When I was in college, I went through an intense phase of only watching criminal justice shows. (I think maybe we all do that?) Not one episode CSI or criminal mind It’s safe to be around – each fictional case feels like a test to be solved and a hint that my future might be in this field. For a while, I seriously considered switching majors. Even now, I sometimes wonder what it would be like if I realized the full potential of this passion in my career. Since I didn’t have one, I fed my cravings through shows that explored that world…and that’s how I came across NBC Irrational and actress Mahala Hill.
Based on the 2008 non-fiction book Predictable Irrationality: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our DecisionsThe series tells the story of Dr. Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin), a world-renowned behavioral psychology professor who advises the FBI on special cases. Hill plays Alec’s ex-wife Marissa, an FBI agent. For Hill, it was a chance to truly make the career move she had come so close to achieving—as a college psychology major with a deep interest in human behavior.
When I had a chance to talk to Hill at the start of season two, she talked about what the show taught her, her decision to take more than a decade off to raise her daughter, and her (very cool) Olympic legacy.
Scary Mom: Season 2 Irrational Work in progress (congratulations!). You finally solve the mystery of the explosion, but Rose is immediately kidnapped. Where is Marisa’s head now?
Maahra Hill: She’s just been through some pretty traumatic events and significant losses, and she goes into the season knowing that someone close to her, obviously Alec, might be going through a similar situation. So, I think right now, she’s very focused on making sure that he doesn’t go through the same loss that she did and then move to a place that hopefully heals some of the things that she went through.
Everyone deals with grief a little differently, but we’ll see her deal with that and there’ll be some other things that will shock her a little bit, which will shock the audience as well.
SM: Last season was tough, going through divorce and losing Jace. Are there any hints as to whether another relationship – or possibly revisiting a past relationship – might be possible in the near future?
MH: I would say there is a relationship, but it might not be what you expect. A past relationship surfaces in a surprising way and is definitely very, very genuine.
SM: What was it like building a post-divorce life with the legendary Jesse L. Martin?
MH: In a way, what’s unique about this show is that it’s rare that you see people working so closely together after divorce while still feeling so connected to each other. I think it helps that Marissa can still see Alec and make sure he’s okay, but it’s also good for him and both of their careers.
Working with Jesse, he’s just amazing as a person. He was so sensitive, genuine, and present about his craft, but also in life. Even as an ex-wife, the relationship is interesting. I feel like this relationship can suggest that things don’t have to get messy. They can work out, they can blend well, they can still take on new forms and work out well.
SM: Jesse is aging like a fine wine. Are you surprised by his follower count?
MH: Actually I am! I was at the airport and a guy who worked in the lounge came up to me and said, “Oh, where are you going?” Are you going to Vancouver? I was like, “What?” Who is this? What’s going on? But I thought, “Yeah, I’m going to Vancouver.” They said, “I know you’re making this show… My family and I have been watching it.” Please tell Jesse he’s a foodie. (laugh)
He was the most attractive; he was just magnetic. He has so much charisma and charisma. So, it’s understandable. It was a privilege for everyone—cast, crew, and audience—to witness the magnanimity of Jesse L. Martin.
SM: What is your favorite thing you have learned about psychology through this role?
MH: One of them is confirmation bias: if you’re looking for anything, you’ll find it. Your prejudices will be confirmed you Because that’s what you’re looking for. I think, on many levels, we do this unconsciously. You act like you’re objectively moving in the direction of finding answers when you actually do have certain biases. Your brain trains itself to find the answers you are looking for. I think this is very interesting.
SM: You spent more than a decade raising your daughter Asia. What would you say to women who worry that having children early in their careers is not possible?
MH: My choice is to follow my heart, and having my daughter is an irreversible force in that direction. When she was born, my heart broke in a way I had never experienced before. I feel like if you follow your heart, there’s no way something that’s right for you won’t show up in your life. For me, motherhood is the most important thing.
I think in this industry we especially feel that age is an issue: I need to do this now because I’m still youngor [having kids] Would keep me away from this path as they are very time consuming. In some ways, none of this is true. In some ways, it is. It really depends on what you believe about yourself in life.
I even feel like the fact that I was so focused on motherhood in the first place opened doors… it was my belief in myself and my ability to do this and That. With some things, you put 60% here and 40% there, and that’s what I was doing for a while. I enjoy motherhood more than my career. Now, as she’s gotten older, that’s changed, and the timing is perfect. Doors are opening and I’m so grateful for that. I think, ultimately, if you know your heart and don’t ignore it, you can’t go wrong.
SM: We know that representation and diversity in media are important. As Asia Grows, what are your discussions about this like?
MH: I don’t remember there being a lot of conversations about diversity, but there was an intention to find places where she could see herself reflected and buy dolls and things that looked like her.
The reason diversity is so important is because it is a whole. If it’s not diverse, then it’s not real, so if there’s not diversity, it’s lacking in honesty in a way – and in many ways there’s diversity among mothers and fathers, all ages, all races. To ensure we have honest conversations, an important part of the conversation is that it includes everyone.
But the thing about being able to see yourself and have diversity in the media is that when we talk about psychology, it opens your mind up in a way, it is possible. We find this out when someone says, “When I saw this person do it, I knew I could do it.” You don’t have to make that path…you’ll see it done. It suddenly opens up this place in your mind where you’re like, “Oh, I can do that,” and “I can do this.”
So, I did intentionally make sure she saw those things, but I think primarily it was me as a model who had the biggest impact.
SM: You also have some great family role models! Your great-grandfather, DeHart Hubbard, was the first black athlete to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Can you tell us more about him?
MH: I think part of his story that we’re trying to change the narrative is that he’s not as famous as Jesse Owens, even though he inspired Jesse Owens. They also didn’t know the name DeHart Hubbard because he was humble and unassuming, but he was a great athlete and had genius-level artistic talent.
He got a scholarship at Harvard University, but he didn’t want to get a scholarship because he wanted to make money through his own efforts. So he decided to go to the University of Michigan, and that’s where his career took off. The idea of him getting a gold medal is great. He said, “You are absolutely going,” he wrote, “and I will be the first Olympic champion of color.”
Every time he targeted a game, he said, ‘This is what I’m going to do. I don’t care what it is,” and it’s been passed down to the family; we do all feel empowered to achieve what we want to achieve in life. We want to create a better narrative around the first individual Olympic gold medal winner of African American descent. We want to make sure people understand his journey and spread his name in a more powerful way.
SM: Okay, one more quick question. You starred alongside Jill Marie Jones Delilah and in one of the episodes Black-Ish With Tracy Ellis Ross. If miraculously, a girlfriend The reboot happened, will you be the new girlfriend?
MH: I love Jill Marie Jones – she and I have been the closest since then Delilah. I’m so grateful for that show because of the friendship I have with her now. I had to tell her this. I can’t even imagine being asked, but if that happened in some fantasy world, I’d be super excited.
I think if they decided to do something it would work really well. They all look good and are equally, if not more, talented due to their years of experience in the game. I can’t say no…but I doubt it [would happen]. They were perfect as they were.
SM: Hey, look sex and city Restart. They brought in new characters…
MH: That’s true; you don’t have to be part of the core team. With that in mind, you’re right – that would be fun!
Irrational Airs Tuesday at 10pm ET on NBC.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
