Pauletta Washington is the new Black mother on Television we didn’t know we needed!

Pauletta Washington as Lu in Hulu’s newest series Reasonable Doubt is the black mother television needed. She is complex, strong willed, caring, and all about keeping the family together. 

I had the exceptional time speaking with Pauletta about her role, the show, and why this was something she couldn’t turn down. 

Before I get into our conversation, I want to make sure for those who aren’t familiar with Reasonable Doubt understand what the show is about. First the show is executive produced by Kerry Washington so you all know there are going to be twists and turns right when you think you have situations and characters figured out. 

We follow the life of high powered and profiled defense attorney Jax Stewart played by Emayatzy Corinealdi as she juggles work, family, friends, and complicated personal life in Los Angeles.

Cox: For you what was it about this role that made you say yup this is the one.

Washington: Mama Lu isn’t your run-of-the-mill mother. She is a black mother! That alone presents many complexities. There is no straight line being a black mother because it’s not a black line being a black woman. So you add these two together you get layers on layers with the character.

Washington (contin): So I was excited! Mama Lu is a well-educated woman who has raised her child so you see her being financially stable,  responsible and independent. She just has a lot of life. I was excited more because you later see that things go left with her character when you learn even more about her backstory.

Cox: Pauletta, Mama Lu is that traditional black matriarch we all see with our mothers, aunties, and grandmothers in our families. She doesn’t believe in divorce and she wants to keep the family together.

Washington: And that’s what I love for her. I loved her from the moment I started reading the first script that was sent to me. She embodies everyone I have known in my family and in other families. I was excited to incorporate all of those women that I knew into Mama Lu.

Washington(contin): She is the matriarch of the show. She loves her only daughter Jax. And I tell Emayatzy all the time Jax wouldn’t be Jax without Mama Lu. 

Cox: One thing about Mama Lu throughout the series she is fighting for Jax’s husband Lewis while they are going through their separation period. She is almost acting like an attorney for him (laughs)

Washington: (laughs) Yes she is all up in the mix even when Jax doesn’t want her in it. But that’s what a Mama does. She wants that perfect family for Jax. I mean obviously we have seen that Mama Lu’s family wasn’t perfect, but she wants something different for her Jax.

Cox: I think the reason Jax and Mama Lu butt heads is that they are so similar. It’s almost like looking at a young and older version of the same person per se.

Washington: Yes and that’s why I would say Jax is more determined than stubborn. It was all those lessons instilled into her. 

Cox: As Mama Lu fights to keep Jax and Stewart together I think it also shows the beauty of a black woman saying she has a choice to not stay in a marriage just because and not because of something like infidelity. 

Washington: That’s it! Jax is saying I have a choice. Jax is showing Mama Lu that she is going to step outside of the choices she has made for her until now. It’s beautiful because you see this woman standing firm and saying I will not do that because it’s not what I want to do. 

Washington (contin): Now Mama Lu will not agree with it all the time because it’s not fitting what she wants. But it’s not about what Mama Lu wants and Jax is making sure she knows it. 

Washington (contin): And I’m saying this as Mama Lu and Pauletta Washington the mother. It’s different when you are a parent and we have to remember Jax as a young daughter too. When you are a child, you ignore what your parents tell you. I did (laughs). But now as a mother and grown woman I can say my mother ain’t never lied when she said I would see later on in life. 

Cox: This show takes on such a journey with twists and turns! These people are flawed and we see it. 

Washington: That’s what I like about it because that’s life. The show shows the real and reality of life. I love fantasy but that only lasts for so long. Reality comes sooner than later and can hit you with an upper left. I like that I can present this character that has a certain tone at first and then you get surprised. This excites the audience, and it makes you think. 

Washington (contin.): These twists and turns with a character challenges me as an actress because they make me think too. It’s because I have to dig deep and make sure that change or twist with a character comes across to the audience.