Angela Bassett on Presidential Role in Netflix's "Zero Day" (March 2025)

Summary

Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist: In-Depth Conversation with Angela Bassett

Episode: Angela Bassett on Presidential Role in Netflix's "Zero Day"
Release Date: July 13, 2025

---

Introduction

In this episode of "Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist," host Willie Geist engages in a comprehensive and heartfelt conversation with the acclaimed actress Angela Bassett. The discussion delves into Bassett's illustrious career, her latest role as the President of the United States in Netflix's gripping new series "Zero Day," and her reflections on representation, personal growth, and the evolving landscape of Hollywood.

---

Angela Bassett’s Journey to Stardom

Early Life and Education

Angela Bassett opens up about her upbringing in St. Petersburg, Florida, highlighting her achievements as a straight-A student involved in student government, drama club, and cheerleading. Her academic prowess led her to Yale University, where she earned her undergraduate degree before pursuing a Master’s in Fine Arts at the prestigious School of Drama. It was at Yale where Bassett met her husband, actor Courtney B. Vance.

"[00:49] Willie Geist: So she plays the sitting President of the United States when this happens and she calls in a former President of the United States, Robert De Niro, to lead the investigation."

Discovering Her Passion for Acting

Bassett recounts her early fascination with theater, inspired by a move to Florida and a transformative performance of "Of Mice and Men" at the Oslo Theater in Sarasota. This experience ignited her passion for acting, leading her to recreate scenes at school and eventually pursue formal training.

"[15:17] Angela Bassett: I felt so nerve-wracked, but it felt great at the end when you heard the applause."

---

Breakthrough Roles and Early Career

"Boyz n the Hood" and Initial Challenges

Bassett reflects on her breakthrough role in John Singleton's "Boyz n the Hood" (1991), despite the early challenges actors of color faced in Hollywood. She emphasizes the significance of timing and the gradual shift towards more diverse storytelling in the industry.

"[25:26] Angela Bassett: So Boys n the Hood comes along soon after that, a couple years later... it's fair to say, and you'll correct me if I'm wrong, that What's Love Got to Do With It was the..."

Challenges Despite Accolades

Despite winning a Golden Globe and receiving an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Tina Turner in "What's Love Got to Do With It," Bassett discusses the ongoing scarcity of substantial roles for women of color, highlighting the systemic barriers within Hollywood.

"[03:09] Angela Bassett: There just weren't parts for people like her."

---

Collaboration with Robert De Niro and "Zero Day"

Working with a Hollywood Legend

Bassett shares her experience working alongside Robert De Niro in "Zero Day," marking his first foray into a television series. She describes De Niro as "generous," "warm," and "engaging," fostering a collaborative and supportive environment on set.

"[09:51] Angela Bassett: But he was just as generous on screen, off screen, warm, engaging, curious..."

Portraying the President

Transitioning into her role as the President in "Zero Day," Bassett discusses the complexities of portraying such a powerful and authoritative figure. She emphasizes the balance between exhibiting calm leadership and revealing the character's underlying vulnerabilities.

"[04:54] Angela Bassett: So what do you think when they say and you're going to be President of the United States? Oh, Lord. Well, this is a role I've never done taken on before."

Series Structure and Cinematic Quality

Bassett appreciates the six-part structure of "Zero Day," likening it to an anthology of six interconnected films. This format allows for a deep exploration of characters and intricate storytelling without the constraints of traditional episodic pacing.

"[08:21] Angela Bassett: I was happy to be able to see it on a big screen... we have time to really unpack the story slowly."

---

Impact of "Black Panther" and Cultural Representation

"Black Panther" Phenomenon

Discussing her role as Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther" and its sequel, Bassett highlights the cultural significance and global impact of the franchise. She speaks to the universal resonance of the film, transcending demographics and fostering a sense of representation for Black audiences worldwide.

"[34:27] Angela Bassett: It's all about illuminating this human experience that we're having."

Working with Chadwick Boseman

Bassett shares poignant memories of working with the late Chadwick Boseman, describing him as "a soulful human being" and "warm." She reflects on their shared experiences and the profound influence Boseman had on her both professionally and personally.

"[37:12] Angela Bassett: I'm so blessed that I got an opportunity to meet him and to work with him... he was just as warm as you can imagine."

---

The Importance of Gratitude and Reflection

Acknowledging Her Roots

Throughout the conversation, Bassett emphasizes the importance of remembering one's origins. She attributes her success to the mentors and experiences that shaped her, fostering a deep sense of gratitude and humility despite her fame.

"[42:25] Angela Bassett: If you can remain grateful, you can appreciate what others have to contribute."

Personal Growth and Continuous Learning

Bassett discusses her commitment to the craft of acting, always striving for improvement and embracing every role as an opportunity to learn and grow. Her dedication is underscored by her willingness to take on diverse and challenging parts.

"[20:44] Angela Bassett: Get better every time out. Right."

---

Conclusion

The episode culminates with Bassett reflecting on her remarkable journey from a passionate young girl in Florida to one of Hollywood's most respected actresses. Her insights offer a profound look into the intersection of personal ambition, systemic challenges, and the transformative power of authentic storytelling.

"[42:34] Angela Bassett: It really fosters a sense of gratitude, and I think that's an important character to be grateful for your experiences."

