'It's not our job to make the audience comfortable': Gugu Mbatha-Raw on why new supernatural Sky TV thriller Possession will make colonial history 'accessible' — not more palatable
New Sky TV supernatural thriller Possession is one of the most uncomfortable watches of the year — so don't think its colonial history is going to be toned down.
Sky TV's new supernatural thriller, Possession, promises to delve into colonial history in a unique and accessible manner, according to star Gugu Mbatha-Raw. The series follows ambitious bi-racial lawyer Claudia, played by Mbatha-Raw, as she travels to Jamaica to challenge an inheritance claim against a wealthy white aristocrat. However, upon arrival, she discovers the disputed estate is a former plantation that has haunted her dreams, leading to terrifying flashbacks and supernatural events.
While the drama may seem frightening on the surface due to its consistent jump scares and graphic violence, Mbatha-Raw emphasizes that the show's true purpose is not to make uncomfortable subjects more palatable but to present them in an accessible way. The power of drama, she explains, lies in posing lofty subjects like colonialism, spirituality, and the complexities of reparations in a manner that is easier for audiences to comprehend.
She maintains that discomfort in drama is not only acceptable but necessary for fostering difficult conversations and challenging societal norms.
Mbatha-Raw believes that Possession offers viewers a unique and enriching viewing experience, one that leaves them with lingering internal conversations about the past and its impact on the present. As the show unfolds over just five episodes, each under an hour long, it promises to be an intense and thought-provoking journey that stays with audiences long after the final credits roll.
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