Actress Kiah Clingman on Her Role in “Reasonable Doubt” and the Journey Ahead

A Countdown to the Finale

As the highly anticipated Season 3 finale of Reasonable Doubt approaches, actress Kiah Clingman, who portrays the enigmatic Kristin, finds herself “counting down the hours.” Fans are eager for answers as they navigate a tangled web of mystery and rivalry surrounding Kyle Bary’s character, Ozzie Edwards—a former child star embroiled in a murder trial after his girlfriend’s tragic death.

The Mysterious Character of Kristin

Clingman’s portrayal of Kristin is marked by a duality that intrigues audiences. “She has this innocent facade, a sweet facade, but it was not that hard for me,” Clingman reflects. Drawing from her own experiences as an only child craving validation, she emphasizes Kristin’s struggles as the overlooked, abandoned child yearning for love and affirmation. This depth allows her to bring a sense of authenticity to a character who is both relatable and complex.

A Shift in Career Direction

Before landing this transformative role, Clingman considered stepping away from acting altogether. “I felt like I was at a place with acting where I just didn’t understand my place anymore,” she confessed. Tired of frequent rejections, she made a bold decision in 2021 to leave her full-time consulting job at Deloitte. Embracing her passion for film, she established KiahCan Productions, shortly after facing a setback in her acting auditions.

The Breakthrough Audition

Fate intervened when casting director Erica Arvold contacted Clingman about auditioning for a role that was said to be a perfect fit. Despite being out of town for a film festival and lacking the necessary equipment, Clingman’s determination prevailed. After a serendipitous encounter with a filmmaker friend, she recorded her audition with makeshift props and lighting. “I hated my audition,” she recalls, but to her surprise, it led to her being cast as Kristin.

A New Beginning in the “Reasonable Doubt” Universe

Joining the production team of Reasonable Doubt, which includes creator Raamla Mohammed and producer Kerry Washington, marked an exhilarating chapter in Clingman’s career. She describes the experience as “divine and serendipitous,” underscoring how it validated her decision to take a break from acting.

Representation and Community on Set

Clingman, a proud Howard University alum, appreciates the unique representation found within the Reasonable Doubt production team. “Being able to look up and see people who look like you, everywhere in every department, that doesn’t happen, that is unheard of,” she notes. She commends Mohammed for fostering an inclusive environment that bolsters confidence and creativity among the cast and crew.

Embracing New Challenges

As her character evolves throughout the series, Clingman finds joy in peeling back the layers of Kristin with each episode. She describes her approach as a gradual process: “[It was] like peeling back the onion just one layer at a time every episode.” Those layers reveal a complex character who is both captivating and vulnerable.

Kristin’s Uncertain Future

Anticipation builds as the finale approaches. When asked to describe Kristin’s future in three words, Clingman responds: “unraveling, revealing, and painful.” Despite her excitement, she manages to keep tight-lipped about potential spoilers, teasing fans with hints about the character’s trajectory.

A New Direction in Filmmaking

Looking ahead, Clingman is eager to dive back into filmmaking, with plans for her first solo directorial debut in a dark comedy tackling women’s health issues. Her mission remains clear: “to amplify the stories of the unheard.”

The Balancing Act

Kiah Clingman embodies a refreshing perspective on multi-faceted creativity. “People always try to put you in a box and say, ‘You can’t do it all,’” she states. Yet, with passion and purpose, she aims to prove that one can embrace diverse roles and challenges with balance and grace.

As the finale looms, both fans and Clingman await the unraveling of mysteries and the promise of what comes next in her journey.