Essence Atkins Calls Working with the Wayans Family 'Incredibly Liberating': 'They Don't Require a Hierarchy' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Essence Atkins.Photo:Variety via Getty

Variety via Getty

Essence Atkinshas nothing but love and respect for the Wayans.In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE about her newly released BET+ original holiday filmQueens of Christmas, the actress, 52, also discussed her longstanding working relationship with the comedians.Atkins currently stars as “Ivy” alongsideDamon Wayans, Sr.(Poppa) and his son Damon Wayans, Jr. (Damon) in the CBS sitcomPoppa’s House, but she has also worked with other members of the famous family throughout the decades.Damon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Tetona Jackson and Damon Wayans Jr. arrives at the Fall Schedule Celebration at Paramount Studios on May 02, 2024 in Los Angeles.FilmMagic“I think what makes it work for us is the love, respect and trust that we have with one another,” Atkins told PEOPLE. “It’s like we all show up with a very similar mindset.”“We all show up to do the work, to tell the best stories, to find ways to augment the laughter and surprise one another,” she continued.After siblingsKeenen Ivory Wayans, 66, Damon Wayans, Sr., 64, Kim Wayans, 63,Shawn Wayans, 53, andMarlon Wayans, 52, starred inIn Living Colorin the early ‘90s, Shawn and Marlon starred inThe Wayans Brothersfrom 1995 to 1999 for five seasons.Shawn and Marlon also became known for their roles inWhite Chicksand theScary Moviefranchise, which spoofed popular horror films.Essence Atkins and Shawn Wayans in Dance Flick.Glen Wilson/ParamountIn addition toPoppa’s House, Atkins has starred in several projects with the family — includingDance Flick,A Haunted HouseandA Haunted House 2, and the seriesMarlonfrom 2017 to 2018.“But also there’s so much respect and trust that has been built up over [an almost] 30-year working relationship,” Atkins explained, saying she first worked with Marlon, Shawn and Kim on theWayans Brothersin 1995.“So, we’ve watched each other grow and become even better as artists. And we’ve always shown up in support of one another. And I love that we listen and we hear each other,” she told PEOPLE.Essence Atkins and Marlon Wayans in A Haunted House.Im Global Octane/Kobal/ShutterstockAccording to Akins, the Wayans family creates “such a collaborative environment on their projects.”“They really do invite true collaboration. They don’t need credit. They don’t require a kind of hierarchy. They just want to know, ‘Well, what do you think is funny?’” theSmart Guyalum continued. “And if you think it’s funny, then try it. And if it works, we’ll use it. And if it doesn’t, we’ll keep trying until we find the absolute best moment. And that is such an incredibly liberating feeling.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Atkins added that when trying new things out with the Wayans, “failure isn’t a death sentence, failure completely isn’t condemning, you tried it, it didn’t work, try again. Let’s try something different. Let’s find it together.”“It’s such an ‘us’ place. It’s a ‘we’ place. And that’s a rare thing in this business,” the actress said.Queens of Christmasis now streaming on BET+.

Essence Atkinshas nothing but love and respect for the Wayans.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE about her newly released BET+ original holiday filmQueens of Christmas, the actress, 52, also discussed her longstanding working relationship with the comedians.

Atkins currently stars as “Ivy” alongsideDamon Wayans, Sr.(Poppa) and his son Damon Wayans, Jr. (Damon) in the CBS sitcomPoppa’s House, but she has also worked with other members of the famous family throughout the decades.

Damon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Tetona Jackson and Damon Wayans Jr. arrives at the Fall Schedule Celebration at Paramount Studios on May 02, 2024 in Los Angeles.FilmMagic

FilmMagic

“I think what makes it work for us is the love, respect and trust that we have with one another,” Atkins told PEOPLE. “It’s like we all show up with a very similar mindset.”

“We all show up to do the work, to tell the best stories, to find ways to augment the laughter and surprise one another,” she continued.

After siblingsKeenen Ivory Wayans, 66, Damon Wayans, Sr., 64, Kim Wayans, 63,Shawn Wayans, 53, andMarlon Wayans, 52, starred inIn Living Colorin the early ‘90s, Shawn and Marlon starred inThe Wayans Brothersfrom 1995 to 1999 for five seasons.

Shawn and Marlon also became known for their roles inWhite Chicksand theScary Moviefranchise, which spoofed popular horror films.

Essence Atkins and Shawn Wayans in Dance Flick.Glen Wilson/Paramount

Glen Wilson/Paramount

In addition toPoppa’s House, Atkins has starred in several projects with the family — includingDance Flick,A Haunted HouseandA Haunted House 2, and the seriesMarlonfrom 2017 to 2018.“But also there’s so much respect and trust that has been built up over [an almost] 30-year working relationship,” Atkins explained, saying she first worked with Marlon, Shawn and Kim on theWayans Brothersin 1995.

“So, we’ve watched each other grow and become even better as artists. And we’ve always shown up in support of one another. And I love that we listen and we hear each other,” she told PEOPLE.

Essence Atkins and Marlon Wayans in A Haunted House.Im Global Octane/Kobal/Shutterstock

Im Global Octane/Kobal/Shutterstock

According to Akins, the Wayans family creates “such a collaborative environment on their projects.”

“They really do invite true collaboration. They don’t need credit. They don’t require a kind of hierarchy. They just want to know, ‘Well, what do you think is funny?’” theSmart Guyalum continued. “And if you think it’s funny, then try it. And if it works, we’ll use it. And if it doesn’t, we’ll keep trying until we find the absolute best moment. And that is such an incredibly liberating feeling.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Atkins added that when trying new things out with the Wayans, “failure isn’t a death sentence, failure completely isn’t condemning, you tried it, it didn’t work, try again. Let’s try something different. Let’s find it together.”

“It’s such an ‘us’ place. It’s a ‘we’ place. And that’s a rare thing in this business,” the actress said.

Queens of Christmasis now streaming on BET+.

source: people.com