Season one had some great success.
Has it sunk in now that the show has a fan base and a legacy?
I guess for me it has.
And I think it's
just because I've been able to
this experience, interaction with the audience, you know, with
with fans like, you know, in the street, in the airport, certain places
people come up to you and just tell you
how much they appreciate the show, how much they love it and
and what they get from it, and so that you can really feel
that that love and appreciation directly from from fans.
Yeah, it's sunk in and it's
exciting and it's surprising
how much
the parents really matter
to the audience and
how much they appreciate the foundation that we bring.
And Season two is usually when we see a deeper dive into characters.
What's been the most surprising character development in the second season for you?
My character makes some pretty strong changes in in Season two
that are really surprising
and I can't completely say what they are.
But but
she really learns to honor herself in a new way
and becomes empowered with her selves
in a whole new
unexplored, new way.
And for myself, I think it's the
the impact of some of the turmoil that's happening in the marriage
between Charles and Lucille and how that impacts Charles
and and just kind of him
having to kind of go on a journey, if you will.
I mean, I say that in retrospect, but a journey,
if you will, to kind of find himself and just
just kind of figure out who he is
without without his children and aspects of his family.
So it's going to be it was an interesting dive into into that sort of shift.
That was surprising for me to just that that journey that we take together
in season two was pretty surprising.
What's been the best thing about being part of this show
and the hugely talented ensemble?
You know, I guess I am somebody all of a sudden
it feels good.
Like I feel like it's Cheers around the country.
People know my name. I love it.
No, I mean, the I think the notoriety,
the familiarity that audiences have
with the character, with the story, and then, you know, as a byproduct.
But with me as Russell, as the actor,
you know, it feels good to be appreciated, to be respected, and to kind of be
known to be a part of a show that's popular
that people like, that people respect and that they appreciate.
One one of the most exciting things for me
is having the opportunity to work with Russell Hornsby and
and just with our history and all, you know,
we work together for many years and started with an August Wilson play
Jitney, the original production
of Broadway and
and we took this long journey
like journey together and
and being able to stand side by side with him as as you
know, more mature adults.
And how we've grown kind of apart and together
is just really been beautiful and it's been amazing.
But also I was thinking yesterday, you know, I was listening to you talk and
and all the things you were saying about the kids and respecting the elders
and all this stuff.
And I remember when we first did Jitney together
and how you were all the things that you talk about the
and how you
say, you know, the things that they don't see, you know,
as sometimes they're a little cocky and they do this that you would like.
So all of that when we first started filming
and you know it's just like so kind of combative like,
Willis, listen, the guys you like all know, like you do everything
and all this and just to see the the man
that you have become
it just like
it almost makes me want to cry.
It just moves me so much like our connection
and just that we've come this far.
And to see you in this place with your beautiful family and children
and that we get to do this and play together
and really support each other and trust each other and
and we
bring a strong foundation to this team and that's one of the most exciting things
to me.
Another person.
Thank you.
Oh, that was just what you said.
The the maturity of growing up.
I said, Hey, man, we were all I was young, doing dumb shit for a long time.
That's me.
You were right about everything.
You know, It was. I'm doing it this way.
I love it.
I'm like, I'm good
with.
All right.
There was no cameras then.
Right, Right.
Are you hopeful for season three?
And if so, what would you like to see happen to characters going forward?
You know, if
if we're lucky enough to have season three and I am hopeful that we do.
You know, I really want I want Charles to have more of the same.
I want him to kind of delve as, you know, delve into the music part of things,
you know what I mean?
Like when they got to Atlanta, you know, they were part of
they got to like the music scene and tried to meet
us, tried to start a label and stuff like that.
I would love to, like, be in the studio with some of the rappers
or something like that, you know what I mean?
Just kind of have some fun and and be for for Charles, Let it be spring again.
Be with the young people a little bit more.
That'd be that'd be a lot of fun.
Yeah, I would definitely say the same thing.
I would love to see Lucille kind of hanging with the boys a little bit
more like, you know, she would go dancing with them and stuff and, and,
and just to kind of see her be on the scene and, and,
and connecting with other people.
And one of the things that I really would love is to work with Mo'Nique
in in season three and and I'm hoping and praying
can find a way to do that if there is a season three.