Why Mason From Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny Looks So Familiar
The trailer for "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" is a snapshot of 1960s modernity, replete with allusions to the space race, cheeky little ascots, and the Rolling Stones providing soundtrack duty by way of "Sympathy for the Devil." Despite all the flashbacks (brought to life via nifty albeit polarizing de-aging technology) and franchise nostalgia, "Indiana Jones" has never been afraid of looking forward, and the fifth and final installment is no exception.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the film's cast. Though it's anchored by old standbys like Harrison Ford's Indy and Sallah Mohammed Faisel el-Kahir (John Rhys-Davies), "The Dial of Destiny" introduces a number of new characters, many of whom are played by A-list talent. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is starring as Indy's goddaughter Helena and Mads Mikkelsen is joining the franchise as Jürgen Voller, the Nazi villain du jour. Even Antonio Banderas is slated to appear in a minor role.
Another new "Dial of Destiny Character" is Mason, a U.S. government agent played by Shaunette Renée Wilson. Here's where you may have seen the actress before.
Shaunette Renée Wilson played Axe Capital's Chief of Staff in Billions
Born in Guyana and raised in New York, Shaunette Renée Wilson attended the prestigious Yale School of Drama where she appeared in productions of "Paradise Lost," "The Seagull," "Cardboard Piano," and "The Children." That theatrical training served her well in her first television role, Showtime's hedge fund drama "Billions."
Wilson joined the cast of "Billions" in Season 2 as Stephanie Reed, Axe Capital's Chief of Staff. In her seven-episode run, Stephanie sits in on countless meetings between the company and its employers — and she signs more NDAs than you can shake a stick at. Despite Stephanie's business acumen and apparent closeness to Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), she's fired from the hedge fund for the cardinal sin of suggesting that an unprofitable quarter isn't the worst thing in the world.
Stephanie's heartfelt speech about human infallibility doesn't quite work on Bobby, and he triumphantly calls himself a "f***ing terminator." An appropriately cutthroat ending for a "Billions" character, but hey, at least Wilson got to luxuriate in her first-ever red-carpet appearance. Stephanie, we hardly knew ye.
Wilson protected T'Chaka in Black Panther
Following her 2017 recurring role in "Billions," Shaunette Renée Wilson began to secure her first film appearances. Wilson had a minor part in the 2018 drama "A Kid Like Jake," whose all-star cast includes Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Priyanka Chopra, Octavia Spencer, Amy Landecker, and Ann Dowd.
That same year, Wilson had a small but significant role in "Black Panther." She plays a member of the Dora Milaje, the nation of Wakanda's all-female defense force. Wilson appears early in the film in a flashback to 1992 when T'Chaka (Atandwa Kani) and his security detail visit N'Jobu (Sterling K. Brown) in Oakland.
Wilson's part is small but mighty, and she offers an early example of the poised and respected Dora Milaje. The overall significance of "Black Panther" wasn't lost on Wilson. "Such an honor to be a part of such a historical event," she posted on Instagram on the occasion of the film's premiere. "World. Get ready!"
She was an exacting surgeon in The Resident
Shaunette Renée Wilson is perhaps best known for playing Dr. Mina Okafor on the Fox medical drama "The Resident" from 2018 to 2021. Mina is brilliant and tough as nails (she once eschewed local anesthesia while suturing her own arm), even if she is curt with her patients. But what Mina lacks in bedside manner she makes up for in sheer surgical skill and intelligence.
"It's definitely fun for me to step into that position of strength and ownership," Wilson said in a behind-the-scenes interview. "Being Black, being an immigrant, you're fighting against amazing odds."
In Season 4 of "The Resident," Mina left Chastain Park Memorial Hospital to return to her native Nigeria. Wilson was privileged enough to exit the series of her own volition. "After deeply thoughtful reflection, I approached the producers some time ago asking to leave the show and they agreed — and gave my character a wonderful sendoff," the actress said in a statement (via Deadline). "I am appreciative of them for allowing me to embody as beautiful of a soul as Dr. Mina Okafor."