Just like fans watching Tyler Perry‘s Beauty in Black, series star Taylor Polidore Williams found herself on the edge of her while shooting the soapy, high-octane Netflix drama.

“So the way Tyler shoots is we shoot all at once,” she explained to DECIDER during a visit to our studio on Wednesday, just one day ahead of Season 2’s debut. “It’s such a unique and fascinating experience how we do it. But we have all of the scripts in advance, and so as I was reading them, I’m like, “What? What?” I’m so shocked.”

Season 1 of Perry’s first Netflix series concluded with a sort of rags to riches story for Kimmie (Williams), an exotic dancer who by marrying Horace Bellarie (Ricco Ross), assumes control of his family’s Beauty in Black cosmetic empire. As Williams teased during our conversation, this also sets up a “showdown” between Kimmie and Mallory (Crystle Stewart), an experience that was new for the both of them given their parallel storylines in Season 1.

“So first of all, it was funny because Crystle is literally the sweetest person in the world,” she shared. “So these lines coming out of her mouth. And that’s the thing, too. So Season 1, we didn’t really get to act with each other. Obviously, we were around each other, but our scenes weren’t together because it was kind of building up. So Season 2 was our first time having these face-offs, and I was like, this is so fun. Where is this coming from in you? This is crazy! But it all kind of rises to a head, and I think in the show it shows up like that, too.”

To learn more about Williams’ experience collaborating with Perry, her thoughts on the show being compared to Succession, and her dream project, check out our full interview. And full disclosure: DECIDER was unable to watch Season 2 ahead of its release, so our conversation with Williams centered on the events of Season 1, the Season 2 trailer and the first eight minutes of Season 2, which Netflix dropped shortly before our interview.

DECIDER: The first eight minutes of the season dropped. It kind of ends with this bombshell of you introducing yourself as Mrs. Bellarie to the Bellarie family, and you at the head of their cosmetic empire. What was it like to see this evolution for Kimmie and to film this across the season?

TAYLOR POLIDORE WILLIAMS: It was really fun. You know, I feel like as an artist, as an actor, getting to have a character where there’s such a transformative evolution, where you go from the lowest of the low, the underdog to literally the top. The CEO of the company is just like a dream come true. But to do it so quickly, from the first season to the second season like that, it was really, really fun. It’s like I’m getting to play like three different characters in like a short span of time.

I know that the Bellarie family is really intense and there’s a lot of different members. Who would you say is probably going to be the member this season that’s going to be the biggest competition for Kimmie?

Mallory, hands down. I think they’re gunning for the same thing. They both want the— well, she was thrust into the top spot, and Mallory is like, I got to keep my top spot because she’s not there for love either. So I think they’re going to be the biggest opposing forces in Season 2.

Speaking of Mallory,  in Season 1, it kind of was set up that you two had these parallel lives, and now we’re seeing them kind of intersect. What was it like to go toe to toe with Crystle Stewart while filming these scenes?

So first of all, it was funny because Crystle is literally the sweetest person in the world. So these lines coming out of her mouth. And that’s the thing, too. So Season 1, we didn’t really get to act with each other. Obviously, we were around each other, but our scenes weren’t together because it was kind of building up. So Season 2 was our first time having these face-offs, and I was like, this is so fun. Where is this coming from in you? This is crazy! But it all kind of rises to a head, and I think in the show it shows up like that, too. Like, finally you’re seeing them showdown with each other. 

And I’m so excited to get to watch that! In this clip that dropped today, we see Horace saying that he’ll try to add in protections for Rain, for Kimmie’s sister Sylvie, and for Angel into his will. I know that at the end of Season 1 for Angel, there was kind of craziness that he was thrust into getting framed for the car jacking, and fans online all just wanted justice for Angel.

Everyone’s like, “Free Angel!”

Will we see justice for Angel in Season 2? Can you tease anything about what’s going to happen for him this season?

Uhh… you’re just going to have to wait and see! I’m really bad at spoilers, so I want to tell you everything. But Angel is going to be around. Now if he’s going to get out of jail, I’m not going to share. But Angel is 1,000% going to be around in this season, yeah.

