BMF's second season is in full swing, having garnered over 4 million viewers for its season premiere and an early pickup for its third season.
Part of the draw for fans of the hit STARZ crime drama, based heavily on the true-life story of the Flenory Brothers' Black Mafia Family drug empire, is the addition of fresh faces and new cast members.
One such addition that has shocked and delighted viewers has been Mo'Nique, making her grand return to television acting with the role of Goldie, a tough-as-nails Atlanta club manager who serves as a lifeline and collaborator to the Flenorys as they establish roots for their business outside of Detroit.
"Goldie is that person in the community that the realness of the community really loves her," the actress tells ESSENCE exclusively of her character. "The religious part of the community might have a situation with her."
"She brings authenticity. She brings a genuine love. But she also brings that hammer."
For Mo'Nique, the most exciting part of bringing the story of the Flenory Brothers to life on screen is showcasing their intelligence and their traditional upbringing – a far cry from the assumptions people make about the type of people drug dealers are and the crimes they commit.
"Those two young men, baby, they were brilliant," she says. "If they were selling any other thing, they would have been in Forbes. Oftentimes, we will overlook their brilliance and say 'oh, but they were drug dealers.' Do you know how brilliant you have to be to birth that kind of empire and make that kind of money?"
"I know it's easy for us to judge that. But when you understand the circumstances and the situation, we're in a society that doesn't make it easy for our people to have opportunities. When you open up the refrigerator and see there's only enough milk in there for one bowl of cereal, but there are 5 people in the house...what decisions will you make?"
BMF airs on STARZ and begins streaming on the STARZ app Fridays at 8pm.