Seven years ago, amidst Hollywood's headlong plunge into the TV reboot era, comedian George Wallace harbored a desire to add another nostalgic gem to the roster: a revamped version of the beloved "Sanford and Son." "Sanford and Son brings joy to everyone," Wallace confided to The Hollywood Reporter. "Just the theme song can elicit a smile. So, I approached Norman Lear, whom I'd known for three decades, and proposed, 'Let's reboot Sanford and Son.' He responded with, 'Are you kidding? You can't revive that show. Twist it and come back with something new.'"
Wallace wasn't immediately certain how he would freshen up Lear and Bud Yorkin's 1970s sitcom, executive produced by them and starring Redd Foxx, but one actress's name kept resonating in his mind. "During that period, 'Orange is the New Black' was all the rage. I never watched it, but Laverne Cox's name kept cropping up. Who is this Laverne Cox? Reflecting on her show, I pondered, what if my estranged son returned home after 23 years and announced, 'Dad, I'm coming home tomorrow.'"
Cox interjected, "'And that son reveals, 'I was never your son; I was always your daughter.'" This is the pivotal twist at the heart of "Clean Slate," a Prime Video series co-created, co-executive produced, and co-starring Wallace and Cox as father and daughter, Harry and Desiree Slate. One of Lear's final projects before his passing on December 5, 2023, at the age of 101, the comedy unfolds with Desiree turning up on Harry's doorstep in Mobile, Alabama, proudly revealing her identity as a trans woman to her dad. Though immediately accepting, Harry struggles with pronouns and the nuances of parenting a daughter.
"That's the beauty of 'Clean Slate,'" muses Wallace. "You learn as you go." While not entirely autobiographical, the show draws inspiration from Cox's upbringing in Mobile and her roots in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. In the series, Harry worships at this church, where Desiree's closeted best friend Louis (D.K. Uzoukwu) serves as choir director.
"It's distinct yet eerily reminiscent of Bethel AME Church, where I grew up," Cox shares. "As an actor, we respond to external stimuli. Sometimes it's a personal experience, sometimes a location, and here, the location was incredibly powerful. Walking into the church evoked so much—it's a gift, triggering, wonderful, and I cherish everything we did there. From the get-go, I knew the church had to play a prominent role in the show. Churches are a treasure trove of comedy and drama."
Desiree's drama stems from church members, including the pastor, who aren't keen on her presence. Only Louis' mother Ella (Telma Hopkins) and a small group of elderly women make it their mission to welcome Desiree with open arms.
"Throughout the South, there are countless Black Christian women who embody the spirit of [the character] just like her," Cox remarks. "An organization of Christian mothers, whose children identify as LGBTQ, has emerged, solely to offer warmth and embraces to the LGBTQ+ community. The truth is, among the Christian faithful, there exists an abundance of loving souls. I was raised on the teachings of the Bible, recapping the Sunday school lessons every week. While the Bible is replete with various narratives, the New Testament underscores a fundamental truth: God is love, Jesus embodies love; he forgives and sacrificed his life for our sins. It is God's prerogative to judge, whereas it is our duty to love unconditionally."
Cox, who likens the show to "a heartfelt embrace," aspires for viewers to leave with a profound sense of love, particularly amidst the current presidential administration's narrow definition of gender expression and its restrictions on transgender individuals serving in the military or accessing gender-affirming treatments while incarcerated or under the age of 19. "No government action can deter us from accessing gender-affirming care," Cox declared in a previous interview with THR. "This is an unwavering truth. We have always persevered, and we always will. We are resilient, resourceful beings."
For Desiree in Clean Slate, resistance takes on a lighter tone, as she grapples not only with church-induced prejudice but also with allowing love into her life when it presents itself in an unexpected package—in the form of Mack (played by Jay Wilkison), a single father to Opal (Norah Murphy) and Harry's deputy at the car wash he owns. The gradual build-up of chemistry between Desiree and Mack keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, right through to the season finale and potentially beyond.
"No spoilers, but that final scene in the eighth episode of season one, 'Born Again…Again,' is my favorite," Wallace enthuses. "I'd jump at the chance to relive that moment right now. I absolutely adore that scene." Whether Wallace and Cox will reprise their roles remains uncertain. However, the series concludes with an intriguing cliffhanger that leaves viewers yearning for answers.
"We're unsure about a second season," Cox admits, "but we're prepared, and the story has been meticulously plotted." All episodes of Clean Slate are currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
