Kandi Burruss Shines as Eboni Phillips in ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Season 2 – Essence

Executive producers Raamla Mohamed, Kerry Washington and Larry Wilmore captivated us with their portrayal of influential Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Jacqueline “Jax” Stewart (played Emayatzy Corinealdi). Throughout the series, Jax balances the extreme pressures of her profession, past trauma, a failing marriage, and the complexities of motherhood. As he tackles high-stakes cases, the primary season set the tone for a gripping legal drama where personal struggles intertwine with skilled battles.

This is what the second season is built on – barely recovering from the emotional and skilled toll of last season’s trial and a dangerous affair, Jax tries to regain control of his life. However, as she begins to get well, one in all her closest friends confesses to killing her husband, claiming it was an act of self-defense. The case takes a darker turn when a ruthless prosecutor refuses to consider the story, leaving Jax in an not possible situation. With every thing at stake, Jax hires an ambitious latest defense attorney to take the case, Corey Cash (played by Morris Chestnut).

As the season progresses, Jax returns to motion, fighting for her best friend’s freedom while attempting to balance her personal life with the demands of her husband and kids. The introduction of latest characters adds a fresh dynamic to the plot, including former Atlanta housewife Kandi Burruss, who plays Eboni Phillips, a personality fighting addiction. Eboni first appears in episode nine as the mother of JT’s child, Natasha, who has a troubled past with drugs and alcohol but is attempting to turn her life around.

Burruss reflects on her experiences as Eboni, highlighting her character’s struggles. (*2*) Eboni’s journey in the series was a strong reminder of the hidden consequences that usually accompany a glamorous lifestyle crammed with excess – drinking, drugs and the lure of wealth. As Burruss points out, Eboni is at a crossroads: “She’s at a place where there’s something from her past weighing on her that she can’t shake.” This authenticity allows viewers to attach with Eboni on a private level as she navigates the shadows of her past.

Drawing from her own observations and experiences, Burruss needed to dig deep inside herself to play Eboni. “You know, in our community, we grew up with various family members or people we knew who had dealt with addiction,” he explains.

When preparing for the role of Eboni, Burruss was inspired by a real story she encountered on social media a few woman’s relationship with an athlete who took over her children. “I don’t know this woman from anyone, but I thought about her and what it must feel like to have to fight someone who has all the money and you don’t have any to fight your battle.” This helped Burruss portray the struggles Eboni faced as she faced her past while coping with the results of her lifestyle decisions. “So when I had to drink Eboni, I thought of this girl,” she explains.

As events unfold, Eboni’s character shows her struggle with addiction and the results of her past. In just just a few concise episodes, we witness the complexity of her character as she faces a relapse, grapples with the temptations of her old lifestyle while attempting to forge a brand new path.

After filming these emotional scenes, Burruss admits, “When you walk away from that moment, the anxiety you felt continues to be there; it takes a minute to recover from it. This lingering anxiety reflects the load of Ebonia’s journey and is a testament to the impact of the character’s experiences on Burruss herself.

Burruss notes that Eboni’s character stands in stark contrast to her other roles, such as Roselyn’s character on the series. “I like that it’s completely different from playing Roselyn in The Chi. There is night and day,” he explains. “Eboni is fighting her demons. Some of the opposite roles I got to play did not have that type of stuff that they were fighting internally.

Burruss was keen to showcase her acting skills in the role, delving into the complexities of Eboni. The character’s journey towards redemption allowed Burruss to reveal her acting talents. Reflecting on her experiences, she shared a strong lesson from her role as Eboni: “Never let people take you to a dark place.”

With a talented forged that features Morris Chestnut, McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey, Aderinsola Olabode and Thaddeus J. Mixson, the show’s second season delivered stories with depth to every character. Burruss’ role, though small, was a pivotal character, difficult viewers to reconsider their perspectives on justice and redemption.

Watch season two on Hulu and watch Kandi Burruss shine in this latest role, bringing Eboni Phillips to life.