L to R: Essence Atkins as Ivy and Damon Wayans as Poppa. Robert Voets/CBS
When it comes to playing a love interest for someone from the Wayans family, Essence Atkins is determined to catch them all.
“I just need to be Kim [Wayans’] love interest, and then I’ll have the trifecta,” Atkins, 53, joked during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly. “I have been the love interest of all of them. So at this point, I feel kind of like an honorary member of the family.”
Atkins poked fun at how it also “feels a bit incestuous,” adding, “But not really. I love them so much and I love working with them. It’s always such a pleasant, professional and fun experience. I would love to dispense it as medicine. Are you going through something difficult? Work with the Wayans — you’ll feel better. It’ll bring some healing to your soul.”
The actress currently stars on CBS’ Poppa’s House with Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., but it’s a family affair behind the scenes with Kim Wayans and Damien Dante Wayans directing several episodes, Shawn Wayans and Michael Wayans being credited as writers and Marlon Wayans appearing in the Monday, March 24, episode as Damon Sr.’s onscreen brother.
Before Poppa’s House, Atkins played Marlon’s ex-wife on his short-lived sitcom and Shawn’s girlfriend in Dance Flick.
Essence Atkins and Shawn Wayans in ‘Dance Flick’ Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
“The truth of the matter is that it’s always going to be an immediate yes when I hear ‘Wayans.’ This is my sixth project with that family. I have met all of them at this point and worked with the majority of them,” she shared with Us. “I really wanted to work with Damon Wayans Jr. again [after Dance Flick] and I had always wanted to work with Damon Wayans, so that’s really all I needed to know. It was an immediate yes.”
Poppa’s House, which premiered in October 2024, follows legendary talk radio host Poppa (Damon Sr.), who has his point of view challenged at work when a new female cohost (Atkins) is hired. At home, Poppa finds himself still parenting his adult son (Damon Jr.), who is trying to pursue his passion while balancing the responsibilities associated with being a father and husband.
Atkins’s Ivy has been introduced as a potential love interest for Damon Sr.’s Poppa — but she’s not in a rush to see them get together.
Damon Wayans as Poppa and Essence Atkins as Ivy in ‘Poppa’s House’ Robert Voets/CBS
“Initially when we were beginning the series, we thought it would happen sooner. But I think that there’s something really beautiful about them becoming friends first and that they really grow in respect for one another and admiration for one another,” Atkins explained. “Also in being able to see behind the curtain of one another, they have a little bit more trepidation and a little bit more caution about leaping forward.”
Atkins noted that both Ivy and Poppa are starting to develop an “awareness” of their connection, adding, “He’s gaining an awareness of like, ‘Well, what do I get? It looks good, but what does the inspection report say when you buy a home?’ That’s wisdom, and I think that that leads to a much more satisfying take when it actually happens. It won’t feel so jumped or rushed.”
She continued: “These characters have earned this closeness. We’ve seen them grow on each other. We’ve seen them get on each other’s nerves. I like the pace that we’re continuing at. As far as how long it will take, I don’t know. I definitely think that there’ll be moments this season where you’ll be rooting for it to happen.”
Poppa’s House airs on CBS Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Paramount+.
