Courtney B. Vance Was Intimidated to Portray Johnnie Cochran. Now He’s Playing Another Attorney in ’61st Street’

I’ve been through some serious health challenges in my life, ones that left me questioning if I wanted to keep fighting or not. It’s a tough battle when you’re juggling personal health and professional responsibilities, but I’ve learned to find humor even in the darkest of times.

In the initial series of the courtroom drama titled “61st Street,” Courtney B. Vance portrays Franklin Roberts, a public defender nearing retirement who decides not to leave the fate of Black high school track star Moses Johnson (Tosin Cole), accused of killing a Chicago police officer, in the hands of the corrupt legal system. This decision contradicts his promise to his wife Marth Roberts (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) that it was her turn for professional growth.

As a devoted fan, I was thrilled when The CW decided to resurrect the series in May 2023, following AMC’s cancellation of its second season. On July 22, we were treated to the return of this gripping tale, delving into the aftermath of Johnson’s trial. Strikingly, this isn’t about saving a Black teenager’s life anymore; it’s about seeking justice for a Black man unjustly killed by a police officer. In the face of his declining health due to prostate cancer, Franklin steps up once more, taking on what he sees as a mission for truth.

Vance has previously depicted attorneys facing intense societal pressure, such as when he received an Emmy in 2016 for his portrayal of Johnnie Cochran in the series “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story“.

Vance admits he was extremely nervous about playing Johnnie, so he deliberately avoided watching any videos as he didn’t want to psych himself out, he shares with The Hollywood Reporter. The death of Simpson in April reminded him of the intense media attention that surrounded both the FX series and the actual murder trial. Vance muses, “He died with all his secrets, and perhaps that’s a good thing. I’m not sure.” He continues, “People risked their careers by taking sides. So I’m not certain if anyone was still interested in hearing from him anymore.”

In the passage below, Vance discusses Season 2 of “61st Street,” drawing comparisons between the show’s themes and current societal issues, as well as explaining that abstaining from voting in this year’s election is not a viable choice.

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Were the scenes for this show filmed all at once, because it had been ordered for two seasons in advance? How did you find working on such a large number of episodes simultaneously?

The process was quite extensive due to the nature of the script. Since it involved a legal trial, several steps like opening and closing arguments, cross-examinations were necessary, which amounted to a considerable amount of dialogue. This extended over two seasons, making organization crucial as I began writing. Essentially, I needed my pages in order to plan my approach, to ensure I wouldn’t delay production due to uncertainties about the scenes. People often perceive acting as glamorous, but it’s actually hard, laborious work that goes largely unseen. Being the lead actor, I felt responsible for setting a positive tone and ensuring everyone in the cast and crew could wrap up for the day and prepare for the next. As the top-ranked member on the call sheet, readiness was key.

Did you know how the story would end from the start?

In our meeting with Peter Moffat, the showrunner, and J. David Shanks, the writer and executive producer, I confided that I wasn’t sure about certain aspects of the project. We engaged in a productive conversation and discovered we shared similar visions. We agreed to strive for the best outcome possible. Although I had a rough idea initially, I was unsure if I wanted to follow through with a particular ending due to health concerns for one of us. We spent considerable time discussing how to portray the health issues and how to wrap up the storyline. To maintain secrecy, I’ll keep the specifics under wraps.

In season two, Franklin finds himself in a fresh conflict, but it seems he’s facing some familiar opponents. So, what state of mind is your character in now?

His mind is in disarray due to the complexities and demands of maintaining multiple storylines. It’s like juggling numerous balls, with one drop potentially causing a cascade of failures. I’m striving to keep all these balls in motion, but it’s draining. I made a promise to my wife that I would retire and allow her some freedom, as she’s been managing our home. However, life keeps throwing unexpected challenges – the first season with Moses, followed by the second season’s new case. The question is, at what expense does one prioritize others? At what cost does duty towards a larger family overshadow the core family? These are the dilemmas that everyone must confront when venturing into the world. In the end, everything and everyone will pass, but my mother used to remind my father, “That job will still be there whether you’re present or not.” It’s crucial to prioritize self-care and those dear to us, as they hold more value than any job.

In a new project, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor portrays the role of your character’s wife, Martha. I’m curious to know about your experience collaborating with her once more following ‘Lovecraft Country’. How was it working together this time around?

