Krys Marshall on Power, Survival, and the Cost of Truth

With its Season 2 finale now aired, Paradise has carved out its place as a sharp, high-stakes political thriller, one that uses its post-collapse setting to examine control, hierarchy, and the systems people choose to preserve when everything else falls apart. At the center of it is Krys Marshall, whose performance brings both authority and tension to a character navigating the shifting lines between order and rebellion. As the series pushes its characters into increasingly complex territory, Marshall reflects on the evolution of her role, the dynamics of power inside the bunker, and the choices that define survival when accountability finally catches up.

Photography Laretta Houston @larettahouston@exclusiveartists
Styling + Creative Direction Lisa Smith Craig @lscstyling@wemergenetwork
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Hair Randy Stodghill @hairjunkierandy @opusbeauty
bts video Ifeoma O’Gonuwe @ifeomaaaaa
Interview Alexandra Tuil @maisonpriveepr_la
Styling assistant Essence T. Carson @essencecarson
Special thanks to Kristie Higgins & Gary Mantoosh @initiativepr
Publisher Aleksandar Tomovic @alekandsteph
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Bello: Paradise presents a world where collapse doesn’t dismantle power, it preserves it. What was your first reaction to that idea when you read the script?

Krys Marshall: When I first read the script, I really had no idea what the story was going to be. I knew it was a political thriller, but I was just as shocked as the audience when I got to the end of the first episode and realized we were living inside a bunker. I truly did not see that coming. What I find so interesting about the show is that even though we’re dealing with nuclear fallout, environmental collapse, and these huge, world-ending stakes, at the end of the day, people are still people. There’s still infighting, jealousy, power struggles, and people trying to hold onto control or survive without it. I love that the story balances those big, bold ideas with the smaller, more intricate parts of human behavior. 

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Bello: The bunker feels less like a refuge and more like a continuation of the same hierarchy that existed before the collapse. How did you interpret that environment as an actress?

Krys Marshall: The dynamics we had on the surface are very much the same inside the bunker. I play the head of the Secret Service, so my role is to protect the president. That was my job before entering the bunker, and it remains my job afterward. At the beginning, we really see that structure and hierarchy clearly in place, but as the season progresses, especially once the president is killed, we begin to see that the people in power can’t necessarily be trusted. That’s when everything starts to shift. While there’s this massive external chaos happening with volcanoes and nuclear fallout, there’s also this internal pressure building, like a tea kettle about to boil over. The drama from the outside world really seeps into the inside of the bunker.

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Bello: There’s an undercurrent of rebellion in the show, a sense that some people are no longer willing to accept the system that was built. How does that tension shape your character’s journey?

Krys Marshall: Robinson has always been someone who is aligned with truth and morality. She has a very strong internal compass. She really believes in doing what’s right. At the beginning, that means upholding the system, trusting that leadership has the best intentions, and maintaining order. But as that system starts to break down, her role changes. Her compass doesn’t shift, but the way she follows it does. As we move through the story, she becomes more of a renegade, even a vigilante in some ways. She’s willing to challenge the entire structure of this world in order to give people the truth and allow them to make their own choices, all while still trying to stay grounded in what she believes is right.

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Bello: Your character operates very close to power, but also close to its fractures. How do you approach playing someone who exists in that in-between space?

Krys Marshall: It really comes down to relationships and navigating what you reveal versus what you keep to yourself. Whether it’s a professional relationship or something more personal, there’s always that balance between how you present yourself and what remains private. That dynamic becomes even more complex when you’re a woman in a position of power, especially in an environment that’s largely male-dominated. Robinson is juggling a lot. She’s balancing authority, vulnerability, and contradiction. As an actor, I always start with the script, what she says about herself, what others say about her, and build from there. She’s a woman who believes in structure and the rule of law, yet she’s also capable of dismantling that same system. She’s full of contradictions, and I think that’s what makes her feel real and human.

Dress: Charles and Ron @charlesandron Ring: Cybele Bertin @cybelebertin

Bello: The show suggests that the real danger is not the end of the world, but the moment people start demanding accountability. Do you see Paradise as a story about reckoning?

Krys Marshall: Yes, absolutely. There’s this idea that the monster is something external, but really, it’s internal. It’s in us. The show explores what happens when power and greed go unchecked. You see characters who are capable of making extreme decisions, even justifying them in the name of protecting others. But at the same time, there’s always a cost to that behavior. As the story unfolds, especially toward the finale, we start to see the repercussions of those choices and what accountability really looks like.

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Bello: Paradise challenges the idea of a “fresh start.” Do you think the show believes it’s possible to rebuild a truly new world, or do we inevitably recreate the same systems?

