Character Minds is a storytelling study series inside Shareece’s Screens that examines the psychology, motivations, and internal conflicts that shape unforgettable characters on television and film.
Through the lens of a producer and screenwriter, this series breaks down how characters are written, how their choices drive plot, and how power, trauma, ambition, and identity influence the worlds they live in. Each entry explores the architecture behind character behavior—why they make the decisions they make and how those decisions reshape the story.
From protagonists to antagonists, Character Minds looks beyond the surface to understand the emotional engines that power great storytelling.
There’s a thrill behind characters who exist in all of their special and intriguing ways; this is why I love studying characters who bring a different purpose to onscreen storytelling. As an awkward, beautiful, and complicated woman myself, it’s only a few Black women on screen that make me feel seen for who I really am, and here are a few that I study:
Simone Hicks - All American: Homecoming
Before there was Homecoming, there was the original All-American series on The CW, where I met one of the most beautiful and interesting characters on TV. Simone Hicks, played by GeffriMaya, graced our screen as a love interest for the character Jordan Baker and instantly became a relatable character for the girls who battle with emotional security. Simone has a unique way of expressing her awkwardness that allows her to fit in with popular crowds, but make no mistake, she’s the type to make things uncomfortable and hard to deal with.
Traditionally, she doesn’t seem like the awkward type, but it’s her middle name. Her awkwardness gets her in sticky situations and forces her to choose between two things, and that alone is a complicated woman. During Homecoming, we saw exactly how that unfolded for her. While her future was on the line, she made sure that she put everything else on the court, including her love life.
Mona Throne - Half & Half
Now my girl Mona Thorne from Half & Half, played by Rachael True, is a traditionally certified awkward girl who is also complicated in all areas of her life. Mona is the first character that showed me that my awkwardness is beautifully made and showed me that awkward girls are hot girls too. However, being so awkward made her think she wasn’t a baddie but was the hottest of them all. Although her love life was all over the place, she managed to pull and outrank so many nice-looking men. Her family created the biggest complications in her life; they treated her like she was an outcast, and unfortunately, it translated into her everyday life.
Madonna - Stumble
I love me some Madonna from Stumble. Played by Arianna Davis is a character who understands how her awkwardness is beauty but also creates complications. As a cheerleader she seems normal, and especially compared to her teammates her personality stands out enough for her to fit in. It’s actually pretty beautiful watching Madonna take ownership of her identity so that no one has to question her ability to do what she needs to do as a cheerleader. She is also a whimsical girlie who only connects with others through hard work and uncomfortable moments. My Aries moon has a field day studying her.
Sydney “Syd” Adamu - The Bear
The queen of beautifully awkward and complicated energy is the one and only Syd from The Bear. This journey portrayed by Ayo Edebiri is such a unique one because not only has Ayo mastered awkwardness in the real world, but she has also created the identity for Syd as a blueprint for the misunderstood overachiever. Syd comes off as a put-together individual, but in reality she is just as complicated as anyone at The Bear. That is the very thing that gives her a superpower to bring people together even though she isn’t presented as The Leader. Although it can make her feel lonely, her awkward state of mind is a statement of delivery.
Paige Alexander - UnPrisioned
Paige’s entire personality is awkward and complicated. Kerry Washington does an incredible job at delivering Paige’s way of existing in life while creating space for Paige to grow from her past trauma. Paige is the most noticeable character on screen with these traits who is well over a certain age. Not to mention her personality mixed with developing a relationship with an absent father is so brilliant.
