Enya Flack on Power, Ambition and Her Role in Tyler Perry’s ‘All the Queen’s Men’

January 22, 2025 | Ilana Rapp
Photo credit Brian Jones, courtesy of Enya Flack.

Inspiration is the first word that comes to mind when thinking about actress Enya Flack, who plays District Attorney Alicia Rodds in Tyler Perry’s hit BET+ show All the Queen’s Men.

Flack passed on a full engineering scholarship to pursue a career in broadcasting, graduating with a degree in Radio and Television Communications from George Washington University, with minors in journalism and music. She moved to Los Angeles and began working as a secretary at Warner Brothers, where she decided to transition to a career in front of the camera.

Flack’s ability to take risks and embrace change speaks to her unwavering commitment to personal growth. She’s proof that dreams are attainable through hard work and determination.


Insights: Lessons from Enya Flack

  • Pursue your passion, even if it means changing career paths.
  • Always prepare for auditions, including memorizing lines and dressing the part.
  • After intense scenes, use relaxation techniques to reset emotionally.


You play District Attorney Alicia Rodds in Tyler Perry’s All the Queen’s Men. Tell us about your original audition.

When I got the audition for DA Rodds, it came through my agent at Momentum Talent. I didn’t have to memorize the lines, but I always try whenever possible—it helps me feel more connected to the character and better prepared. For the audition, I wore my go-to “attorney power outfit,” a black blazer with a red top (red is my power color!) and pulled my hair back to look polished and professional.

The process was surprisingly straightforward—no callbacks, no chemistry test. They cast me directly from my tape. When my agent called to share the good news, I think my reaction was a very enthusiastic “Woohoo!”

Of course, the first person I told was my mom. She’s been my biggest supporter, and when it came time to shoot in Atlanta, she even traveled with me to help take care of my 17-year-old Yorkie. It was a team effort, and getting to play this role has been amazing.

Tyler Perry is known for creating dynamic and powerful stories. What has it been like working on a Tyler Perry production, and how does his creative vision influence your performance?

Working at TPS has been such a unique and rewarding experience. The process is fast-paced and incredibly efficient, which pushes all of the actors to stay sharp and prepared. It can be challenging at times, but it’s also exciting—it keeps me on my toes and has strengthened my ability to trust my instincts and make strong choices on the spot.

His creative vision focuses on stories that connect with his audience and represents a variety of voices and experiences, especially in the Black community. As an actor, that inspires me to try to dig into the emotional layers of my character to make sure DA Rodds feels authentic and relatable.

Overall, working in this environment has taught me so much about discipline, being adaptable and the value of collaboration. It’s an experience that will stay with me and influence how I approach future roles.

In a fast-paced and high-stakes environment like the one portrayed in the show, emotions run high. How do you decompress after shooting emotionally charged scenes?

After shooting emotionally intense scenes, I try to find simple ways to unwind. Sometimes it’s as easy as taking a few deep breaths or listening to some calming music on the way home. Other times, I’ll just zone out in front of a funny show or cook a little “comfort food”…it helps me shift gears and relax.

If I have the time, a walk outside, some light weight lifting or stretching a bit can also really clear my head. It’s not about doing anything major, just whatever helps me reset and let go of the day.

You graduated from George Washington University with a degree in Radio and Television Communications, and soon after made the move to Los Angeles to pursue an entertainment career. What inspired your decision to shift from the East Coast to Hollywood, and how did your education prepare you for the challenges of breaking into the industry?

Growing up on the East Coast, I always had a strong interest in media, and studying Radio and Television Communications and Journalism at George Washington University helped shape that passion. My education there gave me a solid foundation in production and the technical side of the industry, which I know has been invaluable.

After graduating and a short stint in local TV news, I made the move to Los Angeles, believing it was where I needed to be for the best shot at a real career in entertainment.

I had been in town for about a month when I was fortunate to get a job as a production secretary at Warner Brothers, which was a great way to get my foot in the door. I even landed some of my first roles while I was there…I got to know people in casting and some just called me directly for auditions! It taught me a lot about how the industry works behind the scenes and gave me a better understanding of the business side of the business.

But as much as I appreciated (and needed) the job, I knew I had to get rid of my financial safety net. So, I decided to make the full leap into acting, even though I knew it was a risk. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but still believed it was the right path for me. All of those experiences helped me navigate the challenges of breaking into the industry.

With the rise of streaming platforms and new ways of storytelling, how do you see the future of acting and content creation evolving? Are there any emerging trends that excite you?

With streaming platforms changing the landscape of the entertainment industry, the future of acting and content creation feels more open than ever. Now there’s space for unique stories and diverse voices that weren’t always represented in traditional media…and that is inspiring and exciting!

I’m especially excited to see more limited series and anthologies. The stories are creative and more concise, they feel fresh and make an impact. The focus on international content is another exciting trend, with stories from all over the world reaching broader audiences. For actors, it means more opportunities to portray meaningful roles and be a part of innovative projects.

