BOLD AND BEATRICE: BROOKE LENA JOHNSON REDEFINES JUSTICE IN CRUEL INTENTIONS
BY IRVIN RIVERA
PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, STYLIST: KATIE BOFSHEVER, MAKE-UP: FABIOLA, HAIR: ERIKA VANESSA, STYLING ASST: ELLA ROSE HARRINGTON, DIGITAL TECH: PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG, PHOTO ASST: MATTHEW GERETY, LOCATION: GM STUDIO DTLA
Brooke Lena Johnson steps boldly into the spotlight as Beatrice in the highly anticipated revival of Cruel Intentions, a modern twist on Roger Kumble’s cult classic. With its unapologetically sharp dialogue and morally complex characters, the series challenges its cast to dig deep—and Johnson rises to the occasion with a performance that’s equal parts fiery and vulnerable. “Beatrice brings urgency and humor, but also an authentic passion that feels incredibly current,” she says, her excitement palpable as she describes the layers of a character who is both a crusader for justice and a reflection of today’s messy, multifaceted society.
For Johnson, becoming Beatrice wasn’t just about acting—it was about connecting. Drawing from her own experiences with rejection and resilience, she approached the role with an openness that allowed her to explore its darker, morally ambiguous corners. “I love that Beatrice’s clothes scream free-spirited hippie while her actions are pure fire,” Johnson jokes, highlighting her character’s contradictions with a grin. But it’s in those contradictions that Beatrice shines, and Brooke is quick to note the parallels to real life. “It’s not about being perfect—it’s about showing the spark of madness and authenticity that connects us all.” In our full interview, Brooke opens up about navigating the grey areas of humanity, embracing vulnerability, and why she’s drawn to characters who walk the line between good and bad.
How did you first connect with Beatrice in Cruel Intentions, and how did you bring a modern edge to such an iconic role?
Beatrice is such a unique character on the show. She brings a sense of urgency and humor along with an authentic passion that leads her through the show. Her modern edges come from a lot of different things. She is truly fighting for justice and for what she believes in, and that feels very current and modern for today’s audience and society.
What drew you to this role in the revival, and what has it allowed you to explore or express that other roles haven't?
Beatrice was a true joy to bring to life because I definitely got to channel her drive and frustration with how the power-hungry people work in this world. I think I also got to really explore and live in the dark twisted world Phoebe and Sara created and kind of walk that fine line into both good and bad intentions. I think that’s such a fun space to be in for an actor when you get to hang out in the grey area and just play. I think there’s also a lot of vulnerability that you see Beatrice go through in the show since there have been rejection and reputations lost on her end so that was something very fascinating, I got to tap into a bit more with this role.
Reflecting on your career, what pivotal moments or choices have shaped your path as an actor?
There are too many to count. I think all of the many rejections on things I really wanted or strived to have so many times really shaped me as not only a persistent actor but it also taught me that rejection is part of life and how to overcome that and rise higher. I think that’s something humans deal with day to day and it’s not easy! Being an actor you have to put your heart and creative baby in a sense out on the line and really be okay to just leave it in the room at the end of the day. I think going to school in London really shaped me as well just pushing me out of my comfort bubble.
What challenges did you encounter early in your career that prepared you for the complexities of a role like this one?
I think Beatrice’s scene where she makes a fool of herself in the sorority house and realizes no one is truly on her side is such a humbling moment for her. She doesn’t handle it very well (cough cough cutting her bangs!!) but I think the amount of times I’ve thoroughly embarrassed myself set me up for that feeling for sure!
How have you prepared emotionally and mentally to bring authenticity to your character's multifaceted nature?
Love this question! I mean gosh, as an actor we reactive breakdowns with literally only 5 or so defining words to describe a character… I don’t know anyone who can describe their mom or their best friend with only 5 words. Humans are way too multifaceted to be placed in that small of a box and I think that’s how actors have to treat characters. You must go down to their mannerisms and what makes them tick or fuels their fire. How they view the world and each and every person they interact with. That’s what takes them off of the pages and come to life. I think that’s what makes each actor different and authentic, that’s why some characters just connect with certain actors because they can truly hone those qualities! I truly believe that’s the fun part! I love thinking about characters visually with a type of picture or image and see how that ignites them.
What aspects of her personality do you resonate with most, and where do you feel you differ the most?
Oh man! I truly wish I had more of her f**k it spirit! She really goes all out for what she believes in and has no problem calling the cops on the fraternity/sorority no matter the repercussions. Way to go, Bea! I do think I relate to her feisty stubbornness. I can be stubborn when I’m trying to get someone to listen to me, and I truly believe it! So that part came a little too naturally! HAHA
How do you approach a complex moral landscape, especially within the world of ‘Cruel Intentions?’
I think the entire team behind this show created such a rich unique world, that is in its own category, to be honest. The show kind of relies on the fact that the audience assumes these are all “bad “ characters in a fictional world. The world is messed up from the get-go and you just watch 20-somethings pretending to be grown-ups. It’s relatable in some aspects but also the world is just so heightened that the complexity of most scenes are above and beyond being morally good by any means.
In a project so entrenched in themes of manipulation and desire how do you balance or ground your own life?
