The Power of Storytelling: Jessica Frances Dukes’ Passion for Acting

For Jessica Frances Dukes, acting isn’t just a profession—it’s a means of changing the world. She believes deeply in the power of storytelling to shape lives, spark inspiration, and influence change. “The fact that we have the ability to change the world,” she explains, is one of the main reasons she loves being an actor. Her own life was touched by stories she watched growing up, particularly shows like A Different World. “A Different World is the reason I went to college,” Dukes admits, highlighting how entertainment has real, transformative effects.

For Dukes, acting is a way to bring hope, ignite love, and evoke passion in audiences worldwide. This sense of purpose drives her career and fills her with pride. “It’s the best job in the world,” she says, because of the global reach and potential storytelling has to foster empathy and transformation.

A Hungry Start: From Theater to Television

Dukes’ journey into acting began on the stage, where the work wasn’t glamorous, and the pay wasn’t great. “I started out in theater when you’re making $200 a week to tell a story,” she recalls, emphasizing that in the world of theater, it’s the love of the craft, not money, that sustains you. Dukes performed in New York’s off-Broadway scene, driven by a relentless passion for storytelling. “I don’t think people realize we’re not doing this for the money when you’re in theater. You live, breathe, eat art,” she explains.

For Dukes, acting has always been more than a job—it’s a calling. “I never wanted to do anything else,” she reflects. Her devotion to the craft is deeply personal, as she identifies herself as both an “artist” and a “heart-ist,” fully committed to telling stories with her whole being.

A Childhood Rooted in Imagination

Dukes credits her mother for nurturing her love of acting and make-believe from an early age. “My mother never didn’t have time for make-believe,” she shares. Growing up, Dukes was encouraged to embrace her imagination, whether it was creating imaginary friends or participating in playful scenes with her mother during what they fondly called “cocktail hour.”

This freedom to explore creativity and imagination fueled her desire to act. “I never wanted to be anything else,” Dukes says, recalling the joy of her childhood play-acting. Her mother also ensured she had outlets to nurture her artistic side, whether through drama clubs or school activities, reinforcing her dream of becoming an actress.

A Defining Moment: Inspired by Anna Deavere Smith

Although Dukes knew from childhood that she wanted to act, a pivotal moment in her career came when she saw Anna Deavere Smith perform a one-woman show in Washington, D.C. Smith portrayed 30 to 40 characters in a single performance, captivating the audience with nothing but a few props and her presence. “This one woman is standing on stage and capturing the entire audience,” Dukes recalls, awestruck by Smith’s ability to transform into multiple characters.

This experience cemented Dukes’ desire not only to act but to fully embody the roles she plays. “That’s what I wanted to do,” she realized, inspired by Smith’s mastery of character transformation. This moment continues to influence Dukes as she embraces roles that allow her to explore a wide range of characters with depth and nuance, much like Smith did.

Drawn to the Depths of Earth Abides

Jessica Frances Dukes’ career is now reaching new heights with her role as Emma in Earth Abides. During our conversation, Dukes described how she was captivated by the novel almost immediately, hooked just a few pages in by its post-apocalyptic setting and complex characters. As a fan of end-of-the-world stories, she was drawn to the character of Emma, who is portrayed as “Mother Earth” and “Mother of Nations.” Emma’s duality—strength and tenderness, fierceness and compassion—resonated deeply with Dukes, who couldn’t wait to dive into the role.

What made the experience of portraying Emma even more personal for Dukes was how much she saw of herself in the character. “I am an Earth sign. I am grounded in the Earth,” she shared, recognizing her own earthy, spiritual qualities in Emma. Playing Emma allowed Dukes to fully embrace her own identity, bringing her love of zodiac signs, crystals, and the natural world into the character, making Emma an extension of herself.

But beyond the character’s qualities, Dukes found a profound message within Earth Abides that resonated with her on a deeper level. For her, the story isn’t just about the collapse of civilization—it’s about the hope and possibility of starting anew. “Earth Abides isn’t just about the end of the world,” Dukes reflected during our discussion. “It’s about the possibilities that come with starting anew. It’s about who we become when we have no choice but to be who we are.”

Earth Abides premiered yesterday December 1st and is available for streaming on Prime & MGM+.

Portraying Emma: Lessons in Resilience and Identity

Taking on the role of Emma has been a transformative experience for Dukes. “Emma taught me so much about myself. She reintroduced me to myself,” she said, reflecting on the character’s resilience, strength, and capacity for love, even in the face of immense loss and hardship. For Dukes, Emma embodied the idea that growth often comes from adversity. “You can’t have light without dark. Things grow in dirt, deep down in the soil,” she explained, underscoring the theme of resilience that runs through both Emma and the larger story of Earth Abides.

Emma, to Dukes, is more than just a survivor. She is a symbol of peace and protection, someone who will “kill a bear for her family” yet remains deeply nurturing. Emma’s journey of self-discovery, as she navigates a world that has been stripped bare, mirrors a broader question of purpose and survival. Why did she survive when so many others didn’t? What is her role in this new world? “You become who you are because of the circumstances you’re put into,” Dukes shared, explaining how Emma’s evolution is central to her journey of helping rebuild and start the new world. As Dukes continues to explore the depth of Emma’s character, she sees this role as a perfect blend of her own earthy identity and the strength of a woman navigating the unknown. With Earth Abides, Dukes not only found a character that felt deeply personal, but a story that speaks to human resilience, transformation, and the enduring power of nature.