Willie Geist closes the conversation by thanking Bassett and encouraging listeners to stream "Zero Day" on Netflix, highlighting the significance of her ongoing contributions to both television and film.

---

Key Takeaways

• Representation Matters: Angela Bassett underscores the crucial role of diverse narratives in media, advocating for more inclusive storytelling that reflects the multifaceted nature of society.

• Collaboration with Esteemed Peers: Working with industry legends like Robert De Niro enriches the creative process, fostering environments where actors can thrive and deliver nuanced performances.

• Gratitude and Grounded Success: Bassett's journey exemplifies the importance of staying humble and appreciative of one's beginnings, regardless of the heights achieved in one's career.

• Evolving Storytelling Formats: The success of "Zero Day" illustrates the potential of serialized storytelling to delve deeper into complex narratives, offering audiences a more immersive and cinematic experience.

---

Notable Quotes:

• "[04:58] Angela Bassett: Oh, Lord. Well, this is a role I've never done taken on before..."

• "[32:30] Willie Geist: That's right."

• "[37:40] Willie Geist: Yes, I want to take care."

---

Listen to the full conversation on Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist.

Transcript

[Nature's Bounty Advertiser]

Your body is brilliant. Nature's Bounty has a bounty of solutions to help you thrive, supporting your systems from your head to your heels. Nature's Bounty High Absorption Magnesium Glycinate supports heart, bone, nerve and muscle health, while just one hair growth capsule a day helps grow thicker, fuller hair. Delicious new Nature's Bounty Probiotic Gummies contain prebiotics and postbiotics, supporting gut health, regularity and immune health. Nature's Bounty it's in your nature. Learn [e-mail] these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

[Quilted Northern Advertiser]

We quilt this city we quilt this city with a comfy roll with Quilted.

Northern to be specific.

So cushy and so plushy. Just give it a try.

Feeling is believing Quilted with three cushy layers for your comfort.

The quilted comfort of Quilted Northern we.

Know what's comfy and now you do too. Keep it quilted with Quilted Northern Foreign.

[Willie Geist]

Hey guys, Willie Geist here with another episode of the Sunday Sit down podcast. My thanks as always for clicking and listening along. I am so excited to bring you my conversation today with one of my favorite actresses and one of the most accomplished actresses in all of Hollywood. She is the great Angela Bassett. She's starring as the President of the United States in the buzzed about new Netflix series Zero Day which stars Robert De Niro. It follows the aftermath of a massive devastating cyber attack in the United States and what would happen if something like that took place now. So she plays the sitting President of the United States when this happens and she calls in a former President of the United States, Robert De Niro, to lead the investigation. Super gripping six part series. De Niro's first ever series that he's participated in. Great cast. Jesse Plemons is in it. Connie Britton's in it. Has a really, really good cast and a great kind of gripping storyline. So we get into that and we get into her backstory. She was raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. Superstar, straight A student, student government, drama club, cheerleader. She did it all went on to Yale where she got her undergraduate degree and then her Master's in Fine Arts from the famed School of Drama where she also by the way met her husb. The actor Courtney B. Vance started on the stages of New York before moving west to Hollywood. My favorite movie of all time, or maybe one of them is Boyz n the Hood. She played the mother of Trey, who was played by Cuba Gooding Jr. In the movie. I loved her in that so much. It was the first time I noticed her and she says it was really her first big role and then they started to come from that breakout is 1993. She plays Tina Turner in what's Love Got to Do With It. But interesting to hear discussed that that didn't necessarily, necessarily open all the doors of Hollywood for her, despite the fact she won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar.

[Angela Bassett]

You'll hear her talk about it.

[Willie Geist]

There just weren't parts for people like her. And she gets into that. And then comes Stella Got Her Groove Back and all these movies that sort of. She plugged into had massive success and then her career went off from there. Obviously we got to talk about her playing Queen Ramonda in Black Panther and we talk about the late Chadwick Boseman.

[Angela Bassett]

What that was like for her as well.

[Willie Geist]

You remember she was nominated for an Academy Award a coup of years ago for the sequel of Black Panther. So so much to talk about with. Really just so smart and so wise and so great. Excited to bring you my conversation right now with Angela Bassett on the Sunday Sit down podcast.

[Angela Bassett]

It's so nice to meet you, Angela. I'm such a huge fan of yours. I was just telling you, going back to Boyz n The hood in 91, all the way to this incredible new series. So thank you for doing this.

Thank you.

[Willie Geist]

You're welcome.

[Angela Bassett]

So let's start at the end of that timeline with this unbelievable new Netflix series called Zero Day which centers around a cyber attack in the United States. You play the President of the United States in the series. When you heard the premise and you heard Robert De Niro is in it, was it an easy yes for you?

Absolutely. You know, it's an offer I could absolutely, could not, could not say no to. And, and as well the director Leslie Linker Glatter, who's, you know, we know from Homeland and other things, and she's worked with her years ago as well on a show called er.

Yes, I've heard of it.

[Willie Geist]

Yes. So she's wonderful. Get an opportunity to work with her.

[Angela Bassett]

With Robert on this incredibly well written six part series as president. Oh my.

