Crystle Stewart is stepping back into the world of Tyler Perry’s “Beauty in Black” as Season 3 premieres Aug. 27 on Netflix. Stewart, who plays Mallory, joined the interview to discuss returning to the series, developing her character and what viewers can expect as the story continues to unfold.
Stewart said she was surprised when the cast learned the series would return after previously believing the story had come to an end. According to Stewart, the cast had already said their goodbyes before being told the show had been renewed.
“I was definitely surprised and excited,” Stewart said.
One of the biggest challenges for Stewart is separating herself from Mallory, a character she describes as very different from who she is in real life. To bring Mallory to life, Stewart draws from her own experiences, including both difficult moments and personal successes.
Rather than simply relying on the script, Stewart said she uses those experiences to understand Mallory’s emotions and motivations. That approach became particularly important during the more emotional scenes of the series, allowing her to bring a sense of authenticity to the character.
The interview also touched on some of the heavier subjects explored throughout “Beauty in Black,” including domestic violence and sex trafficking. Stewart said working on the series encouraged her to learn more about those issues and better understand how they can affect people in real life.
“It makes you want to learn more about it,” Stewart said.
While the series is packed with drama, betrayal and complicated relationships, Stewart said viewers can also take away greater awareness of the real-world issues presented throughout the story.
As for Season 3, Stewart teased higher stakes, bigger consequences and more complicated power plays. She also said viewers will get a deeper look at Mallory, including what motivates her and the experiences that helped shape her.
Stewart described Mallory as powerful and calculated, while suggesting that the new season will reveal additional layers to the character.
The conversation ended on a lighter note with a question about Mallory’s hypothetical walk-in song. Stewart chose Cardi B’s “Pretty and Petty” as the perfect soundtrack for her character, fitting Mallory’s confident and unapologetic personality.
“Yeah, that’s the theme song for Mallory, for sure,” Stewart said.
Season 3 of “Beauty in Black” premieres Aug. 27 on Netflix, giving fans a chance to see what happens next for Mallory and the rest of the Ballard family.
