Exclusive: Malcolm-Jamal Warner talks TNT’s Major CrimesBy Wilson Morales
December 27, 2013
With TNT’s Major Crimes set to finish its second season this winter, actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner will guest-star in a two-episode arc. Best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on NBC’s The Cosby Show from 1984-1992, Warner will appear as Lt. Chuck Cooper, a SIS (Special Investigation Section) officer who is tasked with protecting Raydor’s (Mary McDonnell) son from a stalker.
Warner will appear in Major Crimes’ December 30 (“Year-End Blowout”) and January 6 (“Return to Sender”) episodes.
For Warner, TV seems to be his comfort zone, having recently starred in BET’s Reed Between the Lines, UPN’s Malcolm & Eddie, appearing on Jada Pinkett Smith’s HawthoRNe, and regularly guest starring in Community as Shirley Bennett’s (Yvette Nicole Brown) estranged husband. He also made an appearance on Comedy Central’s Key & Peele.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Warner as he spoke about his role on Major Crimes as well as his current gig on stage in the Arena Stage’s production of ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,’ which is playing in Washington D.C.
How would you describe your role on Major Crimes?
Malcolm-Jamal Warner: I play Lt. Chuck Cooper, a SIS detective who investigates high crimes suspects, big time robberies, and kidnappings. The Special Investigation Section are the guys the LAPD call in to do the heavy lifting.
Could this two episode arc lead into a recurring role down the road?
MJW: Anything is possible. I would like that.
Having been on TV on different shows for many years, what was the attraction to doing this series?
MJW: I like single camera work versus multi-camera. I’m also a fan of the cast of ‘Major Crimes.’ Mary (McDonnell) and I work together off-Broadway about three years ago, so it was great working with her on television.
Playing an authority figure is new for you.
MJW: Yeah. I’m always looking to do roles I haven’t done before and that was one of the attractions to doing the show.
Had you watched any of the episodes or ‘The Closer’ prior to doing your arc?
MJW: Yeah. I was a fan of that show and the cast members who went on to ‘Major Crimes.’
You were recently on BET’s ‘Reed Between the Lines,’ which didn’t get renewed after one season. Why do you think this happened?
MJW: I can’t tell you. I know they weren’t getting the numbers that they had expected, but it was a family show that aired at 10pm. I’m not 100% sure why it didn’t come back.
Having been part of a network TV series as well as a cable series, what can you say about today’s state of television?
MJW: The good thing about some the cable outlets is that there are plenty of edgier programming going on and more so than what’s on the broadcast networks. I think it creatively gives people a lot of room to stretch out and audiences are obviously attracted to that. From the Netflix series that recently occurred, the audience wants the envelope to be pushed.
You’re currently on stage in the production of ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.’ What’s the joy of being on stage?
MJW: Of all the platforms, theater is definitely my favorite. Although I’ve done television for a long time, I love the process to develop a character and working on the floor with other actors. I love being in front of an audience and love the experience of every show and the audience being different. They are so acutely aware and in the moment. It’s a high that all theater actors continue to chase.
In playing a role once portrayed on screen by Sidney Poitier, were you nervous in taking on that position?
MJW: We have a very different execution of the stage adaptation. When they did the movie because of the political, racial climate at the time, they had to tread very carefully. The movie is a light comedy whereas what we do on stage, even though the comedy is still there, we have a chance to explore the characters more deeply. We get into a deeper response from all of the characters. It’s definitely more emotionally driven and charged production than there are able to do in film. Our whole approach is very different. There was no need to do anything that Mr. Poitier did since it’s a different approach.
Besides the two episodes that you are in, what’s a good reason to watch Major Crimes?
MJW: I think it’s a good show with a really great cast. All of the actors are very strong, so whenever you have a show with a strong ensemble, it’s very interesting to watch.
Major Crimes airs Mondays at 9pm ET on TNT. This gripping crime drama follows a special investigative unit within the LAPD. The exceptional ensemble cast includes Mary McDonnell, G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, Michael Paul Chan, Raymond Cruz, Kearran Giovanni, Nadine Velazquez, Phillip P. Keene, Robert Gossett, Jonathan Del Arco and Graham Patrick Martin. Major Crimes explores how the American justice system approaches the art of the deals as law enforcement officers and prosecutors work together to score a conviction.
