So I did."
I’ve lovedGirlfriends, andSex and the City, and evenLiving Single, though that was more co-ed."
So I did."
Jerrie Johnson, Meagan Good, Grace Byers, and Shoniqua Shandai star in ‘Harlem’ on Amazon Prime Video.Sarah Shatz/Amazon
“With Megan Good’s character for example, Camille thought she was doing everything right.
That did not resonate with the creator and many of her peers.
“I was like, ‘But I’m in my thirties and I don’t have everything together.’
Screenwriter Tracy Oliver at the premiere of ‘Girls Trip.'.Barry King/Getty Images
I don’t want to fake it.
There’s gotta be a queer Black actress out there that maybe we just haven’t discovered.”
Luckily, Good was open to notes, which included locs (an eight-hour hairstyling process).
Shoniqua Shandai, Meagan Good, Grace Byers, and Jerrie Johnson star in ‘Harlem’ on Amazon Prime Video.Sarah Shatz/Amazon
“This was before she knew she had [the role],” Oliver recalls.
And then as soon as she did, we were all like, ‘Oh, it’s her.
It’s absolutely her.’
Grace Byers, Shoniqua Shandai, Jerrie Johnson, and Meagan Good star in ‘Harlem’ on Amazon Prime Video.Sarah Shatz/Amazon Studios
And she was amazing.
And I was wrong.
And all of these things put together.”
“What Meagan brings also is a likability and a vulnerability to the character too,” OIiver adds.
“It’s hard to makeAmy Poehlerlaugh.
Shandai’s unique look also helped her secure the role.
“I love that she’s dark skinned.
I love that she has this big, beautiful ‘fro, she has a gap in her front teeth.
“People are really going to appreciate just all the variety of beauty on the show.
None of them look alike.
They’re all different heights and weights and hair textures and complexions.
It’s a true love story between them and they’re always there for each other.”
All ten episodes ofHarlempremiere Dec. 3 on Prime Video.
Take a look at EW’s exclusive first-look images of the show above.
