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DREWREPORTS.COM INTERVIEW SERIES: HBO'S THE WIRE GBENGA AKINNAGBE

This versatile, exceptional actor was a regular on the Showtime comedy series “Barbershop”, based on the hit movie of the same name. But it’s his role as a callous assassin Chris Paltrow on HBO’s critically acclaimed series “The Wire” that has presented Akinnagbe with the most accolades thus far. “The Wire”, a complex crime-drama that takes place in the hazardous streets of Baltimore, is considered by many critics to be not only the best show on television today, but perhaps one of the preeminent programs in the history of American television.

Dr. Drew caught up with the pliable actor to expound more on his blossoming career, the upcoming fifth and final season of the wire and the stirring world of hip-hop.

THE INTERVIEW

Dr. Drew: What would you say was your first break in acting?

Gbenga: Getting selected for a role at the Shakespeare Theater in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Drew: You are originally from DC?

Gbenga: Yes. I grew up in Maryland in Montgomery County and was born in Washington D.C. My whole family is actually from Nigeria.

Dr. Drew: How did you get the part of Chris Patrow on The Wire?

Gbenga: Having started acting in the Washington D.C. area, a lot of the casting directors knew me. I came up to New Jersey and I received a call to come in to audition for “The Wire”. I was first given a different role of “Slim Charles” and I took it. Soon after I had a conflict and I was unable to take the role. About a month or so later, I received another call from the casting directors asking me to take the role of “Chris”.

Dr. Drew: Was it a conflict of interest with Showtime since you were shooting both the Barbershop and The Wire closely adjacent to each other?

Gbenga: I was fortunate. I was leading both shows. You are not supposed to do that. I was given permission to come back and film the 4th Season of the Wire, even though that was the first show I started I was still contractually obligated to Showtime.

Dr. Drew: Were you acquainted or socializing with any real-life “corner boys” when you were coming up in the DC suburbs?

Gbenga: (Laughs) I grew up in Montgomery County in a neighborhood close to Rosemary Hills. There would be fighting between those two neighborhoods on a frequent basis. It was a poor neighborhood with a horrible economy. I was fortunate to never be involved directly with those types of activities.

Dr. Drew: Do you receive love randomly from people who actually lives the life that The Wire so accurately portrays? Have there been any criticisms?

Gbenga: All day! When people see their story being told in a respectful way they become emotionally involved and they are very appreciative of it. People stopped me all the time. Whether they live that particular life or not they always tell me that they respect what we do. 95 Percent of what you see on “The Wire” has actually happen to a lot of people who are still alive or in jail. A few of them come in and consult or play a small role on the show.

What can we expect from your character in the fifth and final season of The Wire?

Gbenga: It will be live! Going back from last season and all the different forces that were happening on the show, you will definitely see more levels of Chris as you did in the fourth season. One of the great benefits about being on The Wire is that no one stays at one particular level. No one is all good or all bad on the show.

Dr. Drew: You’re chemistry with Jamie Hector (Marlo Stanfield) and Felicia Pearson (Snoop) is truly authentic. Are any of you close friends off camera?

Gbenga: There’s a lot of chemistry there. When we get together we have a great time. On the regular I hang out with Jamie Hector who plays Marlo. It’s funny because we’re always together on the show. Snoop (Felicia Pearson) and I are always together on the show. When I’m not with Jamie, I’m with Snoop on the show. When I’m in Maryland Snoop and I hang out. But Jamie and I… that’s my boy…like we’re real tight.

Dr. Drew: Your character on The Wire is a complete contrast from the character you previous played on Showtime’s The Barbershop. What type of preparation was required for you to portray your Chris Patrow character so authentically?

Gbenga: Chris is coming from a much darker place than my character Yinka on the Barbershop series. He is actually coming from a much darker place then most people. We all have places but it might not be as dark as Chris’s place. It just about finding and nourishing that. It’s also about staying true. Chris does not do anything particularly gangster or bad ass, he just tries to get whatever job or goal that needs to be done. These are just the ways that he knows how to get his tasks completed. If I see it that way and not judge him then it will be easier to let him live.

Dr. Drew: How do you feel about The Wire not being nominated for an Emmy?

Gbenga: It’s an interesting phenomenon. Really good shows often times get past up when it comes to that type of recognition. The Wire was not only received positively by the people but the critics acknowledge and understood the different levels of the show. They see how much goes into making the show so real. The Wire is truly not like anything else you see on television. It’s not an easy making a show of that caliber. It’s almost too good for commercial type of success. However, it is unfortunate that the two couldn’t be married at some point. As far as the Emmy’s or the Golden Globe’s or any other award institutions it’s all a very interesting thing. That’s all I can say! Maybe we weren’t nominated because it wasn’t film in New York or LA, or the creators of the show don’t do the whole Hollywood thing or perhaps the perception of the show being just another black show. It’s not a black show. They don’t see the great deal in textures and layers that are visible in the show. Maybe when they tune in to watch and saw more then 3 black faces they became guarded.

Dr. Drew: Who are your musical influences?

Gbenga: I am big fan of Talib Kweli, Most Def and a British artist named Streets. In the Hip-Hop world however, there has been a lot of disappointment as of late.

Dr. Drew: Which CD would you or did you buy, Kanye West or 50 Cent?

Gbenga: Truth of the matter is I have not brought either one. I heard a couple tracks of Kanye West though.

Dr. Drew: Any new projects we should know about?

Gbenga: I am in a play in New York City called “A view from 151 Street” at the Public Theater starting in the first week of October. I am also in the upcoming motion picture entitled “The Savages”, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney which is due out in theaters soon.

Don’t forget to tune in Jan 6, 2008 at 10PM for the season premiere of the critically acclaimed “The Wire” on HBO.