Joy Sunday’s gaze is arresting. It’s a quality that’s propelled her from the darkly captivating halls of Nevermore Academy in Netflix’s “Wednesday” to the gritty, complex world of HBO’s “DTF: St. Louis.” But beyond the captivating stare, Sunday brings a thoughtful curiosity and a refusal to be easily categorized to each role she inhabits, challenging expectations and bringing a fresh perspective to the screen. Her ability to convey layers of meaning with a single look has quickly established her as a rising force in television, and her latest role as Detective Jodie Plumb is further proof of her range.
“It’s always been impossible for me to hide when I’m thinking, and I guess that shows on screen,” Sunday shared in a recent interview. “It’s really hard for me to lie at all, and not even because of my eyes, but I reckon I’m just so beholden to truth.” This inherent honesty, she believes, stems from a deep-seated curiosity. “I’ve always been a very curious person, and I think that might be part of where, what my gaze is doing: searching. It’s actually a trait of mine that I’ve really become familiar with in the past couple of years.”
That search, Sunday suggests, is rooted in her upbringing as a New Yorker. “Maybe it’s because I’m a New Yorker, there’s something very, like, unabashedly confrontational perhaps about my gaze. It’s steady. It’s no nonsense. I think, especially in acting, you get so much from the eyes. So I’m too just really digging deep in there, and when I have a scene partner, that’s where I’m getting my information from.”
From Nevermore to the St. Louis Underworld
After captivating audiences as the alluring and powerful Bianca Barclay in “Wednesday,” Sunday traded the gothic aesthetic of Nevermore Academy for the humid streets of St. Louis to film “DTF.” The series, which premiered in February 2024, centers around the investigation into the death of Floyd Smernitch, a man found dead after connecting with someone on an adult hook-up site. “DTF: St. Louis” isn’t a simple whodunit; it’s a nuanced exploration of modern relationships, desire, and the secrets people keep.
Sunday’s Detective Jodie Plumb is a departure from typical television detectives. “Jodie’s stoic, but she’s also very compassionate, observant, and receptive,” Sunday explained. “She brings a lot of color into a structure that’s very black and white—almost quite literally. She navigates the world, not necessarily according to the rules of what she’s expected to be or to believe.” The creators intentionally steered away from a stereotypical portrayal of law enforcement. “They really didn’t want me to experience like a cop; that’s not the most important thing about her. It’s her pursuit of understanding what happened, and it’s an important part of how she comes to be able to solve the mystery of it all.”
A Gen Z Lens on Complex Relationships
“DTF: St. Louis” delves into the complexities of middle-aged relationships and explores themes of intimacy and desire with a frankness that is increasingly common on television. Sunday believes her generation brings a unique perspective to these conversations. “Perspective really is very apparent in the indicate. It’s interesting because my generation is much more comfortable with these kinds of arrangements or curiosity,” she shared. “We have less and less privacy these days, and what that means for how we feel about who we are as people and what we’re allowed to do, I think it’s actually quite important for us to engage with what we truly desire and make space and grace for.”
The show’s willingness to address these topics openly resonates with a cultural shift. “Heated Rivalry and shows like it put it out there at the forefront because guys—we all do it. Like, we’re all here alive for a very specific reason. We should be able to talk about it freely,” Sunday declared. This openness, she argues, is a necessary step towards a more honest and accepting society.
Beyond the Screen: A Plea for Dancing
Despite her willingness to tackle complex and mature themes on screen, Sunday harbors a surprisingly nostalgic desire: a return to dancing. “I’m really passionate about this: people don’t dance anymore. What’s going on, guys? We’re going out there, and nobody’s dancing,” she exclaimed. “I think dancing would be a really big part of bringing people together. Not only is it community-building, but This proves also a very intimate practice. It demonstrates who you are as a person. It’s a way to let your guard down and be whimsical and carefree. Bring dancing back!”
The TWA and a Statement of Self
Interestingly, both Bianca Barclay in “Wednesday” and Detective Jodie Plumb in “DTF: St. Louis” sport beautifully maintained TWAs (Teen Wolf Asymmetricals, a short natural hairstyle). Sunday’s own journey with her hair is a story of self-discovery and practicality. “My hair is kind of the pathway for why I love cinema so much, because I used to have to spend three hours every other day to do my hair. So, I’d have enough time to watch a movie,” she recalled with a laugh. “That became quite unsustainable, especially as high school got more serious.”
After a brief conversation with her parents, who initially worried she’d look “like a boy,” Sunday embraced the change. “I did, and it looked great.” Even as she briefly grew it out, she ultimately preferred the low-maintenance routine of shea butter and co-washing. “Once I had the look, I kind of just stuck with it. It says a lot about me in a way, even unintentionally,” she stated. “Not only does it obviously put my face at the forefront, but it also demonstrates that I’m not afraid, and I’m not hiding anything.”
It’s a face, and a gaze, that continues to captivate audiences, and one that promises a bright future for this rising star.
The final two episodes of DTF: St. Louis will air Sundays on HBO, concluding the season’s investigation. Viewers can find more information about the series and upcoming episodes on the HBO website.
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