NBC’s Grosse Pointe Garden Society hit the small screen back in February and fans are loving the soapy new murder mystery’s edge-of-your-seat thrills. Series star and mystery alum Aja Naomi King shares what drew her to the role of Catherine, the joy of working with an incredible cast and crew, and reflects on what she’s learned from industry icons like Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, and Wendell Pierce.
Finding the Right Role
“I was definitely eager to do something that I thought was gonna be fun and challenging,” said King of her return to television. “When I read the script for this show, I was like, ‘oooh… this is good.’”
King plays Catherine, a real estate agent in the midst of a tumultuous affair, and one of four leads in the heightened murder mystery drama. “The character of Catherine just seemed, like, really fun and…a little different than other things that I have done in the past,” she explained. “And I really love just how the showrunners kind of viewed this show, like, with the four of us as leads.” King is joined by Melissa Fumero, AnnaSophia Robb, Ben Rappaport on the new drama from former Shondaland writer/producer and Good Girls creator Jenna Bans.
King went on to share her admiration for the way the show explores each character’s journey: “I just love the way that they have done it…It’s just gone above and beyond anything I could have imagined. The stories I think are phenomenal, and they do keep you on the edge of your seat.”
A Gratitude-Filled Experience
As the cast films the season finale, King reflected on what the experience has meant to her. “The biggest takeaway…the continued takeaway is just the gratitude I have for getting to work in this way,” she said. “This show—the talent that is on this show from all of the actors to our crew, our writers—everyone is bringing everything they have.”
She praised her castmates and collaborators, saying, “This has been one of the best working experiences I’ve ever had. To have four leads on the show and everyone is wonderful…They’re great actors, but they’re wonderful human beings, and we have so much fun together.”
King also acknowledged the current state of the entertainment industry, saying, “In a time in this industry where we are experiencing so much contraction, I’m just so grateful that I get to work with such talented artists who love this show as much as I do.”
Learning from Legends
Having worked with industry icons like Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, Aunjanue Ellis, and Wendell Pierce, King said she’s been incredibly fortunate. “Every single one of them has gone out of their way to say something to me or show me something that has only allowed me to better myself as an artist.”
She added, “When you say it all in a row, I’m like, damn. I have worked with some really incredible people.”
One of the greatest lessons she’s learned? “They don’t allow fear to stop them from exploring what they wanna explore in a character…Being able to speak up in those moments…that has been the most valuable lesson for me.”
Words of Wisdom for Young Actors
For those just starting out, especially young actors stepping into a new role, King offered heartfelt advice:
“[This industry] can feel so terrifying and overwhelming…it’s a huge unknown,” she admitted. “And I would say to them, remember that you have been brought here for a reason, and you have a job to do.”
She continued, “Even if you’re scared or nervous or intimidated, you still have a job to do. And there was a long line of people that believed in you to bring you to this place…You’re not alone.”
Her final message: “You are there as an artist. You are in collaboration with everyone else in that room. You belong there. Own that.”
You can watch our full interview with Aja Naomi King above, or tune in on your favorite podcast platform. Be sure to catch new episodes of Grosse Pointe Garden Society Fridays at 8pm EST on NBC, streaming next day on Peacock.
