Shernet Swearine, a talented actress from Portland, Jamaica, delivers a breakout performance in HBO Max’s limited series Get Millie Black.

Created and written by Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James (A Brief History of Seven Killings), the series tells a gripping story that blends mystery, culture, and raw emotional depth.

Portraying 16-year-old Janet Fenton, a teenager at the centre of a high-stakes missing persons case, Swearine’s emotionally resonant performance has captivated audiences.

Reflecting on her time on set, Swearine shared: “My experience being on Get Millie Black was that I remember feeling at home during the production, even through its challenges. One reason was that I felt prepared to take on the work the character needed, and the other was the cast — they were such great scene partners, making shooting feel so rewarding.”

She also praised directors Tanya Hamilton and Annetta Laufer, saying: “They were extremely good at communicating what they needed for the character in a way that gave successful results.”

A former student of Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Swearine credits her training for helping her bring depth to her portrayal of Janet.

“At The Edna Manley School of Drama you learn that character work is crucial to analysing and understanding your character’s state and motives,” she explained. “It is through character work where you learn how they think, why they think and, as a result, how they end up doing the things they do. This helps add authenticity to the character and helps viewers connect. I had to constantly go back to my character’s analysis to understand why Janet was doing the things she did.”

Swearine also expressed gratitude for her co-stars Tamara Lawrence and Joe Dempsie.

“Working with Tamara and Joe was nothing short of wonderful,” she said. “Their kindness, warmth, and care were so welcoming that I felt as if I was a part of a family, and that took me by surprise. With the challenges, it was nice to have people that made work feel like a joy.”

Get Millie Black follows an ex-Scotland Yard detective who returns to Kingston, Jamaica, to investigate a series of missing persons cases. Janet Fenton’s disappearance becomes central to the plot, unravelling deep secrets and high-stakes drama.

Filming took place in Jamaica for some three months before moving to London, England.

Among those with roles in the crime drama series are Christopher “Johnny” Daley, Dorothy “Ms Zella” Cunningham, Paul Issa, and Peter-John Thwaites.