Actor Mo McRae is making serious power moves in film and the small screen. He’s been featured in acclaimed projects like The Butler and “Sons of Anarchy.” In his newest roles, McRae is portraying his most thrilling characters yet, alongside other notable actors.
McRae has joined the cast of the TNT cop drama “Murder in the First” for their second season, which also stars Taye Diggs. McRae’s gritty character is a gangster boss and an unofficial mayor of the projects.
The 33-year-old is also playing the leading man opposite Tatyana Ali in an upcoming romantic comedy film November Rule. He’s scheduled to portray legendary revolutionary Stokely Carmichael in an HBO TV film All the Way. The movie, directed by Steven Spielberg, will depict the aftermath of the inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson (played by Bryan Cranston) amid the Civil Rights Movement.
Rolling out caught up with McRae to discuss his new television role, what it’s like working with Tatyana Ali and Lee Daniels, and the one actor he can’t wait to work with.
Tell me about your role on “Murder in the First.”
I play a guy named Malcolm “Suger” Monroe, who is a bit of a mysterious figure. He has his hands in a little bit of everything, and it’s an amazing storyline. Something happened with [Monroe’s] sister, so now [he’s] trying to get to the bottom of what happened.
What’s the best part about playing the character?
It’s a really cool, calculated character. I’ve been trying to tap into that coolness.
What would you say is the most challenging thing about playing Monroe?
Trying to find a way to combine all the emotions at once. The character is really complex, so I’m trying to find a way to juggle all of the emotions at once.
Can you talk about November Rule?
November Rule is a romantic comedy staring myself, Tatyana Ali and Lala Anthony. It’s essentially a guy who has a rule that if he’s dating someone and November comes around, he breaks up with them so he’s not with them for the holidays. This great girl he’s dating (played by Ali), he’s trying to get her back for the rest of the movie. And then what makes it really difficult is he and his two friends want to open up a shoe store — it’s their life-long dream to have a high-end sneaker store. They get an NBA player to help them design a place for the company. My girlfriend is dating the NBA player, so I’m kind of torn between my career and my love, essentially.
What was it like acting with Tatyana Ali?
That was a definite highlight. She was my first television crush, so to have your first television crush for a love interest was a great thing.
You played a Black Panther in The Butler. What was it like working with Lee Daniels?
Working with Lee Daniels was great because he’s honest. He’s very, very honest, and his whole approach to directing, from my point of view, is just trying to find the truth. And I enjoy that a great deal because he challenges and expects a lot from his actors.
Is there any actor you’ve always wanted to work with?
Denzel Washington.
Watch “Murder in the First” Mondays at 10 p.m. (EST) on TNT.
