Interview: Toni Trucks Gives the Deets on the Current Season of ‘Seal Team’

Actress, Toni Trucks, can attribute her first big break on TV starring in the Showtime series, Barbershop. Though the actress said looking back, every job, big or small, was important in landing her where she is right now in her acting career. Toni can currently be seen in the TV series, SEAL Team, airing now on CBS every Wednesday, where Trucks can be seen playing Lisa Davis, the team’s Logistic Officer. Fans can also find Toni on the Comedy Central series, Corporate, this summer. Read Glitter’s exclusive interview below to get the scoop on Toni Trucks and what’s on the horizon for the film and TV star.

GLITTER: What would you say was your big break?

TONI: Well My first big job in Television was starring in the Showtime series, Barbershop. But looking back I don’t know if I would say that was my “Big Break.” There are so many up and downs as a performer. I have had countless seasons of feast and famine. In hindsight, I feel like every job, big or small was really important to me landing here. Each one was a “break” in its way.

GLITTER: What attracted you to the performing arts?

TONI: I have always loved story telling. My first love was Musical Theatre for which I got my BFA from the University Of Michigan. I spent all of my formative years in the theatre. Using your whole body as an instrument to tell a story, whether it be through words, movement or song always interested and excited me. I love the intimacy that performers and the audiences develop through the shared experiences of ART. When done well, it has the ability to be a powerful tool of joy and healing.

GLITTER: What can you tell us about the 2nd season of the CBS show, SEAL Team, without giving anything away?

TONI: In Season One, we did a lot of a beautiful work introducing each member of the Team. We established how they feel about each other and how they function in our extremely high stakes missions. In Season 2, we’ve been able to tackle the more difficult topic of how each character feels about themselves and recon with some of those internal battles.

GLITTER: Who do you play?

TONI: I play Lisa Davis on the show. For the majority of both seasons I have been working with the Bravo Team as their Logistics Officer. Packing Gear, monitoring drone footage and anything else that’s needed to help keep them safe on missions. However, my character recently left the team to attend Officer Candidate School. So we will finish the season following her through this intense OCS training and ultimately see if she has what it takes to raise her rank and be a leader.

GLITTER: How are you like or unlike your character?

TONI: I think “Davis” and I are similar in that we both take our work very seriously and demand respect in male dominated spaces. We differ in our expression of care. Davis is extremely guarded. I am very demonstrative in word and deed. I would bake you cookies and write you a note. “Davis” would pack you some badass gear and buy you a drink. I’m a hugger and “Davis” is a hand shaker.

GLITTER: Do you get to do your own stunts?

TONI: Yes and I LOVE IT!! But we also always have extremely talented stunt doubles standing by for which I am grateful. Doing the stunts is thrilling but when you reach the 14th or 15th hour of work, having a partner in crime is very welcome.

GLITTER: What is the furthest you’ve ever had to travel for a role?

TONI: Sofia, Bulgaria. I starred in a SyFy Original Movie that filmed there for a month. Travel is a wonderful perk of this job.

GLITTER: What other shows have you appeared on?

TONI: Hahah Too many to list them all… But some people might recognize me from NCIS: New Orleans, Franklin and Bash, Grimm or Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 2.

GLITTER: We know you also have a theater background. Would you ever consider being on Broadway?

TONI: I started working in TV and film relatively quickly out of college so I would be thrilled to find my way back to the stage. All the better if it is Broadway.

GLITTER: Who is your dream collaboration with?

TONI: OH MY! Ava Duvernay, Jordan Peele, Barry Jenkins, Pedro Almodóvar and James Earl Jones. Mr. Jones and I come from the same remote area in Michigan and both got our start in the same community theatre 30 years apart. He performed his last show at our local playhouse in 1957 and I stepped foot into my first role in 1987. He is such a talented force. It would be thrilling to share the stage or screen with him in any capacity.

GLITTER: What is one thing your fans might not know about you?

TONI: I love to bake. I recently took home second place in a Los Angeles based cookie competition.

GLITTER: Best advice you were ever given?

TONI: “To seek out rooms where you are the worst of the best and not the best of the worst.” I came from a tiny town where I excelled quickly. Being encouraged to leave that space and actively surround myself with people that we better than me ended up being the most effective education. I could look around at any moment and always be motivated by the company I was keeping. Kicking higher, turning faster, and reciting more precisely… My artistry grew quickly with this advice. I left the place where I was the best so that I could be better.

GLITTER: How do you help break the glass ceiling?

TONI: For me, much of progress is rooted in being seen and heard. I am always advocating for more visibility and volume for anyone disenfranchised. As a black woman and storyteller, I try to help by seeking out roles that encourage our differences. Oddly enough I think when we lean into our differences we end up revealing the commonality of our humanity.

GLITTER: Favorite outdoor activity?

TONI: I’m always up for a bike ride or a picnic.

GLITTER: Favorite song or songwriter right now?

TONI: Favorite Song: “Knocks Me Off My Feet” by Stevie Wonder. Songwriters right now: TheMilk Carton Kids

GLITTER: Favorite food or restaurant?

TONI: Ice Cream is my favorite food group. I highly recommend Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.

GLITTER: Coffee or tea?

TONI: TEA all day.

GLITTER: Glitter has a Celebrity #Self Love-Campaign, what’s self-love mean to you?

TONI: Self-Love equals self-talk. That inner monologue can be your best friend or do some serious damage. I try to keep a positive soundtrack going in my head as much as possible to encourage that self-love.

GLITTER: Do you have any new projects coming up that you can tell us about?

TONI: For anyone craving a funny summer show, you can find me on the Comedy Central series, Corporate. It is a dark work place comedy that will not disappoint. All episodes are available on cc.com.

GLITTER: How can fans follow you?

TONI: @tonitrucks on all platforms