So what do you think when they say and you're going to be President of the United States?

Oh, Lord. Well, this is a role I've never done taken on before. You think it would be easy, but not quite. It's just, it just felt like this fine line that you have to walk of, you know, of being calm of not in the face of not knowing A lot of needing great deal of counsel. I mean, because you have to keep others, you know, instill confidence in others that will make it through whatever the catastrophe or the danger is.

You've played so many powerful, authoritative women, whether it's a queen or the head of the CIA or the director of the Secret Service. Is that a kind of role that you like to step into?

You know, it, it just at some point began to happen that I guess I come across as, you know, someone with authority or assurance or presence, you know, or grounded. And it began to happen. And sometimes these roles, you know, early on when it started, sometimes there's not a lot of their backstory, their history. Do they have a family, do they have children, where go to school, you know, you know, what are the issues that they're dealing with. But I was, you know, to be able to. You want to put someone in there that is like, oh, there's something going on behind the eyes there is a life. She knows more than I know. So it's sort of like it's unscripted or unwritten. But we as the audience have to feel that, yes, you know, there's more to her than just the words she's saying right now.

You can see the humanity in her as the show plays out. So I mentioned that this is about a cyber attack, without giving too much away.

Attack that takes place across the whole of the. Of the nation of the United states simultaneously for 60, you know, for a straight hour, causes so much death, you know, so many fatalities, so much chaos, mayhem, there's uncertainty. And then on the phone, there's a message that everyone receives that's mysterious and.

[Willie Geist]

It'S sort of foreboding as well, because.

[Angela Bassett]

Now we know that it's intentional. I mean, we really, we're being told that, yes, you were targeted. Absolutely.

Part of the reason I think it works too, and it's so unsettling is because it does feel like something, I hate to say that could happen. Right. I mean, there's, there's some. We hear about cyber attacks and all the, the ways that cyber is being used in terms of warfare. Do you think. Did as you.

A lot of time in Situation Room?

I guess, yes. As you read this script, did you sort of the real world implications of our lives being so connected to tech?

I would for a moment, and then I get a lot of anxiety.

[Willie Geist]

My solar plexus.

[Angela Bassett]

But yeah, especially as we sat around doing the read through and we were talking about it and our writers, Nora Oppenheim and Eric Newman are very Smart guys, I mean, at least they present it to you with a bit of a wink, a smile and an assurance. But it's like at some point for.

[Willie Geist]

Me, it was like, okay, stop. Sure, I'm going to get up, I'm going to leave right now.

[Angela Bassett]

Yeah. It just doesn't seem that outlandish. I can see where we could get to this terrifying place.

We have so much dependence, you know, on our technology.

I'm curious, given all the amazing jobs you've had and the movies you've done and your successful TV series, do you like this format, which is six episodes? It's a series, but has a cinematic quality. It feels like six movies. Do you like, enjoy this?

Absolutely. I was talking to one of the, to the. One of our cast members last night was saying it's almost too beautiful and big and cinematic a story for my little television. So I was happy to be able to see it on a big screen. As big a screen as possible. It is. And I like having the opportunity over the course of six episodes to really unpack the story slowly. Nothing's rushed because sometimes, you know, if you're within okay, in the first act, this has to happen second act, third.

[Willie Geist]

Resolve for that conclusion, you know, so.

[Angela Bassett]

It takes us time, takes more time to unpack and get to know the characters. And there's so many interesting characters, you know, within the series and they all have their, their motives and their intentions and their, their stories. So you're like, hmm, do I follow this guy? Yeah, yeah, he's my guy. Wait a minute. But they're all making great and, you know, great substantial points that make sense.

Yeah.

Until they don't.

Right, right. It all fits into that matrix. You have worked with Robert before, but what was it like at this stage of both of your careers? Just such well regarded actors. What was it like to work with him?

Oh, it was wonderful. You know, still a little bit of nerves because. The legend and the man.

[Willie Geist]

Exactly.

[Angela Bassett]

But he was just as generous on screen, off screen, warm, engaging, curious, you know, in terms of, you know, working on the scene, working through the scene. But it was amazing. And you know, so I've come along since then, being the young actor 25 years ago, you know, I've been making my little steps on this journey. So it was great to meet as sitting and former president was like, whew.

And he has said such great things about working with you too, which must be so gratifying.

It is.

To have reached that point where he's honored to be sharing scenes with you as well, you know, told him yesterday, thanks.

Thanks for bringing me along in this journey because I worked with him once. I mean, that's a dream come true, right, for any of us actors, but.

Twice to get to do it again.

Yeah, yeah. A bit of favor is the.

You mentioned you like the format. I think De Niro said this project was like swimming the English Channel, which is. It was a big achievement, but it is like kind of six movies and he's used to just doing his film and that's it.

Yeah, this is his first.

Grueling in some way. Were you able to help him through it or share any advice?

You know, I think Leslie, our director and, you know, everyone, the whole crew, we really took our time with it. You know, I do a 18 episode.

[Willie Geist]

Series and we really go at it. At it. Maybe we get, you know, four days Thanksgiving off, a little bit of Christmas.

[Angela Bassett]

But we continually go at it and sometimes if it's all you. And some episodes are, you know, you know, demand my character to be there every day. You feel it in your bones by the end of seven days. But we really took our time with this and didn't rush it to that degree. But over. Over six months. So I guess it was like six separate movies for him.

