In National Geographic‘S QueensAn all-female production team — “one of the big highlights and highlights” of the project, the narrator Angela Bassett It says THR — examines the practice of animal matriarchy from Costa Rica to the Congo. Bassett, who received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Narration for her work on the seven-part documentary, for which she is also an executive producer, talks about how she approaches narration roles and why she’s glad she ultimately said yes to the “heartwarming” docuseries.
You initially rejected the project. What changed your mind?
Initial no- it was summer. It was a vacation [for 9-1-1]It was a long season. I was looking forward to going on vacation, spending time with family and taking a break from work because it’s a constant roller coaster. But they came back and sent me the sizzle reel and I said, “Okay, let me put my full attention on this for a moment and see what the project really is.” Once I did that, it didn’t pass me by.
How do you approach storytelling compared to your role on camera?
I just look at it as storytelling. You have to paint pictures with your voice. There’s an inherent drama to it, and I try to find that and ride that wave, with the help of the director and what they have in mind, because I can be a little dramatic. (laughing) I think it needed more drama and they just wanted a subtle underlay. But this time they embraced the drama of the moment which was
Sometimes the sound overpowers, so [you have to remember the story]Support it, lead it. This whole project was different from start to finish. It was a new approach, and it was evidence of new voices and energy; it was awe-inspiring.
This story first appeared in the August issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To obtain the magazine, Click here to subscribe,