[Warning: The following post contains MAJOR spoilers about Will Trent Season 3 Episode 7, “Mariachi Shelly’s Frankenstein.”]
A storm descended on the GBI’s headquarters on Tuesday’s (February 18) new episode of Will Trent, as all of our heroes — plus one murderous dangerous man — discovered themselves trapped by the tropical storm with no energy and no means out.
Caught in the course of the flooding and carnage was Raphael Wexford, performed by Antwayn Hopper, who has difficult relationships with virtually everybody within the constructing, however particularly Will (Ramón Rodríguez), who he grew up with within the foster system, and Amanda (Sonja Sohn), who’s caring for his teenage daughter however doesn’t belief him additional than she will throw him.
Raphael’s connection to Will was first established within the Season 3 premiere however has since blossomed into one of many greatest mysteries of the present as a result of, effectively, we nonetheless don’t know what it’s that Will owes him. What we do know is that Will respects him sufficient to show a blind eye to his gang management credentials and convey him into the fold on a useless physique restoration mission. However what else is there to learn about these two?
TV Insider caught up with actor Antwayn Hopper to speak about bringing the trendy and bold Raphael Wexford into the fold for his multi-episode arc and to seek out out what else is in retailer for this bundle-of-personality new character.
Are you able to discuss establishing the character dynamic between you and Ramon?
Antwayn Hopper: I came upon that Ramon Rodriguez, together with the gorgeous writers of Will Trent — I’m gonna say their names, Karine Rosenthal, Keith Lingenfelter, Britta Lundin, Inda Craig-Galvan, Juliette Lashinsky-Revene, and Hank Jones — got here up with a wonderful thought [of Raphael]. In fact, Liz [Heldens] and Dan [Thomsen] are stunning creators. They got here up with this concept to introduce a brand new character to Will Trent. And it seems this character is somebody who took in Will Trent alongside together with his grandmom, who’s performed by the beautiful Marla Gibbs. As you understand, Will Trent was part of the foster system. So he left his precise foster household and he joined our little household of three, and that’s how Raphael Wexford got here to be.
I may even say that the primary day of filming, Ramon shared with me that he was loosely primarily based off of his good pal Michael Williams from The Wire…. Sonja Sohn and Ramon Rodriguez each have been on The Wire with Michael Williams. So already off the bat, I used to be fully floored in addition to honored to deliver the character of Raphael to Will Trent.
Are you able to discuss crafting that scene you talked about with the grandmother? There’s a enjoyable dynamic of a feud but in addition familial love.
Episode 1, which is our season opener, began off with a bang, actually. I had served time, my character Raphael — 10 years to be actual — and proper earlier than I went into jail, I had a child woman, Sunny. And so this was our first time seeing one another since I served the jail time period, and we’ve but to determine — I believe it’s upcoming — why I served the time. However that’s why Episode 1 begins off with a bang as a result of not solely is the GBI exterior of my grandmom’s home, however two, “Get me with Trent.” It’s all about, “Give me Will Trent as a result of I don’t have time and I’ve a pal that’s within the GBI who owes me massive time. So you understand what, let’s reduce the small speak and simply get me Will Trent.” And that’s how we begin the season off, and he comes into the home and I simply give him a superb old school Raphael Wexford welcoming and remind him, “Hey, neck slice, bear in mind me? You owe me.”
Are we going to seek out out what he owes him for? As a result of all through the season it’s simply teased.
Tune in. Tune in. I’ll say the advantage of Will Trent is that after they point out one thing, you greatest consider we’re gonna come again to it, and it’s very fascinating the way it’s going to come back to that and what that story is because it develops, and that’s why that’s actually thrilling. I hope you guys all prefer it.
Disney / ABC
How a lot does the costuming inform your portrayal of this character?
I need to say hello to Mary Jane [Fort], our costumer. It’s all Mary Jane. Stage or movie, costumes, hair, the look… I went to Carnegie-Melon College, and there we realized quite a lot of the characterization comes from outward in. So for this function, his outer truly lends itself to his interior self. So I shall be very trustworthy and say that I’ve had a stake in all the pieces, and I’m grateful for Will Trent, the forged and crew and producers and ABC and Disney for trusting me. And so Mary Jane and I’ve began this stunning, stunning clothes love affair. And once I inform you, simply wait. Y’all, wait, wait, wait ’until you see the remainder of the season, that’s all I’ve to say.
However we knew that Raphael Wexford was going to be a really, very, very, very new character launched to the world. We in fact have Billy Porter and Pose. Now we have True Blood, we’ve P Valley, however you don’t have one other Raphael Wexford, and it begins with the garments and the hair and the appears. So I owe all of it to Camille Good friend, who does our hair — she’s Oscar-nominated for Black Panther — after which we’ve Mary Jane, after which we’ve Lisa Layman over within the make-up division.
One other character who’s massive on fashion is Sonja Sohn’s Amanda. On this newest episode, she’s caring for Sunny, so there’s friction there. Are you able to discuss creating that type of discovered household feud along with her?
