Keith Powers Talks ‘Emperor of Ocean Park’

Award-winning actor Keith Powers is younger, positive and Black. He’s greater than only a rising star in Hollywood—he’s a storyteller with a deep connection to the roles he takes on. In his newest position, Emperor of Ocean Park, Keith steps into a personality that resonates together with his personal journey, mixing ambition with vulnerability. Throughout an unique candid dialog with MadameNoire, he opened up concerning the challenges of shifting profession paths, the importance of Black storytelling and illustration in media, and why this new position seems like a private milestone. Keith’s ardour for his craft shines by means of as he shares the layers of his most complicated character but with MadameNoire.

MadameNoire: Let’s discuss your new collection Emperor of Ocean Park. Inform us concerning the collection and the character you play.

Keith Powers: Certain! Emperor of Ocean Park is a criminal offense thriller centered round a household coping with the unaliving of their father, Choose Whitaker, performed by the legendary Forest Whitaker. The story is intense, crammed with twists and turns, because the household uncovers darkish secrets and techniques. My character is Lionel, a former NBA star whose profession was minimize brief by an damage. He’s now in legislation faculty, making an attempt to make a brand new path for himself. It’s an enormous shift for him—going from the adrenaline-filled world {of professional} sports activities to the mental and demanding atmosphere of legislation faculty. Lionel is formidable, pushed, and making an attempt to show himself on this new area whereas additionally grappling together with his previous.

We’ve seen you in varied light-hearted and enjoyable roles earlier than like The Excellent Discover with Gabrielle Union and The New Version Story, however this position is far totally different. How did you put together for it?

This position positively required a special type of preparation. Lionel is coping with rather a lot—he’s making an attempt to make it in a world that’s utterly new to him whereas additionally carrying the burden of his previous as an athlete. I spent numerous time desirous about that transition, drawing by myself experiences with change and adaptation. I additionally spoke with a few of my NBA mates to know what it’s prefer to have your profession all of the sudden change route. There’s a sure vulnerability and dedication that comes with beginning over, particularly once you’ve been on the high in one other discipline. The solid and crew had been phenomenal too, which made moving into character a lot simpler. We had an amazing dynamic on set, and that basically helped me keep within the mindset of the character all through filming.

Keith Powers on the Montblanc occasion celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Meiserstuck pen held on the Paramour Property on Might 1, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. Supply: Michael Buckner / Getty

This collection is a thriller with Forest Whitaker because the lead character. It offers with deception and conspiracy, which differs from what we’ve seen you in. How did you method these darker components in your efficiency?

It’s positively a special vibe from my earlier roles. The important thing was to floor my efficiency within the actuality of the state of affairs. Lionel is navigating a world filled with secrets and techniques and lies, so I needed to play every thing straight, even when the script was hinting at one thing deeper. There’s at all times this undercurrent of rigidity, such as you’re by no means fairly certain who you’ll be able to belief, and I needed to convey that to the character.

I bear in mind on the primary day of filming I acquired some new details about Lionel’s backstory that nearly threw me off. I needed to take a second to course of it and work out tips on how to combine it into my efficiency. It was difficult, nevertheless it added a lot depth to the character. The darker components of the story actually pushed me as an actor, and I feel it’ll resonate with the viewers.

Talking of Forest Whitaker, what was it like working with him?

Curiously, Forest and I didn’t even have scenes collectively due to our totally different filming schedules. However being a part of a collection the place he’s the lead remains to be an unbelievable honor. He’s a legend, and simply understanding that I’m a part of a undertaking that he’s concerned with is a big milestone for me. It’s a type of bucket-list moments as an actor, for certain. Although we didn’t share display screen time, his presence was positively felt on set, and it elevated everybody’s efficiency. I hope we get to work collectively straight sooner or later.

Supply: Actor Grantham Coleman as Talcott Garland and Keith Powers as Lionel (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.) / different

Plot twists are at all times thrilling. How did you navigate the twists and turns of the storylines in your position?

The plot twists in Emperor of Ocean Park are intense, they usually saved me on my toes. As an actor, you must play it straight and let the story reveal itself to the viewers with out giving an excessive amount of away. I centered on staying true to Lionel’s journey—his motivations, his fears, his needs. Even when the twists got here I had to ensure my efficiency remained per who Lionel is. The writing is so good that the twists really feel pure, even once they’re stunning. My job was to react as Lionel would, and belief that the viewers would come alongside for the trip. It’s a fragile stability, however I feel we pulled it off.

Did you discover any similarities between your self and your character?

Undoubtedly. Lionel’s background as an athlete actually resonated with me. I grew up eager to be a professional soccer participant, so I perceive that mindset—the self-discipline, the main target, the drive to be the most effective. Once you’ve devoted your life to one thing, it turns into part of your identification. For Lionel, shedding basketball was like shedding part of himself, and that’s one thing I might relate to on a private stage. I’ve needed to shift gears in my very own life, going from sports activities to performing, and that have helped me join with Lionel’s journey.

There’s additionally this underlying theme of proving your self, which I feel lots of people can relate to, whether or not it’s in your profession or in your private life. Lionel is making an attempt to indicate the world—and himself—that he’s extra than simply an athlete, and that’s one thing I’ve skilled too.

What’s one takeaway you need the viewers to have after watching the collection?

I need the viewers to stroll away feeling like they’ve been on a wild trip, but additionally craving extra. This collection is filled with twists and turns, nevertheless it’s additionally a deep, emotional story about household, identification, and redemption. I hope folks join with the characters and see themselves of their struggles and triumphs. Finally, I need them to be so invested within the story that they’re begging for one more season. The best way the collection ends leaves numerous questions unanswered, and I feel that’ll maintain folks speaking lengthy after the credit roll.

The collection is out now on MGM+, and new episodes air weekly on Sunday’s at 10 p.m. ET. Is there anything you wish to share with the viewers?

Sure, it’s necessary to notice that Emperor of Ocean Park has a predominantly Black solid and crew, which is one thing we have to help in right this moment’s leisure trade. Illustration issues, and it’s essential that we present up for initiatives like this that inform numerous and non-stereotypical tales. Our trade might be unpredictable, and the success of reveals like this one helps be sure that we are able to proceed to see extra numerous tales being informed. So, I’d encourage everybody to observe, discuss it, and share it with others. Help is essential to protecting these tales alive.

Thanks very a lot on your time. Please drop your social media handles so we are able to observe you and the collection.

You will discover me at @KeithPowers on all social media platforms. And positively observe Emperor of Ocean Park on Instagram, and take a look at MGM Plus for unique clips, updates and extra behind-the-scenes content material.

RELATED CONTENT: Keith Powers To Play Gabrielle Union’s Love Curiosity In New Netflix Rom-Com