Interview with Kaya Coleman and creator Pilar Golden of Prime Video's Beyond Black Beauty

You don't have to be a horse guy or gal to watch this series. The YA drama Beyond Black Beauty is heading to Prime Video on Oct. 15.

Beyond Black Beauty is based on Anna Sewell’s 1877 children’s novel Black Beauty, which is among the bestselling books of all time with more than 50 million copies sold.

In the series, actress Kaya Coleman portrays Jolie Dumont, an Olympic-driven equestrian whose journey is suddenly halted when her mother, Janelle, moves them from Belgium to Janelle's childhood home in Baltimore. Jolie struggles to find roots but develops a bond with a horse named Black Beauty, and learns more about Black cowboys, which has been entrenched in her family's DNA for over a century. The show unfolds a story of adversity, humility, and love and stars Coleman, Sagine Sémajuste, Gina James, and Lisa Berry. Other cast members include Akiel Julian, Justice James, Eben Yehemdi, and Gilles Marini.

Amazon Studios produces the show alongside the Emmy-winning production company Sinking Ship Entertainment and Leif Films. The show's executive producers are Pilar Golden, Leif and Agnes Bristow, J.J. Johnson, and Carla de Jong. 

The Parent Watch got to speak with Coleman and Gordon (Gossip Girl, God Friended Me) to learn more about shooting internationally and what this show means to viewers as they watch the show.

The Parent Watch: Pilar, what made you want to bring Beyond Black Beauty to the screen?

Pilar Golden: Thank you for asking Tiara! First and foremost, Amazon. Amazon wanted to do a modern tale. My challenge was "Okay, well, what does that look like?" Something that didn't feel highlighted enough was the Black cowboy and equestrian culture. Thus, was born Beyond Black Beauty.

Kaya, for you to be on screen portraying this role, how did that feel to be chosen and earn this position in this role?

Kaya Coleman: Thank you for asking that as well. I felt very affirming as a biracial human, but also as an actor. I felt like, growing up, there was never really a space for me to be biracial. I know it's not always about race, but when you come from privilege, but you're also still black, it's like there is this complexity of embodying both privilege and experiencing racism. I think that this was an incredible opportunity to explore that complexity and explore healing that identity in crisis. I think it was just an honor to be able to play a different version of myself, but very much like there was a lot of real Kaya coming through this experience.

What was the experience like of shooting internationally in Canada and Belgium?

Coleman: I felt just really great that I get to not only be filming but to then travel for it. Belgium was an incredible experience. Also, just being able to practice my French, working with a different crew who were all very hard working over there as well. It just added to the story because we were also physically moving, and that really did add to it.

Golden: Well, I'm based in Los Angeles, so it was six months away from home. It was challenging but incredibly rewarding. I think our show looks beautiful simply because of where we were filming. We had a hardworking crew in Canada and in Belgium. It was really touching to be able to work with people who were like, "Yes, we're bringing this to the screen."

If this sounds like a show for you and your loved ones, check out the trailer for Beyond Black Beauty on Amazon Freevee's official YouTube channel:

Tune into Beyond Black Beauty when it premieres on Prime Video on Oct. 15.