ABC Family’s drama, Lincoln Heights focuses on the Sutton family.  Eddie Sutton, who grew up in the area, comes back as a LAPD officer, and brings his family with him to start a new life and to help out the old neighborhood.  While Eddie adjusts to the life of a street cop, the rest of the family adjusts to new schools and new neighbors. 

The show returned for it’s third season of ten episodes on September 16. Russell  Hornsby plays the role of Eddie Sutton and Nicki Micheaux plays the role of Jenn Sutton on ABC Family’s critically acclaimed series, Lincoln Heights, which returned for its third season last week.  The two actors recently took time out of their schedules to discuss the only successful drama with an African American cast on TV today.

Question>  What is it that makes Lincoln Heights so special?

Russell Hornsby> I really think it’s the whole notion of family and community, which really makes it special.  I think more specifically when we’re talking about the type of show that it is, I mean it is a family drama that’s centered around an African American family and I think we have to just sort of state the obvious and say that we’ve never seen in a dramatic dynamic a nuclear family in an African American context such as this. 

I think that alone just right off the bat at the start, I think that’s what makes it special, because we’re talking about a family where we have a husband and wife, who are standing side-by-side as they raise their three children in a neighborhood where people look like them and they’re able to sort of help each other and their community.  I think that’s part of what makes Lincoln Heights so special. 

Nicki Micheaux> One of the things I think makes Lincoln Heights special is it’s something that you can watch with your whole family.  That’s kind of a neat thing to do, be able to sit in front of the TV with your kids or even grandparents or whatever and everybody gets a chance to watch it and talk about some of the issues that come up. 

Question>  Can you tell us just in general terms what are the Suttons up to this season, without giving away any spoilers or anything? 

Nicki > We have teenagers, so they’re doing a lot.  We have parenting dilemmas, like having a choice of how do we handle this particular problem with the kids.  I think that’s some of the stuff that comes up. 

Russell> I agree; we’ve really focused on the teenagers and dealing with their issues at school and out of school and dealing with friends and little relationships that come up and just really how Eddie and Jenn sort of react to their children this time around.  

Nicki> Also, another thing is the house continues to play a big role in impacting the Suttons because the fact that they moved into this house and the house has its own history and it starts to create problems for the Sutton family as well. 

Question>  There’s often talk of how minorities are under represented in the entertainment industry, especially behind the scenes.  Given this issue, how personally invested do you feel in how Lincoln Heights represents your characters?

Nicki> Very invested.  I mean I think that it’s really important that Lincoln Heights shows, I think, a very well rounded and dynamic picture of what people of color are and I think that our show has all types of people that exist in our community.  I think it’s not only because of who we have in front of the camera, but we have a very diverse writing staff as well. 

Russell> I think that it’s, as I said before, I just appreciate the opportunity that we have to tell these stories and the role that this family plays in sort of changing images on television.

Nicki> Exactly.  Yes.

Russell> And behind the scenes as well.  You know, when you have an African American executive producer, who calls the shots, as Nicki stated, a wonderfully diverse writing staff as well, it shows just our makeup of what America is, you know?  So I think these stories are told from all of those perspectives.  I think that’s the joy in telling Lincoln Heights and one of the positives about the show. 

Question>  How does this show get its authentic flavor from the cast members, the writers, the producers, or the combination of those?

Nicki> It gets it from probably a combination.  I mean I know one of the things that I really like, one of the story lines that Jenn does, she gets involved in this mother’s group, starting this mother’s group for women who’ve lost their kids to violence or gang violence in the community.  That is something that was birthed by a real group; that’s actually happening out in these communities today.  So I think it’s not only personal experiences; they’re taking it from what’s happening out there in the world and showing it to other people and holding  it up as an example. 

Russell> I also think it’s also about choice, just to piggyback on what Nicki said.  It’s there right in front of us.  It’s in the news, in the newspaper.  People are living it.  I think it’s a choice of the stories that we choose to tell.  I think that we’re just really choosing to be as authentic as we possibly can and tell as much of the choosing that goes on in these communities as we can and not sort of run away or stray away from what’s staring us right in the face, so I think what Nicki was saying about these wonderful community groups, these community dynamics, which is right there in front of us, we’re just choosing to sort of pick what’s there in front of all of us, but we just choose to tell these stories.

Nicki> Yes.  It’s really powerful and I think, as you’ll see in the season, you get a chance to see the different generations of sort of the struggle of black people in our show and it’s really exciting that we get to see it. 

Question>  Russell, we know that Rueben killed Eddie’s mom and I was just curious; how will that affect Eddie and his father this season? 