[Willie Geist]

No matter what I'm trying to say, you know, we brought it easy.

[Angela Bassett]

But no, you're like, come work on a weekly show. I'll show you what grueling looks like. Is it gratifying, Angela, to hear these early reviews of the series that people who have had the chance to see it say, this is one of the best shows to come along in a long time? That's gotta feel great.

It really is. It really is. I've gotten a chance to, you know, talk with some people who've seen a number of the episodes and just their, you know, excitement, exuberance and it's.

[Willie Geist]

And curiosity and no, I don't want to give it away, but, you know, I had some fear and anxiety and, you know, the heads going back to see that response.

[Angela Bassett]

You don't get.

[Willie Geist]

Get that, you know, you don't get that often, so.

[Angela Bassett]

Well, you all were nice enough to give me a sneak peek and I made it through four episodes and there are six. And I have to say, I don't want to. I love my daughter, but I was like, oh, do I have to go to her basketball game? I really would like to finish this show. I did go to the basketball game for his wife. So I have two waiting for me on the other side of this. So congratulations. On it.

[Willie Geist]

Thank you.

Hey guys, thanks for listening to the Sunday Sit down podcast. Stick around to hear more from Angela Bassett right after the break.

[Nature's Bounty Advertiser]

Your body is brilliant. Nature's Bounty has a bounty of solutions to help you thrive, supporting your systems from your head to your heels. Nature's Bounty High absorption magnesium glycinate supports heart, bone, nerve and muscle health, while just one hair growth capsule a day helps grow thicker, fuller hair. Delicious new Nature's Bounty probiotic gummies contain prebiotics and postbiotics supporting gut health, regularity and immune health. Nature's Bounty. It's in your nature. Learn [e-mail] these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

[Hershey's Advertiser]

Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Whole Almonds makes for a wholly amazing, wholly delicious experience that's, well holy Hershey's. Everyone should get to experience the satisfying surprise of a whole almond tucked inside creamy Hershey's Chocolate. So don't wait your whole life to try Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Whole almonds. And if you've already had it, then chances are you're already a lifelong fan of this confectionary delight. Find Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Whole Almonds wherever Candy is sold.

[McCormick Advertiser]

McCormick knows unbeatable flavor starts with the right spices. It's why we created Flavour Seal. So anytime you peel back the seal of McCormick herbs and spices, you can be confident they will pack the same amount of flavor as the day they were packed. The kind of flavor that brings out the best of your favorite recipes and keeps everyone coming back for seconds or maybe even thirds. McCormick flavor sealed for unbeatable flavor.

[Willie Geist]

Welcome back. Now, more of my conversation with Angela Bassett.

[Angela Bassett]

Wanted to ask you also just, you know, people love you so much about like the foundation and the, the roots of your acting career, which is you were born in New York, didn't live here very long, moved to North Carolina for a short spell, then to Florida. So at what point, Angela, does performance and acting come into your life?

Oh yeah. As a little 15 year old girl who was writing in her diary every.

[Willie Geist]

Day, you know, attempting to express herself.

[Angela Bassett]

Because no one understands, especially parents.

[Willie Geist]

We know that, you know, and parents.

[Angela Bassett]

Teachers, you know, whatever's going on in the world. And I had an opportunity through this program that I was involved in to go to the theater, to the Oslo Theater in Sarasota, Florida, to the Kennedy center when we would have our, you know, when they would have the national meetings of this group called Upward Bound. And it was there that I sat in the audience and saw this phenomenal performance of Mice and Men. And I was so moved by it at the end that I was literally the only person sitting in the theater.

[Willie Geist]

Weeping, crying, as the ushers are cleaning up programs. And I was like, I feel if I could make people feel as bad as I feel right now, how would that be? And so returned home and just started trying to do that. What I saw, you know, recreate what I saw on the stage. And, you know, my school had a drama program that didn't do any theater, any drama, any plays. We didn't have, I guess, the structure to do it.

[Angela Bassett]

But I said, well, we can do scenes, right? Maybe everyone just go and find a scene and we're supposed to string it together and we can have a night of something. And I went to my great grandmother.

[Willie Geist]

And borrowed one of her.

[Angela Bassett]

Her dresses, and I did a Raisin in the sun. You know, mama. And the, the audience, you know, applause and oohs and ahs. It was like. It sort of scares you for a moment, like. And I. I said, well, let me continue. I felt so. I was nerve wracked, but it felt great at the end when you heard the app. And I, I kept at it, even going on to college. And. And I remember one of my. My teachers said, oh, you got to do Yale, Angela. They're really known. But the theater programs. And I had no idea. But he didn't mean undergrad, because that theater studies program literally began the day.

[Willie Geist]

I stepped on the stairs.

[Angela Bassett]

Is that right?

[Willie Geist]

It was the graduate school.

[Angela Bassett]

So I had my eye on there because I just wanted to get all the techniques that I could, because I knew nothing except how I felt when I watch theater or when I'm on the stage.

And you're a star high school student, right? I mean, you're in the theater, in the choir, but also student government and a cheerleader and all of that.

One of those people.

