The actress discusses portraying Virginia, learning from industry veterans and representing the moral compass of Apple TV’s critically acclaimed period drama.
Amber Chardae Robinson is a versatile film, television and theater actress currently starring in the second season of Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed Palm Royale opposite Kristen Wiig and Laura Dern. Robinson delivers a standout performance as feminist bookstore owner Virginia, navigating privilege, politics and womanhood in 1969 Palm Beach. Created by Abe Silva, the series returned for its second season on November 12, with new episodes released weekly through mid-January 2026.
Tell us about Virginia, this character in 1969
1969 is a very specific time period for us. It’s in the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. Virginia is kind of what I like to call a fish out of water in this environment. She’s new to Palm Beach. I don’t think she’s necessarily trying to acclimate, but she’s realizing that she’s gonna need some kind of buddy system around here, because she’s the only person that kind of looks like her in this environment.
But she’s also learning to trust people for who they are, and not what they look like, and not what they represent, and getting to know people, and having grace, and giving them empathy. So it’s a bit of a journey, it’s a self-discovery for her, and a lot of other people, but it’s also trusting in her foundation that she is okay with how she’s made, but also she can interact with people that may not look like her at this time.
1969 Palm Beach is not where it’s at. I’m from the South, so I can only imagine just being in the South, or being in a place like Palm Beach, where there aren’t many Black people. A little jarring.
If Virginia could time travel to 2025, what would most surprise her about where women are?
I think she would be surprised that how much the revolution has changed but hasn’t changed, and how there are more people like her than not like her, and how we have so many allies nowadays. I think she was very surprised at that.
Working alongside Kristen Wiig and Laura Dern must be incredible. What’s the energy like on set, especially with such an established cast? What have you learned from them?
I think, for me, it has been such a masterclass being on this set with people like Laura and Kristen and Allison. They are so good at what they do, and they are people that I’ve been watching for a bulk of my life. So sometimes I forget that I’m acting. Sometimes they’ll come in and they’re doing their thing, and I’m like, they’re like, Amber, oh, I have a line in my bed. I was enthralled. I was taken aback. I was watching her do her thing. I was watching Ms. Wigg act. You gotta give her the floor.
It is such a masterclass for me. I find myself taking notes, and not just in acting, but just on how to take up space as a woman in a kind of male-dominated industry, and watching them be also graceful but empathetic, but also using their voice and not being not heard.
They are made sure that everyone is heard, they make sure that everyone gets what they need, especially the women on set. Laura asked me one day, she’s like, do you want to do another take? And I was like, yeah, she was like, you know, it’s okay to ask for that. I was like, you right, sis. Can I get another one, please? Just learning how to use my voice in a way that is graceful and also stern and strong in who I am and what I need.
The show has won an Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, and received 11 nominations in total. What does it mean to be part of such a critically recognized series?
It’s such a wild dream. As a kid, I always saw myself as an actor, I’ve always thought that, oh, this is where I want to be, but to be on something that’s so critically acclaimed is like, I get it, because I’m surrounded by all of these people that are just amazing, but I’m like, wow, God, you really placed me in this place, on this show, at this time. It’s such a blessing.
You’ve done film, TV and theater. Which one would you prefer?
I love them all, honestly. It’s really hard to choose. I love the theater because it’s new and fresh every night. You get on stage, and you’re feeding off of what the audience is giving you, so if they’re not laughing and whatnot, you’ll be like, oh, maybe they a little sleepy. They laughed last night at 7 o’clock, it’s 12 p.m. matinee, they ain’t laughing. You get to feed off of what’s being given to you, it’s new and fresh, it’s reinvigorating.
And then with TV, I love how we have 8 days to shoot an episode, so you have time to get through an entire season. You have a couple months, and with film, I like just being on location, being away, bonding with people over a few months, telling this story. Each one has its own special thing for me, but I can’t choose. It’s impossible, because I love them all.
Tell us about the costuming. What does it feel like going on set, dressing up each day?
Season 1, I was a little bit more muted and understated, and what I love about how they dressed Virginia is how grounded her colors are compared to the high society, and the pastels, and the pinks, and the yellows, and the light blues. Virginia kind of represents this realism aspect of Palm Beach, rather than Palm Beach, it’s more like West Palm Beach. There’s two sides to Palm Beach.
To be able to represent something that’s grounded in that way, I think I’m lucky, because I feel like Virginia’s the moral compass of this show, and to see her in those colors, you’re like, oh, finally, somebody real, somebody who thinks like normal people. But I do get a tad bit jealous when I’m seeing my castmates in all of the blues and the yellows. I’m like, that’s cute. Can I take that? But I also have this really cool pair of Ferragamo boots that I wear each season, and I love them, they’re vintage, and I’m like, well, at least I got a little vintage, a little something, some a little fashion nod.
People may not know, but I know. So, yeah, it’s one of the most exciting parts, is the art aspect of it, coming to set every day, seeing the colors, and it really takes you back, and it really excites me.
You’re surrounded by characters trying to climb the social ladders, but Virginia seems to want to burn it down. Can you tell us what you think her endgame is?
She wants to be on the right side of history. And sometimes that means rectifying what’s going on on the ground. So, I think her goal is to etch her name in history, but not just for herself, but for her people, and people that look like her, and people who are oppressed at this time. I think that’s all a girl can say.
Apart from the show, what’s next for you?
Right now, I am writing. I am in constant communication about doing plays and looking at other projects, but fingers crossed that my writing will take off. Acting is my first love, so I’m always auditioning, always talking to other people about creating projects. I kind of call myself a multi-hyphenate a little bit.
Where can people watch the show?
Palm Royale appears on Apple TV+, and it will appear every week, a new episode will appear every Wednesday, until January. So, you got all of the holiday season to be in Palm Beach with us. I am @amberchardae everywhere, TikTok, Instagram, X.