Wendy Raquel Robinson Gets REAL About Black Women, Code-Switching and Surviving Hollywood
- 3 days ago
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Updated: 3 days ago
Reel Perspectives
August 27, 2026
Wendy Raquel Robinson has spent more than three decades proving that longevity in Hollywood isn't just about staying in the game—it's about knowing how to evolve with it.
From her breakout role on The Steve Harvey Show to an impressive résumé spanning television, film and theater, Robinson has built the kind of career many performers dream about. She has established herself as one of the industry's most recognizable and enduring talents, and now she's stepping into another memorable role alongside Tommy Davidson in Paramount+'s upcoming comedy series The Varnell Hill Show, premiering September 1.
Starring alongside Tommy Davidson and an ensemble of comedy heavyweights including Martin Lawrence, Robinson plays Rachel Perkins, a television executive tasked with helping resurrect the career of fictional comedy legend Varnell Hill, who first made his appearance on Martin in the 90's. But as the series unfolds, Rachel quickly discovers that his success is directly tied to her own.
And there's another layer to Rachel that Robinson particularly loves: she knows how to "code switch". It's a skill she says comes naturally to many Black people, particularly those who have learned how to navigate different professional and social spaces.
We sat down with the veteran actress for a candid conversation about the series, playing a powerful Black woman navigating Hollywood, working alongside legends and why, after all these years, comedy still feels like home.
When asked what was it about The Varnell Hill Show that made Robinson say "yes", her answer was immediate. "It's the code switch," Robinson explains. "It's being able to see this character one way, and that's one-dimensional, but then what takes it all the way over to the other side is like, 'No. Let me talk to the ladies for a minute.'"
She also loved the opportunity to break the fourth wall and move between those different sides of Rachel.
"For me, I love it. I love going back and forth and being able to juggle it all," she says. "So that was a definite yes for me."
And then Martin Lawrence made the decision even easier.
"Martin requested me, so how are you going to say no to Martin Lawrence?" she jokes. "There was no room to say, 'Let me think about it'. When he said, 'Wendy, tomorrow, come in for your fitting,' I was like, 'Wait, what?'" she recalls with a laugh.
Rachel is a television executive who has just landed a major position at Mammoth Studios and is determined to prove herself. Her success is directly tied to Varnell's comeback, giving her plenty of pressure and motivation.
"I have to make this man, Varnell Hill, not only relevant, but I have to dust him off because his success determines my success, so I have so much at stake, and I'm trying to get to my Oprah level, so this is a stepping stone for me," Robinson explains.
What she loves most is Rachel's range. She can move from Harvard-level corporate conversations to letting everyone know, "I'm from Inglewood. Don't get it twisted... she starts off really strong, but there are moments where she gets very, very vulnerable and realizes that there's a bigger manipulation."
The series tackles aging, relevance and changing expectations in Hollywood. Why are those conversations important?
Robinson believes they're "not only important, but necessary."
After more than 30 years in the business, she's watched Hollywood transform through social media, influencer culture and cancel culture.
"They will eat you up and spit you out and onto the next," she says.
She also worries about the new generation of performers who are entering an industry where followers and virality matter more than traditional training.
"What happened to my classical training that I did to get to a certain point?" she asks.
Ultimately, Robinson says the show delivers an important reminder: what worked 30 years ago may not work today.
"You gotta switch it up," she continues, "... and there's a lesson in there for me too as well, for Wendy."
You've worked across comedy, drama, film and theater. Does comedy still feel different?
Robinson grew up listening to Richard Pryor on eight-track tapes during family road trips, so comedy has always felt familiar.
"It's like putting on a shoe that's so broken in and comfortable," she says. "The shoe is different. It has different laces, some Velcro... bells and whistles. It's got metallic now, but the fit is still good."
Her long career has also prepared her to work alongside comedy legends like Martin Lawrence, Damon Wayans and Tommy Davidson.
"I still fan out," she admits, adding that her experience allowed her to sit at the table with those legends without shrinking.
Instead, those years of experience gave her the confidence to hold her own among the legends.
"I'm so grateful for that," she says, explaining that her career has prepared her to approach this role without being intimidated.
"When I started The Steve Harvey Show, Steve wasn't that Steve," Robinson laughs. "He wasn't! He was country-bumpkin straight out of Dallas. And now, look at him. We've all grown up together. We've battled tides, we've battled souls, and we've gone through things together. So, to come back and sit at the table with people like Martin, Damon and Tommy, it's really special".
After decades in Hollywood, Robinson is still doing exactly that—evolving, adapting and, most importantly, having fun. After more than 30 years in Hollywood, that may be the best lesson of all.
The Varnell Hill Show premieres September 1 on Paramount+.
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