By Marc W. Polite
Greetings, my readers. In this week’s profile for Polite On Society, we hear from Juliette Jeffers. Juliette shares with us some of her experiences as an actor, writer, and director.
Polite On Society: For those who may not be familiar with your work, who is Juliette Jeffers and how would you describe your journey in entertainment?
You have enjoyed success as an actress, writer, director, producer, and teaching artist. What has been the key to building such a multifaceted career?
Juliette Jeffers:
I started out as an actress in the nineties and I enjoyed great success on TV shows such as Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Martin and Murder She Wrote to name a few. I also did a few films and a bunch of TV commercials. But as we all know, there are ebbs and flows in this industry. When things started slowing down for me, I decided to explore my creativity in other areas. I wrote and performed my first one woman play in 2003 and that experience empowered me to continue to explore my talents as a writer, producer and subsequently a director and teaching artist. I realized that as a creative being, I have to express myself whether I’m being paid for it or not.
That same creative impulse has now led me into filmmaking. Storytelling through film has opened up an entirely new artistic language for me, and it has been incredibly fulfilling to expand my voice as a writer, director, and producer in this medium as well.
As an artist, I have to keep the creative juice flowing to stay in shape. It’s similar to an athlete or a dancer. When we are not working, we should be training. Nowadays if we want to stay relevant, we have to be able to pivot. And the pivot is a lot easier now because with the tools and resources available to us, we don’t need permission to create our own content.
POS: Your directorial debut, Pan Gyul, recently received seven nominations at the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase and won Best First-Time Filmmaker and Best Original Song. What did that moment mean to you?
JJ: Getting such recognition at the Diversity in Cannes Showcase meant the world to me, especially as a first-time filmmaker. I actually wasn’t originally going to direct my short film. It was never a desire of mine to direct film. I absolutely love directing solo shows in the theatre world but directing film is a whole other beast. I was persuaded to direct Pan Gyul by a couple of the members of my team and once I made the decision, my whole soul opened up. It felt less like I had discovered something new and more like I had finally embraced something that had been waiting for me all along.
So I knew it was the right decision. It just made sense. I directed it in my mind when I wrote it. I knew the characters and the world inside and out.
So getting the nominations and winning the awards really sealed the deal that it was the right decision and it gave me a sense of validation that I’m going in the right direction. I’m proud of myself but more than that, I am proud of my people in Nevis. It proves that Nevisian stories are relevant. Subsequently, it encourages me to tell more.
POS: Pan Gyul is making history as the first professional narrative film from Nevis, about Nevis, and created primarily by Nevisians to reach the international film festival circuit. Why was it important for you to tell this story?
JJ: It was important for me to tell this story because there weren’t any stories about Nevis on film in this way before this. During the pandemic, there was a production company out of the UK that shot several films in Nevis. This was a first for Nevis because Nevis was never thought of as a film destination. But none of the films were about the Nevisian people. They just used Nevis as a Caribbean backdrop. Once I heard that, I was determined to change that.
I wanted Pan Gyul to be more than a film. I wanted it to be a proof of concept. Nevis deserves a place on the world stage and local artists can indeed create work that resonates far beyond our tiny island.
POS: You currently appear in recurring roles on The Residence and Tulsa King. What has that experience been like, and what can audiences expect from your characters?
JJ: Shooting the Residence on Netflix was an incredible experience. My character, Angie, was in all eight episodes. This was the most episodes I had ever done in one season on a TV show. The crew and my fellow cast members were amazing. The highlight for me was the opportunity to work opposite Giancarlo Esposito. Our characters were best friends. I have always been an admirer of his work so to work with him was a dream come true.
One of the things I’m most grateful for is that audiences can still discover Angie and the world of The Residence, which is currently streaming on Netflix.
As for Tulsa King, it just so happens that my character’s name is Angie as well. I play Tyson’s mother. That experience has been amazing as well. Michael Beach, who plays Mark (Tyson’s dad and my husband) is someone who I’ve always wanted to work with as well. And of course having scenes with the one and only Sylvester Stallone was surreal. My character appears in Seasons 1, 2 and 3 which can be streamed on Paramount+.
POS: Throughout your career, you’ve worked alongside some of Hollywood’s most respected actors and creators. What is one lesson you’ve learned from those experiences that still guides you today?
What advice would you give to aspiring actors and filmmakers who are trying to break into the industry and create opportunities for themselves?
JJ: One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from working alongside accomplished actors and filmmakers is the importance of preparation and self-care. The most successful artists I’ve encountered don’t leave things to chance. They come to work prepared, focused, and grounded. They understand the demands of the profession and take responsibility for protecting their physical, emotional, and creative well-being. That’s something I strive to emulate in my own career. Talent may open a door, but discipline, professionalism, and resilience are what sustain a career over the long term.
My advice to aspiring actors and filmmakers is simple: don’t wait for permission. If storytelling is truly your passion, create your own opportunities. The tools are more accessible than ever before. Write the script. Shoot the short film. Produce the play. Build the thing you wish existed. The industry will always be changing, but initiative, persistence, and authenticity never go out of style.
POS: After your recent Cannes success and the growing momentum behind Pan Gyul, what’s next for Juliette Jeffers?
JJ: I just finished screening my film at the American Black Film Festival for their 30th anniversary celebration. On the 28th of June, it will screen at the Dances With Films film festival in Los Angeles. I’ve been selected for two more festivals which I can’t announce yet.
My immediate goal is to continue the festival journey of Pan Gyul, build awareness around the project, and secure financing for the feature film adaptation. Ultimately, I hope this film opens the door to many more Caribbean stories being told on a global scale.
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I’d like to thank Juliette Jeffers for taking the time to share with us this week. To learn more about Juliette, visit her official site here.