{"id":67832,"date":"2013-12-27T14:02:23","date_gmt":"2013-12-27T14:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2013\/12\/27\/exclusive-malcolm-jamal-warner-talks-tnt-major-crimes\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T08:38:57","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T08:38:57","slug":"exclusive-malcolm-jamal-warner-talks-tnt-major-crimes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/exclusive-malcolm-jamal-warner-talks-tnt-major-crimes\/","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive: Malcolm-Jamal Warner talks TNT’s Major Crimes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Exclusive: Malcolm-Jamal Warner talks TNT’s Major Crimes<\/strong>By Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

December 27, 2013<\/p>\n

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With TNT’s Major Crimes<\/strong> set to finish its second season this winter, actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner<\/strong> will guest-star in a two-episode arc. Best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on NBC\u2019s 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<\/strong>) son from a stalker.<\/p>\n

Warner will appear in Major Crimes\u2019 December 30<\/strong> (\u201cYear-End Blowout\u201d) and January 6<\/strong> (\u201cReturn to Sender\u201d) episodes.<\/p>\n

For Warner, TV seems to be his comfort zone, having recently starred in BET\u2019s Reed Between the Lines<\/strong>, UPN\u2019s Malcolm & Eddie<\/strong>, appearing on Jada Pinkett Smith\u2019s HawthoRNe<\/strong>, and regularly guest starring in Community<\/strong> as Shirley Bennett’s (Yvette Nicole Brown<\/strong>) estranged husband. He also made an appearance on Comedy Central\u2019s Key & Peele<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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 \u2018Guess Who\u2019s Coming to Dinner<\/strong>,\u2019 which is playing in Washington D.C.<\/p>\n

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\nHow would you describe your role on Major Crimes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong>Malcolm-Jamal Warner:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Could this two episode arc lead into a recurring role down the road?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJW:<\/strong> Anything is possible. I would like that.<\/p>\n

Having been on TV on different shows for many years, what was the attraction to doing this series?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJW: I like single camera work versus multi-camera. I\u2019m also a fan of the cast of \u2018Major Crimes.\u2019 Mary (McDonnell) and I work together off-Broadway about three years ago, so it was great working with her on television.
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\"\"<\/a>Playing an authority figure is new for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJW:<\/strong> Yeah. I\u2019m always looking to do roles I haven\u2019t done before and that was one of the attractions to doing the show.<\/p>\n

Had you watched any of the episodes or \u2018The Closer\u2019 prior to doing your arc?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJW:<\/strong> Yeah. I was a fan of that show and the cast members who went on to \u2018Major Crimes.\u2019<\/p>\n

You were recently on BET\u2019s \u2018Reed Between the Lines,\u2019 which didn\u2019t get renewed after one season. Why do you think this happened?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJW<\/strong>: I can\u2019t tell you. I know they weren\u2019t getting the numbers that they had expected, but it was a family show that aired at 10pm. I\u2019m not 100% sure why it didn\u2019t come back.<\/p>\n

Having been part of a network TV series as well as a cable series, what can you say about today\u2019s state of television?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJW:<\/strong> The good thing about some the cable outlets is that there are plenty of edgier programming going on and more so than what\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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You\u2019re currently on stage in the production of \u2018Guess Who\u2019s Coming to Dinner.\u2019 What\u2019s the joy of being on stage?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJW: <\/strong>Of all the platforms, theater is definitely my favorite. Although I\u2019ve 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\u2019s a high that all theater actors continue to chase.<\/p>\n

In playing a role once portrayed on screen by Sidney Poitier, were you nervous in taking on that position?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong>MJW:<\/strong> 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\u2019s 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\u2019s a different approach.<\/p>\n

Besides the two episodes that you are in, what\u2019s a good reason to watch Major Crimes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJW:<\/strong> I think it\u2019s 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\u2019s very interesting to watch.<\/p>\n

Major Crimes airs Mondays at 9pm ET on TNT<\/strong>. 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<\/strong> and Graham Patrick Martin<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

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