I strongly desired to collaborate with her once more. There’s an authenticity about her that’s undeniable – it shines in her eyes, making her seem genuinely real. This quality is crucial for our project, and Aunjanue is determined to ensure everything makes sense from her perspective. She was particularly insistent on developing Martha into a character who stands independently and powerfully, not just the attorney’s wife. So, I encouraged her to voice her concerns to Peter and David Shanks, and they rewrote the entire script for her. As a result, Martha transformed into a political maverick, which greatly enriched the narrative as it added complexity to our character Franklin, who, in the series, is attempting to accomplish something significant while his wife is pursuing her own path. It was a beneficial addition to the show.

In a well-known role, you played Johnnie Cochran on the series “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson”. When taking on the character of Franklin, did you incorporate any aspects or traits from Mr. Cochran into your performance?

As a devoted fan, I must confess that the prospect of portraying Johnnie Cochran left me feeling quite daunted. To avoid being swayed by prior performances, I deliberately chose not to watch any footage related to him. Instead, I immersed myself in Jeffrey Toobin’s captivating book, “The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson“, which offered a profound connection between Johnnie’s life and my own upbringing. This realization was more than enough to fuel my enthusiasm. I trusted the scripts were exceptional, so I chose to embrace any gaps in my knowledge with optimism. With courage in hand, I plunged into this challenging yet rewarding journey alongside Johnnie and our talented cast members.

Courtney B. Vance Was Intimidated to Portray Johnnie Cochran. Now He’s Playing Another Attorney in ’61st Street’

Do you find yourself reminiscing about any specific moment, either on screen or in reality, when the trial of Nicole Brown Simpson was a major focus in the news following the recent passing of O.J. Simpson?

Reflecting on it now, I’m reminded of the past when I worked on that story. It was exhilarating and awe-inspiring to be involved in something that grew beyond what anyone could have imagined. At the time, it felt as significant as the O.J. Simpson case (though nothing quite matched its scale), as people who were alive then seemed to relive it all over again. During our press tours, instead of questioning us about our work, interviewers wanted to discuss their own memories and where they were during those moments. This was something I’d never experienced before. On the other hand, those too young to remember found it hard to believe that such an event actually occurred. As the medium through which history unfolded for so many, I think we all had personal reflections and realizations.

As a seasoned observer of legal proceedings and a witness to the infamous O.J. Simpson trial, I can’t help but reflect on the intricacies of that high-profile case and its aftermath. It seems to me that the man who went to his grave with all he knew may have been better off keeping silent. The event had become so distorted by public opinion and career ambitions that it overshadowed the truth, making it questionable whether anyone would have believed him if he had spoken out.

In the initial court case of Franklin, during his opening statement in season one, he urged the jury to substitute prejudice with imagination, stating that we’ve somehow forgotten the ability to empathize and understand others, a sentiment that seems strikingly relevant in today’s modern society. What are your thoughts on the upcoming election, specifically now that President Biden has decided not to run for another term?

Nothing is set in stone; there’s no fixed pattern – one plus one doesn’t always equal two. The relationships between addition and subtraction seem confusing and illogical. People are talking and acting, but then others are observing and saying, “Hold on, you tell us to act righteously, but we see you doing things differently on our screens and phones, and it seems like you don’t care about the inconsistency between your words and actions. You don’t seem to mind that we catch you in lies, living a life built on deceit, with the justification being the end result. You don’t seem to care.” So, what does this mean for us? We have a decision to make. Either we carry on as you do and perpetuate the chaos, or we step up and decide to return to a time where people strive for honesty, or at least try their best.

In my opinion, I’ve consistently maintained that – often referring to him as 45, I find it hard to utter his name – when 45 (Trump) reached the pinnacle of power, individuals would be compelled to choose between their country and him. He will make you take a stand. This remains valid, and it’s even more applicable as we move forward. I believe Kamala is going to present this choice to the public. That’s the essence of our democratic system. During Lincoln’s time in the election of 1864, at the conclusion of the Civil War, he stated, “Let the people decide.” This is the strength and the complexity of our system. However, it also means we must engage with the system to ensure it functions effectively. If we participate and vote, the system will protect us. If we don’t, as our bishop used to say, “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.”

61st Street releases new season two episodes Mondays at 9 p.m. on The CW.

2024-07-31 00:25

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