*Prime Video’s latest YA series, “Beyond Black Beauty,” brings a refreshing perspective to the world of equestrian sports while centering on themes of family, heritage, and healing.
The series follows young Olympic hopeful Jolie Dumont (Kaya Coleman), who faces a life-changing move from Belgium to her family’s urban ranch in Baltimore.
While Jolie initially resists her new life, she finds solace in bonding with a spirited horse, Black Beauty, and rediscovers her love for riding and her connection to her roots.
EUR spoke with series star Kaya Coleman and showrunner Pilar Golden about their journey with “Beyond Black Beauty” and what makes the show unique.
When asked why she set the story in Baltimore, Golden shared her connection to the city and the desire to show a different side of it.
“Naturally, you write what you know, and I’m from the DMV,” Golden explained. “It allowed me to write this love letter to my family, specifically the Black women. So, I chose Baltimore because A, I’m from Maryland, and B, as TV audiences are acclimated to television regularly, what they know of Baltimore is “The Wire.” It’s a very important show, but I wanted to show a different version of Baltimore.”
Golden’s decision reflects the show’s mission to balance the rawness of life in Baltimore with the beauty of its rich history and culture.
For Kaya Coleman, stepping into the role of Jolie Dumont allowed her to explore a character navigating cultural identity and self-discovery. Jolie’s move from Belgium to Baltimore is not just a physical shift but an emotional and mental one as well.
“It’s cool because she comes and learns how to ride Western, develops a relationship with her cousin, and heals her relationship with her mother,” Coleman said. “There were so many different components I got to explore, and that was special.”
Coleman, who previously competed as a cheerleader, found many similarities between equestrian training and her athletic background. Working with horses, she said, required a balance of instincts and control. “I understand what it’s like to be thrown in the air,” she laughed, comparing cheerleading to horseback riding. “It’s very much about core work and balance like yoga. I tried to translate those skills as best as possible.”
At the heart of “Beyond Black Beauty” is the relationship between the women in Jolie’s family and their individual and collective journeys. Golden emphasized the importance of showcasing these bonds in the series.
“A lot of what you see on screen is a testament to how Black women show up for each other,” Golden explained. “The four women— what you see in the show is what happens behind the camera. The connection was naturally there.”
Coleman echoed Golden’s sentiments, adding, “We were laughing behind the scenes, and we all had each other’s back. It was magical for me as someone biracial who hadn’t had the chance to explore my Black heritage. It was extremely affirming for my identity, and that, in itself, is priceless.”
Playing Jolie was deeply personal for Coleman. Raised by a single mother from a different cultural background, she found similarities between Jolie’s journey and her own.
“I was raised by my single teen mother, who is white and ethnically Ukrainian. Growing up in Canada, I was surrounded by that side of my family, so playing Jolie was a learning experience for me as much as it was for her.”
All episodes of “Beyond Black Beauty” are available to stream on Prime Video.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. You can follow her on all social media @StilettoJill or check out JillMunroe.com
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