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EXCLUSIVE: Rapper-turned-actor Common is set for his first regular TV gig, landing a lead role in the AMC period drama pilot Hell on Wheels. Common has become the first actor cast in the Western, which centers on the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. He will play Elam, a freed slave who comes west seeking work on the railroad and his place in the world. As a half black, half white man he does not completely belong to either world.
“Common brings a layered intensity to a very complex role,” AMC’s SVP programming Joel Stillerman said. “This part required someone who can transcend the stereotypes of the period and bring the character to life in a truly unique way, and he brings that.”
Grammy winner Common most recently starred in the movies Just Wright and Date Night. His feature credits also include American Gangster, Wanted and Terminator Salvation. Hell on Wheels was created and written by Joe and Tony Gayton and developed by Endemol USA. The Gaytons and Endemol USA’s Jeremy Gold executive produce; Entertainment One’s John Morayniss and Michael Rosenberg oversee production. David Von Ancken is directing the pilot, which is scheduled to begin production in August in Alberta, Canada.
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Good for Common! This guy is making all the right moves. He’s proof that rappers need not become a spectacle or behave like buffoons to advance and get noticed.
More diversity on television is a good thing. Not really sure how today’s audience will respond to a Western series but I’ll check it out and if it’s good I’ll support.
Agreed Curtis. I love me some western. Ever since the premature cancellation of Deadwood I’ve been hoping for something to pop up. Maybe this’ll be it. I’ve liked Common in most of the short roles I’ve seen him in so there’s reason to be optimistic.
Will Smith, MosDef and Common may turn out to be the best rappers turned actors yet IMO
Thank you Hollywood for another period piece where blacks don’t exist or where were are slaves, ex-slaves or oppressed by The Man.
The new trend in denial is to create a fake “nostalgia” trend in TV to justify casting no black actors or to create subservient roles for the period. This of course allows showrunners to continue to hire their talented friends and not hire black writers or perhaps a free “minority program” writer.
Thanks guys good looking out.
You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
1.) How could you get that impression from reading the above article when he is a FREED SLAVE looking for work on the railroad? THE LEAD NO LEST. Meaning that while he may have been in a subservient position due to his circumstance, he is still an independent man looking to create something better for himself.
2.) This type of show will REQUIRE a diverse writing staff. Because the same old stories won’t apply. If anything, this show will NEED black writers whose grandmothers and great grandmothers used to tell them stories of THEIR grandparents and great grandparents who were alive during that period.
3.) JJ Abrams’s show new show STARS two black actors in the lead. JJ ABRAMS! ON NETWORK TV…
So go back to Bitterville cause you are making the other black tv writers who don’t NEED the “minority” slot (not that there’s anything wrong with the minority slot, as I did start there) look bad.
re: tbc
1) I’m reserving judgment until I see the show but the original poster, overzealous though he may have been, was merely lamenting the fact that to Hollywood the sum of black historical experience seems to consist of being enslaved, recently enslaved, or otherwise victimized. thus, perpetuating an exceedingly narrow view of black people in America.
2) there’s no evidence to support that a non-white lead or non-white focused storyline will result in a greater number of non-white production staff (writers/producers, etc) being hired. Typically the opposite is true. I doubt all the black writers currently working in tv if pulled to work on this project would equal the largest writing staff of any major network show now in production. The real question is why.
3) That show is on the air solely based on the commercial viability of J.J. Abrams. Credit to him for using his position to mandate such a progressive move. In no other scenario does a major network greenlight a prime time show with two non-white leads.
And I like Common, I don’t want to rehash the whole rapper/actor thing but his selection demonstrates the pathological mentality of hollywood. Really, are there no trained actors anywhere? Do they think the people who are going to watch this show are big hip hop fans? I know Obama’s president but does he have to be bi-racial? Can a dark skinned brother get some love?
And I’m curious, black chick: how many non-white writers were brought on your last show or were you the one black female that most shows hire typically for one season before replacing?
As a matter of fact FunkD, the last show I worked on had an asian male, and two black female writers OTHER than me. And this was on a writing staff of seven.
The show I worked on before that had two black female writers (one of which was me), 3 white guys over the aged of 50, and two white women, one of which was the showrunner.