Acting often requires a deep level of emotional vulnerability. How do you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally to take on demanding or intense roles?

Preparing for demanding roles requires some mental and emotional groundwork. For me, it starts with understanding the character’s backstory and motivations—why they feel the way they do and what drives their actions. That foundation helps me connect with them on a deeper level.

For example, I recently auditioned for a character going through a personal loss. To prepare, I spent time thinking about my own experiences with grief and how those emotions might overlap with the character’s. It’s not always easy to tap into those feelings, but it’s about finding that balance between authenticity and protecting your emotional well-being.

As I mentioned before, I also give myself time to just step away for a bit to reset after an intense scene. That way, I feel I’m able to honor the work but still keep myself grounded.

As someone who transitioned from studying communications to becoming an actress, do you see yourself expanding your career into other roles behind the camera, such as producing or directing?

Because I first studied communications and then worked as a television journalist before becoming an actress, I think I have a unique perspective on storytelling. Although acting is my main focus, I can see myself doing more producing and perhaps directing in the future.

As a journalist, I learned how to tell compelling stories, connect with an audience and think on my feet. These are skills that are just as valuable behind the camera as they are in front of it. Producing especially appeals to me because it’s about seeing the bigger picture and working with a team to bring a vision to life.

Right now, I’m fully into acting, but down the line, I’d love the opportunity to contribute to projects in a more hands-on way. I think that with my background, it’s something that I’ll be exploring at some point.

Every role comes with its own set of challenges and lessons. Please share a role that pushed you outside of your comfort zone and taught you something new about yourself.

One role that pushed me outside of my comfort zone early in my career was when I played a stripper on NYPD Blue. I grew up in a very conservative household, so stepping into a character like that was a challenge at first. Thankfully, I didn’t have to disrobe, but it still required me to shift my mindset and embrace a side of the character that was far from what I was familiar with.

The role forced me to confront my preconceived notions about judgment and vulnerability. It wasn’t just about playing someone who was physically exposed—it was about understanding her humanity, her motivations and what led her to make the choices she did. It was a big lesson in not letting personal biases shape the characters I portray, and that emotional depth is always more important than the surface.

That experience taught me a lot about flexibility and how to adapt to roles that require me to step out of my comfort zone. It made me realize that as an actor, I’m always growing and challenging myself, and that’s where the real breakthroughs happen.

You’ve been in the entertainment field for a long time. What changes have you seen in the industry regarding representation and inclusivity, and what further progress would you like to see?

Having been in the entertainment field for a while, I’ve noticed some positive changes when it comes to representation and inclusivity. There’s been a real shift toward telling more diverse stories and giving a wider range of voices the chance to be heard. More roles are being created for people of different backgrounds and experiences, which is great to see. It feels like the industry is starting to reflect the real world more, and that’s a step in the right direction.

That being said, there’s still a lot of room for improvement. It’s not just about seeing diversity on screen; it’s about making sure that diversity is part of the whole creative process. We need more people of different backgrounds in roles behind the camera—directors, producers, writers—because that’s where we’ll start to see more authentic, well-rounded stories.

I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to make progress, and I’d love to see even more opportunities created for actors from all walks of life. The industry is heading in the right direction, but there’s still more work to be done.

You were born and raised in Charlotte, NC, a region often affected by heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds and occasional hurricanes due to its location along the southeastern coast. How do you feel about the growing impact of climate change on North Carolina’s weather patterns? Additionally, since moving to Los Angeles, where wildfires have become more frequent and intense, how has your experience shaped your perspective on climate change?

Growing up in Charlotte, NC, I saw how heavy rainfall, flooding and hurricanes could impact the area. Fortunately, no one in my family was significantly affected by Hurricane Helene, but I’ve had the chance to see how devastating it was for others who were. With climate change, the storms and extreme weather are happening more often and with more intensity and it’s having a big effect on communities in the area.

When I moved to Los Angeles, I experienced a different side of climate change with the wildfires. I’m sorry to say that I do have a close friend who lost his home in the LA County fires and know several others who were displaced. Seeing the kind of destruction that we’ve all recently witnessed is sobering, to say the least, and it’s a constant reminder of how climate change is affecting all of us.

These experiences have shaped how I see the issue. Climate change isn’t some far-off problem—it’s something that’s already having real, immediate effects on people’s lives. We must keep raising awareness and doing what we can to help address it, both in our local communities and on a global scale.

Anything else you want to say?

If you’re able to, I encourage you to donate to organizations that are helping those affected by the LA County fires. Many families have lost their homes and there are countless animals in need of rescue and care as well. Here are a few charities doing incredible work to provide support:

Every donation, big or small, can make a difference in helping these communities rebuild and care for those impacted, both human and animal alike. Thank you for considering giving back in this time of need.


Ready to find your next role with Casting Networks? Sign up for a free trial today!

You may also like: