Essence Atkins expressed her excitement about starring in CBS’ upcoming sitcom “Poppa’s House” alongside Damon Wayans Sr., marking a significant moment in her nearly three-decade career with the Wayans family.
Atkins shared with TheWrap that her decision to join the show came from the opportunity to work with Damon Wayans Sr., someone she had not collaborated with before. “It was Damon. I had worked with [Damon Wayans] Junior on ‘Dance Flick.’ I had worked with basically the entire [first] generation,” she reflected. “Like, everybody but Damon, who is iconic and amazing and has done such incredible pioneering work in the realm of comedy, and so I just felt like he was my last frontier in this family. I was like, ‘I got to work with Damon.’”
In “Poppa’s House,” Atkins plays Dr. Ivy Reed, a determined and confident psychologist partnering with veteran radio host Poppa (Wayans) to revitalize his show’s declining ratings. “Dr. Ivy is all heart, but masking it with achievement,” she explained. “She leads with the things that she has done, and I think that’s a common place for independent, strong women. But underneath that — and you see it a bit in the pilot — she does care and has such a big heart.”
Atkins elaborated on Dr. Ivy’s motives for joining Poppa’s show, describing a dynamic relationship that includes both comedic tension and respect. She mentioned that Ivy recognizes Poppa’s significance in her life and is not afraid to express her admiration for his work in the genre. “I think that’s an important thing for all of us to be able to acknowledge, is when we meet someone who has been a hero of ours, to be able to give people their flowers,” she stated.
Having a long-standing professional relationship with the Wayans family, Atkins noted that her connection dates back to 1995 when she first appeared on “The Wayans Brothers.” “I’ve worked with the family for so long. It’s literally almost 30 years since I first worked with this family,” she said.
Atkins emphasized that, despite her familiarity with the Wayans, securing a role in their projects requires effort and merit. “You’re being vetted. You’re not just being handed the key to the kingdom … you have to earn it,” she insisted, recounting her screen test and the comprehensive hiring process at CBS.
She drew a parallel between the Wayans and other successful creators who frequently collaborate with the same actors, such as Judd Apatow. “I feel like the Wayans have done that, not just with their family, but also with people that have come to know, love, respect, and trust,” she said.
Atkins concluded by expressing her enthusiasm for the show, especially the father-son dynamic between Damon Sr. and Jr. “The love between them is palpable, and I particularly am so excited about the world getting to witness, not just two brilliant comedians, but a Black man and his son really love on each other in a very funny way.”
“Poppa’s House” is set to premiere on Monday, October 21, at 8:30 p.m. EST/PST on CBS.