Meagan Good has literally grown up in front of the camera. The 32-year old former child actress, best known for her roles in Think Like a Man, Jumping the Broom and Stomp the Yard, now stars weekly as Joanna Locasto on the NBC drama Deception (check your local listings).

On Deception, Good portrays a detective solving a homicide case while juggling a love triangle. The actress talked to BET.com about the role she describes as a “blessing." Good also shares how she hasn't skipped a newlywed beat in her marriage to Sony executive Devon Franklin — despite having a bi-coastal job.

You’ve been acting for over 20 years, but we’ve never seen you in a role like the one you play in Deception. What attracted you to your character Joanna?
I fell in love with the character because she’s all about justice. I’m all about the underdog and people being treated properly and being protected. I also get to live with a character that has this tremendous range and emotion. 

Kerry Washington is starring in Scandal, and you’re the lead in Deception. Have you fully internalized the fact that you’re both making history as Black actresses starring in network TV dramas?
When I think about it I get overwhelmed. I’m thankful, grateful and humbled. There are many women who’ve come before me that have created opportunities for me like Ruby Dee, Cicely Tyson and Diahann Carroll. When I saw the Deception billboard on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood I just started crying. It was so emotional for me for so many different reasons. But I don’t want to get caught up in anything other than creating opportunities for the girls who come after me. The other stuff I know and acknowledge. But I don’t choose to speak on it any other than that, because we still have a long way left to go.
You’re based in Los Angeles and Deception shoots in New York. What's that been like since you’re also a newlywed?
In a sense, it’s sad because you’re away from the person you married and you want to spend all your time with them. But it’s also possible to put all your energy into each other while you’re apart. DeVon and I were constantly on the phone, constantly Skyping, plus, he was always in New York, as much as his job would permit. It actually turned out to be more than we expected, which was great. We just stayed focused. The marriage is the prize; everything else is secondary. 

When your Deception co-star Laz Alonso spoke to BET.com he said your love scenes together could be icky because he’s known you for so long. Is it the same for you?
It’s kind of the same thing for me. It’s not icky but it’s strange. It’s like kissing your brother a little bit. Laz is a gorgeous guy, he’s a sweetheart and we always have fun on set. We act silly, goofy and dorky. Also, I’d rather be awkward with someone that I know. But, for the most part I’m also used to pretty much kissing guys in all the roles that I’ve done. So it’s all the same to me.
The last time we spoke you praised your short haircut for getting you cast in diverse roles. Why did you switch back to the long style?
That’s because they told me to get it back. [laughs] When we shot Deception’s pilot they hired me with the short hair. But somewhere between that time and the first day of shooting they decided it might not be a very cop look. And I agree, because my haircut was very edgy. There wasn’t enough hair to even try to rock some kind of bob because my hair was also shaved. So they showed me pictures of myself online and told me, “We really want you to look like this.” I got with my hairstylist and I was like, “Help!” But I’m taking these [extensions] out once I’m finished with press for Deception. I’ll be back to my short style within a week and a half [laughs].

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(Photo: FayesVision/WENN.com)