TOSIN COLE

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Stars in AMC series

61ST Street

Interview

Tessa Swantek

Photography Sami Drasi

Creative Director Deborah Ferguson

Tosin Cole describes his passion for acting as an “inferno,” yet the flames within him are certainly not wildly uncontrolled; Tosin Cole understands what he wants and trusts in the oxygen fueled path that will take him there. Cole is deliberate about the projects he is involved in, and more than anything, he wants to tell a story. Many of his most recent projects echo this sentiment, with AMC’s 61st Street being one of the more powerful narratives. In the TV series, Cole plays Moses Johnson, a promising track star who, like Cole, possesses an inferno-like passion as he runs as fast as a wildfire, away from crime towards a better life for his family. Johnson, however, becomes a victim of Chicago’s corrupt criminal justice system when he is put on trial for the death of a police officer during a drug bust. Throughout Johnson’s experience in jail, his fire manifests into one set on his defense, alongside public defender Franklin Roberts [Courtney B. Vance], focused on challenging institutional racism and upending the criminal justice system. Tosin Cole tells us that in his career he has “beaten the odds” which is essentially the basis of Moses Johnson’s storyline- will he beat the odds that are undoubtedly stacked against him? In our interview with Cole, he details his perception of Moses Johnson, talks behind the scenes of 61st Street, and hints at where his passion is taking him to next!

Pullover winder breaker: IceBerg, Pants: Willy Chavarria, High tops: Saint Laurent

Shirt & Pants : Willy Chavarria

To start, I first want to talk a little bit about the start of your career. You started at the Intermission Youth Theatre and have said in other interviews that acting originally wasn’t your passion but you grew into it over time. At this point in your career, how has your passion changed over time and what does it look like now?

The passion has definitely changed for sure. I think it started off as a hobby, as something to do on the weekend, and now it’s very much a career. I’m a lot more mature and experienced now, my taste has changed since I started. Before I was just excited to act, but now I’m more interested in the whole aspect of storytelling – writing, directing and producing. My passion grows more and more as time goes by. It’s like an inferno, I want to do so much at a high level and I get excited by the future and executing these goals and dreams of mine.

On that same note, you’ve said a few years ago that you want to pick projects that make you proud. At this point in your career, what are you feeling most proud of?

When I look back at my career, I want to be proud of the work I have done. The risks and decisions I’ve taken; I want to look back and say I gave it my all. At this moment in time, I’m proud of everything I have done and how far I have come. I’m literally living the dream that I thought, and people thought, wouldn’t be possible. I’ve beaten the odds and will continue to do so.

Jacket & Shirt : Valentino

Shirt, T-shirt & Pants: Zegna

You played a major role in Debbie Tucker Green’s Ear for Eye which came out a few months ago and you really did such an amazing job in that role. The format of the film is really unique because of it being a mix of spoken word, theatre, and music to discuss racial injustice in both the U.S. and the U.K. The scenes in the film are also against a really minimal backdrop so when watching it, it feels very stripped down to the power of the script and acting. Did filming Ear for Eye feel very different compared to your other projects?

Ear for Eye was very different for me, it was a play originally, and we made it for film. Tackling a character that I got to have so much time with, more or less, saying the same lines but through a different medium was dope because I got to explore the character in a different way and focus on the nuances for film. We can use the camera to hone in on those little intricate details that may not be seen on stage. There’s some growth and maturity that comes with coming back about two years later to play the same character. As much as it’s a deep and relevant story, I had a blast filming it.

As I said, the project focuses on racial injustice and the Black experience in the U.S. and the U.K., which isn’t often shown parallel to one another. Since you were born in the U.S. but grew up in the U.K, do you feel like you brought your own experience into the project?

I just bring an honest and human approach to it. I focus on giving the characters feelings and thoughts a real, soulful touch. Sometimes feelings come from within due to personal experience or you are exploring emotions as the character, and then the actors and story drives you there.

