Angela Bassett Gets Real About Chadwick Boseman and Her Emotional Return to Tina Turner

As we discussed her most influential roles, Bassett revealed that she was drawn to these characters because of their inspiring strength and lasting impact. She said, “All of these women, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Betty Shabazz or Katherine Jackson, are about taking steps forward for our kids, to make a better world for our kids and for our people in our community. They’re women of amazing strength, integrity and dignity, and there’s a sense of loyalty they possess. Not breaking under pressure. Maybe nearly, but not breaking.”

As we’ve all seen, Bassett brought these characters to life in a way that was captivating and authentic, but the one that left the biggest mark? Her most famous role: Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do With It?

Aside from her work on Tina, Bassett also spoke with me about the influence of Black Panther, where she plays the strong-willed Queen Ramonda. The groundbreaking Marvel film proved to be a defining moment for people in the Black community and, as it turns out, Bassett’s two children, Slater and Bronwyn Vance, are also big fans.

To help them experience the cultural phenomenon, Bassett invited them to join her behind the scenes during the filming of part one, even if this meant holding their mother's gown or watching a “mountain top of beautifully adorned Black people.” She explained, “They come from majestic people and [they learn to] carry themselves that way, in relationships, in their dealings in their work, in their craft and in their career. That's always a mother's prayer, the best for her children. And sometimes it's giving them the exposure and experiences to the best of our abilities.”

The movie’s sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, will be looking quite different, due to the heartbreaking passing of Chadwick Boseman. Still, Bassett is confident that this follow-up will honor the late actor.

“We will do it with much love and respect to our dear Chadwick," said Bassett. "No doubt, we are a spiritual people so we know that his spirit will permeate that set, even now, until it's presented to audiences. I'm grateful and thankful that we have at the helm producers who respect and support wholly and completely Ryan Coogler and his vision for this.”

As for the film’s storyline, Bassett doesn’t have many details just yet, but it sounds like she’s just as excited as the rest of us are about part two. She said, “I haven't been privy to a script yet, but it should be coming very soon. I'm excited and curious to see what direction we're gonna take. I know that everyone involved is going to give the full measure of their devotion to it.”

According to Marvel Studios, we'll have to wait until July 8, 2022 to see Queen Ramonda return in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but thankfully, we have Bassett’s riveting series, 9-1-1, to tide us over until then. The action drama, which currently airs on Fox, chronicles the lives of Los Angeles first responders, including Bassett’s character Athena Grant, an LAPD patrol sergeant.