Brian Tyree Henry finds refreshment in diverse roles
Alona Yadav | Mar 13, 2025, 22:50 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Brian Tyree Henry stars in Apple TV+'s 'Dope Thief,' portraying Ray, a friend impersonating a federal agent who gets entangled in a dangerous criminal world. The series, adapted by Peter Craig from Dennis Tafoya's novel, showcases Henry's versatility, despite his prior desire for a break from television.
Brian Tyree Henry laughs at the mere mention of taking time off. Since his breakthrough role as rapper Paper Boi in FX's "Atlanta," Henry has established himself as one of Hollywood's most in-demand actors, working with acclaimed directors like Barry Jenkins, Steve McQueen, and Chloe Zhao alongside stars including Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Hemsworth, and Melissa McCarthy. His talent has earned him two Primetime Emmy nominations, a Tony Award nomination, and an Oscar nod.
Henry's latest project is Apple TV+'s limited series "Dope Thief," premiering Friday. He stars opposite Wagner Moura as Ray, one of two longtime friends in Philadelphia who impersonate federal agents to steal drugs and money. Their scheme unravels when they rob the wrong targets, forcing them to evade both the DEA and a drug kingpin while protecting their families.
"The minute that Wagner and I met each other, it was an instant electricity... We just felt like we knew each other all our lives," Henry said. "That is exactly what you needed for Ray and Manny."
The series was created and written by Peter Craig, adapted from Dennis Tafoya's novel, with the first episode directed by Ridley Scott. Craig describes Henry's acting versatility as "like a jazz musician... It's fantastic for a writer, because you can throw him all kinds of added moments, and he'll incorporate and use them all."
Interestingly, when "Dope Thief" came his way, Henry was craving a break from television. He had wrapped "Atlanta" and immediately jumped into FX's "Class of '09," where he played a character across three different time periods, leaving him exhausted.
"Television is hard, you know? Like, I hear myself complaining about it; I know it's a first world problem, but you get very attached when you're doing a series. You're living with the character for quite a long time."
It was during a 3 a.m. shoot for "Class of '09," wearing prosthetics as his character's future self, when his manager presented him with the "Dope Thief" script. "Within the first 10 pages I was incredibly attracted to Ray and also the bond he has with Manny."
While genuine downtime has been scarce in his career trajectory, Henry points out that he's experienced two significant breaks from acting: during the pandemic lockdown and during the Hollywood strikes. For this perpetually moving actor, it seems the variety between projects serves as his form of rest, allowing him to continually renew his creative energy through diverse characters and stories.
Henry's latest project is Apple TV+'s limited series "Dope Thief," premiering Friday. He stars opposite Wagner Moura as Ray, one of two longtime friends in Philadelphia who impersonate federal agents to steal drugs and money. Their scheme unravels when they rob the wrong targets, forcing them to evade both the DEA and a drug kingpin while protecting their families.
"The minute that Wagner and I met each other, it was an instant electricity... We just felt like we knew each other all our lives," Henry said. "That is exactly what you needed for Ray and Manny."
The series was created and written by Peter Craig, adapted from Dennis Tafoya's novel, with the first episode directed by Ridley Scott. Craig describes Henry's acting versatility as "like a jazz musician... It's fantastic for a writer, because you can throw him all kinds of added moments, and he'll incorporate and use them all."
Interestingly, when "Dope Thief" came his way, Henry was craving a break from television. He had wrapped "Atlanta" and immediately jumped into FX's "Class of '09," where he played a character across three different time periods, leaving him exhausted.
"Television is hard, you know? Like, I hear myself complaining about it; I know it's a first world problem, but you get very attached when you're doing a series. You're living with the character for quite a long time."
It was during a 3 a.m. shoot for "Class of '09," wearing prosthetics as his character's future self, when his manager presented him with the "Dope Thief" script. "Within the first 10 pages I was incredibly attracted to Ray and also the bond he has with Manny."
While genuine downtime has been scarce in his career trajectory, Henry points out that he's experienced two significant breaks from acting: during the pandemic lockdown and during the Hollywood strikes. For this perpetually moving actor, it seems the variety between projects serves as his form of rest, allowing him to continually renew his creative energy through diverse characters and stories.