Russell> You know, I think I really feel that’s sort of a wait and see dynamic.  We address some of those issues and many others, but it ties so specifically into the story lines I really don’t want to give it away. 

Question>  If you were in a similar situation would you choose to go back to a neighborhood like that and raise your family with danger? 

Russell> You know, I would have to respectfully say yes.  The reason why I can say that, Troy, specifically is because I have two uncles who live in the Roxbury section of Boston .  One is a judge.  The other is a constable.  They were born and raised in Roxbury and they have chosen all of their lives to live within that community.  We’re talking about my uncle who’s a judge, who sends his people to jail; another uncle who’s a constable, who removes people from their homes, but they’re still garnered and looked at with a sense of respect and dignity.  So I think as long as you treat people with respect the respect comes back. 

Of course, it’s going to be rough at times in the beginning initially, but I think once people really understand and know where you’re coming from, where your humanity lies, I don’t think it tends to be an issue after that.  Every situation is going to be difficult and rough when you first enter into it, but I think, again, once you garner that respect over time it’s something you don’t have to worry about.  You just have to be willing, and I would be willing to do this, to take that rough road in the beginning.  I personally would not have a problem with it, because I’ve seen the model.  I’ve seen it work out.  I’ve seen it work; so therefore I know that it can. 

Nicki> Yes.  I think that what you don’t want to get lost is I think the message of Lincoln Heights is about community involvement.  I think that no matter what neighborhood you live in, we can all take steps to get to know our neighbors, to be more involved in our community and to actually do something to make whatever is going on in our neighborhood better for the whole.  I mean education is a failing system because of lack of parental involvement. 

When parents get involved in the educational system is when you actually can start to improve your school, so I think the message is no matter where you are you have the community, you have the neighborhood and what can you do to reach out and build a bond with that community.  I think that’s really the thing that I find the big message of Lincoln Heights and what I find to be so exciting about it, because so often you come home; you pull in your garage; you close the door or whatever and you don’t really interact with your neighbors unless you have to.  It’s about stepping outside of your comfort zone and really being an active part of your community.

Question>  Can either of you talk about any guest stars lined up for this season? 

Nicki> Oh, we’ve got Juanita Bynum coming this season.

Question>  Oh, cool. 

Nicki> It was really exciting.  She was very excited to come in and act.  She was really, really great on the show and we had a really good time having her.  We had Jay Holiday come and sing, which was cool.

Question>  What do you think keeps the Suttons going through all of the ups and downs and all of the stuff that’s happened? 

Nicki> I really think it is family.  I think it’s family.  I think it’s love.  I think it’s about communicating and the constant support for each other.  I definitely think that that is what gets them through every single one of these tragedies that happen and also there is also the question of face that is a part of it as well.  I think that’s what the show is talking about, the bonds of family.  It almost seems like no matter what it is that happens in your life your family can be there to support you through it. 

Question>  There’s a really nice review of the first episode in the San Francisco Chronicle this morning.  The only criticism it had was that it says that the show tends to sanitize the look and reality of living in a transitional neighborhood.  I was wondering if you could both respond to that. 

Russell> Well, I don’t think we need to always focus on the negative.  I think that people will get it.  People understand what the neighborhood is and what it’s about.  I mean I understand that’s their criticism and their entitled to that.  I don’t necessarily agree, but again, they’re entitled to have that criticism about the show. 

Nicki> Also, Lincoln Heights is not meant to be a bottom of the barrel neighborhood.  It’s meant to be a neighborhood that has good parts.  We’re showing all parts of it.  We certainly have no lack of drama for what happens in the neighborhood.

Russell> Also, it doesn’t reflect a transitional neighborhood.  That’s what we’re talking about.  We’re in our third season, so we’re transitioning out of that, that whole Stevie Wonder look of a village ghetto land.  Do you know what I mean?  We’ve been down that road.  I think we were showing how the show has grown and in that how the community has grown as well, how things get better with time, how when you take charge of your community when you’re looking out for your people in your neighborhood things will get better.  Potholes will get filled and trees will get planted.  That’s the mark of change.  So we wouldn’t be doing our job if we weren’t showing, after a third season, the show’s gradual shift into a positive, better life. 

Question>  Do you think the show is going to be around for the long haul?  Do you both see yourselves playing these characters, say, five or six years from now?

Nicki> You know, you never know.  I mean the thing about Lincoln Heights and the Suttons is that people who, when they sit down and they watch the show, they tend to fall in love with the family and want to follow the family.  It’s like a little source of comfort.  It’s almost like sitting around the fire, so it is something I could see going on because it has such a popular ground level support.  There’s not a lot of massive advertising for the show and a lot of it is word of mouth and little things as opposed to giant buses and billboards everywhere.  The show survives on just people who love it, so I do think it has a possibility to keep going.

