Elvis Nolasco Talks John Ridley’s American CrimePosted by Wilson Morales
March 3, 2015
Coming out this week on ABC starting March 5 is “American Crime,” a gritty drama from creator and Academy Award winner John Ridley (12 Years a Slave) about how an attack on a young couple shakes up racial tensions throughout the country.
Timothy Hutton stars Russ Skokie, as a father who, after making great pains to reconnect with his adult sons Matt and Mark, is destroyed when he learns that Matt, a war vet, is murdered, and his wife, Gwen, is left unconscious, and barely hanging on in their home in Modesto, Calif. Felicity Huffman plays Barb, his ex-wife, a stoic woman who raised their sons as a single mother who still resents living as the only single white woman in a racially charged environment and being treated accordingly by the other occupants. She’s determined to hold someone accountable for Matt’s death. Benito Martinez portrays Alonzo, the father whose innocent son is among the suspects in the slaying. Elvis Nolasco and Caitlin Gerard play an interracial couple, both drug addicts.
Also featured in the series are W. Earl Brown, Penelope Ann Miller, Richard Cabral, Johnny Ortiz, and guest star Regina King.
For Nolasco, who plays one of the suspects, Carter Nix, the role represents his biggest project to date. Having working on films (The Kitchen, Rock Steady, Vodka Rocks, Inconsolable Memories, I’m Not Rappaport, Prison Song, Philadelphia) and TV series including Law & Order, NYPD Blue, Law & Order SVU and Third Watch, the New York native has mostly been associate with his work on a few of Spike Lee‘s film, having appeared in Clockers, Da Brick, Oldboy, and most recently Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Nolasco on his role in the series.
What was the attraction to doing this series?
Elvis Nolasco: I was really blessed to work with John Ridley and Spike Lee some years ago for an HBO project (Da Brick) that unfortunately didn’t get picked up. In February of ’14, I got a phone call that John Ridley wanted to see me for his new project called “American Crime.” It was presented to me and it was because of my relationship with John in the past.
Is this your biggest role to date, being the one of the leads of the series?
EN: Yes. As far as my career is concerned, this is the biggest project for me. I have a lot of stuff going on this year. I recently had Spike Lee’s “Da Sweet Blood of Jesus” released on VOD and in theaters and “American Crime” will air Thursday, March 5th after “Scandal.”
How would you describe your character Carter Nix?
EN: I would say that he’s a dark and complex character, a loner and an outcast. He’s someone that came from somewhere but has an empty void that he’s desperately trying to fill.
How’s working with Caitlin Gerard, who plays your girlfriend Aubry Taylor?
EN: Yes, she plays my love interest and if I was to take this ride with any actress, they couldn’t pair me with an extraordinary talented young lady as Caitlin Gerard. We had a blast. Like the rest of the cast, we showed up and gave John Ridley and gave him exactly what he asked of us from the very beginning and what he described what these two characters were to each other. It’s a tragedy. It’s two lost souls that so addicted to each other.
What do you want the audience to get out from this series?
EN: We hope that the audience can empathize what the characters are feeling. To sit around the television with their families and scrutinize these characters. We’re hoping that we’re able to touch that core.
Is this your time to shine?
EN: My good friend Robert Lewis always says that luck is where preparation meets opportunity. I strongly believe that for a good number of years, I’ve remained passionate and I’ve remained a student of my craft. This is a good time and I’m just going to take it in and enjoy it one moment at a time.
American Crime premieres on Thursday, March 5 at 10 p.m. on ABC. Watch the trailer below.
Trailer #1
Trailer #2
Clip with Regina King
