Get Millie Black is a crime drama that HBO and Channel 4 have dished out, giving viewers more than just the average serving of a police thriller - powerful identity, family dynamics, and the harsh realities of Jamaica. The core authenticity of the show appears in its filming locations and has deeply influenced lead actress Tamara Lawrance's portrayal of Millie-Jean Black.
According to Lawrance, Jamaica's lively yet demanding environment "massively" impacted her character's storyline on Get Millie Black. She revealed that shooting in Kingston allowed her to tap into the beat and resilience of Jamaican culture.
In an interview with TheWrap on November 25, 2024, Lawrance said,
“We filmed in Kingston, which was so crucial to the storytelling because of the texture of the landscape, how people talk and move and interact. I think [filming in Jamaica] informed it massively.”
Her thoughts underscore how the authenticity of the setting brings Get Millie Black to life, which is beyond the traditional detective story.
How Kingston, Jamaica transformed Get Millie Black
Kingston streets were more than just a backdrop for Get Millie Black. They're part of a body of characters themselves, enlivening this very gritty and realistic narrative. Creator Marlon James carefully showed all the nuances of the city, from the local dialects to the structures of societies.
Get Millie Black explores the residual effects of colonialism, systemic inequality, and resilience in a society of marginalized people. Lawrance mentioned that being immersed in the Jamaican environment every day helped her embody Millie's complexities.
“Even her accent, as a point of reference, isn’t as contemporary as I found being around the people I was working with,” she said.
This immersion allowed Lawrance to perfect Millie's physicality and temperament, such that her character felt allegiant to the people she met on set. The dialogue enhances the overall feel, and pulls audiences into a world seldom explored in mainstream media.
The location plays a role in Millie's struggles on Get Millie Black
The cultural and geographical landscape of Jamaica directly influences Millie-Jean Black's personal transformation and professional challenges. Millie returns to Jamaica after years in London as a kind of outsider.
Her efforts to reconnect with her trans sister, Hibiscus, and adjust to her place in the Jamaican police force at times assert tension around her issues of identity and belonging.
“Being there allowed me to find parts of her physicality and temperament,” she noted in her TheWrap interview.
The oppressive heat and crowded streets made Millie very self-aware about her inner turmoils. Alongside this, the society in Kingston, from class divides to LGBTQ+ issues, provided fertile ground for justice and family explorations.
Pros and cons of filming Get Millie Black in Jamaica
While the Jamaican location brought some much-needed nuance to the story that had never been seen before, it also presented challenges for the cast and crew. Lawrance described the climate as "10 to 15 degrees hotter" than what she is accustomed to, requiring more hydration and rest.
Conditions for the shooting were arduous, and drought brought constant worries of fatigue and heat strokes. However, these pains were nothing compared to the creative dividends. The authenticity of the site enriched the show's visual storytelling, bringing about the grit and beauty of Jamaica beyond some perfect beaches on postcards.
Get Millie Black, for example, gives an occasional view of the everyday life of its inhabitants, but it speaks of resilience in those navigating systemic oppression and cultural stigmas.
As Lawrance concluded,
“I hope people are along with the ride with Millie. There are a lot of Pandora’s boxes and characters who do things that you don’t expect.”
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Get Millie Black is now streaming on HBO Max, and new episodes are available every Monday at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
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