Truth Be Told’s Bresha Webb Talks Strong Women and Tackling Tough Topics [Exclusive Interview]

Actress Bresha Webb is all about keeping it real.

Webb, whose credits include Hung, Weeds, and Grey’s Anatomy, among others, stars in NBC’s new comedy, Truth Be Told, alongside Tone Bell, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, and Vanessa Lachey.

I had the chance to speak with Webb about her character, Angie, and her experiences on the show.

As the title of the comedy suggests, Truth Be Told is about a group of friends who aren’t afraid to speak openly and honestly about everything. No topic is off limits.

“I think a lot of the topics that we’re bringing up, I haven’t seen on television in a while,” Webb explained. “When you think about All in the Family and you think of The Jeffersons, those type of classic shows — even Seinfeld, you would see topics that would just be like, ‘Wow that happened to me yesterday’ or, you know, things that are just provocative.”

Truth Be Told  tackles topics like sex and race as it follows this diverse group of friends.

“In the pilot we tackle the N-word. Mitch (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and Russell (Tone Bell) are best friends, and they want to go to a Jay Z concert, but what do you do when they’re saying the N-word in all the songs? You know, it’s like right there! Do you sing it? And they tackle it in such a funny way and in a delightful way.”

Like most of the topics that are dealt with on the show, this is one that most everyone can relate to. Webb said that her own friends deal with this particular issue since she’s black.

“They’re like, ‘I like saying the word sometimes when I’m in the car by myself.’ And you know, It’s cool, and we can have that conversation, we can laugh about it and share our truths about it and move on,” Webb explained. “I still love them for that, but we can at least address it and hear both sides of the story. You know, both sides of the coin which I think is great. I think it’s helpful for friends to have conversations like that and for people on TV to see two very likable characters discuss this topic.”

Webb continued by talking specifically about another issue that comes up in the pilot. “Even having a wife and husband have a disagreement about a babysitter, and it’s like, ‘What? It doesn’t mean I’m insecure. I’m very secure in having a hot babysitter babysit my child.’ You know, but what does that do to your husband? And these conversations, they’re really funny. They’re awkward, but it’s fun. The same conversations they have on the show, I feel like I’ve dealt with with my friends. So I think a lot of people will be able to relate to it.”

One the main reasons Truth Be Told is so relateable is that the stories are grounded in real events.

“We’re pushing the envelope. And we’re not doing a show just to push the envelope, it’s just natural conversation that people have,” Webb said.

“I think it also helps that a lot of these conversations have spun out of DJ Nash, the creator of our show, and Will Packer — their lives. So they’re all coming from real story. We’ll get the story after we do the episode, because its so helpful to hear ‘Where does this come from?’ DJ Nash will tell us a story about him and his wife or something that happened that week that led them to writing the episode. It’s so funny. I can’t wait for people see it.”

Webb also said she has a few things in common with Angie.

“She is a pediatrician, and she’s very strong-minded [and] very opinionated. She’s got very strong morals. She’s a Christian; that comes up a lot in the show. You know because you can still be friends with people who aren’t very spiritual, but she is at times. She goes to church, and that’s where we have a lot in common. I like to go to church, and I believe in God and all of that. So I bring a lot of myself to her as much as possible. Even the conversations with her husband, Russell, I’ve had those same conversations with my boyfriend. And I’m like, ‘This is so funny. Everybody deals with this.’ It doesn’t matter who it is. It parallels everywhere.”

Of course, Angie is also a fun, spunky character – which is something else that Webb said she identifies with. “I’m also very sassy, and Angie is too. She’s just fun and goofy. I bring a lot of myself into her goofiness, because I’m naturally goofy. I can be sassy and sexy. And I think it’s really going to be fun for people to see a different reflection of a black woman as well.”

Both Angie and Tracy (Vanessa Lachey) are portrayed as strong women who are the best of friends, which Webb said she really appreciates. “I love that DJ Nash has written these women to be very strong [and] very opinionated. They’re like the anchor that holds these men together,” Webb stated.

“They don’t always agree with them. You know, and these men are kind of frightened by their wives! They need their wives. If their wives aren’t happy, their lives aren’t going to happy. I think that’s how most husbands feel that are still in love with their wives.”

One of the driving forces behind Truth Be Told is the importance of these friendships and the way that these characters are able to be so honest with one another – even when it might be difficult.

“It’s in loving way where friends get to grow together. We don’t want to see them break up, and that’s never going to happen. You’re gonna see how they work things out.”

Behind the scenes, the cast and crew have become a close group. “We keep it very light on set. I mean, it’s a comedy – it’s a sitcom. It really helps to have a crew that is really amazing. Pam Fryman who’s the main director has directed over ninety episodes of How I Met Your Mother. She’s amazing. And the whole crew has come along, so they’re already a tight-knit family. They keep it very loose on set, and we have a great time. Everybody. We’re just really happy to be here.”

Webb also said she’s doing what she’s basically always wanted to do, something she knew even before she could really talk.

“I think I was just born different [laughs]. I was just fascinated. My parents said I would only stop crying when we turned on the TV. And they thought that was interesting. I used to love music videos. MTV – I’m telling my age, but when MTV came out, I was just born. So they would just show the same the music video on loop,” Webb said.

That interest has provided a way for Webb to bond with her on-screen best friend in real life. “I mean, my music video trivia is so on point. That’s why, naturally, Vanessa [Lachey] and I click. Because she comes from MTV. And our music trivia and just how we play off of each other is great, because we have an understanding. Because we love music, we love music videos, and we love MTV. So, we’re already besties, you know, just already. So it comes off natural onscreen.”

Webb’s love for television at an early age quickly led to having the chance to perform, and her parents were happy to support her.

“I just always loved TV. I would always cry, and then we’d turn on the TV, and I’d shut up. When I was four and able to put my words together, I said that I wanted to be inside the TV.” Webb’s parents took this as a sign and got her into lessons. “My parents really put everything into me doing what I wanted to do. They just let me express myself in whatever way that I wanted to. But it was always with performing.”

When Webb isn’t working on Truth Be Told, she still finds time to relax and enjoy watching television. She named a few current favorites, including Empire, Bloodline, Power, and Grey’s Anatomy.

In fact, Webb was a fan of Grey’s Anatomy before she worked on the show. “I freaked out when I went on set. I love Grey’s Anatomy,” Webb said.

“I was walking on the set, losing my mind, and they were like, ‘We’re gonna write you on another episode,’ and I was like, ‘Abso-freakin-lutely!’ I was so game! And now it’s just so great, because when I watch the show, I’m like ‘I’ve been down those stairs! I’ve been over there!’ You know, it’s just really sweet.”

Webb said she looks forward to Thursdays for TGIT, and she’s also a big fan of Scandal. “I’m right there with Olivia Pope. Swinging my hair. I can’t wait until it’s cold, so I can put on my white coat!”

Be sure to catch Bresha Webb in Truth Be Told starting this Friday, October 16th at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.

*Edited for space and content.