Laura Kariuki, acting alumna, is signed to serve as a series regular in two network TV shows throughout 2021.
Kariuki replaced “Black Lightning” star China Anne McClain for the show’s fourth and final season on The CW Network. She is also slated to be a series regular in ABC’s reboot of “The Wonder Years” alongside Emmy nominee Dulé Hill.
Kariuki said both opportunities came from auditions given to her by her agency, A3 Artists Agency, which she signed with after OCU’s New York Showcase.
She said she auditioned for “Black Lightning” in November of 2020 and was cast only a few weeks later.
“At the time, I didn’t realize how big the character was, that I was replacing China Anne McClain’s character. So, I auditioned for it, and like a week later I had a callback,” Kariuki said. “The callback was a week later, and a few days after that I found out I booked it. That one happened super-fast, honestly.”
Kariuki said all of these auditions took place remotely, via Zoom meetings and self-tapes.
She said shortly after being cast, she was flown to Los Angeles to begin pre-production.
“Two weeks after being cast, I flew to L.A. for costume fitting and stuff, and then I flew to Atlanta to start filming. I’ve been filming since December, and I’m now on my seventh episode filmed.”
Kariuki is set to perform throughout the remainder of the last season of “Black Lightning,” with the final episode airing in May 2021.
While preparing and shooting “Black Lightning,” Kariuki also auditioned and began pre-production on “The Wonder Years” reboot.
“My agent sent me that audition about a month and a half ago/two months ago. That was another self-tape,” Kariuki said. “Sent that in, and then I got a callback. I then had a producer session, which was live on Zoom with producers and creators of the show.”
Kariuki said she started testing for the show in a final round of callbacks. She was then put in a group of three finalists, two of which were asked to meet the producers in person.
“They sent two of us to ABC for them to pick who they wanted, and a day or two days after that, I found out I got it,” Kariuki.
Kariuki said preproduction has already begun on “The Wonder Years” and filming is going to commence in a few weeks.
“I flew out to L.A. for costume fittings, and then we start makeup and wardrobe testing this week,” Kariuki said. “We start filming in like a week and a half, and we’ve already had our table read a couple days ago over Zoom. So, that was fun getting to see everyone.”
Kariuki said she is thankful for the opportunity to perform during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a lot, obviously, because I don’t have much experience for what it’s like to be on set. You learn how to act at school, but not really what it’s like to be at the place. So, I’ve learned so much,” Kariuki said.
Bo Harris, acting alumnus, was roommates with Kariuki some time after graduation, prior to her moving to New York. He said her incredible work ethic was evident throughout college and after.
“During the day, the other roommates and I would have to walk in the house quietly, because most of the time she was filming something in the living room with her equipment,” Harris said. “She was just working her butt off every single day and sending in auditions all the time. It wasn’t like it just happened. She really worked for it this past year; I mean constantly.”
Harris said he is endlessly proud and impressed with Kariuki’s talent and kindness.
“Oh my gosh, she is my best friend. Like, the best person alive. She is hilarious. She is kind. She deserves everything that she is getting now,” Harris said. “She is someone that makes you feel like the most important person in the room every time you’re with her. Talent goes a long way, but also her kindness is what will project her to her next project.”
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