Speak about an odd relationship! In order you guys know, Raphael Wexford is the CEO of the Piedmont Kings right here in Atlanta, Georgia, and Amanda’s function is the director of the GBI… So think about this ex-convict who simply bought launched from jail with the GBI out in entrance of his garden abruptly handing over his daughter to be secure with the director of the GBI. After which I find yourself coming to her home, which performed in Episode 6. I come to her home considering that I used to be an invited visitor, and I discover out that I used to be truly uninvited, and my daughter Sunny, performed by Kyrie [Mcalpin], form of fibbed a bit bit, and in order that’s the place we decide up Episode 6 when Amanda comes residence. It is vitally chilly proper now, our relationship, however it’s an fascinating and real-life state of affairs.
I truly requested our individual we converse with on set, who’s the I suppose you possibly can say the overseer with something that occurs with the GBI, “In your entire years — and also you don’t have to talk to specifics — however would a GBI director soak up an ex-convict’s child?” And he stated, “Yeah, it truly occurred final 12 months the place one in all our administrators adopted three youngsters of an individual who had to enter jail.” And I stated, “Actually?” He stated, “Yeah, it’s a human facet,” and that’s form of the theme for this season.
Talking of Raphael being in locations the place he’s not essentially welcome, in Episode 7, he’s within the station throughout the hurricane. The character may be very comfy whereas there are different characters who aren’t. How did you method that?
Raphael Wexford is the large man on campus, and he is aware of what’s up, and also you’ll by no means see him sweat. And that’s what I really like about Raphael. You by no means know what transfer he’s going to make. He’s unpredictable, and it takes so much to scare him. However the excellent news about Raphael is he has integrity, and he has coronary heart. So we form of see a bit softening of Raphael, and sure, there’s an ungainly stance between my character in addition to Gina Rodriguez’s character, and sure, that’s throughout the hurricane. It’s form of humorous.
There’s a degree the place Will confronts Raphael concerning the watch. He’s taking over the function of the mortgage shark. What’s coming with that, and what’s the dynamic between Will and Raphael at this level?
It’s form of difficult as a result of, effectively, it’s a recognized truth, however my brother served time in jail, and he’s turned his life fully round, however are you able to think about my dad, an ex-military one that’s head of infantry of Division of Corrections in Kansas [reacting]? So I’ve kinda had some behind-the-scenes actions rising up, seeing it in actual life. But it surely’s all to say, sure, Will Trent is a detective with the GBI and Raphael Wexford is definitely on their record of crucial convicts… What we’re realizing is that there are twin relationships happening. There’s the foster a part of it, after which there’s the skilled, and what’s working itself out is, “Don’t ask any questions, Will Trent, we’ll be simply wonderful. You deal with your corporation, I’ll deal with my enterprise.” And as I stated in Episode 2, “I’ll do no matter I have to do to ensure that my daughter has a greater life than you or me,” and I simply hope everybody remembers that. The actions is probably not good in a single’s eyes, however on the finish of the day, he’s taking good care of his daughter and he’s making a means out of no means.
As he declares within the episode, he’s able to take over the Grove Park Boys subsequent. Realizing what occurred to Sunny final time, is he afraid of placing her in peril once more?
That’s the excellent news about [Sunny living with Amanda]. Don’t overlook my unique babysitter for Sunny bought shot and he or she died. So after that occurred, and after Sunny was kidnapped, it’s a win-win state of affairs. You’ll suppose strategically he would deny Sunny residing with Amanda, however he’s all in, and he trusts Will. And there’s a bond there, there’s a brotherhood, and we truly contact upon that within the upcoming episodes. With out giving something away, there’s quite a lot of flashbacks and quite a lot of questions being answered… That’s what I like about Raphael and the writers — you suppose you understand however you actually don’t.
This character looks as if it was initially set to be a two-episode arc. How far more are we going to see of this character going ahead?
Yeah, you’re completely proper. It was purported to be three episodes, and by the grace of God and Ramon and Howie Deutsch and Liz and Dan and all the opposite folks, I don’t wanna say how a lot or what number of instances, however I’ll say that Raphael’s story, it will get instructed. And I actually am very excited as a result of give it some thought, what number of relationships do we’ve on primetime tv between a straight man and a heterosexual gangbanger? It actually opens our minds to the likelihood and the belief that it doesn’t matter one’s pores and skin tone, one’s sexual choice. Love is love, and it’s a wonderful factor, particularly a bond shared between two brothers who occurs one to be a convict and the opposite one a GBI agent.
Studying between the traces there, it looks as if you do suppose there’s a familial connection between them?
Oh yeah. We spent a superb a part of our years — when [Will and Raphael] met, I used to be 18. He taught me the way to battle, he taught me the way to fend for myself, I taught him the way to get a checking account, I taught him about fashion, I gave him couth, consider it or not. And we each have a love for Common Hospital and monster truck reveals, so.
What else are you engaged on? What else can followers search for you?
Effectively, my residence away from TV is theater, the stage. I’m very enthusiastic about a bit present. I can’t say the title, however bear in mind, Macavity’s not there [wink]. So I’m wanting ahead, I’m wanting ahead to the autumn. And who is aware of if Raphael will return to Season 4!
Will Trent, Tuesdays, 9/8c, ABC