Actress Jill Marie Jones On Love, Betrayal In 'Games Women Play'
Jill Marie Jones On Marriage, ‘Playing Complex Characters’ & Returning To The Stage In ‘Games Women Play’ [Exclusive] - Page 2
Jill Marie Jones is best known for her iconic portrayal of Toni Childs in the hit television series Girlfriends, a role that made her a household name and a staple in Black culture. Her presence on screen has always exuded beauty, charisma, depth, and undeniable style. Now, Jones is stepping into a new light with her role in Je’Caryous Johnson’s latest stage play Games Women Play, where she stars as Paisley Terrell—a woman caught between ambition, love, and emotional turmoil.
In this exclusive interview for MadameNoire, Jones, 50, opens up about returning to the stage, her love of complex characters, and the deeper layers behind her character Paisley’s persona in the play.
MadameNoire: You’ve had a highly successful career on both the small and big screens. What inspired this transition back to the stage?
Jill Marie Jones: Je’Caryous Johnson—this is his play. I actually did another play with him about 10 years ago. That was my first time back on stage since high school when I did The Music Man. I was terrified, but I love running toward fear. I think it brings something different out of you. When Je’Caryous called and asked me to do this, I said, “Let’s go.”
The play is really funny, dramatic, and sassy. If you have a soul, you might cry a little. We have an incredible cast, and the beauty is that we genuinely love each other. We’ve been eating our way through every city [as we discover new restaurants], and I think that connection shows on stage. The audience talks back to us—it’s interactive and fun for everyone.
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Let’s talk about Paisley Terrell. She’s described as every man’s dream, much like your role as Toni in Girlfriends. But clearly, there’s more to her. What drew you to the character, and how did you prepare to step into her world?
I love Paisley because she’s misunderstood. She’s the type of woman people judge by her cover, but they don’t take the time to read the book. Yes, she loves the finer things in life—she’s fancy—but there’s depth there. In this play, she’s confused in love. She’s trying to figure it all out, and I think many people can relate to that. I love playing complex characters, and Paisley definitely fits that.
What emotional or psychological layers of Paisley were the most challenging—or most rewarding—for you to explore on stage?
Great question. Honestly, I’ve always been able to separate Jill from the characters I play. Acting is what I do, not who I am. That helps me dive into a role without bringing it home with me. But I never judge the character—I meet them with empathy and understanding. With Paisley, the challenge and reward are both in capturing her vulnerability and her confusion. It’s about showing that, yes, she’s strong and beautiful, but she’s also human.
That’s powerful. So many people think acting is just pretending, but it’s really about revealing truth.
Exactly. It’s about truth. And with a role like Paisley, the truth is layered. I get to reveal that on stage every night, and that’s a blessing.
We have to ask—since the name of the play could be Games That People Play—the title raises a compelling question: Are we playing the game of love, or is love playing us? What’s your take, both as Paisley and as Jill Marie Jones?
I think people play games—whether they realize it or not. Do women play games better? I’d say yes. I think women are more observant. They pay attention and learn. Sometimes, men don’t notice the details, and when they cheat, it’s easy to catch. But women? If they cheat, you may never find out. It’s not something I consciously do as Jill, though. At least, I don’t think I play games.
What about Paisley? Does she play games?
Paisley has a past, and yes, in that past she did play games. But now, her life has changed beautifully. Sometimes, though, people or circumstances try to pull you back into who you used to be.
Speaking of her past, what message do you hope women take away from Paisley’s journey?
Knowing who you are—and not letting anyone gaslight you. Women know who they are, but we sometimes let people tell our stories for us. You’ve got to stand firm, with full confidence. I ride for Paisley. I can’t wait for people to see the full picture. So many people judge others based on appearances or assumptions, without taking the time to really get to know them. Paisley is one of those misunderstood people.
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