‘Motherland: Fort Salem’: Sheryl Lee Ralph Praises the Series: ‘It Puts the Power of Femininity on a Platform’
Freeform’s Motherland: Fort Salem takes place in an alternate reality where women lead in all aspects. The show takes place where America is protected by female witches who serve in the United States Army and are run by a female president. Actor Sheryl Lee Ralph plays the role of President Kelly Wade, who became a main character in Season 2 of the series. Ralph praises the show for taking the power of feminity to new heights and showcasing what women can achieve when taking their place.
President Kelly Wade and Alder are a force to reckoned with in ‘Motherland: Fort Salem’
The outcome of the Salem Witch trials takes a different turn in the Freeform show. General Sara Alder (Lyne Renée) stopped the persecution of witches 300 years ago and bartered a deal with the United States. Her people can live in peace and continue their bloodline as long as they fight against foreign and domestic threats. Motherland: Fort Salem rewrites the story of female power with General Alder and army soldiers being witches with powers given from daughter to daughter.
As women witches run the military, the United States president is a Black female. President Kelly Wade was a supporting character in Season 1. She had no problem standing up to anyone who challenged her authority. In Season 2, she becomes a main character as a new threat arises and must ensure what is best for the country.
Sheryl Lee Ralph calls the series “iconic” in the story of the the future being female
On The Red Carpet with ABC7, Ralph praised her on-screen character and the new form of feminine power the series brings to its audience. “I love this show, created by Eliot Laurence, that really, really puts the power of femininity on a platform,” said the actor. But Ralph does not mean “little power,” but the power that comes from being a black female president in a world where women are the ones who protect the country and help move it forward.
The series has something to teach its audiences, with Ralph explaining it raises the question of who has the authority. “Men think they’ve got power? Oh, you’ve seen nothing until women rise to power and take their place,” said Ralph. The actor told On The Red Carpet how she loves the way the female witches use their voices.
In Motherland: Fort Salem, the characters use different tones and octaves of their voices to create supernatural effects. The series reworks common stereotypes about how a woman sounds. “You know, so much has been made about the quality and the timber of a woman’s voice, who will listen to it, what tone we have, what tone can men understand,” explains Ralph. She calls the series vital in showing that the future is feminine.
The Freeform series has been renwed for Season 3
On Aug.23, Freeform President Tara Duncan announced the series will get a final season. Season 3 of Motherland: Fort Salem will start where the Season 2 finale left off. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show was renewed days before the finale. “I am grateful to Eliot and the entire Motherland team. They have created a truly immersive mythology that has resonated with fans since day one, and I know this last chapter will continue to deliver,” said Duncan.
Fans can only speculate where Season 3 will take them. Its creator, Eliot Laurence, teases there is much more to explore with the main characters. Fans can expect tense-filled action, drama, and a deeper dive into the origins of witches. As the tide shifts in the series, fans will likely see even more of Ralph as President Kelly Wade.
