Exclusive: Lyric Ross on playing AI N.A.T.A.L.I.E. in Marvel's Ironheart
Now playing on Disney+ are the first three episodes to Marvel’s Ironheart, starring Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams.
Set after the events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Marvel Television’s “Ironheart” pits technology against magic when Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), determined to make her mark on the world, returns to her hometown of Chicago. Her unique take on building iron suits is brilliant, but in pursuit of her ambitions, she finds herself wrapped up with the mysterious yet charming Parker Robbins aka “The Hood” (Anthony Ramos).
The series also stars Lyric Ross, Alden Ehrenreich, Matthew Elam, Manny Montana, Anji White, Cree Summer, LaRoyce Hawkins, Shakira Barrera, Shea Couleé, Sonia Denis and Zoe Terakes.
Chinaka Hodge is head writer; episodes are directed by Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes. Executive producers include Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Zoie Nagelhout, Chinaka Hodge, Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler. Produced in association with Proximity Media.
In the series, Lyric Ross plays Natalie Washington and N.A.T.A.L.I.E, Natalie is Riri's deceased best friend that she turns into her in-suit artificial intelligence (AI) N.A.T.A.L.I.E., short for Neuro Autonomous Technical Assistant and Laboratory Intelligence Entity.
Ross appeared in shows such as Sirens and Chicago Fire before nabbing the role of Deja Pearson in NBC’s This Is Us’ second season. Her character became the adopted teen that couple Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) took in from the foster system.
Blackfilmandtv.com's Wilson Morales talks to Lyric Ross on playing AI N.A.T.A.L.I.E. in Marvel's #Ironheart