‘He’s the reason I became an actor’: Kerry Washington would absolutely love to play this comedian in his new TV series

We found Kerry Washington in a different vein on the small screen this year. The actress stars in Uncaught, a bittersweet comedy about a single mother whose life is turned upside down when her father, an ex-drug addict (Delroy Lindo), is released from prison after 17 years and moves into her hotel room. This series, inspired by the life of its creator Tracy McMillan, is available in France on Disney+. Acknowledged by the media across the Atlantic, it unfortunately passes. Not noticed in our regions.

At the press conference, which we were able to attend, the actor returned to the reason why he agreed to participate in the project. A chance for Washington to share what motivated him to become an actor in the first place:

“I’ve always been a fan of Tracy McMillan’s work and I’m fascinated by her story. It was pretty easy to convince me to take part in this project. Not to mention Delroy Lindo, who is the reason I became an actor and saw him. He’s inside Malcolm X And that movie was the catalyst for my entire career. I immediately thought of the role of father. It was obvious.”

Spike Lee’s 1993 film starring Denzel Washington is not only a biopic about the activist, but also a snapshot of his time, dealing with anti-black racism that is still relevant today. A theme that Unprisoned also touches on:

“It’s an extraordinary series and what I do in general. It was really encouraging to participate. It was also important for me to talk about our judicial system. It is a problem that destroys so many lives and families. The prison system is a thoroughly racist institution.”

In Malcolm X, Delroy Lindo played West Indian Archie, a Harlem gangster who takes Malcolm under his wing when he arrives in New York.

Interview by Emmanuel Iteri in February 2023.