Kandi Burruss shines as Eboni Phillips in ‘Reasonable Doubt’ season two – Essence

From executive producers Raamla Mohamed, Kerry Washington and Larry Wilmore, reasonable doubt captivated us with her portrayal of powerful Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Jacqueline “Jax” Stewart (played by Emayatzy Corinealdi). Throughout the show, Jax balances the intense pressures of her career with past traumas, a crumbling marriage, and the complexities of motherhood. While tackling high-stakes cases, the first season set the tone for a riveting legal drama where personal struggles intertwine with professional battles.

The second season builds on this, after barely recovering from the emotional and professional cost of the previous season’s trial and his dangerous adventure, Jax tries to regain control of his life. But just as she begins to heal, one of her closest friends confesses to killing her husband, claiming it was an act of self-defense. The case takes a darker turn when a ruthless prosecutor refuses to buy the story, putting Jax in an impossible situation. With everything on the line, Jax brings in an ambitious new defense attorney to lead the case, Corey Cash (played by Morris Chestnut).

As the season progresses, we see Jax back in action, fighting for her best friend’s freedom while struggling to balance her personal life with the demands of her husband and children. The introduction of new characters adds a fresh dynamic to the story, including former Atlanta housewife Kandi Burruss, who plays Eboni Phillips, a character struggling with addiction. Eboni is first introduced in episode nine as the mother of JT’s daughter Natasha, who has a tumultuous past involving drugs and alcohol but is struggling to turn her life around.

Burruss reflects on his experience portraying Eboni, highlighting his character’s struggles. “I love the fact that I got to be Eboni, because Eboni is going through some serious things that I think a lot of people in the world can relate to.” Eboni’s journey on the show was a powerful reminder of the hidden consequences that often accompany a glamorous lifestyle of excess: drink, drugs and the lure of wealth. As Burruss points out, Eboni is at a crossroads: “She’s in that place where there’s something from her past that’s weighed on her that she can’t shake.” This authenticity allows the audience to connect with Eboni on a personal level, as she navigates the shadows of her past.

Based on his own observations and experiences, Burruss had to pull from the deep end to play Eboni. “You know in our community, we’ve grown up having different family members or people we know who have dealt with substance abuse,” she explains.

In preparation for portraying Eboni, Burruss was inspired by a real-life story she found on social media about a woman in a relationship with an athlete who had taken custody of her children. “I don’t know this woman from anybody, but I thought about her and how it must feel to have to go up against someone who has all the money and you have no money to fight your battle.” This helped Burruss channel the struggles Eboni faced as she faced her past while struggling with the consequences of her life choices. “So when I had to pour myself into Eboni, I was thinking about that girl,” he explains.

How reasonable doubt continues to develop, Eboni’s character shows her struggle with addiction and the repercussions of her past. We witness in just a few succinct episodes the complexities of his character as he faces a relapse, struggles with the temptation of his old lifestyle while trying to forge a new path.

After filming these emotionally charged scenes, Burruss admits, “When you walk away from that moment, that anxiety you felt is still there; it takes a minute to undo it.” This lingering anxiety reflects the weight of Eboni’s journey, a testament to the impact of the character’s experiences on Burruss herself.

Burruss notes that the character of Eboni is in stark contrast to her other roles, such as the character of Roselyn. The Chi. “I love the fact that it’s totally different from playing Roselyn in The Chi. It’s night and day,” she explains. “Eboni is fighting her demons. Some of the other roles I’ve been able to play, they didn’t have that kind of thing that they were struggling with inside.”

Burruss was eager to showcase her acting skills in this role, immersing herself in Eboni’s complexities. The character’s journey to redemption allowed Burruss to prove her range as an actress. Reflecting on her experience, she shared a powerful takeaway from portraying Eboni: “Never let people take you to a dark place.”

With a talented cast featuring Morris Chestnut, McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey, Aderinsola Olabode and Thaddeus J. Mixson, the second season of reasonable doubt offered a story with depth in each of its characters. Burruss’ role, though small, was a pivotal one, challenging viewers to reconsider their perspectives on justice and redemption.

Tune into the second season of reasonable doubt on Hulu to see Kandi Burruss shine in this new role as she brings Eboni Phillips to life.