As a Black actor who has had the privilege of being part of two Cruel Intentions projects spanning over two decades, I can confidently say that the landscape for Black performers has undeniably evolved in significant and necessary ways. From my humble beginnings where the roles were often limited to comic relief or sidekicks, we now have a full range of opportunities to portray complex, three-dimensional characters – from nerds, to gays, to fathers, and beyond.
[This story contains spoilers from the first season of Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions.]
If you were a young adult in the late ‘90s, you almost certainly knew Sean Patrick Thomas.
Prior to his roles in the “Barbershop” series, the police drama “The District” on CBS, or his recent portrayal of Gene Mobley in “Till”, this rugged, kind-eyed actor had established a niche for himself in the realm of young adult dramas.
In that period, he appeared in movies such as “Save the Last Dance” and “Halloween: Resurrection”, which were follow-ups to his notable portrayal of Ronald Clifford in Roger Kumble’s “Cruel Intentions”. During this time, Thomas assumed the role of a music teacher for the wealthy, innocent, and virginal Cecile Caldwell (played by Selma Blair). He developed feelings for her, but their relationship was undermined by the cunning and manipulative step-siblings Kathryn Merteuil (portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe).
As a seasoned gamer with over 70 titles under my belt, including recent successes like Gen V and For All Mankind, I’m diving back into the world of Cruel, this time as Professor Chadwick in the new Prime Video spinoff. In this role, I’m a history professor at Manchester College, an exclusive D.C.-area institution. This academic journey will see me maneuvering through the educational quirks and manipulations of a cunning group of rich sorority and fraternity members.
Shortly following his arrival, he encounters his new teaching assistant, CeCe (Sara Silva). Determined to land the position to boost her resume, she persistently tries to win him over. At first reluctant to accept her assistance, Chadwick eventually grows fond of his TA due to her diligent and anxious work style, along with her skill in debates – a stark contrast to Ronald’s less refined bond with Cecile from the 1999 movie.
As a gamer, I found that CeCe always kept me on my toes, both physically and mentally, which led to more than just the regular respect and admiration that can develop between mentor and mentee. However, by the end of the season, the possibility of a romantic future between us was put under scrutiny when I was discovered in bed with Caroline Merteuil (Sarah Catherine Hook), CeCe’s friend and sorority president. And much like her 1999 counterpart, Caroline tried to sabotage me by anonymously reporting me to the college for improper conduct, all in a bid to maintain control.
Thomas recently chatted with The Hollywood Reporter prior to the show’s premiere, discussing his comeback to the Cruel Intentions universe. He touched upon why a TV spinoff wasn’t feasible earlier, delved into the intricate romantic and intellectual bond between his professor character and his TA, and reflected on the evolving landscape for Black actors in Hollywood over the past 25 years since Kumble’s movie was released.
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Few actors have the opportunity to revisit a world they were part of a quarter century ago, let alone in a fresh manner. Did the prospect of returning to Cruel Intentions excite you?
I’m thrilled to return to the set of “Cruel Intentions” after so long. It’s not just satisfying, but meaningful in many ways. Firstly, I’m grateful to still be here, considering this business can be tough. The fact that I’ve managed to stick around for all these years feels symbolic and gives me a sense of completion. Secondly, I’m a more experienced person and actor now compared to when I first took on this role. Having 20-something years more experience under my belt is like receiving an unexpected present. It’s a wonderful opportunity to revisit such material with the wisdom and skills I’ve gained over the years.
Why did you decide to return to the story of Cruel Intentions after there have already been movies, spin-offs, and musical adaptations? Was it something specific that drew you back to this particular narrative for a TV series?
I had a short stint with a series called “Manchester Prep,” around two decades ago. The environment of “Cruel Intentions” and “Dangerous Liaisons” is so intense and bare-boned that it didn’t align well with network TV back then. There were things we couldn’t explore then, but now, we can, and we’re doing just that on this new show. Hearing the show was being revived was thrilling, and I had a chance to discuss it with the director, writers, and producers. The character they created for me, Professor Chadwick, offered an intriguing development from the Ronald character in the film, but it has a distinct feel that made it appealing. That’s what made it exciting.
Is it possible to rephrase the given sentence in a more natural and easy-to-understand way like this: “Professor Chadwick and Ronald Clifford are quite distinct individuals, yet they share some striking similarities. Were these similarities deliberate, and if so, what sets Chadwick’s journey apart from Ronald’s?
As a gamer, I found it intriguing how they chose to present the challenge in this game – the obstacle was a power dynamic rather than race. In this remake, it’s about a professor and a student, suggesting a potential societal progress where we can discuss these themes without focusing on race. Whether or not we’ve truly moved past such issues is debatable, but the shift in focus is promising. By delving into complex teacher-student dynamics instead, they’ve introduced a whole new layer of forbidden intrigue that feels more engaging and less about circumstances beyond our control.
In your opinion, the ruthlessness often displayed by teenagers and young adults during their growth phase, as portrayed in “coming of age” stories, remains universally relevant. However, you might notice some distinctive aspects of cruelty in this modern version compared to the 1999 film.