Jacket ,Shirt, Shorts & Boots : Valentino

In 61st Street, you play Moses Johnson, a star track athlete who becomes a victim of Chicago’s corrupt criminal justice system. In the first episode we see that running defines his character and when he’s confined to a jail cell, he feels that much more imprisoned, like a bird trapped in a cage. How would you define Moses Johnson, and how do you feel he changes when he loses that ability to run?

Running for Moses symbolises so much. It shows his discipline, dedication, drive, focus, ambition and family. Running kept him out of trouble. Running kept him busy. Him running was his way out for a better future and better life for him and his family – that was his plan. So to have that taken away from him, it’s like he failed. Him being in jail and fighting for his freedom is somewhere he thought he’d never be. So, in a sense jail is hell! Him not running is failure.

Shirt & Pants: Willy Chavarria Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo

The show is so well done and fully worth the watch but there is no doubt that it’s also very agonizing to watch, especially for those who experience this racial profiling directly. What would you say to people who may not want to watch because of the show’s lack of escapism?

Some of the best art, whether that’s film, plays, music, books, etc. has come from a reflection of time or tapping into history. It’s unfortunate that these stories have to be told and there’s a lack of escapism, but it is what it is. And sometimes it’s important to tell these stories for people who don’t go through these experiences, in order to give insight into the lives of those people who do- to give the cause and effect of these situations. Peter [Moffat] wanted to provoke thought, evoke emotion, EMPATHY and I wanted to be a part of it. The cast wanted to be a part of it, and the crew too. So hopefully we’ve done that in the most artistic way possible.

61st Street is based in Chicago and filmed there, right? Can you tell us a little bit about working there and any behind the scenes moments that come to mind?

Chicago is a great city with great food and even better people. Chicago was so much fun, filming there was a dream. I mean there’s so many moments. But literally the courts were some of the best moments because that’s when most of the cast were together. So I was doing what I would normally do, joke around and tease the cast.

Jacket ,Shirt, Shorts: Valentino

Shirt : Salvatore Ferregamo

Speaking of the courts, I had a basic understanding of corruption in the criminal justice system, but something that really stuck out to me, without giving anything away, is the “agreed upon truth” contract. Is there anything you were surprised to learn while preparing for the role or working on the series?

Yeah, I mean there’s a lot I didn’t know about the American justice system, but at the same I didn’t want to know too much, in the same way that Moses didn’t – it helps with the character because they didn’t know too much.

When we are introduced to Aunjanue Ellis’ character, Martha Roberts, she takes off her shoes to “ground herself” when she’s feeling anxious before getting on stage and this theme sort of runs through that episode. Do you have a method to stay grounded in high stress situations?

I thought that trait in Aunjanue’s character was really authentic; I always take a moment to center myself if I’m feeling very anxious or stressed out. Music always helps to shift my mood or I spend a little time with a close friend or my family, and that helps put a battery in my back. But prayer always helps, and I know that what will be, will be.

Shirt, T-shirt , Pants, & Shoes : Zegna

Shirt, Shorts, Belt & Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo

Suit & Windbreaker Jacket: Paul Smith, Sunglasses: Gentle Monster

I also wanted to get into your upcoming role in Till as Medgar Evers, which I would imagine to be such an important role for you. How does your preparation for a role change when you’re playing a real person, especially one this important to history?

Playing someone like Medgar was very important for me as it was the first time I have played a real person, and someone who has a significant historical legacy. It was important to me to do as much research as possible and find out all the information I could. I read articles, interviews and watched a few documentaries. Literally Google became my best friend! However, the thing that really made a huge difference to my preparation and will always stay with me, was the conversation I had with Medgar’s wife. It was a huge honor to speak with her.

Till is scheduled to come out in the U.S. in October of 2022 and you have a few other projects coming out soon. What can we look forward to from you next?

Next up for me is House Party. I shot the film last year during the height of the pandemic and it was a lot of fun to make. Calmatic directed it and brought his distinctive vision to it, and I think people are going to love it.