If you’re a fan of The Oval, you may already be hooked on the spin-off show Ruthless. The show, created by Tyler Perry, follows a brave woman as she navigates life in a dangerous cult.
Black Girl Nerds recently spoke with Michelle Núñez, who plays the young and caring cult member, Zane.
Here is more about this character and what you can expect from the new season.
I read that you had a part in writing Zane’s back story. Where did you draw your inspiration from?
During our first season, I asked for a Zoom call with our producer, Mark Swinton. I felt like I didn’t have a lot of background on [Zane]. Some actors may not need this, but I like having a backstory especially when we’re digging so deep into a character. [Especially] something so deep, like being in a cult.
The questions that I asked Mark were, “Where did she come from? How did they recruit her?” And he didn’t have an answer, and neither did Tyler Perry. This gave me the freedom to create something on my own.
I was like, You know what? She probably doesn’t have a family, [similar to] Ruth’s backstory. Melissa L. Williams, who plays Ruth, can pull from that. And I think with Zane, I brainstormed at the moment with Mark. She was recruited young. She doesn’t have anywhere else to go to so that’s why she’s so attached to staying here, and why she’s so afraid of leaving.
What was the most challenging scene that you had to film?
There was a scene where I needed to harm another cult member in front of the highest to show him that he had my loyalty. Because otherwise, bad things would happen. So at the moment, Zane had to make this split-moment decision to harm another cult member so that as the highest watched, she could gain his favor.
What about Zane’s journey is relatable to other women?
I feel like she’s so vulnerable and cares so much about the people around her. That’s such a maternal instinct. It also relates to paternal instincts as well. But the maternal instinct has this nurturing caring instinct, and that’s reflected in Zane throughout every season. She cares so deeply for the people that she loves. And I know as a woman, I really connect with that because I’ll do anything for the people I love.
How do you hope audiences perceive Zane’s story, especially in this new season?
I would love for everyone to be inspired because from Season 1 to Season 5, there’s so much growth. You see a switch that happens in Season 3 that carries on to the next seasons and S:5 really solidifies Zane as a woman. It’s not even been that long, technically, as it relates to the timeline of the show, but in such a short period of time, she’s had to grow up so fast, and she’s lost people that she loves, and all within this small timeframe. The growth and the resilience are inspiring to me because she keeps holding on, and she keeps doing what she can to support and love everyone around her.
What can audiences expect from this new season?
Twists and turns in ways that you just didn’t see coming. They come back with such a strong point that’s being made by the highest and the hand he has over all of us. He’s got this authority, and he really shows it. Especially right when we come back, the two first episodes are just filled with the highest sort of showing us that he does hold all of this power, and he executes it.
There are a lot of interesting things that happen within the relationships of all of us who are members of this cult and trying to get away. And some of us aren’t trying to get away. Some of us are in between, [and are questioning] do you really want to leave? Do you not? Are you really for the highest Are you not? Are you for Ruth? Like, what’s going on? So there’s a lot of clarity that’s gained, but also a lot of mystery that stays as well.
Anything else that you want to share about Zane’s story, about the new season?
First of all, I’m just so thankful, so grateful, that we have such a great following and an audience. I didn’t even want to say audience, everyone who watches our show is [considered] family. Whenever I’m stopped, out in the world, it’s because someone loves Zane or someone connected to our show in some way. It means so much to me, to all of us. I just want to say I’m so thankful and so grateful that we’re able to come back season after season and keep fighting for our lives on this show. This is such a fun season to film and shoot at Tyler’s studio in Atlanta. And this has also just been such a great process to just get to know more fans and answer comments. It’s just really humbling and incredible.
To dive back into the cult madness, you can catch Ruthless on BET+. The new season premieres on March 13, 2025.