All of that, right? No, but it's so interesting. I mean, you. You got into and attended Yale without theater in the back of your mind, so that was just purely academic for you. And then almost accidentally, I just happened.

To be in the right place.

[Willie Geist]

Yes.

[Angela Bassett]

Wow.

Wow.

Yeah.

And so what did you find up there that really allowed you to sort of elevate your interest and love for production and theater and the things that.

[Willie Geist]

Would lead you here?

[Angela Bassett]

It was just an exciting. It was just an exciting moment and time. I was an undergrad, and they have the, you know, different houses, and each house had its own. Own stage, you know, little stage. So you had all of this opportunity. And there were other students who were like theater geeks. You found a tribe.

[Willie Geist]

And it's like, these are some interesting.

[Angela Bassett]

People and they have fun and I have fun with them. And, you know, and who knows, I was able to soak up a lot of that. They've been doing it much longer than I had. But also, when it was time to apply to graduate school, a wonderful, wonderful man, Lloyd Richards, who directed the directed Raising in the sun on Broadway, first African American play on Broadway by Lorraine Hansberry, was the director of the school, became the director of the school. And I was a part of his first class. And so he was always such an, you know, a point of inspiration for me. Even just walking by his plate glass window, seeing him behind the desk, because I was too nervous to say, hi, Lori.

[Willie Geist]

Like everyone else was like, Mr. Richards.

[Angela Bassett]

Or hello or nothing. But he was such a supporter of mine and, and, and I just found such inspiration in the history. As I began to learn the history of theater and acting, just got more involved in it.

It's funny, almost every successful performer I talk to has someone like that in their story, which is a teacher, whether it was in third grade or in college, who says, hang on a second, you're really good at this. Keep going. So I love hearing those stories. So when you get out of Yale.

And he would say, angela, up. Don't wave the rubber chicken.

[Willie Geist]

It's like, oh, oh. I think I. Yeah.

[Angela Bassett]

And what did you take that to mean?

Well, you know, you can't. They're. They're, you know, in the course of acting, acting a scene, sometimes you can telegraph what you're feeling.

Right.

Basically overact.

Good advice.

[Willie Geist]

Yes. And that's all he would say. He would say things like that.

[Angela Bassett]

That's the way he would direct. And you would have to take it in and consider it. It's not going to lay it all out. You know, you finish a scene, you say, so would you think. And you would have to think and a lot. And maybe sometimes you'd be more critical of yourself than someone telling you what they saw or did not see.

Right.

You could. You were. I guess, in a way, you know, it's. It's really sinking in what you did, because you have to. To express it or find it. You rarely said, oh, it's perfect.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah, you never said that.

[Angela Bassett]

Right.

Because it never is right. It's always striving right.

Get better every time out. Right.

You know, What? I know.

Yeah, yeah, that's right. I mean, the. The early years of after school, coming to New York and going out to LA a little bit, you know, for people who see you now, they know it wasn't all red carpets and glamour at the beginning. It's a grind. Right. So were you ever just New York.

In those early years, stand outside of the theaters? You know, you wait for people to come out, they drop a program, you.

[Willie Geist]

Get the program, you go in, you.

[Angela Bassett]

Don'T know what the first act was.

[Willie Geist]

But that second act, everybody's on fire. So, you know, that's how you use those soft theater in those days called second acting.

[Angela Bassett]

Right.

Enjoyed that good tap.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[Angela Bassett]

But you're in New York. You're doing, I would call it off off Broadway. No pay showcase.

[Willie Geist]

You know, you were almost in New Jersey. You were so far off Broadway on the Avenues.

[Angela Bassett]

But it was, you know, you're doing we's Antigone. You know, it's. It's thrilling. You know, it's thrilling. You do it anywhere. You do it. You do it for free. You hope not for long, but in those early days, you $12, you were like, you know, sure, yeah, you're doing it.

[Willie Geist]

Subway tokens, gas.

[Angela Bassett]

Yeah. So what was the first job, Angela, where you felt like, okay, maybe not I've made it yet, but this is going to be my career.

You know, it's funny. Every job felt like I made it if you were a cat. Even if it was off off Broadway, no pay showcase. But as Antigone and Antigone, I made it some. You know, I got cast in that role. So it's wonderful. It's work every day. Exciting work with. With exciting collaborators and creative people.

[Willie Geist]

Wherever it was, you know, whether it was uptown in the church basement at the Y, a little theater way on 12th Avenue.

[Angela Bassett]

Every job, every role, every opportunity, you know, to. To work, to work at the craft, to develop a character. It just just opened my eyes and my heart even more.

And then Hollywood calls with a movie.

Well, Hollywood. Hollywood didn't call.

[Willie Geist]

No. Someone called go and knock a hole. You know, you were.

[Angela Bassett]

You called Hollywood.

Yeah, it was during that time where it seemed like a lot of actors in New York, they were heading out, heading west, going to Hollywood. And a lot of. And some actors say, well, I'm not going to Hollywood. They're going to have to come and find me. And I thought, well, they don't know I'm here. And by the time the role that I would be offered is, you know, is up on the boards, they can cast with someone that's already in Hollywood. So I've got to go, I've got to go to them, introduce myself. And that's what I decided to do. Okay. Had a great apartment, you know, rent control apartment. They were hard to come. $215.