Krys Marshall: I actually think the show takes a very optimistic approach. Even after everything collapses, we see moments that highlight the goodness in people. There’s kindness, compassion, and a willingness to help others, even in the worst circumstances. Despite everything falling apart, there’s still this belief that humanity, at its core, leans toward doing the right thing.

Bello: Looking at your journey so far, what moments or decisions have most defined you, not just as an actress, but as a woman shaping her own narrative?

Krys Marshall: Becoming a mother was a huge turning point for me. For a long time, I was afraid that having children would negatively impact my career, especially in this industry. But when I had my son, it completely shifted my perspective. I felt more creative, more driven, and more connected to my work. It reminded me what truly matters: love, connection, and purpose. It grounded me in a way that allowed me to approach my work with more freedom and authenticity.

Bello: Are there specific designers, eras, or cultural references that you find yourself constantly drawn to?

Krys Marshall: I’m really drawn to structure and color in fashion. I love pieces that are beautifully tailored and perfectly constructed. I’ve worn designers like Dior and Oscar de la Renta, who are known for stunning gowns and precise tailoring. But I also love bold, vivid colors and emerging designers, especially local talent. One of my favorites is Harbison Studio, a Black designer from the South now based in LA. He creates vibrant, jewel-toned dresses and gowns that look incredible on dark skin.

I’ve always loved fashion, and I’m so grateful to my stylist, Melissa Lynn, who constantly pushes me to experiment with interesting silhouettes, sheer fabrics, and structured pieces. As my body has changed, single, married, pregnant, postpartum, she helps me find ways to celebrate those changes rather than hide them. I’m eternally grateful for her creativity and guidance in shaping my style.

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Bello: You recently stepped into a new chapter of your life. Has that shift influenced the way you see yourself, both personally and in how you move through your career?

Krys Marshall: Completely. I feel more confident and more capable, both personally and professionally. In this industry, you’re often made to feel like you’re lucky just to be there, but becoming a mother gave me a stronger sense of self. I know who I am now and what I bring to the table. I’m excited to collaborate, but I also don’t rely on external validation in the same way. I’ve really taken ownership of my power.

Blazer/Dress: Eman Alajlan @emanalajlan Skirt: RVNG Couture @rvng.couture Jewelry: Cybele Bertin @cybelebertin Shoes: Francesca Bellavita @francescabellavita

Bello: Looking back at the two seasons we’ve seen so far, is there a moment on set, whether intense or unexpectedly funny, that has stayed with you?

Krys Marshall: One of the most intense moments for me was in Season 1, during the White House escape scene. We are running out, helicopters are spinning, there are hundreds of background actors, probably around 400, and so many moving parts. It was chaotic in the best way. Everything felt so real, so alive, and the energy on set was incredible.

On the complete opposite end, there was a very intimate scene with James Marsden. It was a closed set, just the two of us and the camera operator, and it felt incredibly raw and personal. It really felt like two people deeply connected, having a quiet, emotional moment.

Bello: Was there a scene that turned out completely different from how you first imagined it when you read it on the page?

Krys Marshall: Honestly, most of them. The writing is already so strong, but seeing it come to life adds another layer. There are moments that feel one way on the page, and then completely different on screen. Watching performances, like those from Shailene Woodley, can be incredibly moving in ways you don’t fully anticipate until you see it.

Bello: Success is often a collective journey. What kinds of support or connections have played a key role in shaping your path?

Krys Marshall: Honestly, there are so many people I’m grateful for. My mom and my sister were the first to truly champion me. They believed in me at a time when there wasn’t much reason to. I was young, broke, living in New York, constantly facing rejection, questioning if I should even keep going. But they never stopped lifting me up. I feel the same way about my husband, who has always been incredibly supportive, especially during those moments when I didn’t get a role I really wanted and felt completely defeated. My manager, Paul Brown, has also been such a constant in my journey. We’ve worked together for years, and he’s the kind of person who will pick up the phone, advocate for me, show up to my premieres, celebrate the wins, and support me through everything in between. There are honestly too many people to name, but I truly believe in that idea: if you want to go far, you go together. Everything I have achieved and everything I will achieve is because of the strong, supportive community around me.

Left: Top & Pants: Vaishalis @vaishalisstudio Earrings: Adiba @adiba.official Shoes: Jonak @jonak Bracelet: Cybele Bertin @cybelebertin Ring: Caitlyn Minimalist @CaitlynMinimalist | Right: Top & Pants Megan Renee @meganrenee.co Bracelets: Cristina Sabatini @cristinasabatini Cybele Bertin @cybelebertin Rings: Mam @mam