In this updated version of the tale, the harshness seems more contemporary due to the ability for events to spread rapidly, a concept unheard of in 1999. The term “going viral” didn’t exist back then, but now it does, and with a simple click, you can humiliate, shame, or even ruin someone. Therefore, I believe that this modern capability significantly amplifies the cruelty factor by providing more opportunities to inflict pain on others.
This time, the characters appear to be a bit matured. From your perspective, how does growing the narrative by adding a touch of maturity enhance the importance of the challenges these characters face?
As these characters progress into college years, they provide an expanded canvas for storytelling. With this broader scope, we can delve deeper into various themes, such as how unchecked power leads to corruption, a concept often discussed in history, or power imbalance. This transition offers more chances to explore such themes effectively, especially when the characters are still relatively young.
In the series, Chadwick forms a unique bond with his teaching assistant, CeCe, played by Sara Silva. Despite an age difference and potential power disparity, they manage their emotions in a mature manner. This relationship, arguably the most balanced on the show, invites viewers to reflect upon the importance of maturity and respect in relationships.
It’s important to approach situations correctly, and it’s refreshing to witness individuals striving for the right path when everyone else appears to be making mistakes. This relationship serves as a contrast, showcasing two honorable individuals who share an authentic, uncorrupted bond. They are dedicated to doing things honestly and without causing harm to each other or others. I hope that viewers recognize this – that such relationships do exist, even in a world that may seem chaotic and uncaring at times.
It seems there’s a captivating connection between them, rooted in their shared intrigue towards the historical aspect of fascism. Could it be this topic that holds such allure for them both?
(Laughing) I believe they delve deep into political science topics with enthusiasm. They seem open-minded about evaluating the merits and demerits of various viewpoints, such as fascism for instance. It’s not necessarily that they are captivated by fascism itself, but rather they enjoy debating opposite sides, which seems to stimulate them. This is what brings them together. Fascism serves as a tool for them to provoke, question, and intellectually stimulate each other.
Towards the end, Chadwick finds himself in a situation reminiscent of Ronald’s, who was discovered engaging in an intimate act with Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character, Kathryn. In turn, Caroline (Sarah Catherine Hook) leverages this to accuse him of unsuitable behavior towards a student. Earlier, we mentioned that Ronald’s storyline primarily dealt with racial issues, but it’s challenging not to consider the racial undertones in this particular scene for Chadwick. However, is this parallelism deliberate?
Here’s the thing: I think that Professor Chadwick is written in such a way where race is not a factor. However, when you cast me and somebody who looks like me in that role, then you have a whole other level of stuff going on. I really agree with you that Professor Chadwick can’t just worry about, “Gosh, am I gonna be able to keep my job?” He has to worry about, “Am I gonna be treated fairly because of the way I look, and is this a factor in how my case is going to be perceived?” I think that’s just extra from having this character played by somebody that looks like me and that’s a great layer to lay on to what’s already a troubling situation.
In the upcoming season 2, Charlie finds himself in a complex situation due to his actions potentially damaging his relationship with CeCe and his job at the school. Have you had discussions with showrunners Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher regarding possible storylines if the series continues for another season?
I’m not familiar with the details of season two. I know nothing about it. We haven’t discussed it, but given their intelligence and ability to plan ahead, I believe they have a well-prepared storyline for Professor Chadwick. However, I haven’t received any updates on it yet.
The roles you’ve taken on, like Polarity on Gen V, show how Black characters in the YA genre have developed over time. In the past, we may not have seen as many Black characters in central roles such as teachers or fathers. What do you think has changed for Black actors in the two decades between your two Cruel Intentions projects?
What’s exciting to me is that I didn’t see it growing up. On Gen V, I’m a Black father, and there are certain complexities that you can’t compare to any other father-son relationship. There’s certain things about being a Black father that are very specific and have to be dealt with in a different way. When you’re telling a story, you can’t just say, “Oh, this is just a dad and this is just a son.” There’s something very specific about a Black father and a Black son that has almost never been explored in TV and film, and I’m very, very proud that I’ve gotten a chance to do that. On Gen V, in particular, we really get into that on a very, very deep level. I mean, Chance isn’t with us anymore, and during season two, we don’t really take any shortcuts in digging into what it is to be a Black man and what it is to have that type of connection with your son and the things that you can and cannot protect him from. We really get into that in season two.
Has there been significant progress in representing Black actors authentically and impactfully during that period, both behind and in front of the camera?
Although I can see progress being made, I must say it’s still not sufficient. The roles available to actors today, especially for Black actors like myself, are significantly more nuanced than when I initially entered this industry. Back then, the majority of the roles offered were limited to comic relief, sidekicks, or villains. It was challenging to break free from these stereotypes. Nowadays, you can play a nerd, a gay character, or any other role that reflects our diverse humanity as Black actors. This development is truly remarkable and long overdue.
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Enjoy the entire series of “Cruel Intentions” on Prime Video. Don’t forget to check out THR’s exclusive interview with the showrunners, Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher.
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2024-11-27 00:25