[Willie Geist]

You know, you weren't trying to lose that.

[Angela Bassett]

You're trying to hang on to that. But sometimes you can't hang on to something that's good and yet go for something that's better. You gotta let that go so that you'll be available for the next opportunity. So I went out there, I went out there and said, okay, six months. I'm gonna give it six months this pilot season where all the new shows and maybe I'll get lucky with one of them. Well, they cancel pilot season that year.

[Willie Geist]

Oh, you know, there's always sometimes, you.

[Angela Bassett]

Know, strikes and moments occur. So timing is everything. But I did stick around for six and began to guest, you know, get, you know, generate some excitement, a new face, new energy I think, coming into the room that they hadn't seen. And I was fortunate enough to get some of these, you know, get, get my share of some of these jobs. And six months, my six month period came up and I remember calling my, my great uncle in New York and Uncle Charles and they said, honk. I mean, I'm working. I mean each week I get a new guest star. Have only three stations, so there's a finite number.

[Willie Geist]

It's going to run out at some point. We didn't have, we didn't have all this Netflix, Hulu. We have all the opp. Opportunity that we have now to catch the middle of everything.

[Angela Bassett]

But I said, it's six months, I got to come back to my apartment. Everything he said, like Lloyd Richards, you know those succinct phrases. He said, babe, you don't get off a winning horse. I said, got it hung up. And I've been there 30 something years.

So he gets an assist for all that's happened since then. You did the work.

[Willie Geist]

My dear uncle. Don't get off a winning horse.

[Angela Bassett]

That is a great line.

[Willie Geist]

And I was, yeah, I got to come back to my apartment, my life, I'm from New York. Yeah.

[Angela Bassett]

And he was right.

And he was absolutely right.

He was right. So Boys n the Hood comes along soon after that, a couple years later. When John Singleton puts that together, it's, let's see, Boys in the Hood came out in 91.

91, okay. I went to LA in 88.

Okay.

October 10, 1988. I don't remember many dates, but for some reason I remember that one. It was monumental. So I go there, like I said, I'm doing lots of, you know, day player here, a guest spot here, small role there, but no film. And I get a call finally because at that time we were actors for segment. If you were a television actor, you're doing television and you know, casting for films, they sort of wouldn't see you, see you, take you that seriously for that. I guess they, you know, familiarity breeds.

[Willie Geist]

What you're too familiar.

[Angela Bassett]

I don't know the thinking, but I wonder if that played something into. If you could see someone every week, if you wanted to really go out to the. The theater and paid to see them. But he, a young director, John singleton, who was 19, just recently out of USC with this fabulous script, Boys in the Hood. He did see me. He didn't have those preconceived notions about actors doing this, that and the other. And so I went in and. And the rapport was immediate and warm. And he said, you're my. My mother. We talked about poets that we, that we enjoyed in common. He was just a thoughtful, warm soul, funny guy. And you felt. I felt very maternal toward him in a way. Well, yeah, toward you as well, toward many.

But for a 19 year old to put together a cast as you and Laurence Fishburne and Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding Jr. That's gone on to become.

This classic Neil and Tyra Farrell. Exactly, exactly.

Incred that he assembled and made that movie. I think it's fair to say, and you'll correct me if I'm wrong, that what's Love Got to do with it was the. She's here now, right?

Because up to that point, if I was in something, I would, you know, go to Kinko's. We don't have Kinko's anymore. We go to Kinko's. Get a. Get a cardboard. Hi, family. Hi, friends.

[Willie Geist]

I'm gonna be on cbs, abc, NBC, on this night at this time in this show.

[Angela Bassett]

I would cut it in fours and then I'd put your name and a st. And I mail it, mail it out to my friends so they wouldn't miss it, right? And maybe I should do that today. And people would. So if you knew me and I.

[Willie Geist]

Sent you a, you know, little, you know, mailer, then you.

[Angela Bassett]

Then you knew me, but you couldn't put the. I would think the name with the face. But when once love happened, you know, before then. But you look a little familiar. Do you. But when Once love happened. So it changed everything. Yeah.

Because you're a leading actor and it was such a powerful performance. People said, who was that? Right.

If you didn't know me, you certainly knew her. Yeah, people knew her. All kinds of people knew her and were interested in her as a performer, had seen her. And here's a story about her life and this is the life. It was so different from what anyone could have expected. So it really was quite a breakthrough and a seminal moment for me, for my career, for the culture, for people who were experiencing those same sort of things in their life. And it was, could have for many, a turning point, a wake up call, you know, an opportunity to say, no, this is what I want. So it was sort of all came together.

[Willie Geist]

Stick around for more of my conversation with Angela Bassett right after a quick break.

If you could hear love, what would it sound like?

[Hershey's Advertiser]

Son, can we talk about your drinking?

[Angela Bassett]

Yeah, Dad, I think we should.

[Hershey's Advertiser]

Helping those closest to you think about their excessive drinking.

[Willie Geist]

Maybe that's what love sounds like. [e-mail] An OHA initiative 16 years from.

