Things are heating up on Fox’s Rosewood with Tia Mowry-Hardrict joining the cast as a recurring guest star and love-triangle instigator on this week’s installment.
Mowry-Hardrict will play Cassie, an ex-girlfriend from Pippy’s (Gabrielle Dennis) past. As fans know, Pippy is Rosewood’s sister and she is happily engaged to TMI (Anna Konkle). But when Cassie returns, sparks start to fly forcing TMI to wonder if Pippy is really over her ex. If you recall, Mowry-Hardrict and Dennis played epic frenemies Melanie and Janay on The Game.
“Cassie is the one who inspired Pippy to come out,” Mowry-Hardrict says of her character. “She taught Pippy to be true, love who she is and be comfortable with who she is. Her mom (Lorraine Toussaint) wasn’t always so supportive. Cassie is the one who made her embrace her sexuality. I fell in love with the character and wanted to play this role because I knew that was her foundation.”
The actress says she also wanted to play Cassie because of the smart and sensitive way the writers address sexuality.
“It’s not all about Pippy being a lesbian,” Mowry-Hardrict, 37, says. “That is Pippy and Cassie’s backstory but it’s not at all what we talk about as characters. But Cassie does cause friction for the two of them – and rightfully so. And who knows what will happen? That’s good TV.”
As a fan of the show, Mowry-Hardrict says she was thrilled to be offered the role. “I’m a huge fan of Morris Chestnut,” she says. “I grew up with Morris and I know him personally. So it’s all about supporting my fellow actor and a show where there is a lead black character.
“But this show works because there is diversity,” says Mowry-Hardrict, who will appear in at least three episodes. “You have many cultures on this show and you have many different dynamics and relationships. It’s very intriguing.”
Rosewood airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
