Eva is an American singer who rules over the basement ballroom. She is in Britain because she can’t get work in the US – her left-wing views and refusal to play to segregated audiences has made her lose bookings there.
The character of Eva is inspired by the singer Hazel Scott, who took a celebrated stand against segregation, and had to move to Europe in the 1950s. Eva is brutally honest to people, but she is also ultimately an optimist.
“She invades the space of the buttoned up, stodgy people upstairs with her boldness, her brassiness, her beauty and her sensuality. They have never seen anyone like her before! She puts me in mind of Josephine Baker, who went to Europe, turned it on its head and generally enlivened the joint!” – Bassett
Eva (portrayed by Angela Bassett) is a character on Close to the Enemy.