We see Officer Alex (Bryan Tanaka) in the clip that dropped today, that he’s assigned to be your driver and help you guys out. But also in the trailer, Jules (Charles Malik Whitfield) asks him to keep an eye on Kimmie. What can you tease about this dynamic throughout the season? Will he have more of a presence? What’s going to happen?

For Season 2, I think we get a little bit deeper into the characters and the world that these people live in in general, which I think is going to be really yummy for all the viewers to see. And Officer Alex is one of those layered characters that, he was there Season 1, but he’s stepping in as a unexpected… maybe ally? Maybe. Because who’s really an ally in this family? [Laughs].

I know I was always kept on my toes while watching this show.

Me too!

Yeah, did you feel the same way while shooting? Were you ever shocked when you got the scripts? How was your arc introduced to you?

Oh, 1,000%. So the way Tyler shoots is we shoot all at once. It’s such a unique and fascinating experience how we do it. But we have all of the scripts in advance, and so as I was reading them, I’m like, “What? What?” I’m so shocked. And when we shoot it, we already know what we’re going into. So it’s really, really fun, but also a lot to digest at one time knowing that you’re going to all these different places.

Speaking of Tyler Perry, this marks your second project working with him. I’d love to ask what your experience has been like working with him across these two projects?

It’s been great, and I feel very honored to come back, to have a second season, first of all, for people to watch it. But the more times you get to collaborate with somebody, the deeper the trust goes, the more you get to play, the more comfortable you feel. And I think that’s the biggest thing. Being able to come back again and work with him again and work with the entire crew and everyone in the cast, and into the second season, it feels more comfortable and [there’s] even more space to just play and do our thing. So it’s been really good.

[Perry’s] known for creating such strong female characters across film, TV, the stage. Is there any other genre or medium that you’d like to explore with him in the future, or to do any other collaborations?

I would love to do something. So he did [The] Six Triple Eight, and I wanted to be in that so bad. I really would love to do some type of historical period piece. And then I think maybe the next thing I would love to do is action. So Tyler? Call me. Anyone? Call.

Noted. With this show, one can’t help but draw some comparisons between Beauty and Black and Succession a little bit. Just in my mind, seeing this family empire. Did these conversations ever take place on set? Has any fan input ever come out about this? What’s your experience been like with this comparison?

So Succession is absolutely one of my favorite shows of all time. So that comparison I am deeply honored [by]. But I think it’s that familial drama, the gunning of the companies. Like, I get that comparison. I think it’s its own show, of course, in its own right. But I have seen that parallel online or people talking about it. But I think it’s just that we’re very entertained by the juxtaposition of people that are supposed to love each other, who seemingly hate each other [laughs]. And that’s where I think the parallel is.

For last season, last year I spoke with Bailey Tippen, who plays Sylvie.

Aww, Bailey.

In the Season 2 trailer, we see Rain urge Kimmie to “think about [her] sister.” Can you tell us more about this dynamic and what fans can expect from their sister relationship this season?

Well, thankfully, Kimmie has her sister. She was looking for her all of Season 1. But I think sometimes the pursuit of getting something so badly—she was trying to find her sister—now, what depths will she go to to ensure that she’s safe and that she remains safe? And I think we see that in Season 2, that it’s not as easy as, oh, now we’re just riding into the sunset. She has a whole new level of threats, and it is the family that she’s in now. So she’s going to be protective. 

I know I just mentioned Rain, and Kimmie and Rain’s friendship is such a powerful storyline throughout Season 1 and is obviously carrying over into Season 2. Can you tell us more about that and what we can maybe expect?

Yes. So Season 1, she was trying to get Rain out of the hospital. Everything that she did was for Rain, and now she’s out. And I think something I’m really looking forward to seeing in Season 2 is them getting to enjoy this money, the new house, the new lifestyle. But of course, I’m sure that’ll bring its own challenges too. 

