An Interview with Erika Alexander from ‘Run the World’

Erika Alexander is a highly accomplished actor that has appeared in a number of iconic films and shows throughout her career. Currently, she stars as Barb on the STARZ series, Run the World, and we here at NTG had the distinct honor of speaking with Erika to discuss Barb and the upcoming second season of this revolutionary show.
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John Betancourt: Now how you did you become involved with Run the World?

Erika Alexander: Yvette Lee Bowser. Yvette Lee Bowser is the creator of Living Single. And she invited me to play this. And I was happy to be invited.

John Betancourt: So, what was it that attract you as an actor, to Barb?

Erika Alexander: Barb… is a life force. She is the… you know, the person that I think we all have in our lives in some way that is direct, can be brutal, but is fair and honest. She's also living in the moment. She's not just talking about it; she's being about it. And so, I really love that, because there's an opportunity to play someone like that. That's always fun.

John Betancourt: And I couldn’t help but notice that Barb is something of the guide for this show, correct me if I’m wrong there.

Erika Alexander: That’s the truth. She might guide them straight to Hell, but she’s gonna guide them.

John Betancourt: I said guide, I didn’t say what kind. (Laughter from John and Erika.) But with that in mind, how do you as an actor get into the mind of playing someone like that?

Erika Alexander: Um, I think all my life that I've been put in an interesting position to play really strong characters, I really have. And I have a background of having gone to Philadelphia High School for Girls. And I had strong instructors, male and female who told us that the world would not play pitty-pat with us, it was gonna… it was going to be sometimes you get hit, and we'd have to get used to it. And what were what were we going to do? We'd have to get up again, we'd have to be resilient. And I think that that's the kindest thing you can do to somebody is tell them the truth about life. And then they go out and get it and they go, “Oh, well, they did say it wasn't going to be easy. They did say that people may not take me seriously. And I'm just going to keep doing it. Because that's what I've been instructed to do. But that's what I'm designed to do. You know, that's what's in my DNA.” So, I'm really happy that I had some forecasting from good people.

John Betancourt: Now in keeping with Barb’s role on the show, that puts her in a unique position in season two since she’s watching everyone deal with their respective journeys and goals. So, what would you say, Barb is searching for in season two?

Erika Alexander: You know, I want to say that Barb is searching for what everybody is searching for, which is love and significance. To love and be loved. I really do. And it can look like ambition. It can look like career choices and goals and that type of thing. But everybody wants to have somebody think that they are essential to the scene. And she's found it in a way, they are becoming, she has arrived, she can tell them a little bit about the lay of the land. But she also has further to go herself. So, she's looking for their energy to, you know, embed in her so she can move forward. So, there's some reciprocity, and it's a generational conversation. But it's happening.

John Betancourt: Now this is… a very important show through and through. What does it meant to you to be part of it?

Erika Alexander: I love it, I would watch the show, even if I weren't on it. And that's saying something because you know, time is a beast. It's very important. I obviously was in a show that was similar many years ago about… actually this year, 30 years ago, and we didn't know then what it would become now. And I think it's like a little message in a bottle. You put stuff in there and people watch it in real time. And then you hope that it resonates. And this gives me another chance 30 years, again, to put another message in a bottle, in a similar place that I'm not the same but I'm in the milieu and I'm glad that I get to be around this really fantastic ensemble company. They are killers, the writing is complex and fun. And it's also you know, Harlem and the diversity of it, and the fun of New York. It feels good. It's pretty and its glossy. I love that.

John Betancourt: In keeping with that theme of messaging, what do you hope audiences take away from a messaging standpoint this season?

Erika Alexander: I think that people should not be so worried about the results or the outcome. That they've got to get on with life, that there's no guarantees. And it's okay to jump and not know, it's okay to make mistakes, and then get back on the road if that's what you want to do. But it's also saying, “You know what, I don't want to do that,” and turn back around or turn on a different path and move on. And so, I'm hoping that they can see that these people are actually making those things, real for them. And not because it's like a fake story or unrealistic. It's because it's very realistic to life. It's just that I think that people need to be reminded that nobody really knows anything until they know something. So, try it. Why not?

John Betancourt: In keeping in that theme, what do you hope the audiences takes away from Barb’s journey this season?

Erika Alexander: Oh, shoot, you know, Barb is in it to win it, baby, you know it, you hear me? She is there to show them the way, she's also there to learn a little bit. And be reminded, she gives a lot of advice out, she may think she's a life coach, that type of thing. But is she taking her own advice, she actually going out there and, and not just being the person who's done it, but the person who will continue to do it. And go over her borders. You know, it looks like she has none. But she does. She's very, you know, accomplished. And sometimes that can make you more stuck than you realize. So that's what I hope they see that Barb may, you know, get something from them too, to move forward.  

John Betancourt: So, we’ve talked a lot about the philosophical side of the show, but we need to talk about the comedy and the fun side of the show. With that in mind, what are you excited for audiences to experience, in general, in season two?

Erika Alexander: Laughs. Fun. Embarrassment. I love when people are embarrassed in these types of things, they make mistakes, and they don't know what to do. Confusion may be too much of a good thing and you don't know what to do. You know, that can be weird. It can be weird to do it in front of your friends and still trying to fake… like, you know, what's going on, and you got it under control. So that's what I like. I mean, they're very accessible. The young women are bonding with each other and learning more about each other. And Barb is there in the mix. You know… having a cocktail, watching, watching the fireworks. (Laughter from John and Erika)

John Betancourt: Now in talking to you, and your castmates about this show, there’s just been a real sense of fun from all of you. So, I’d be a fool to not ask what it’s like on set and what it’s like to work with this cast.

Erika Alexander: You know, John… they suck. (Laughter from John and Erika.)

John Betancourt: Perfect, there we go. Got the dirt. Got the tea.

Erika Alexander: I really hate them. I hate those girls. (More laughter) But actually, it's you know, it's very close, is very close, they keep a tight ship. And we run really hard. And you know, the crew, you know, we still have, you know, COVID set rules, and everybody abides by them. But it gets done. Obviously, you've been in the business a long time, so you know that everything's on a deadline. And the best thing that you can do is do your best, but also to do it with people that you like, and, you know, have fun doing it. That's like a bonus. That's not a given. And that is exactly what's here, not only in the show, but also the crew in New York. And everywhere we go. It is just absolutely welcoming. And it's also a testimony to what Americans have built in the landscape of entertainment, that we built these fictional sets that can coexist with real life. I love that. So beautiful.

John Betancourt: Last question I have for you today, what are you most proud of when it comes to your work on this show?

Erika Alexander: Friendship, long friendships that remembered when they created something, to invite someone that they hadn't worked with, in quite a while, nearly 30 years, to the party. And I think that speaks to the value of the work but also the longevity of perhaps how I participated and what I contributed to. And so, I'm really proud that my contribution as an actor and as a person makes people remember that when they're making something that they should perhaps invite me along to the party.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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