[AARP Advertiser]

Today, Greg Gerstner will finally land the perfect cannonball. Epic splash, unsuspecting friends. A work of art only possible because Greg is already meeting all these same people at AARP volunteer and community events that keep him active and involved and help make sure his happiness lives as long as he does. That's why the younger you are, the More you need AARP. Learn more at aarp.org local.

[Quilted Northern Advertiser]

We quilt this city with a comfy roll.

Quilted Northern is quilted with three cushy layers for your comfort.

The quilted comfort of Quilted Northern.

Keep it quilted with Quilted Northern.

[Willie Geist]

Welcome back now to the rest of my conversation with Angela Basset.

[Angela Bassett]

It was a breakthrough. Obviously you get the awards and the recognition that you deserve for it, but I was interested to read that you said it wasn't like the phone was ringing off the hook after that necessarily. In other words, you would have thought like the world is yours after a performance like that. But that wasn't necessarily the case, is that right?

Not necessarily, you know, because also you have to think or remember that during that time what stories were being told and did those stories include a brown skinned girl or a young woman? At that time, was casting going to be colorblind? Certainly an actor can do a role, but those if I'm a part of.

[Willie Geist]

A family, there's other considerations.

[Angela Bassett]

And it. But then a tide began to turn and we began to have a lot of stories, whether it was Tina, then it was Rosa Parks or Coretta Scott Kingle, Incredible Women or even the Jacksons, you know, so families where, yes, they needed a mother, they needed a mother. They needed someone who looked like me. So timing is everything. And stories, diverse stories, were beginning to be told. And I was born at the right time to be available for those.

And among those was this explosion of successful movies like How Stella Got Her Groove Back and movies that you starred in with ensembles.

[Willie Geist]

That's right.

[Angela Bassett]

Certain books were.

Yeah.

Terry McMillan came on the scene with Waiting Till He Exhaled and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Invisible Ax. And so, you know, you're looking. That's what you need, a great script a lot of times from great books. So that was. I remember riding on the subway in New York City and literally seeing everyone.

[Willie Geist]

With her book, waiting two weeks sale, reading her book.

[Angela Bassett]

I said, that's going to be. That's going to be successful. I think that one's going to work.

Did that feel to you, like, finally, like, here are the roles that we've been waiting for. And gratifying that they were so successful.

Here's the opportunity. Here's the opportunity. You don't know if it's going to be successful or not. You certainly go in with that idea and with that plan, but it takes so many moving parts. It's amazing that any film works.

[Willie Geist]

You know, it's like this big, organized, exciting chaos.

[Angela Bassett]

But, yeah, great care, great people doing what they do in their lane.

I promise I'm not walking through every move in your career. You're like, what time is it? But I do want to ask you about Black Panther and Wakanda Forever and talk about movies that cut across lines. If you make $1.3 billion with an opening movie that's different than people have.

Seen you've done something, they can't say. What used to be said a long time ago that movies about. About black characters don't translate across seas.

[Willie Geist]

You know, internationally, it was like, you make 1.3 billion. I think somebody's watching you.

[Angela Bassett]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah, you got a lot of eyes.

[Angela Bassett]

So that's satisfying to see just through the journey, you know? Okay. You know, movies don't translate to Europe. And I feel like someone from the.

[Willie Geist]

1800S who lived to the 1900s, 100 years and is like, oh, I've seen five presidents. Oh, I remember we didn't have refrigeration. You know, we salted our pork, you know, oh, how times have changed. Yeah, they. They do change.

[Angela Bassett]

And it was. It was Great. It's been rewarding to be. Be around during. During that change. The stories are vast, Stories are diverse because to me, even doing this, people are interesting. You know, people are interesting. Where they come from, why they end up, how they end up, how they do, why they think, the way they think, why they fight, the way they fight. They love the way they love. You know, it's all about illuminating this human experience that we're having.

What was it like to be in the middle of that phenomenon? As it grew and grew and grew, you knew you'd done something special, but it just became a thing unto itself. Not just here, around the world. People fell in love with it.

It was a thing unto itself. That was literally the first time I've, you know, gotten stuck on the comp, looking at, you know, fans of the series and their reaction, and they would literally cry, fall off chairs with just a little bit of information with the trailer. When the trailer came out, this is not the movie.

[Willie Geist]

The trailer's coming out. They would run into walls in their bedrooms. They were. Men would cry, weep. It was like, what is going on here?

[Angela Bassett]

Oh, something big's about to happen. You know, but they were. They were fans of Marvel, fans of, you know, Black Panther. And to see that fans for a long time. And so to hear someone 4 years old to 94, literally, when I would.

[Willie Geist]

Go to church and little ladies would come up to me and say, I love that Black Panther. I love that movie.

[Angela Bassett]

It was, I mean, just. Just a vast audience, you know, when we talk about our demographics. So, you know, 14 to this, to that. You know, we try.

[Willie Geist]

We try to make sense of it.

[Angela Bassett]

It. But sometimes you can't make sense of magic.

Sometimes a movie is so good, it blows through demographics when it's 4 to 94. That's right. I had. Chadwick was on the show with me in the middle of all that, I think he just gotten off a plane from Soul with all of you on a press tour, and he just sat down and. And I felt like I was seated with him in the middle of this thing that was changing his life. Obviously, I, along with. With just about everybody else, didn't know what else he was going through at the time. When you look back on working with him in one of his final performances, what does it conjure for you?

