Fringe Actress Jasika Nicole Talks Racism Endured on Show, Racist Joke About Astrid's Name
#Fringe star #JasikaNicole opens up about the show’s running joke about mispronouncing her character’s name https://t.co/RDfWlFrlGX
- ET Canada (@ETCanada) August 25, 2020
Jasika Nicole played Astrid on the sci-fi series from 2008 to 2013.
She addressed a running joke on the show that she felt was “tasteless,” “bullying,” and “racist.”
Walter played by John Noble was never able to get Astrid’s name right.
Nicole shared details about her experience on the set, including how she did not get the same perks as her other co-stars like getting rides to work, while a producer allegedly lied to her about the inequity.
She noted that certain directors on the show refused to get her real-life name right, getting support from co-star Joshua Jackson.
I was very clear in my tweet that I never blamed John noble for the joke- he was merely delivering the lines that were written for him. It actually took me a while to even recognize how upset the joke made me. Spending a lifetime of trying to fit in and laugh WITH the white...
- Jasika Nicole (@TheJasikaNicole) August 23, 2020
not be getting rides to work (customary for series regulars) even though all 6 of my other cast members were getting picked up. Producer told me I was wrong, they weren’t getting rides, even though I would watch cast exit the transpo van each morning. Thought I was losing my...
- Jasika Nicole (@TheJasikaNicole) August 23, 2020
producer got fired and I started getting rides to work like everyone else, but it just set the stage for being treated differently than everyone else. We had directors (plural) who refused to get my name right. One insisted on referring to me as “you”, “that one” and pointing..
- Jasika Nicole (@TheJasikaNicole) August 23, 2020
the director would pay attention to HIM, might show me some respect that way. josh was trying to use his power/clout for good. Still didn’t work tho. 5 seasons. No, I never said anything about the joke back then cause I didn’t feel valued enough to think anyone would care.
- Jasika Nicole (@TheJasikaNicole) August 23, 2020
less tenuous and he felt more rooted to the present and the ppl in his life. At some point the joke turned away from him being incapable of remembering astrids name to him being fully aware of who she is and just teasing her for fun. THAT part became bullying and racist.
- Jasika Nicole (@TheJasikaNicole) August 23, 2020
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