Teonna Rainwater’s journey in 1923 is among the most harrowing and emotional arcs on tv right this moment, and Aminah Nieves understands the burden of telling her story.
TV Fanatic had the chance to talk together with her throughout a current press day.
As 1923 returns for its extremely anticipated second season, Nieves sat all the way down to mirror on Teonna’s resilience, the heartbreaking real-life lack of Cole Brings A lot, and what’s subsequent for her character.
A Warrior’s Spirit
Teonna Rainwater has embodied an unbreakable spirit from the second she was launched. However the place does that struggle come from? In keeping with Nieves, it’s merely who she is.
“I believe it’s type of instinctual. It’s ancestral,” she defined. “We’re literal beings of this land. We share a DNA with this land, and as a way to shield it, we should shield each other.”
For Teonna, survival isn’t nearly bodily endurance — it’s deeply tied to the religious and emotional bonds together with her folks and the land.
“I believe it goes past the bodily and psychological, truthfully,” Nieves added. “So I believe she will get that from simply present.”
Honoring Cole Brings A lot’s Legacy
1923 Season 2 picks up the place Teonna’s story left off, together with her rising bond with Pete A lot Clouds.
However for Nieves and the 1923 group, returning to set was bittersweet after the tragic passing of Cole Brings A lot, who performed Pete within the first season.
“To start with, it was undoubtedly very tough,” Nieves admitted.
“Listening to the information that I’d simply be picked up the place I used to be left off… However you then type of have to sit down with your self and sit with the truth that Coco was such a shiny spirit — and he nonetheless is.”
Brings A lot’s affect prolonged far past the present.
“He was my brother, you already know, and seeing him so excited and joyful to be part of this present and seeing the work he was doing outdoors of the present for Indian Nation… We needed to, you already know. There was no different means.”
To honor Brings A lot, Jeremy Guana will now play Pete’s position. “He got here to honor Coco,” Nieves mentioned. “That in itself is a large, enormous — it’s loads to hold, you already know, and he did an awesome job.”
However even in his absence, Brings A lot’s presence was felt on set. “Coco was actually there each second,” she mentioned. “Whispering in our ears… I felt him type of reverberating outdoors of my physique. He was there ensuring that we knew it was okay.”
A New Journey for Teonna
After enduring unimaginable ache in 1923 Season 1, Teonna’s journey takes a flip towards hope.
Starting within the second season, Teonna has a cheerful arc, which is refreshing, given what she needed to undergo. However that doesn’t imply will probably be simple.
“For the viewers — actually watch this whole season. Even with Teonna’s arc in thoughts, simply be like water,” Nieves urged. “The waves are going to crash. There might be mellow moments. Discover the journey.”
Nieves additionally encourages followers to be absolutely immersed within the expertise.
“Watch the present with out your telephones. Be actually devoted and serious about what’s occurring,” she mentioned. “That is an unimaginable season, and it might be disappointing to overlook something.”
With 1923 returning, Teonna’s path ahead guarantees to be simply as highly effective because the one she has already walked.
With Brings A lot’s spirit guiding the solid, this season will honor the previous whereas forging a brand new future.
Don’t miss 1923’s return on Sunday, February 23, solely on Paramount+. Then, return to TV Fanatic for a evaluate of the premiere on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET!
Watch 1923 On-line
