“It was waiting for me”: Brian Tyree Henry opens up to the loss of his father for weeks before he wraps his most emotional scene in “Dope Thief”

This article was originally published on Popviewers.

The stars were available, the vibrations were high, and the emotions went deep on Wednesday, April 9 at Ludlow House, New York. Presented by PopViewers in cooperation with Apple TV+, The Night was devoted to celebration, one of the most buzzing programs on the platform-I was Brian Tyree Henry, who raised the house on his feet (and a number of tears).

In a room full of creation, tastychcare and cultural people Star and executive producer joined the founder of Popvievers Chris Witherspoon to get a sincere, emotional and sometimes hilarious conversation about his life, profession and role that haunted him and healed him at the same time.

WITH
Brian shared his journey with Fayetteville in North Carolina, to the holy Hall Yale School of Drama, where he refined a craft, which is able to eventually land on Broadway – for the first time as a member of the band, after which as a breakthrough lead. But it was his role that Paper is afraid of the Hollywood door openly open.

“This role changed everything,” he said. “It will allow me to show a different type of black man on the screen – born, funny, sensitive and real.”

But it was an Apple TV+criminal thriller, created by Peter Craig () and directed by Ridley Scott (), he called him back to the television-so sworn in that he ended up with that.

“I said that I would never go back to TV. I meant it,” Brian told the crowd, laughing. “But Ray did not let me go. And when they told me that I would be an executive producer? I knew that I could help shape history in a way that mattered.”

Surprised in the heart of Philadelphia, he follows two friends pretending to be agents DEA, who rob drug traders – so long as their hustle and bustle lands deep in one of the most dangerous drug corridors on the east coast. Together with Henry with the participation of Wagner Moura (), the series combines a grasping motion with Gut-Punch-and Episode sixth, debuting tonight, is her most powerful as before.

When life imitates art
At an unforgettable moment, during the questions, Brian opened himself to the destructive loss of his real father, Marion Henry Jr., at the end of 2023-just weeks before filming. Time was amazing.

“The sixth episode is a place where Ray’s father dies,” said Brian. “And weeks before how we filmed him, my real father died. I just buried him.”

The pain was still raw. And entering this episode – where Ving Rams plays an advanced, powerful father Ray – like art is waiting for life.

“If we failed, this episode would already be shot,” said Brian. “But it wasn’t. It was waiting for me.”

He described being in the therapy in the strike of actors and writers, a confrontation with the years of unsolved tension with his father. Their relationship was marked by friction, distance and unmet expectations.

“My father was angry,” he said. “I didn’t turn out to be a son he wanted. But he still loved me. And I still loved him.”

What he found when he returned home to Fayetteville almost broke him: the temple of his life. Pictures from the red Oscar carpet. Broadway playbills. Even his Marvel Happy Meal Toy.

“This man watched me all the time. He was proud,” said Brian. “But I have never heard that he says it.”

The sixth episode gave Brian a likelihood to process this loss on the screen – with a rolling camera, regret remains to be fresh, and Rames directs a form of paternal presence that seemed almost too real.

“I didn’t have to act,” he said. “I just had to allow it.”

Night to remember
The crowd of Ludlow House laughed, cried and vibrated with Brian all night. And he wasn’t alone. Guests like Bevy Smith (), Taylor Polidore (), Jerrie Johnson () and Grammy nominated writer Stacy Barthe were there to have a good time Brian and this daring series.

Before the evening ended, one thing was clear: Brian Tyree Henry not only behaves – he manages something deeper. Something ancestors. Spiritual. True.

“These roles, these moments – choose me,” said Brian. “I just try to appear and tell the truth.”

Catch the sixth episode – Masterclass in Grief, Grace and Transformation – Tonight on Apple TV+.