Wanda Sykes Talks Dramatic Turn in ‘Undercard’ With Director Tamika Miller – INTERVIEW

Wanda Sykes in her first dramatic role in Undercard.

In Undercard, the new boxing drama now in theaters, Wanda Sykes delivers one of the most dramatic performances of her career. Known for decades of sharp comedy, Sykes steps into the role of Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart, a former boxing champion fighting for redemption outside the ring.

Directed by Tamika Miller and written by Anita M. Cal and Miller, Undercard blends sports intensity with a deeply personal mother-son story. The film follows Cheryl, a two-time boxing champion and recovering alcoholic, as she reconnects with the 21-year-old son she abandoned years earlier. When his promising career spirals after a devastating loss, they form an uneasy partnership built on ambition, resentment, and the hope of a second chance.

I spoke with Sykes and Miller about the emotional weight of Undercard, stepping into dramatic territory, and why this boxing movie is about far more than punches.

What Is ‘Undercard’ About?

At its core, Undercard is a story about family and forgiveness set against the brutal world of professional boxing.

Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart once dominated the ring. However, she lost her footing in life. When her son, Keith Stewart, a naturally gifted fighter, suffers a crushing defeat caused by his gambling-addicted trainer, his career and confidence collapse. Cheryl sees an opportunity to not only revive his career but also repair the fractured bond between them.

While boxing drives the action, the emotional battle between mother and son carries the film.

Miller made it clear she never intended to create a traditional sports movie.

“I never set out to make a sports movie,” Miller explained. “I set out to write this story with themes of motherhood and alcoholism, and I use boxing as a backdrop.”

That distinction shapes the entire film. Most boxing sequences remain short and purposeful, allowing the character dynamics to take center stage.

Wanda Sykes on Taking Her First Major Dramatic Role

For audiences raised on Wanda Sykes’ comedy, Undercard reveals a different layer. Surprisingly, she was not actively chasing a dramatic role.

“Personally, it wasn’t anything that I sought after,” Sykes said. “I wasn’t calling my agent, ‘Where’s my dramatic role?’ Tamika found me.”

Miller approached her with a clear, creative vision, which ultimately won her over.

“She knew exactly how she wanted it to look,” Sykes said. Still, Sykes kept things light. She joked that she even asked Miller whether Queen Latifah had turned it down first.

Humor aside, stepping into vulnerability felt risky. “Of course,” Sykes said when asked if she had doubts.

Before filming, Miller arranged emotional exercises instead of traditional line readings. That preparation unlocked something powerful. “I’m just bawling, just sobbing in this room,” Sykes recalled. “That’s when I said, ‘Oh, okay, yeah, I think I can pull this off.’”

Tough in the Ring, Fragile in Life

Cheryl Stewart is fearless inside the ropes. Outside of them, she struggles. Sykes drew from her own experience as a performer to understand that balance.

“On stage, you have to be tough,” she said. “They can’t laugh if they think you’re not confident.”

In the boxing ring, Cheryl knows exactly who she is. “She was a championship fighter. That’s the one place where she is 100 percent confident,” Sykes said. However, as she bluntly put it, “Life kicks your ass.”

That emotional duality defines Undercard.

Undercard Cast

The supporting cast strengthens the film’s emotional impact, led by Wanda Sykes as Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart and Bentley Green as her son, Keith Stewart. The ensemble also includes Estella Kahiha, Xavier Mills, William Stanford Davis, Berto Colón, and Roselyn Sánchez, each bringing added depth and authenticity to the story’s layered family and boxing dynamics.

Miller praised casting director Kim Coleman for assembling a powerful ensemble. She also emphasized her directing style.

“I want actors to have ownership of their roles,” Miller said.

That collaborative environment helped build natural chemistry, especially between Sykes and Berto Colón. Their off-camera banter in Puerto Rico immediately translated onscreen.

A Film 10 Years in the Making

For Miller, Undercard represents persistence and purpose. “Having made Undercard, which was 10 plus years in the making, and being here in this moment is a testament to my determination,” she said.

She remains committed to portraying people of color as multidimensional and complex. That mission shapes the emotional depth of the film.

What’s Next for Wanda Sykes?

Sykes confirmed she would work with Miller again “in a heartbeat.”

However, she also feels drawn back to comedy. “I think I’m gonna focus on more comedy because I think that’s what we need right now,” she said.

She recently filmed a Netflix comedy special at Hampton University, which she expects could arrive in the spring.

Still, Undercard proves she can command both laughter and layered drama. For longtime fans and new audiences alike, this boxing drama marks a compelling new chapter.

Undercard is now playing in theaters.

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