#blackladynerd

I was thrilled to see a review of Sleepy Hollow in my October 24th issue of Rolling Stone magazine. I read it eagerly as they (Rob Sheffield) described the show as:

the fall's most enjoyably daft network drama by a mile. It's a mystery, it's a ghost story, it's a romance, but most important, not a single thing that happens on Sleepy Hollow is remotely sane, and that's what makes it so entertaining. 

However as I continued reading my eagerness turned into confusion, where was Nicole Beharie?!  Nowhere in the article was she or her character Lt. Abbie Mills mentioned! Her name is only seen in the photo caption above the article; I couldn't believe it! 

The article's focus is on Tom Mison (Ichabod Crane) and the basic plot of the show, which I understand, he is the "main character"/ an iconic literary character and people should know what the show is about...BUT the fact that a central character to this plot and the actress that plays her are totally neglected just didn't seem right. 

I would have been more willing to swallow my tongue or turn a blind eye, or whatever, if the article solely focused on Tom/Ichabod and a generic outline of the show but then this happened:

Fortunately, Ichabod gets plot summaries from his wife, Katrina, who appears to him in visions. Her fondness for cleavage-flaunting gowns is second only to her penchant for long, convoluted speeches explaining the Headless Horseman...Oh, also, she's a witch, so she got burned at the stake in 1782.

WHAT?! THEY TALK ABOUT KATRINA (played by the lovely Katia Winter) and even provide her backstory but still completely neglect to even MENTION Abbie! SHE'S HELPING ICHABOD SAVE THE WORLD FROM THE FRICKING APOCALYPSE! Along with this blatant neglect of Abbie is the sexist description of Katrina; must they really mention her wardrobe?! How is she "flaunting" her cleavage? She's just wearing a dress! 

   Anyway...what I'm getting at is, why the erasure of the strong black woman? The fact that they included the white actress who, while important to the plot, hasn't been as prominent a player as Nicole Beharie really struck a nerve. The inclusion of a strong WOC in such a prominent role is important and the fact that this article, aimed at encouraging people to watch the show, completely ignores her existence implies that the only way people would want to watch is if she doesn't exist. 

  Yet in another Rolling Stone article, released online this September, Nicole Beharie and her work as Lt. Abbie Mills are mentioned and praised:

Nicole Beharie's Sheriff Mills is perhaps the show's most interesting and grounded character.

Which made me even more confused/upset as to why she wasn't afforded respect and recognition in the printed review. The inclusion of a black woman in a role of authority only deemed acceptable when hidden among various webpages and only acknowledged after an intentional search. 

The link to this second review:  http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/sleepy-hollow-is-batshit-crazy-20130916 

So, yeah, I felt the need to get this off my chest. As a black woman who watches and enjoys the show, my interest was admittedly peaked by the casting of Nicole Beharie. I started watching for her and stayed for the story, the characters, their potential, and the pure fun entertainment.

 Nicole Beharie matters. Lt. Abbie Mills matters. Representation matters. 

Just saying.