Opening Act

On a special episode, this week we are joined by the always booked and busy Brian Tyree Henry, who breaks down the most recent episode of FX's 'Atlanta' which takes a shocking look at cultural appropriation, theft and influencer social justice. He also talks about the show returning for so long and how that has impacted him as an actor.

Ludacris stops by 'Opening Act' to chat about the new season of his Netflix series, 'Karma's World,' which recently dropped new episodes. We also talk to him about getting move involved with television and film behind the scenes as a producer, and if 2000s-era Ludacris would have ever predicted what 2020s Chris Bridges would do.

The iconic always booked and busy Sheryl Lee Ralph is now one of the stars of Quinta Brunson ‘Abbott Elementary,’ on ABC one of the biggest and most promising broadcast network sitcoms in ages. She talks about the new series, playing an educator and the importance of the education field amid the pandemic. She also talked about her own Broadway legacy and how the pandemic has impacted Black artists on Broadway, as well as the legacy of, of course…’Moesha’! 

With decades in the game, iconic roles in projects like 'Moesha' and stellar music and acting careers — Brandy is a modern industry gem. She sits down with us this week to talk about the season finale of ABC's 'Queens,' what she hopes happens if the show gets a season 2 and more. She also gives advice to aspiring Black creatives and walks us through some of her early career thoughts.

Nicole Ari Parker makes a splash on 'The Sex and the City' revival seres, 'And Just Like That...,' which is on HBO Max. She talks about being in the new series, her recent 'Chicago P.D.' role, if she'd be in a remake of any of her past projects and much more. The actress also talks about working with husband Boris Kodjoe on his directorial debut and the evolution of telling Black stories in Hollywood over time.

With a career spanning decades, Wesley Snipes is one of the most revered actors in Black Hollywood. The actor took on his biggest TV role to date opposite Kevin Hart in Netflix's 'True Story.' He talks about the twists in that show, the legacy of 'Blade,' the upcoming project he has that he refers to as the "'Blade'-killer,' what he hopes the next phase in his career looks like and so much more.

Though she's most known for her roles in cult classic Black rom-coms and films such as 'Precious' and 'Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,' Paula Patton is making one of her biggest moves into television to-date with the BET+ original series 'Sacrifice.' She spoke to us about this new role, the would-be 'Law & Order: SVU' role that almost made her a TV mainstay years ago, why she doesn't like to be tied to one genre and more.