Russell> I think we’re just now in our third season really starting to hit our stride.  I think people are just now becoming aware of the show in its third season and so I think people really latch on to some of the stories and what we’re trying to do.  I think after this season is over people will be looking for Lincoln Heights to come back for definitely a couple or a few more years. 

Question>  Do you have a favorite scene or situation or maybe an episode that you’ve done so far on the show?

Nicki> I think probably my favorite was in the opener when we get a chance to actually have a romantic getaway and go to the beach.  We shot that in Malibu and that was really, really fun.  How often do you get to see a loving black couple at the beach?  It was just kind of fun. 

Russell> To piggyback on Nicki, I think almost just about every intimate moment that the couple has together, whether it be on the beach or in the bedroom, because again, as Nicki stated, where do you get a chance to see a loving black couple in intimate moments?  We’re not talking about in a lustful moment or a sexual moment.  We’re talking about just intimate moments where people are able to look in each other’s eyes and speak about the issues of the day or just to simply say that I love you.  That’s rare, if at all. 

Question>  Lincoln Heights is a perfect example of how far we’ve come on a TV screen, but with the lack of positive programming like this one, especially ones that star an African American cast, it almost seems like we took a couple of steps back.  Why do you think so many networks are lacking positive programs starring African American casts.  Is it that the shows aren’t out there or is it that the networks are not willing to give them a chance? 

Russell> I think that it starts with us.  This is a very critical time right now.  We can’t talk about what happened in the past.  Let’s talk about what’s happening right here in the present, today.  We have to start with 8:00 tonight on ABC Family.  Our people in black, our culture, minorities, we have to support this show to let the networks know, to let studios know and also to let America know that this show is a viable option.  Once we do that then I think the networks and studios will start to catch on and say there is a place for that type of programming.  I think it has to start with today. 

Nicki> Absolutely.  Absolutely.  Because if you get the audiences the studios will follow and make more positive programming, put more black people in front of the camera.  That’s what they do.  They’ll support what people support. 

Russell> The bottom-line is this is a numbers game. It’s about money.  But what we have to also see is that, and this is my fifth series; I didn’t think when we set out to do Lincoln Heights that we would go past the first season.  That in itself, the fact that Lincoln Heights is in its third season speaks volumes to those who are out there watching it, to who this show is speaking to and how the audiences are responding to the show.  Do you know what I mean?  I mean we’re moving.  The train is bound for glory.  It’s slowly moving and it’s catching on.  It’s picking up speed and it’s moving on.  I think it’s going to be just a wonderful option as we move forward. 

Question>  Nicki, is it still a challenge for women to find positive roles like Jenn in Hollywood or have you noticed a slight change?

Nicki> I’m so happy to play Jenn Sutton.  It is a welcome change.  It is so nice to get to play a role like this.  There are very few really great female roles and when you get a chance to have one that shows the full woman, particularly allowing you to be a strong woman, as well as a soft, nurturing, loving woman, an intelligent woman, a woman who’s working, a woman who has her children, a woman who’s dealing with her husband; because a lot of women, we play these roles in life, but you don’t get a chance to really see them fully realized on the screen, so it is really exciting to play this really kind of ordinary, yet extraordinary woman.  I love it. 

Question>  Now, all of the characters seem to go through like a slight change throughout the season.  What changes do you think we’ll see in Jenn and Eddie throughout this season?

Nicki> I’d say for Jenn, I really feel like Jenn really reaps her level of really digging into the community starting in season two and I feel like it just keeps going a step further and it creates different challenges, but I definitely feel like Jenn is really committed to this move. 

I think the thing that always is on, the question that’s always on the table, especially given the dramatic nature of the show and the things that happen to the family, it’s always asking is this a good decision for our kids.  Have we done the right thing?  I think that that question always is kind of pushing Jenn and Eddie backwards and forwards and changing the decisions, but I don’t know if it’s like a traditional trajectory where a character starts here and ends there. 

I think with parents you’re kind of always watching and waiting to see how do I react or do I need to react.  Is this the time I watch or is this the time I pack everybody up and get out?  I think the Suttons, Jenn and Eddie, live on a certain edge and I think that continues through this season. 

