If you’re a fan of vampire movies and TV shows, you’ll definitely want to check out Netflix’s newest series, “First Kill.” The show premiered on June 10 and is based on a short story by V.E. Schwab. It features a cast of talented actors, including Imani Lewis, who plays Calliope Burns.
Who is Imani Lewis?
Imani Lewis is a 24-year-old actor and artist from New York City. She was discovered while performing music at a nightclub and started her acting career as a teenager. Since then, she has landed roles in popular TV shows like “The Get Down,” “Star,” and “Hightown.” In “First Kill,” she plays the role of Calliope Burns, a vampire hunter who falls in love with a vampire.
Calliope Burns: A Strong and Diligent Character
When Imani Lewis read for the role of Calliope, she instantly fell in love with the character. “She’s so diligent — fast, strong, and strong-minded,” Lewis told TV Fanatic. “I felt that kind of representation was just so necessary, and I’m excited for what it’s going to do for the other young girls out there that are going to see the character and see so much of themselves or who they want to be.”
Queer Romance and Representation in the Supernatural Genre
“First Kill” not only delivers an exciting and supernatural storyline but also a powerful queer romance between two young girls. “The storyline in itself, just all the representation, I’m so honored to be a part of it,” Imani Lewis shared with Popsugar. “I love that it’s a teenage love story. I love that it’s a queer teenage love story between two young girls and that that’s not their fight. That’s not their journey. It’s not a journey through sexuality. It’s a journey through the lineage that they’re born into and this mission that they’re both born into: obtaining their first kills and earning their right and spot in their families.”
An Artist with Multiple Talents
Aside from acting, Lewis is also a musician who makes music under the name Mocha Bands. She is also working on a clothing line that she hopes will make everyone feel seen and included. “I want my project to feel like a mixture of all those things — like there’s a song for everyone. It’s the same thing with the clothing line,” she told TV Fanatic. “I want there to feel like there’s a piece for everyone, and everyone feels seen and feels included in some kind of way. I’m so hyped for many reasons, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
