Thomas Q. Jones and Deji LaRay are the executive producers, show runners, and stars of the well-received television series “Johnson.” LaRay is also the series creator. Season four of “Johnson” is currently streaming on Bounce TV.
“Johnson” is about four Black men who are friends, and they coincidentally share the same last name of Johnson. The TV show explores their close brotherhood, their pursuits in love, and how they are working towards becoming better men for themselves and the ones around them.
Beyond their work on “Johnson,” Jones and LaRay are both accomplished in the entertainment industry.
Early on, LaRay started his career with the film “Once Upon a Time… When We Were Colored” and the crime-drama series “New York Undercover.” Later in his career, he was also a professional commercial and television editor.
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Though Jones started out as a professional football player in the NFL, he later transitioned into acting on shows like “Being Mary Jane,” “Luke Cage,” and “P-Valley.”
Both are now co-owners of their television and film company, Midnight Train Productions, and “Johnson” is their first project under the Midnight Train banner.
“To be able to connect with someone like Deji and become producing partners with him in 2017,” said Jones, “and going on a seven-year journey where now we have a series that’s four seasons and that audiences enjoy… that was not on my bingo card.”
“But it’s been one of the most incredible journeys in my life,” Jones continued, “and there’s more to come.”
Jones said a former NFL player and a well-sought-after editor coming together to form a production company was unheard of to him. “No one could tell me that was going to happen,” said Jones. “I’m pretty sure no one could tell Deji this was going to happen either.”
LaRay agreed with Jones’ sentiments, and he added that “Johnson” would not have been possible without the support of Cedric the Entertainer and his business partner Eric Rhone.
Cedric and Rhone are co-executive producers on “Johnson,” along with the lone female executive producer on the series, Reesha Archibald.
“[Cedric, Rhone, and Archibald] championed this show [and they] saw value in this show,” said LaRay.
According to LaRay, originally, he wanted Jones to only act in the pilot episode of “Johnson.” But Jones had a different idea. In addition to acting, he wanted to be one of the producers on the show. LaRay knew Jones was serious when he put up half of the funding for the pilot.
“It cost to be the boss, right,” said LaRay. “He shared the same perspective about what the show could be in the future… and Thomas wrote a check. He proved to me, in that moment, he was willing to do whatever I was willing to do to make this happen.”
Jones said amongst all the negative portrayals of Black men on television “Johnson” was refreshing. “I couldn’t pass up a chance to be a producer on this project,” he said.
“Johnson” is loosely based on LaRay’s true-life friend group made up of Black men. LaRay said he has enjoyed the process of fictionalizing real-life people, and real-life situations, and then turning it into entertainment.
“That makes the best TV shows because those characters are going to be very honest,” said LaRay. “You never run out of content when it’s based on people’s lives.”
Jones said it is a powerful experience when Black people, especially Black men, create collaboratively. “When we come together and put our minds together — our talents together – there is nothing we can’t accomplish,” he said.
Furthermore, Jones shared Black men are a big part of “Johnson’s” success in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
“You’ve never really seen a TV series like this, ever – an actual series that goes four seasons of telling honest… vulnerable Black men’s stories – you’ve never seen that,” said Jones. “I think it’s kind of guided this show in that direction… and made it the successful show it is.”
“Johnson” stars Thomas Q. Jones as Omar Johnson, Deji LaRay as Greg Johnson, Philip Smithey as Keith Johnson, and Derrex Brady as Jarvis Johnson. Season four of the series is currently streaming on Bounce TV.
