'Royale' treatment: Amber Chardae Robinson excited to get 'real' in Apple TV+ series

May 4—Amber Chardae Robinson's interest is piqued by roles that provide a challenge.

That's exactly what happened when she auditioned for the role of Virginia in the Apple TV+ series "Palm Royale."

"It was a blast," Robinson says. "Virginia's a fish out of water. It was fun for me."

The series is currently streaming on Apple TV+.

"Palm Royale" is set in 1969, during a time of dramatic change across the globe with issues such as human rights, racial equality, the ongoing war in Vietnam, and America's first attempt to land a man on the moon, dominating front pages around the world.

However, for a certain selection of residents of Palm Beach, Florida, those hot-button topics were not such a matter of interest.

Rather, they concern themselves with the contents of the Shiny Sheet newspaper, which trumpets the exploits of high society, cultural events, real estate, fashion, fundraising efforts, and most importantly, the socialite responsible for raising the most money who will ultimately be crowned "Queen of the Season."

Virginia, on the other hand, is a bookstore owner who struggles to fit in as a Black feminist.

"Virginia is trying to navigate all these energies that don't really mix with hers," she says. "Being in 1969, as a Black woman, is a very specific time for us. To be able to see someone that looks like me, in an environment where there aren't many people that do look like me, is a good thing. (Virginia is) also trying to be a beacon of light for women and lead them to the water on being independent. The thing I struggled with was seeing myself in the feminist movement today."

Robinson used growing up in the South to inform the character.

She knew that Virginia was automatically the fish out of water because it was 1969 and she is a Black woman.

"Not much has changed since 1969," she says. "People today just know how to hide their hand a little better. It wasn't hard for me to tap into my own experiences in order to figure out what Virginia was feeling. It was triggering at times. I also found myself learning from Virginia. I learned how to be empathetic to others. I was learning how to hold space for experiences that didn't look like mine. I also learned to just be an ear because that's what people need sometimes."

Robinson was also excited to be the "real" character in the series.

She says all the other characters live in this fantasy world, where they get to create the society they want to live in.

"Whereas, being Black in America, you don't get that opportunity," she says. "You are born into what the world is, and you are constantly given your circumstances and what life is you don't have. You don't get the chance to choose."

Being in "Palm Royale," Robinson got to be part of a cast that includes Kristen Wiig, Josh Lucas, Carol Burnett, Kaia Jordan Gerber, Ricky Martin, Leslie Bibb, Laura Dern and Allison Janney.

Robinson recalls a moment where she and Burnett were crossing paths on set and Burnett said to her, "Good morning, Amber."

"Carol Burnett knows who I am," Robinson says. "There were moments on set where it felt like a master class. I was constantly paying attention and being like a sponge. I was so grateful for this opportunity and I learned so much."