Actor Keith Powers was a welcome addition to the cast of the political thriller, “Emperor of Ocean Park.” Known for his roles as Ronnie DeVoe in “The New Edition Story” and Eric in “The Perfect Find,” in “Emperor” Powers plays a former athlete and current law student named Lionel Eldrige.
Adapted for TV from author Stephen L. Carter’s New York Times best-selling book, the MGM+ series follows the Garland siblings who are unwittingly working to unravel the unscrupulous secrets of their late father Judge Oliver Garland, played by Oscar Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker.
When the audience is first introduced to Power’s character, Lionel, he’s an unassuming, well-mannered student of Professor Talcott Garland (actor Grantham Coleman). We later learn that Lionel works with Talcott’s wife Kimmer (actress Paulina Lule) and their relationship is far from plutonic. While this revelation seems to give Lionel some power over a visibly shaken Talcott, in a series filled with chess analogies, Powers tells the Sentinel, “My character is also a pawn on the board.”
Sharing what excited him about the role, the Sacramento native said, “Lionel went from the NBA to law school. That’s one extreme to the next and I was really excited to dive into the character and the story as a whole because this is the type of show I could see myself watching.”
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Powers gives insight into joining the cast later in the season while still having a pivotal role in the storyline.
“When I came on to set as a recurring character, I just wanted to be able to deliver, because everyone already had their rhythm, and you just want to get in where you fit in and I don’t like to be disruptive in a way where I’m slowing down the pace of the momentum.”
When asked about his experience acting opposite the show’s lead Grantham Coleman, Powers said, “That’s the best feeling as an actor, to have scene partners that can bring so much more out of you. I was really excited to work with Grantham, especially after seeing him as Ronnie on ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ (STARZ).”
Powers went on to share that having the unique opportunity to work on a show that was created and directed by Black men further inspired him to spearhead his own projects.
“It was amazing working with show creator Sherman Payne because I could tell him exactly what I want, and he understands it. I think that’s really important for Black men or women, working on, Black sets, you’re able to get your message across more easily.”
He continued, “Seeing director Damien Marcano’s creative process inspired me because I’ve always wanted to direct. When you’re on set, even though you have the scene on paper, everything changes. To see Sherman and Damien figure it out in that moment and talk how we would talk at a barber shop, in the most respectful way and creative way, was dope.”
He added, “They would just hash it out and we were able to make the scene what it is and that was amazing. And of course, you know, I didn’t have to worry about making sure my hair or makeup was on point! It was amazing and I had a great time.”
When asked how he would describe “Emperor of Ocean Park,” Powers shares his best descriptor of the series.
“It’s a murder mystery, crime thriller. It’s like ‘Law & Order’ (NBC) meets ‘Succession’ (HBO). Forest Whitaker being the face of the series really gives it that ‘Succession’ feel [similar to patriarch] Logan Roy and their family dynamics.”
He added, “The Garlands are a Black Republican family just because their dad was a Republican. I’ve never seen something like this, but it gave me the same feelings I felt watching ‘Succession.’
“I would never dive into a family like that on a regular, everyday basis but I feel like ‘Emperor of Ocean Park’ was perfectly written, whereas you’ll easily be able to find characters that you really relate to.”
New episodes of “Emperor of Ocean Park” air weekly on MGM+.
