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Lance Gross (House Of Payne) and Halston Sage (How To Rock) have been cast in NBC’s drama pilot from writer-executive producer Rand Ravich. Described as an emotionally charged action thriller set in and around the world of Washington DC, the pilot follows Marcus Finley (Gross), an idealistic Secret Service agent who finds 
himself at the epicenter of an international crisis on his first day on the job as the President’s son’s protection when the son, along with several of his schoolmates, are kidnapped. Sage, repped by CAA and Roar, will play Amber, the daughter of Meg (Gillian Anderson), who is among the abducted. Rachael Taylor also co-stars. Gross is with WME and the Schiff Co.
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This pilot script is fantastic. I have no idea how this can extend into an open-ended series, but that is half the fun of hoping this goes forward.
Nice to see Lance Gross breaking out! Very talented young man.
Seems like it will be a pretty good show… lets see
I watched a few of that tyler perry show and it was terrible and unfortunately this young guy lance was even worse. This pilot wont see the light of day. He lacks presence and technical skill. The shows that tyler guy produces do a great disservice to the actors.
Halston was excellent on How To Rock and will thrive on the next level. Good for her, good for this pilot. Beyond Perf.
This is sad. There’s a multitude of untapped, classically trained Black male actors eager for an opportunity like this, but who lands it? An untrained, untalented Black man who has a big comp agent. This is why the industry has yet to discover the next Denzel. The oppurtunity for Black talent onscreen is consistently waisted on mediocre yet “known” talent such as crappy Tyler Perry actors or lackluster rappers/actresses who, though talented in their respective musical arenas, fall flat when delivering film character lines. It’s disheartening to watch as a black woman and consumer who knows there is better talent to be seen and even better content to be presented.
Avid Alice – have you even read the script to know that Lance would not be a good fit? Who would you suggest land this role?
Alice, you need to rent “The Last Fall’ and see Lance’s work on that.
Lance Gross received a Bachelor of Arts in theater from Howard University and then trained at The Ivanna Chubbuck Studio as well as the Tasha Smith Acting Studio.
How much training does a guy need?
You know, I’ve had my share of opinions about talented actors not getting a fair shake. But, I have to tell you…lately…I’m moving away from that negative place. I had an epiphany the other day:
I am talented. I have training. I’ve proved myself to showrunners, directors, producers, casting directors etc… I do not work as much as I would like to because I can’t get in the room week to week with no agent and a manager who fields calls, but makes none. Now, comes the epiphany:
Hollywood, showrunners, producers, directors, casting directors…none of them “OWE” me/us anything. Talent and dedication to your work are paramount, but those things aside, nobody made guarantees to any of us when we followed our hearts into this industry. Does it suck to keep reading about other people being let into the party while we stand outside in line freezing our cajones off? Absolutely.
All we can do is work like animals and accept that it’s a numbers game. You or I or any other talent in this town, will either make it, or we won’t but…
NO ONE OWES US ANYTHING.
Just do your work, which should be easy, because it’s what you love to do.
Peace.
I think it’s great that Lance is getting his shot prime time NBC. Although to most he may see him as “untrained” and “untalented,” but this may be his chance to prove he can play such a serious role. Avid Alice, you say that about all of these untapped actors, but it’s not like Lance has been on the Big Screen for very long. He hasn’t even had a chance to prove himself yet. Remember Denzel, Will Smith and Wesley Snipes played in mediocre roles in their young careers. Lance may just need a ground breaking role to help Jim develop as a true actor. Good Luck Lance, can’t wait to see what you and Halston have for primetime!
It’s ignorant Avid Alice to say that Lance Gross wouldn’t be a good fit. I wouldn’t go to say that he isn’t untrained seemly that his alumini of Howard University which graduates are Ossie Davis, Phylicia Rashad, Debbie Allen, Taraji P. Henson, Tracie Thoms, Isaiah Washington, and Marlon Wayans several actors who have had fantastic careers as actors. You can’t say that Lance Gross can’t hold his own seemly that he didn’t get cast in roles that required heavy lifting until he did “The Last Fall” Much success to you brother
Here’s the thing, my view of Lance Gross is based on his lackluster body of work. I give credit wholeheartedly when it’s due, but Mr. Gross’ acting is devoid of depth, variety, and presence; all of which is paramount for a solid leading man (see Don Cheadle in ‘House of Lies’). Great, even good believable acting shows despite the size of a role, despite a bad script, or any other factor. If you’re good, you’re good. Lance Gross isn’t.