Afroboricua Actress Melissa Duprey reflects on defining her space in television

Actress Melissa Duprey expressed excitement about her breakout role as Tamika in the new series "How to Die Alone."

 The 35-year-old actress spoke with CALÓ News about her reaction to receiving the script for the first time, “I thought, ‘Oh, this is me—this is my role.’” 

The American comedy series was created by and stars Natasha Rothwell (Insecure) and is now streaming on Hulu. The show centers on Rothwell’s character, Mel, who embarks on a transformative journey following a near-death experience. In a supporting role, Duprey portrays Tamika, initially a nosy neighbor, who evolves into a profound and supportive friend to Mel throughout the season.

In an interview with CALÓ News, Duprey reflected on portraying a character that shares many of her own identities, particularly as an Afro-boricua actress. “Natasha [Rothwell] knows that if you’re living in New York, you're gonna have a boricua friend,” said Duprey “so just the representation alone felt real and authentic to me, and I was excited by that.”

Duprey has appeared in various films and television series, including a recurring role on "Grey’s Anatomy," but her latest performance in "How To Die Alone" stands out as one of her most significant to date. The series has garnered impressive acclaim, achieving a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with both fans and critics lauding its diverse, talented cast and intricately woven, often messy narratives. Duprey recognized the substantial impact of social media on the show's reception, revealing that she initially harbored doubts about its release.

Season 1 of the show wrapped filming right when the writer’s strike began, which meant that for 8 months the production was in limbo.  “We couldn't touch it, couldn't do any production on it, couldn't fix it, couldn't edit it, nothing,” said Duprey. She recalled feeling uncertainty during the initial months of the strike, like many actors who were out of work. “I just felt helpless sometimes, because it is a really big body of work for me,” she admits feeling unsure as to whether it would be released. 

Duprey briefly joined the picket line in Los Angeles,  before returning to Chicago to galvanize local efforts. "Our TV, film, and cinema community is small but incredibly vocal, loud, and capable of organizing—especially in a union town,” she noted. 

Deeply committed to community building, the actress expressed her desire to act as a bridge between different groups to enhance resource sharing and opportunities. “I recognized the ripples spreading everywhere, and I thought, 'I can be a strong voice here in Chicago,'” she explained. “I want to continue to water the grass that I’m on.”

Duprey ultimately launched the Latinas Acting Up chapter in Chicago, and now serves as their co-chair. 

After a delayed release, “How To Die Alone” premiered in September 2024 to an overwhelmingly positive reception from both critics and audiences. Duprey said she had “no idea” how the show was going to turn out or whether people would respond positively. “I think what is exciting about it is how much the show engages with the conversations that are happening on social media,” said Duprey.

The producers of “How To Die Alone” have done an excellent job of engaging with viewers on social media, particularly tracking the metadata around Black Twitter. However, it is the authenticity of the writing and cast chemistry that makes the show so beloved.

“It's written for us with our language, with our vocabulary, with our ethnography,” said Duprey, “it's tapping into the voice of messy, self-aware humans that are living in this generation.”

Duprey emphasized that the cast's chemistry was a deliberate effort by creator Rothwell, who organized social gatherings outside of work, including karaoke nights. Although the show was filmed in Toronto, many cast members traveled from various locations to participate. Duprey recalled evenings spent dining and exploring together, which deepened their bond. “She [Rothwell] really humanized the set, which can often feel sterile and dominated by egos and power-driven. It just wasn’t like that,” Duprey noted. She concluded, “It was the happiest time I’ve ever had on a show.”

Though Tamika is a supporting character, she captivates every scene she graces, thanks in large part to Duprey’s natural comedic chops and vibrant energy. Duprey credits creator Rothwell for granting her creative freedom on set. “There was one scene where I asked Natasha, ‘Hey, I’ve got about seven one-liners ready. Do you think I could just roll through them while the camera keeps running?’” Duprey admits she felt she had “no business” making such a request, but Rothwell agreed, ultimately selecting a line adapted from Assata Shakur: “We’ve got nothing to lose but our chains, not our gains.”

When asked about concerns of falling into the trope of the “funny Black best friend,” Duprey candidly acknowledged that she still sees elements of this in her character, Tamika. She emphasized that television and film often perpetuate the notion that even a fat Black lead will have a fat Black best friend. However, she believes the best way to challenge this stereotype is to intentionally address it within the narrative.

Coming from a theater background, Duprey says she is used to being typecast. This was part of the inspiration for producing her own work at the start of her career. “When theater didn't hire me. I decided to make my own space and be the hero of my own story. I will be the object of my own desire. I will make myself sexy, I will make myself funny, I will make myself palatable because no one else is going to do that for me.”

Duprey is no stranger to carving out her own space and is committed to challenging the predominantly white, male narratives that often dominate television. She actively engages in diverse performance mediums while remaining deeply involved in her community back in Chicago

When asked about the next season of “How to Die Alone,” Duprey urged audiences to be patient, noting that the show took eight years to go from development to production. She expressed concern that the rapid-fire nature of streaming services often leaves little room for creatives to breathe. “I don’t think people fully understand how long the [production] process is and the immense pressure creators face when they create something like this,” she said.

While Season 2 of “How to Die Alone” is not yet confirmed, Duprey is optimistic that something is in the works. “Remember that there’s artistry behind it—these stories are meaningful and take time,” she emphasized.

Duprey also called on viewers to continue supporting BIPOC and women-led content. “If you want to support a show like this, amplify every part of the production process—the writers, the producers, the actors, even the costume designers. Every contribution matters.”