J. Bernard on Breaking Barriers and Being the Ultimate TV Dad: A Conversation About Fatherhood and 'The Ms. Pat Show'

As The Ms. Pat Show heads into its fourth season, it continues to break new ground by tackling real-life, relatable issues with boldness and nuance. This Emmy-nominated sitcom is not only redefining what it means to portray a Black father on television, thanks to J. Bernard’s compelling performance as Terry Carson, but it also explores a range of complex themes with depth and sensitivity.

From addressing abortion within marriage and generational trauma to confronting prescription drug addiction and the impact of absentee fathers, the show dives into topics that resonate with many viewers. Alongside Patricia Williams (Ms. Pat) and Tami Roman (Denise), J. Bernard’s role contributes to a new breed of TV dads, offering a fresh perspective on fatherhood while navigating the intricate dynamics of family life. The show’s ability to discuss challenging subjects head-on makes it a standout in today's television landscape, offering powerful narratives that reflect real-life experiences.

Recently, Bleu Mag had the pleasure of speaking to J. Bernard, who shared his thoughts on breaking new ground as a modern TV dad. Further, he discussed how his own experiences as a father have shaped his portrayal of Terry Carson on The Ms. Pat Show and offered an inspiring message for fathers far and wide.

BLEU: Let's talk about your work on The Ms. Pat Show. It's Emmy-nominated, marking a historic first for BET.

Bernard: Yes, yes, yes.

BLEU: You've redefined what it means to be a TV dad. The portrayal of fathers on TV has evolved significantly since the 1980s and 1990s. How do you feel your role is breaking down barriers, and how do you incorporate your real-life experiences as a father into your character?

Bernard: It's always good to be able to represent your culture in the best way and best fashion. You always remember that you're playing a role, telling a story, and bringing life into it. It's a job, no matter if you're playing a villain or a good guy. I just happen to be playing a TV dad. The baton is being passed to me from all the great ones, and I take it full on. It means so much to me as a man to be able to represent that.

Fans often tell me, "What is Terry going to do next?" or "I saw things differently and had a conversation with my son because of what I saw." This is storytelling at its finest. Bringing honesty and authenticity to this role because I am a father and a husband makes the character and the story complete. I'm able to pull from my experiences as Jeffrey Bernard Calloway to Terry Carson, which makes the entire character complete.

BLEU: You mentioned that the torch has been passed to you. Who are some TV dads you admired or studied growing up that epitomize the perfect TV dad? How have they influenced your approach?

Bernard: The person I look up to the most—Ossie Davis. He and Ruby Dee represent who my wife and I are as artists. They had longevity and success in this business. As an activist, he stood up for the people, telling our stories as African Americans and bringing them to light. He was about all people, much like Fred Hampton said, "All power to all people."

Of course, Bill Cosby was one of the greatest TV dads ever. Then there's Damon Wayans in My Wife and Kids, George Jefferson, and James Evans from Good Times. Red Foxx and Sanford from Sanford and Son also stand out. I’m standing on such broad shoulders, and it's my responsibility as a storyteller to understand what I am doing and, as I do that, to be able to just be a part of greatness. Just to be tied to that. If I can do that, to me, that would be a whole career fulfilled—just to work with great people, great stories, people like yourself, being able to expose who I am as an artist and us being able to vibe together and see each other two years down the road, be like, girl, you remember that?

BLEU: You've mentioned the great stories in The Ms. Pat Show. For viewers who haven't seen it yet, what are some of the most impactful stories the show has highlighted to date?

Bernard: Two storylines really stuck with me. In one episode, my eldest daughter, coming out of the quote, unquote closet and letting us know she’s gay. The way we handled my daughter coming out—her fear of her mother's reaction and my role in counseling her through it—why her mom did what she did and how she receives who she is. Another powerful episode dealt with abortion—talk about current events—women's rights over their own bodies. Our show tackles issues everyone can sit down around the table and speak about—chew upon as Shakespeare would say.

We have great writers. Shoutout to Jordan Cooper, who is our showrunner. He’s the youngest African American showrunner in Hollywood history—as far as Black folks are concerned. We've made history with our Emmy nominations. Our director has been nominated again for her work this season, particularly for the episode titled "I'm the Pappy."

BLEU: Offering an example of both the perspective of a Black father and fatherhood in general, what advice would you give to fathers about finding balance while fostering healthy relationships with their children?

Bernard: Patience is key. We’re often quick to impose our upbringing on our kids without allowing them to be who they are and find out for themselves. And if we set rules, and kids go outside them because they're reacting instinctively, we’re not giving them a chance to grow mentally. So, patience and coming down to that child's eye level and having a conversation rather than yelling at them.

I've come very far to where I am now. I have a lot of faults. I’m dealing with those faults and still growing. So, I am not perfect. I don't want to put that out there to some people that I've come to this place a long time ago.

I'm still working on myself as a father, but what I do know and what I've learned is with patience and getting down to that child's eye level and speaking with them, they have a better understanding of what you're trying to relate to them and teach and learn. For them versus you yelling at them.

Balancing work, spirituality, family, and personal time is a lifetime process. It's about making choices and being accountable for them. Being in control of your life and responsible for your actions ultimately leads to a better balance.

BLEU: You've mentioned you're workshopping one project. Is there anything else on the horizon for you that fans should keep a lookout for?

Bernard: This is an exciting time with a lot of projects I can't speak about just yet. I have a voiceover for an animation project that's under NDA. I’m trying to do a crossfire in the industry through voiceover, film, television, musical theater, straight plays, and screenplays. I'm grateful to speak about "Purple Rain" because Prince is one of my favorite artists. We're adapting the piece, making it into something great, and got the green light from his estate to make it so we can freely sing his music. It's going to be a unique and original experience.

BLEU: Anything else you'd like to share about The Ms. Pat Show?

Bernard: Continue to watch it or start from the beginning and ride with us through to the end of the fourth season. The fifth season is coming soon. It's going to be another great season of storytelling, fun, and comedy. What everybody is waiting for it’s going to be some more of it and some. As my country friends from Mississippi say, “on steroids.”

Catch The Ms. Pat Show streaming now on BET+!