and the work the rest of the team has already been doing. It’s on the spot shifting, changing, and it’s fast. Every take almost feels like a dress rehearsal. Opening night for me is when you hear a director yell “we got it”. It’s pretty exciting.
11. Was it easy for you to transition from theatre to acting on-screen?
It was not an easy transfer for me, but people might feel differently. I had to take numerous classes on top of already having a master’s degree and working for years professionally on stage to understand the medium of television and film. I had never had TV and film training, so I had to learn as I went along. I’m still learning and hope never to stop.
12. Is there any new upcoming theatre project or on-screen project you will be involved in
Not at the moment. The industry has come to a pause so I’m getting a chance to focus on my writing, taking some much needed self-care and mental health time, and, of course, trying to be a part of the change we seek in this world.
Dress + Coat: Byron Lars
Earrings: Erickson Beamon
13. Is there anyone you would like to work with in the future?
I’ve been so blessed to work with some amazing folks already in theatre and on TV such as Robert Ohara, Lynn Nottage, Kamilah Forbes, Erika Green, and my Ozark crew, Alik Sakharov, Cherien Dabis, Amanda Marsalis, Jason Bateman, and so many more. I’m on a pretty good roll, so I look forward to meeting and working with all the people I look up to in this industry, it would literally be too many to name here.
14. What is the best part of being an actor?
The best part of being an actor is the ability to bring to life, people, issues, and matters that could possibly change the way society thinks. As artists, we influence, teach, put the mirror up to the world and say this is you. You never know, someone might watch an episode of Ozark or a play by Dominique Morriseau, and, as the credits roll or the lights come up, that person might be rethinking the way she or he lives her or his life. That’s pretty epic to me.
15. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I write and have been writing for a long time. It helps me communicate and connect with the world. I also work out with a trainer daily. Even through the quarantine I have my little home gym set up. And I loooove to cook for myself and friends! My kitchen is my Zen space!
16. Where would you like to visit after quarantine is over?
After quarantine is over, I’ll probably visit my parents first. My family is first and foremost. And, then I’m just ready to get to work. It will be interesting to see how the industry comes back from all of this: how we will communicate with the world and with each other. So much has happened in the last few months, and I look forward to continuing to be a part of this moment of change.
Top: Arianne Elmy
Shorts: Lafayette 148
Butterfly Necklace & Bracelets: Erickson Beamon
17. Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to start acting?
The advice I always give is: You have to love this. You have to really want to be an artist. (Neither fame nor TV) You have to love art, because it has its moments where you feel it doesn’t love you back, and you just have to hold onto it harder and push forward knowing that the good part is just around the corner. Make a 10-year plan with goals, and the steps it will take to achieve those goals. Do the research. Talk to people in your area, find out if there are ways to get involved, or audition.
18. What is your motto in life?
My Motto in life is that everything happens for a reason. I don’t think anything is an accident. I also believe in manifesting the future by the hard work and dedication we put into our dreams today. We have to do the work, physically, emotionally, and mentally. It takes all those steps.
19. Social Media?
My Instagram is @jessicafrancesdukes and my Twitter is @jessiefdukes.
Crew Credits:
Photographer: Mike Ruiz
Model: Jessica Frances Dukes
Fashion Editor/Stylist: Alison Hernon at Agency Gerard Artists
Tearsheets: Emily McKenzie & Emma Miller
Retouching: Pearl Studios Retouching
Fashion Intern: Adele Cardani