I’m truly so blessed to have such a great group of people around me who support and ground me every single day. I truly couldn’t do it without them and they are what helps me keep my feet on the ground through the good and bad days. It’s all about who you have around you! That and the other passions I have in my life that drive me and keep me a part of reality day to day.
What role has resilience played in your career, and the challenges of embodying this character?
I grew up an athlete so that was my first passion in life. I think having that resilience from day one, when you fall on your butt 50 times a day and have to just keep going is truly humbling. That really set me up for my acting career but it meant physically I was pushing my body harder than I ever had. I think Beatrice feels that internally instead of externally, and I think that was something I tried to bring to her. I don’t think she’s perfected how to navigate that drive, but that’s the fun part of watching her unravel!
When you look at your work in ‘Cruel Intentions’, what do you feel it says about our culture's relationship with power and vulnerability?
I think there are power dynamics that people are dealing with constantly in life. At work, in relationships, family, social pressures you name it! I think this kind of highlights the darker side of humanity and what people will and won’t do to protect reputation, and I think that’s a gamble some people are willing to sacrifice a lot for. I think seeing power struggles in shows or movies really helps people reflect on what they might be dealing with day to day and hopefully they navigate it more gracefully than all of the characters on our show did! I think vulnerability should be a huge part of our society and hope that we can accept that more as a society soon.
How do you view the balance between ambition and authenticity in the entertainment industry?
I think the two work hand in hand beautifully. Life is all about balance, isn’t it? Ambition is absolutely necessary in order to keep you moving forward and motivated. But unless you’re happy with who you are and where you are you’ll never be happy. You have to be happy in your own mind and body to be able to channel that ambition. You have to learn to love the journey for all the good and bad along the way. Always strive forward but don’t forget to stop and look around every once in a while, cause you might miss it!
What has been the most exciting or rewarding aspect of exploring your character's style and how it communicates her personality?
I absolutely love Beatrice’s style. Michael Ground was such a phenomenal costume designer on this show. Originally Beatrice’s mode board was quite punky and once I met with him and we chatted in person, it became so clear that she just fit into that more bohemian/hippie style. Beatrice’s clothing is such an antithesis of how she is. I think she wants to be this all-loving peace-free love gal, but I think she doesn’t know how to let that fire go yet. I love that her clothing don’t reflect her attitude at all but where she wants to be. Plus I love the insanity that she was to fight for the underprivileged but where’s Hermes head scarfs to cover her bangs… like goodness Beatrice calling the kettle black now aren’t we!
How has your experience as an actor informed your perspectives on social issues, and are there causes that have become particularly close to your heart?
There’s so much to unravel there. I truly believe that exclusionary behavior is completely unacceptable. It feels like we’re stuck in high school sometimes, and you’d think adults would rise above that, but it still happens in society all the time. The power struggles and the high gap between the upper, middle, and lower classes are completely astonishing, and I think the show just touches the surface of all those things. I think it’s something we have to continue the fight for (not only as Beatrice in the show) but in real life as well! And that’s only the beginning, to be honest.
How do you see the role of art and storytelling in creating awareness around the causes you care about?
No real change happens if you can’t talk about it and start a conversation or use icebreakers. Huge societal shifts throughout history have happened because of word of mouth and speaking to one another as equals. I think art, in whatever form, really can start that conversation and get people talking. That’s why I love it so much!
How do you approach setbacks or challenges in your career, and are there any lessons you've learned?
To be honest there are days where I’ve felt so low I’ve asked what am I doing this for? Why keep facing rejection after rejection and just feeling like a failure? For me personally I always come back to my hopes and dreams for my life as a little girl. the little performer in all those musical theatre productions, on the ice, or talent shows just thriving on stage and dying to perform. If I can’t do it for myself I have to do it for her, she’s where I always tap into when I don’t feel like adult Brooke can do it anymore. My true close ones remind me of that when I cannot as well. And I always say “Keep on keeping on” because one day little Brooke will be so proud she didn’t just give up.
As you look toward the future, are there new roles or genres you're eager to explore that might reveal different parts of yourself as an artist?
I would absolutely love to be in a movie and TV show where I can use my background as an athlete or singer. I grew up in a music-filled household and would love to do a musical or music-filled anything. Since being an athlete, something that requires action scenes or fight sequences, I tried at LAMDA in London for 3 years and was on their fight team. It was one of my favorite aspects of the training so I would love to definitely develop and utilize that!
How has working on a project as layered as "Cruel Intentions" influenced your own goals and ambitions as an artist?
I think it was such an honor and blessing to have been on the show and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. It’s influenced me to explore new creative outlets and not limit myself to just one thing. Fight through the closed doors and opportunities and wait for that right place & right time and it’ll all come together. To be a creative is to never stop expressing and I’ll strive to do that in whatever way I can moving forward!
Looking forward, how do you hope to grow both professionally and personally, and what do you envision as the legacy you want to leave in your work?
I have always lived by the quote “You’re only given a little spark of madness, you mustn’t lose it” by Robin Williams and I have never been able to shake that. I truly want to bring to light truly authentic characters that can have their good and their bad, and maybe a little spark of madness here and there, and just help people escape into a world outside of their own. Everyone needs that every once in a while, and if I can be that little bit of madness for them then I’m happy to do it!
Lastly, if you were a book, what book would you be and why?
Matilda by Ronald Dahl. For that little girl in me who believed she could do extraordinary things
