Miles Caton, who plays Sammie in Sinners, exclusively spoke with rolling out about working with Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler and other legends.
This was your acting debut. When you first read the script, what was it that attracted you to the film itself and the role of Sammie?
Definitely, the character that I was playing, Sammie. I felt like I related to him a lot and we both kind of come from the same background and we both have that same ambition. Sammie’s working towards becoming a musician, kind of living his own life and just doing things outside of what the norm is. So that was definitely something that drew me to the role and then once I got a chance to read the whole script and see all the elements and how music was so ingrained in the project, I was excited to be a part.
What was your experience working with the cast in general and Michael B. Jordan in particular?
Working with the cast was incredible. I mean, you got Delroy Lindo, Omar (Miller) these are people that I grew up watching and to be able to work with Mike was really inspiring, man. Every day on set was the chance to learn something new and to see the work ethic up close and see how certain things get done, so it was an honor.
What was your experience working with the film’s writer and director Ryan Coogler?
Ryan, he’s a huge inspiration man. One of my favorite directors. I grew up watching Creed and Black Panther so to be able to work with him was really incredible, man. He’s a leader on set; he’s hands on throughout the whole process. Each scene, he’s there and he is always there for questions and for support and just always pushing me to be greater, to take chances. Not to be safe. It was dope getting to work with him.
Miles Caton: ‘The music was extremely important’
How important was the musical aspect of this film to you?
That was definitely one of the main factors for me. Being a musician and being an artist, the music was extremely important, and I didn’t expect it to learn so much more than I already knew coming on this project, learning about the blues and learning where it comes from and how important it is to the culture we are in now. Blues has bred so many new genres, Pop. R&B, so to be able to go and have that lesson and gain all of that knowledge, it was dope.
How was it working with many legends in their craft?
A crash course. Just to be able to work with all those great people at once you’re learning so much at once. You see Ruth (E. Carter) and her dope vision for the clothes, and you have Delroy who’s really a master at the craft. Getting to see his process on set day to day, how he prepares for his scenes.
