Essence Atkins of Poppa’s House Prefers a Slow-Burn Romance for Ivy and Poppa

Poppa’s House is clearly positioning the characters played by Essence Atkins and Damon Wayans for eventual romance — but there’s no rush from the show’s side.

In a recent exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Essence Atkins discussed how the CBS sitcom benefits from portraying Ivy and Poppa’s relationship as a gradual development.

“When we first started the series, we imagined this would happen sooner. However, I find it truly beautiful that they are becoming friends first, developing mutual respect and admiration,” Atkins, 53, shared. “They also have a clearer view of one another, which brings in a degree of trepidation and caution about rushing into a romantic leap.”

Atkins noted that as both Ivy and Poppa begin to recognize their connection, “He’s realizing that while it seems appealing, there’s more to consider, similar to an inspection report when buying a house. That’s wisdom, and it leads to a more satisfying experience when the moment finally occurs – it won’t feel abrupt or forced.”

By allowing this fictional relationship to evolve over time, Atkins hopes it will feel well-deserved.

“These characters have truly earned their closeness. We’ve witnessed their growth and how they can annoy each other,” she remarked to Us. “I appreciate the pace we are maintaining. As for how long it will take, I’m unsure. I do believe there will be moments this season where you’ll find yourself rooting for it to happen.”

Poppa’s House, which premiered in October 2024, centers around the legendary talk radio host Poppa (Wayans), whose viewpoints are challenged when a new female cohost (Atkins) joins. Meanwhile, at home, Poppa is still parenting his adult son (Damon Wayans Jr.), who is navigating his passion while juggling responsibilities as a father and husband.

This sitcom stands as a family project for Wayans, 64, and Wayans Jr., 42, along with other family members involved behind the scenes. Atkins expressed to Us that collaborating with the Wayans family was a significant incentive for joining Poppa’s House.

“Honestly, it’s an automatic yes whenever I hear ‘Wayans.’ This marks my sixth project with this family; I’ve met all of them by now and worked with most,” she explained. “I was excited to work with Damon Wayans Jr. again [after Dance Flick] and had always wanted to collaborate with Damon Wayans, so knowing that was enough for me. It was an immediate yes.”

Prior to appearing in Poppa’s House, Atkins played Marlon Wayans’ ex-wife in his short-lived sitcom, and Shawn Wayans’ girlfriend in Dance Flick.

“I just need to be Kim [Wayans]’ love interest to complete the trifecta. I would have been the love interest to all of them,” she joked. “At this point, I feel like an honorary family member. It does have a slight feeling of being incestuous, but not really.”

She continued: “I adore them and enjoy working with them. It’s consistently a pleasant, professional, and fun experience. I would gladly prescribe it as medicine. If you’re facing something tough, collaborating with the Wayans family will uplift your spirit. You’ll feel significantly better; it brings healing to your soul.”

Atkins expressed immense pride in the effort that went into bringing Poppa’s House to fruition — especially her standout character.

“At the beginning of the show, she’s a bestselling author with numerous self-help books and a successful podcast before she meets Poppa. [In the pilot,] I had a role that I was thankful for. Both [creators] Kevin [Hench] and Damon were very receptive to my suggesting how Ivy would articulate certain things,” she recalled. “This allowed me to enhance her character’s complexity and articulate it in a way that felt learned and analytical. With any character, collaboration on aspects like makeup, hair, and wardrobe is crucial.”

Alongside her nearly four-decade career in acting, Atkins has also ventured into directing. She hinted to Us that directing an episode of Poppa’s House might be on her horizon.

“The hope is yes, and the answer is yes. I would really love that,” she mentioned. “As an actor, I’ve found that some of the best directors are fellow actors. Having people like Kim, Phil Lewis, Kim Fields, Alfonso Ribeiro as directors brought a different perspective. Collaborating with those who understand the actor’s role creates a connection and heart that enhances storytelling. The script serves as the skeleton, and the actor provides the flesh. Having a director who grasps this process truly leads to exceptional storytelling.”

Poppa’s House airs on CBS on Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET. New episodes are available to stream the following day on Paramount+.