I'm so blessed that I got an opportunity to meet him and to work with him. He is such a soulful human being, so caring and so wise and so in tune with who he is and so grateful for others. He was just as warm as you can imagine. I felt motherly toward him.

There's a theme here. You feel motherly.

[Willie Geist]

Yes, I want to take care.

[Angela Bassett]

But he reminded me, it was interesting. He reminded me at the opening, you know, at the party, the premiere, the party afterwards. It's like, oh, that. I was like, okay, bye, Chadwick. I'm about to leave now. He said, I just wanted to tell you, you, when you got your honorary doctorate at Howard, which is where he went to undergrad, went to school. He said, I was your escort that weekend, during part of that weekend. And I hadn't recalled that at all. I hadn't recalled that. That was first honorary doctorate I got. It was a school that I in, in. In high school. I thought it was my number one. This is where I'm going to go. I heard about the history of it and I wanted to go there. I had, you know, but I had chosen to go, go somewhere else.

[Willie Geist]

That gave me more scholarship, which I needed, my mother needed, But I hadn't.

[Angela Bassett]

Remembered that or, well, I didn't know it, you know, there's so much going on, you know, okay, this student's going to take you here and there. And I say, and here we sat. Look at you. We have sat for months next to each other in the makeup tray. And you never mention that. While we're doing the work. While we're doing the work. But now that we're at this point where we can celebrate, then. Then he brings it up. And I thought, that's so thoughtful because so many people would have done that so much earlier.

It would have led with that.

Yes. Yeah, yeah. No, it's like, let's speak. Hello, let's work.

And what a moment for him to have escorted you around not that long ago. And now he's co starring with you in this massive movie.

It sort of reminded me of years ago, I, When I was in la, I got in this. Well, I wasn't in LA then. I was touring with a play called Joe Turner's Come and Gone in San Diego at the Old Globe Theater. Got a call, oh, there's a movie. You know, this roles that they're casting in la. Oh, my God. So I, I go up, it's direct. During slavery time.

[Willie Geist]

I get me a big skirt and.

[Angela Bassett]

I go, I'm sitting on the ground. I mean, I'm in the moment.

[Willie Geist]

Everyone else is sitting there like today's person, but I'm like, oh, somebody from 1600s.

[Angela Bassett]

But I remember I got the part, I got the role. We were on location. Donald Sutherland was cast in it, Natasha Richardson, Tony Todd, and my shero, Cicely Tyson. So I'm gonna meet her for the first time. You know, we have these people that we look up to who admire, who inspire us. And she certainly was that one for me, as you can imagine. And I just thought, we're all waiting and she's about to arrive. And they said, oh, yes, Ms. Tyson is coming down the hallway now and at the table with everyone else. And it was just like, no, it's got to be different. I walk out, I walk outside the door, and I watch her walk down the hall. And she gets there and I extend my hand and say, hello, Ms. Tyson, I'm Angela Bassett. It's a pleasure to meet you. And she said, thank you, darling. And then we go in the room and all that, all that nervousness, all of that is gone because it's time to work. And any of that other stuff, we can do that later. But first things first.

Right? The work that served you well over the years. Do the work.

[Willie Geist]

He reminded me of me.

[Angela Bassett]

Yeah, right, right. Came all the way back around.

[Willie Geist]

He's my brother.

[Angela Bassett]

So with everything you've accomplished in your career, everything we've been talking about here this morning, do you allow yourself moments to stop and think about where you came from? The little girl singing into her hairbrush in the mirror or seeing Of Mice and Men on stage and dreaming that it would be so, so amazing just to be on any stage. Do you have these pinch me moments?

I do. Every day. Every day that I show up at set and look around at all the wonderful people, I get an opportunity to meet and to work with those who championed me and brought me along to play, play with them. I do. I think it's important to remember where you came from. It really fosters a sense of gratitude, and I think that's an important character to be grateful for your experiences, for the highlights, for the lessons learned, for the missteps. Because in those, you learn as well. But it's been wonderful because we all have something to contribute and to it. If you can remain grateful, you can appreciate what others have to tribute.

Well, you've contributed a lot, so you really have. Thank you, Angela. It's such a pleasure to meet you and talk to you.

Thank you. Thank you, Will.

Thank you.

[Willie Geist]

My big thanks again to Angela for a great conversation. You can stream Zero Day now on Netflix. And my thanks to all of you for listening again this week. If you want to hear these conversations with my guests every week, be sure to click follow so you never miss an episode. And of course, don't forget to tune in to Sunday Today every weekend on NBC to see these interviews with your own two eyes. I'm Willie Geist. We'll see you right back here next week on the Sunday Sit Down Podcast.

[Nature's Bounty Advertiser]

Your body is brilliant. Nature's Bounty has a bounty of solutions to help you thrive, supporting your systems from your head to your heels. Nature's Bounty High absorption Magnesium Glycinate supports heart, bone, nerve and muscle health, while just one hair growth capsule a day helps grow thicker, fuller hair. Delicious new Nature's Bounty probiotic Gummies contain prebiotics and postbiotics, supporting gut health, regularity and immune health. Nature's Bounty it's in your nature. Learn [e-mail] these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.