The show before that, I was the diversity writer and only writer of any color on the staff.
…And none of those shows were on UPN, TBS or BET. So yes, I do know what I’m talking about.
I’m not saying it is a perfect world, far from it. What I AM saying is:
1.) watch the show before casting judgement.
2.) don’t ex out the opportunity before it’s given.
3.) give credit where credit is due.
They didn’t HAVE to make the pilot at all… They didn’t HAVE to have a storyline with a black character at all. Also, regarding JJ Abrams: WHO CARES WHY HE DID IT? I care that he did, and that is a BIG leap in the right direction.
As a writer, I can see why they would make him bi-racial. You want to set-up as much possible conflict for your character to have starting out. Bi-racial in the 19the century? LOTS of conflict, and it starts internally.
And Funk D, I always, always, always have love for my dark-skinned brotha’s. So consider this a token of love for ya’ll. :-*
uh, black chick, I agree with you to some extent that the previous post wasn’t that accurate or astute, however, I know those AMC execs well, the exec at Endemol and the writers who are all a bunch of liars who actually chose a rapper with no acting ability at all, and i can assure you that they are not looking for strong black writers. they did want an actor (i use that loosely) who would not question their recounting of black history and who would feel comfortable with them using the n-word frequently, as it is true to the period. the script was very decent, but you’re telling me that they had a choice of Michael Ealy or Terence Howard or even Jesse Williams, to play such an important part of history and those geniuses chose Common? trust me, they are definitely looking for subservient, but not in the way that the previous poster phrased it. Common? Really? the guy can barely string two lines together without good directors wanting to cut away from him. he’s horrible. i really hope this series fails. that’s terrible casting. the powers that be love rap stars and have no respect for black “actors” and it’s sad… btw – AMC has no black people in any leading role on any of their hit shows and to choose Common as the first…? David Von Ancken who is a good guy and good director, is probably pulling his hair out in frustration right now..
That may be the case. I don’t know any execs at AMC or Endemol. I was purely responding to Mr. N.
As far as no black actors on their other shows, I have noticed that. However, and I might be in the real minority in saying this, I’d much prefer shows not have a minority character than have a “token”. To me, the “token” is an insult. The character is rarely used, or if they are used, it is in a haphazard way and brings nothing to the story.
Diversity works best (and I mean for every minority) when the character is organic to the series and/ or storytelling… like a Shield, or a Cosby Show, or the Wire. Otherwise, they are just an afterthought and serve no purpose at all and are therefore uninteresting.
As far as Common goes, I like him. He’s not the best actor out there, but neither was Will Smith when he started. Yes, I’d much rather see a trained actor get the role, but apparently they wanted some name that would fit their budget.
David Von Acken didnt look like he was pulling his hair out the other day when Common was doing his thing.Seemed happy wih some of the results.I believe Common is basically just an up and comer….and he has the right to start somewhere….and YES,I believe the name may help. Plus it is doing some good for everyone involved in production of this show. JOBS !!!
Actually, he is a freed slave. I saw the pilot while I was at the MGM in LAs Vegas
Great show…it will be a good one
According to the 1 drop of black rule of the time, his place would have been with all the other people of color. The description above already has me a bit concerned that they are going to whitewash (pardon the pun) the situation of the time. What would have been more interesting in terms of being at home in neither world is black and native American. While the black and white issue (you are black) would have been a straight forward issue for society of the time, the black/native american situation was truly a situation of being an outsider.
Love Common’s music…
Don’t quite buy him as anything but a musician. I find it sad he plays parts more capable actors could/should be doing, especially when NOBODY is plunking down their hard earned money to see him.
Again, great musician, but he doesn’t add anything to a piece like this.
he’s not a good enough actor to pull this off. HUGE mistake. he’s never been good in anything… his first performance as a lead in “Just Wright” should give any creator pause… much, much better actors out there…
common is one of the nicest people i’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting or working around.
came for a fitting and i introduced myself talked a bit about how The Light is a great song and he’s taking great steps in the acting world. He came back a month later for his first day of shooting and walked up to me and said “Hey Justin how have you been?”