This cast is such a powerhouse cast. Two actors that come to mind for me are Debbi Morgan and Richard Lawson. What was it like getting to work with them, and did you have any takeaways from getting to work with such iconic actors?

So many. They are legends. They’ve been on the screen for decades, and this is my second time working with them. We worked together on Divorce in the Black. So getting to work with them even more in Beauty in Black has been such a treat. Even just stopping and listening to them, the stories that they have with people that I looked up to, you know, Diahann Carroll. So many wonderful people that they worked with. And I just ask them, “What was it like? What was it like?” But they impart so much wisdom to us as the next generation of artists. And even things like after a great scene, Richard saying, like, “That was a good job.” It’s just very affirming to be seen by people you respect so much.

Kind of going off of this, while tensions might be high on screen, can you tell me what working with the rest of the cast has been like? Are you guys friends, family? What has it been like?

We are absolutely family. In fact, it makes it difficult because there’s so many high-tension, yelling “We hate each other” scenes. And then after, everyone’s like, “Are you OK? I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. Are you OK? Are you OK?” It’s a very loving environment. We genuinely like each other. We joke around. And I think it is also because we all really love what we do and to be able to play these crazy fun people. Everyone is happy. We have long days, but we have good days. And so we’re a family.

We’re just ahead of the first part of Season 2 coming out. Do you have any idea if there could be a Season 3? If there could be, would you be open to it?

Oh, I hope! I hope! I don’t know, we’ll see. You know, that’s above me. So I hope everyone watches!

Another iconic role of yours was guest starring on Snowfall, the FX series. Recently it was announced that a pilot order for a spin-off is going to happen centering on Gail Bean [and Isaiah Johns’] characters. I was curious, did you know anything about the project? Would you be open to getting onboard if you get the opportunity?

Oh, 1,000%, hands down. Whatever they want me to do. Shoutout to Gail Bean, one of my good friends. I know that the project is going to be set in the ’90s, which is kind of picking up from where Snowfall ended. And it centers around her character and Isaiah’s character, Leon, and rap and gang violence that happened in the ’90s. But beyond that, I don’t really know. I know that they did the pilot, and I’m sure it’s amazing. But yeah, if they call, I’m there.

Now that Season 2 [of Beauty in Black] has wrapped, do you have any other projects in the pipeline coming up for you that you can tell us about?

I executive produced and starred in a short film that brings awareness to endometriosis, and I’m really excited about that. We’re submitting that into festivals. So hopefully next year that can be seen and more people can see it, because that’s something really near and dear to my heart. Beyond that, we’ll just see.

What would be your dream, ideal project to star in? What genre or what medium are you hoping to explore in the future?

There’s so many things that I would love to do. I feel like my dream project changes based on what I’m seeing. I’m always inspired. But I have a thought in my head. I call it “my Selena.” How Jennifer Lopez had Selena, I would love to do some type of biopic film for some historical, legendary figure. Somebody that I love and I’m obsessed with her story, Chaka Khan. But something like that I think is like my dream.

I love that. We’ll get the idea out there.

Yeah, put it out there! Put it out there.

Exactly. We’ll manifest it. At DECIDER, we’re a site that’s dedicated to all things streaming. So we’d like to know what you are watching right now.

Well, I just finished the catfish documentary on Netflix [Unknown Number: The High School Catfish], which was insane. But beyond that, I have been catching up on The Morning Show before the new season comes out.

Is there anything else that you’d like to share about your experience working on Beauty in Black?

Season 2, I think the biggest difference for me, or what I really took away besides Season 1, was having that journey to power. So much of Season 1, I felt like my character Kimmie was being beat down, and she had so many difficult circumstances. So it was really fulfilling to get that vindication in Season 2, where she’s learning and being guided into her power. Something that’s also really awesome, too, is, you know, Horace, the character who she marries in Season 1 who’s like, it’s something different about you. I see something in you. And I think in Season 2, we get to see exactly what he saw in her all along, that maybe she didn’t even know. And that’s always nice to get to experience in a character. 

Beauty in Black Season 2, Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix.