This has been a big year for black girl magic, from international glossy magazines featuring black women on the cover of their September issues (Slick Woods fronted ELLE's big autumn fashion issue), to the box office phenomenon that was Black Panther. And now our attention has turned to rising star, Nafessa Williams, who plays the first black, lesbian superhero in Black Lightning, a series adapted from DC Comics.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Nafessa grew up watching, yep you guessed it, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Not only was her home city referenced in that opening song, but it was a rare chance for Nafessa to see herself represented on screen: 'I’d look at the little brown girls and be inspired by them,' she says.

Nafessa's own route to acting was anything but straightforward: she went from modelling to studying criminal justice, and then became an intern at a law firm before deciding to try and make it as an actor. She admits that she, ‘didn’t know how to go about actually following that dream. Being from Philly, I didn’t have any family in the industry. It just seemed like a far-fetched dream at the time’.

Now 28, the dream has become a reality and Nafessa has worked with David Lynch on Twin Peaks and Queen Latifah on her film Brotherly Love. But we're most excited about her superhero role as meta-human Thunder in the second series of Black Lightning.

Styled by Xavier LeBron and make-up by Khamilia Smith. Jarrelle Lee

We caught up with the actress we're sure you're going to be hearing a lot more about to talk superheroes, fashion and what it means to be woke in Hollywood right now.

Have you always been inspired by superheroes?

I've always loved superhero movies, but was fascinated with the ones that included characters like Wonder Woman. I always wanted to play a superhero and see more women play those kinds of roles. I studied a lot of women in action like Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron to prepare me for Black Lightning. I also saw Black Panther and loved the visuals and fighting scenes to claim the throne. I was fascinated by the strong women depicted in the film, that to me was very inspiring.

What response have you received to starring in Black Lightning?

I’ve been going to a lot of fan conventions with the cast recently. I had one woman in particular come up to me and said that after seeing, Thunder [Nafessa's character], on screen, she felt normal. I was just like, wow! It was so rewarding for me to know we are able to inspire a whole generation of lesbians.

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What does playing the first black lesbian superhero mean to you in the age of Time’s Up and Me Too?

When you think about the history behind it, it’s crazy: the magnitude of that for our society. I’m so grateful to be an inspiration, for people to look up to someone they haven’t had before: especially young black lesbians. That’s the most rewarding and fulfilling [thing about the role].

Did you have any doubts about the role or the criticism you would get?

I didn’t have any doubts about playing Thunder, I was excited to play a character that our community hasn’t seen before; a role I have never played before. I’ve always been opposite men which can get kind of boring, so when I found out I was going to be opposite a woman, I was excited because I always like to take on challenges and this was completely new to me.

I wasn’t worried about the criticism because I knew I wanted to bring the foundation of love to the character and show the truth of the relationship between whomever my love interest would be. I didn’t overthink playing a lesbian and wasn’t concerned about what anyone else would think about it either.

Nafessa Williams at the 2018 CW Network Upfront Taylor Hill Getty Images

The show addresses socio-political issues such as gun violence, what impact do you think this has?

Salim Akil, the shows executive producer, does a real good job at taking real social issues in our country and tying it perfectly to the series. Showing the issues that are happening no matter how uncomfortable they are, hopefully it inspires change.

We love Thunder's power outfit, how did you react when you first saw it?

I cried my first time putting it on, that gives you an idea of how meaningful it is to me. It’s a dream come true. I didn’t have a superhero that looked like me growing up, so it’s really a dream to be able to be that person for black children now. There’s been such a shift in Hollywood with black superheroes, between Black Panther and our show, I’m really excited and honoured to be a part of that wave.

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Can you tell us more about your background, your upbringing and the women you look up to?

Growing up I’d watch The Cosby Show and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air; I’d look at the little brown girls and be inspired by them. I didn’t know how to go about actually following that dream. Being from Philly, I didn’t have any family in the industry. It just seemed like a far-fetched dream at the time. I’d always done some modelling and acting in the city here and there, but it wasn’t until I was working at a law firm that I realised how unhappy I was.

I realised I had to do what I really love. No matter how hard it was going to be, I needed to just start from the bottom and make my way up. I really look up to my mother and the strength that she has built in me, especially the strength in her faith, which has inspired me to turn my dreams into reality.

You worked on Twin Peaks with David Lynch, how did this prepare you for other projects since then?

Working with a legendary director who was so kind, patient and easy going helped me relax, be myself and ultimately feel comfortable on set. The professionalism and knowledge David Lynch brought to the project really resonated and allowed me to take away an amazing experience and apply it to future projects.



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You've also launched a fashion label, Saturday Dreaming, with your best friend. How did that come about?

We wanted to make affordable pieces for women who are making it but want to look like they’ve already made it. I know what it’s like to be in college and not have the budget to fully look the way I want to. So, I wanted to give that back. We launched it two years ago with young girl bosses who want to follow their dreams in mind.

If you could dress one celebrity in Saturday Dreaming, who would it be?

Beyoncé! I love Beyoncé.

What does the rest of 2018 have in store for you?

More movies! Comedies, I hope. My dream is to be on Saturday Night Live, I’m going to do everything to make that happen. There’s so much I want to do. I want to do a love story and I see myself venturing off into the beauty world and expanding my fashion line. But before that we're shooting the second series of Black Lightning soon, which will be out later this year.

Nafessa Williams at the premiere of Showtime’s Twin Peaks JB Lacroix Getty Images

Black Lightning season one is available on Netflix now.

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