I was shocked and happy.
Very awesome guy
wish you the best!
Justin,
I see what you’re saying. I’ve never met Common,just looking at his movie Just Right it seems so real. That part was for him. To me I took it as that was really him not acting.When I first saw the movie I had played it over three times. I had to say this is a movie, because he really played that part. Very sweet man to me that is how I betray him to really be.
Common was particularly awful in Just Wright. I mean, just bad. He was wooden and had zero charisma. His casting was almost enough to sink that movie if it wasn’t for Queen Latifah carrying the whole damn thing on her back.
He’s taking a role from any number of hardworking and more talented black actors just because he has a “name” and it’s very unfortunate.
I’m sorry, but I fear that he just won’t be up to this challenge and it will result in an underdeveloped character.
Yo Black Chick,
A. He is an ex-slave with a bunch of ex-slaves that are working the railroad. He’s their leader and is a fully realized character constantly working against his circumstance. You’re gonna be surprised/Pissed who he becomes BFF’s with.
B. There are very, very few Black writers on television and the minority programs are the only thing getting them jobs. Reason is most Black writers ONLY want to write or know Black experiences. The programs teach to write for a wider audience you should know that since you’re a grad.
C. UNDERCOVERS probably has two seasons at best. Sorry, even in the age of Obama audiences will not accept a Black Husband/Wife duo as anything but genre television in a primetime slot.
A.) I don’t care. I will reserve judgement for when I actually see the pilot and can judge the story.
B.) You have NO idea what you are talking about. There are few Black writers working because they haven’t been hired, NOT because they only know “the black experience”. Any successful black person in this country must grow up and LIVE two experiences. We need to know how to roll in both the black and white world to be credible to both.
The minority program is NOT the only thing getting us jobs… I’d say our agents and managers are.
And SINCE I am a grad of one, I know they DON’T teach us to write for a wider audience. The programs ACTUALLY help you gain access to the people you need to meet to have a successful career. That’s ALL they do. They don’t get you a job. They don’t guarantee you a job. They put you in a position to get the job. Period.
C.) Who cares? I care that it is a chance that has been taken. JJ Abrams has a pretty good TV record, so I’ll bet it’ll live longer than that.
And by the way, audiences HAVE accepted a Black husband/wife duo before. In fact, that duo had one of the most successful primetime network shows of all time: THE COSBY SHOW. Well before Obama.
Seems like a great script & I like his look but I have to agree with the critics…He is not good enough. I’ve been watching Terminator Salvation all weekend on HBO and couldn’t believe how bad Common’s acting was.
I know a great kid for this role and who would have definitely been cheaper: Kurtis Ovesen
Common is not a terrible actor; he is a new actor learning his craft and should grow into this role with the proper direction. Some comments appear to be about taking personal aim at folks and situations that Common has nothing to do with and that’s unfair. His role in Street Kings – also running on cable this weekend — was very well acted. I thought it was clever to select him for the role and my bet is that it will pay-off. A lot of other actors were dismissed at the beginning of their careers but later developed into good actors: Jamie Foxx and Halle Berry.
Well just watched Hell On Wheels this weekend On Demand and the unfortunate verdict is in – COMMON IS A HORRIBLE ACTOR. Not just bad, really – he’s just awful. His facial expressions ranged from blank stare to slightly blanker stare. My roommate and I were rewinding the DVr and just laughing and scratching our heads at his delivery… what is he doing? Does he realize he’s on camera? The excuse that “he’s an up and coming actor who deserves a break” is only half true; if he’s “still building his craft” maybe he should do that in smaller, regional theatre performances… not in a national arena in which his “practice parts” continue to single-handedly boot audiences out of the illusion of cinema and remind you “wow, this guy… is he like a rapper or something? ’cause I can tell he’s not an actor… maybe someone’s friend? Producer’s buddy?” Truth is he’s one of those non-threatenting rappers that white people just love to embrace. But because of that he’s also totally wrong for this part, as it rquired someone with a bigger chip on their shoulder. Anyway, Hell On Wheels’ days are definitely numbered as a result of this poor casting decision.
VINDICATION IS SO SWEET!