Regina King starred in 2019’s Watchmen, an HBO limited series serving as a television continuation to the original DC comic series created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. While the show embodied the essence of its source material, it forged its own path in storytelling—one met with both criticism and acclaim.
Watchmen was praised extensively for handling racial prejudices, terror, and intergenerational trauma with a nuanced take on the subject matter. However, among a particular group of fans of the original comics, it proved divisive, as reflected by the audience score it boasts on Rotten Tomatoes.
When King stepped into play the role of Angela Abar, it apparently was challenging to get some of her friends on board with the idea, and the underlying theme of this heartbreaking reluctance stemmed from the intrinsic nature of the show—including its political allegories.
A Close Friend Of Regina King Warned Her Against Committing To Watchmen (2019)
In using the prevalent climate to tell its narrative, Watchmen (2019) deals with a subject matter that holds a mirror to the atrocities that come hand-in-hand with racism. It’s not an easy-viewing experience with the gravity of its themes and its likeness in modern-day society, but it is a topic that shouldn’t warrant tip-toeing or feigned ignorance.
Nevertheless, Regina King‘s undertaking of the project amid friends’ reluctance demonstrates the Oscar-winning actress’ resolve while highlighting the context of said trepidation.
An interview with The Guardian revealed how those close to the 53-year-old star advised King against Watchmen—a show with elements that can set off alarms in most people’s minds. Mentioned of these components were ‘time-travel, kung-fu fighting, masks,’ and, of course, the racial sensitivity and political allegories that govern its tale.
One friend, in particular, told King, “Girl, don’t do this.”
The reluctance is understandable but heart-rending. It is perhaps a fact the world is grappling with, but even in the 21st century, the ‘controversiality’ and hush-hush nature surrounding such ubiquitous topics appears regressive.
The fallout from undertaking those issues (even with the utmost grace and tact) in television or movies has consistently created headlines. Although honest, well-informed criticism allows the scope of constructive feedback and change, the lines blur with the intent behind the condemnation.
Apprehension regarding the subject material and the weight it carries, then, is justifiable. Considering some individuals’ reception toward the endeavor, including the alleged review-bombing of the series, it’s no wonder Regina King’s friends found it difficult to be convinced of the Damon Lindelof-created show.
King braced herself for the challenge, though, and stepped right into the convoluted world Watchmen (2019) occupies—and she was lauded for it and even won accolades.
Regina King Explained The Nature Behind Watchmen‘s Storytelling
While Regina King wasn’t familiar with the source material or Zack Snyder’s 2009 film adaptation, she was more than willing to participate in the HBO limited series after she read the script. In a separate interview with The Washington Post, the actress once affirmed how the concepts Watchmen (2019) delves into have real-world applicability and address the present-day issues that plague the world.
It’s a sensitive subject entrenched in the reality of racial prejudices that persist in our society. King said the following of the show’s story-telling mechanism and its relevance to what’s happening even today:
“[The show] is using the current [political] climate to help tell the story. In all honesty, of the other big things that are happening in our country right now, I don’t know what really is bigger than [white supremacy]. Everything is just bubbling up right now in real life. There’s no more hiding in plain sight. People are wearing their racism on their sleeves.”
But that isn’t all Watchmen tried to be. Hoping people caught on to the provocative bent of the narrative, King highlighted the other components that formed its essence:
“There’s a bit of a love story in there. There’s a historical story in there. It’s a [mix] of quite a few genres. As the story goes, I hope it becomes a little more meta. I hope that people receive it that way. It’s provocative.”
On Rotten Tomatoes, Watchmen enjoys a 96% approval rating from critics, but the audience score fares lower at 57%. A major complaint among fans of the source material was attributed to the treatment of Rorschach’s image. The other source of the meager viewers’ score, as mentioned before, was attached to alleged review-bombing, with many insistent on calling the show ‘woke propaganda.’
Nevertheless, Regina King’s performance in the series won her the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Emmy. The show in itself snagged eleven wins at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
Watchmen (2019) is available for streaming on Max.