Russell> Yes.  I’d have to just echo Nicki’s sentiments and her thoughts.  I mean, again, there’s not the typical character arch.  I think that Eddie has just realized that what he wants to do in the community, how he wants to help the community at a time going up against forces in his job that are not allowing him to do that, so he’s having to really try to think of other ways to get things done.  I think it’s just presenting a wonderful challenge for Eddie this season. 

Question>  Each one of the Suttons is such a strong character.  How much of a character does the actual Lincoln Heights play?

Nicki> Oh, I think the community plays a dramatic role, a huge role.  I think it really steps up this season in different parts of the community, different faces of the community and how it impacts us.  I think it’s huge. 

Russell> Yes.  I mean we respond to the community.  The show is named Lincoln Heights for a reason.  The Suttons don’t live in a vacuum.

Nicki> No, not at all.

Russell> It’s gee, I’m going to work and what happens at the clinic.  It’s these kids going to school and issues that arise there.  It’s Eddie being at work every day, serving and protecting the community and what his responsibilities there are.  Then what happens is we bring the community, we bring the neighborhood, we bring Lincoln Heights home.  Now we have to deal with that on the inside as a family. 

Nicki> Right.

Russell> So everything that really happens is dictated by what happens outside in the streets. 

Question>  Russell, do you think it’s easier or harder for the Sutton kids to have a father that’s a cop? 

Russell> That’s a very good question.  You know, I’d say as they get older it’s becoming a little bit more difficult.  I don’t know because I don’t have children, but I would imagine the nature of children is just to get into a little bit of mischief, do you know what I mean?  I think what happens is I think as kids go they would think that they’re constantly being watched or they’re constantly being guarded or what have you.  It sort of strains their freedom, if you will, as young people. 

So I would say that they would think it’s more difficult to have a father, who’s a police officer.  I think as they get older though it will become easier because they’re causing less and less trouble let’s hope.

Question>  Will season three be the season that one, if not all of the children, do something that will permanently change or maybe damage their relationship with their parents?

Nicki> I think that the kids do all sorts of things that always run the risk of something, but the Suttons are just not the type of family where anything is going to permanently damage the family bond.  I think it can make things difficult and challenging and I think the whole point of the show is how you get through these troubles.  I mean I think the fact that of the family separating or anything being permanently damaged is just not an option.  I think that’s where the drama comes from.  How do you get through it.  The kid did this.  How do we deal with it?

Question>  Where would you like to see the show go in terms of character development and story lines? 

Nicki> I think I’d want another baby.  I do. I think it would be fun.  I think it would be fun to have a new little Sutton.  I think the dynamics to go back to those early years now that your kids are older, I think it would be kind of fun to do that on the show. 

Russell> I think that’s a good question.  I just want to continue the neighborhood growth.  I want to, as I was saying before, as we start to really just continue to show a wonderful transition we’re going to think it’s less about just seeing the neighborhood grow, see the community grow and just see people’s interactions become more better and more personable as we continue to move on. 

Question>  In the past Eddie has been resistant to becoming a community activist.  I mean he’s very involved in the community as a police officer and a father, but he’s kind of resisted the reverend’s attempts to get him more involved at the grass roots level.   Why do you think that is and do you think, without giving stuff away, that will change?

Russell> Well, you know, I think everybody feels that they have a role to play, do you know what I mean?  I think that at this point Eddie feels that being a police officer at this time that’s his role.  Now, when you talk about community activist versus a community organizer, I think we’re looking at two different things.  When we’re talking about a community organizer, which is what Eddie has already done, where he got the gangs together and tried to get a basketball league together to get these kids off the streets and get them doing something a little bit more productive. 

 Now, when you talk about community activism I think we’re sort of speaking to speaking out against something.  Do you understand what I mean? 

Russell> That’s not Eddie’s place at this point.  That’s not his bailiwick.  Do you know what I mean?  He’s a police officer, who’s there to serve and protect.  I almost look at it as being a conflict of interest at this time.  Do you know what I mean?  I think his fight or his issue with the reverend was that, “Reverend, that’s not my charge.  That’s not my calling at this point.  That is yours.  There are others out there.  Now, I can organize people together and get them together, do a police athletic league or do something like that,” but when we’re talking about organizer versus activist, we have to really look at the distinction there, because there is one. 

Question>  Did you have to go through any special training to portray a cop on this show?  Is there any type of training that you had to go through?

Russell> No.  I don’t think any was really necessary, because the thing is we have to understand that this is not a police drama.  Do you know what I mean?  This is a family drama, so we’re not so much interested in the specifics of being a police officer as we are the specifics of being a good father and a good husband.  So it was more important to me that I understand the tense of being a good father and being a good husband more so than it was about the specifics of where to wear my gun and how to flash my badge.