Angela Bassett Reflects on Playing a Black Woman President inZero Day: 'I Can’t Believe How Timely It Was' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Angela Bassett attends Netflix’s “Zero Day” World Premiere at The Plaza Hotel on Feb. 18, 2025 in New York City.Photo:TheStewartofNY/Getty

TheStewartofNY/Getty

Angela Bassettis madame president.The actress, 66, spoke with PEOPLE about playing a Black female president in the upcoming Netflix political thrillerZero Dayat the show’s premiere event on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.“It’s something that we were so close to actually achieving in reality,” Bassett said in reference to former Vice PresidentKamala Harris’presidential campaignlast year. “I can’t believe how timely it was and that these moments have dovetailed in the way that they have.“Angela Bassett attends Netflix’s ‘Zero Day’ premiere at The Plaza Hotel on Feb. 18, 2025 in New York City.Theo Wargo/Getty"So it was very humbling and very grateful to offer my fictional president,” she continued. “But even the representation of it, as a woman, as a Black woman, I think, will have an impact that perhaps we’ll see, if not today, if not tomorrow, maybe in a few years.“Bassett shared her hopes for future leadership in the United States, saying, “You never know. Some brilliant woman is coming.“Zero Dayis a limited series starringRobert De Niroas former U.S. President George Mullen. He leaves retirement to head the Zero Day Commission, dedicated to finding the perpetrators of a dangerous cyberattack that has spread across the country. Bassett joins the cast as Evelyn Mitchell, the steadfast current president who entrusts Mullen with his assignment.“As disinformation runs rampant and the personal ambition of power brokers in technology, Wall Street, and government collide, Mullen’s unwavering search for the truth forces him to confront his own dark secrets while risking all he holds dear,” the synopsis teases.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The cast also starsJesse Plemons,Lizzy Caplan,Connie Britton, Joan Allen andMatthew Modine. Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim and Michael S. Schmidt co-created the show and executive produced alongside De Niro and director Lesli Linka Glatter.Angela Bassett as President Mitchell in ‘Zero Day’.Jojo Whilden/NetflixBassett has long been a veteran of the big and small screen, having had her breakthrough asTina Turnerin 1993’sWhat’s Love Got to Do with It. She went on to star inHow Stella Got Her Groove Backand Marvel’sBlack Panther,Avengers: EndgameandBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. On television, she has notably worked withRyan Murphyin multiple seasons ofAmerican Horror Storyand on the fan-favorite procedural drama9-1-1.In 2024, Bassettaccepted an honorary Oscar award.Speaking to PEOPLE that yearfor the Women Changing the World issue, the actress said, “I’ve always been a hard worker. You have to know what to say no to as well as what to say yes to. And during this time, a lot of things have been worthy of me saying yes to.“Zero Daypremieres on Feb. 20 on Netflix.

Angela Bassettis madame president.

The actress, 66, spoke with PEOPLE about playing a Black female president in the upcoming Netflix political thrillerZero Dayat the show’s premiere event on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.

“It’s something that we were so close to actually achieving in reality,” Bassett said in reference to former Vice PresidentKamala Harris’presidential campaignlast year. “I can’t believe how timely it was and that these moments have dovetailed in the way that they have.”

Angela Bassett attends Netflix’s ‘Zero Day’ premiere at The Plaza Hotel on Feb. 18, 2025 in New York City.Theo Wargo/Getty

Theo Wargo/Getty

“So it was very humbling and very grateful to offer my fictional president,” she continued. “But even the representation of it, as a woman, as a Black woman, I think, will have an impact that perhaps we’ll see, if not today, if not tomorrow, maybe in a few years.”

Bassett shared her hopes for future leadership in the United States, saying, “You never know. Some brilliant woman is coming.”

Zero Dayis a limited series starringRobert De Niroas former U.S. President George Mullen. He leaves retirement to head the Zero Day Commission, dedicated to finding the perpetrators of a dangerous cyberattack that has spread across the country. Bassett joins the cast as Evelyn Mitchell, the steadfast current president who entrusts Mullen with his assignment.

“As disinformation runs rampant and the personal ambition of power brokers in technology, Wall Street, and government collide, Mullen’s unwavering search for the truth forces him to confront his own dark secrets while risking all he holds dear,” the synopsis teases.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The cast also starsJesse Plemons,Lizzy Caplan,Connie Britton, Joan Allen andMatthew Modine. Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim and Michael S. Schmidt co-created the show and executive produced alongside De Niro and director Lesli Linka Glatter.

Angela Bassett as President Mitchell in ‘Zero Day’.Jojo Whilden/Netflix

Jojo Whilden/Netflix

Bassett has long been a veteran of the big and small screen, having had her breakthrough asTina Turnerin 1993’sWhat’s Love Got to Do with It. She went on to star inHow Stella Got Her Groove Backand Marvel’sBlack Panther,Avengers: EndgameandBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. On television, she has notably worked withRyan Murphyin multiple seasons ofAmerican Horror Storyand on the fan-favorite procedural drama9-1-1.

In 2024, Bassettaccepted an honorary Oscar award.

Speaking to PEOPLE that yearfor the Women Changing the World issue, the actress said, “I’ve always been a hard worker. You have to know what to say no to as well as what to say yes to. And during this time, a lot of things have been worthy of me saying yes to.”

Zero Daypremieres on Feb. 20 on Netflix.

source: people.com