Mary-Charles Jones makes a hero out of Naomi’s powerless sidekick

This piece was one of three published for a class on feature writing taught by Professor Miki Turner. Read the others here and here.

Normal has long held a negative connotation. Most people in the arts strive for abnormal, unique, outlandish. Up and coming actress Mary-Charles Jones revels in normalcy and normalization, especially in her latest project.

The CW’s “Naomi” tells the tale of a an all-around it-girl turned superhero and how she navigates school, relationships and teenagerhood while becoming a hero.

Ava DuVernay’s contribution to the DC superhero universe may center Naomi (Kaci Walfall), but the series finds its earnest heart in best friend and power-less Annabelle, played with a kind sincerity by Jones.

“I was very excited about this show because while it was a superhero show it was very different in the sense of, she wasn’t a fully formed superhero, and we focused almost equally on doing teenager things,” Jones said.

Jones is warm, a non-judgmental breath of fresh air in the CW universe filled with picture-perfect casts. Like “Naomi,” normalcy is at the forefront of Jones’ persona. She giggled with glee when recounting how she got the part, she fangirls over DuVernay’s compliments, and she spent summers as a kid working at a donut shop with her sister.

It only makes sense that Jones finds the mundane to be what sets “Naomi” apart from other superhero shows airing right now. “The superhero part is cool but also the realistic thing is how do you be a superhero and also apply to go to Berkeley.”

DuVernay is adamant on normalization, on bringing characters to life on screen that are real and human and underrepresented in media. Jones is proud of this mission, and she embodies all of these ideals.

“The message that Ava was trying to get… was this idea of normalization. In our show, yes Naomi is this Black young girl and she’s a superhero and she’s adopted but we’re not here to make a big deal about it,” Jones said.

Jones’ Annabelle has a lot in common with the Seattle born Georgia raised actress. Both are bubbly, supportive and uber cheerful, but Jones learned a thing or two about her own emotions from playing Naomi’s right hand girl.

“The role felt so easy, and my audition process felt so easy because she shared so many similarities with me. In terms of her comedic timing that was something I felt I nailed down… I think Ava thinks that too…” she laughed.

Jones has been acting all her life, and Annabelle is allowing her to step out of the lens of a child actor. Her first big role was the ABC show “October Road” at just six years old, ever since then her resume has been filled with star-studded casts and network bills. She is joined in her career path by her two sisters Lillian and Maggie Jones.

Jones credits her strong family system with supporting her and her sisters throughout their career. She credits their success to outside hobbies and the knowledge that if they wanted to step away from acting, they would be okay.

She beams, even when intently listening. When on screen, Jones is a humble star alongside seventeen-year-old lead Walfall. There is no flash with Jones, just brightness. Clearly a child actress raised with humility and grace, Jones’ cousin Dr. Kelly Jones glows with delight at Jones’ latest role.

“I can see how you’ve matured, and this is such a great character for you… Her personality is very similar… it’s just so upbeat and so ‘alright let’s do this’ and I love that,” Kelly said.

Annabelle is right up Jones’ alley, but she won’t shy away from the more serious scenes to come. “I’m hoping in the future to get to do a little bit more of dramatic stuff that takes me separate from myself.”

No matter what path Jones ventures down, her career is bound to be super.