A Conversation with Darryl Stephens

This may become Darryl Stephens best week ever.

(1) His latest film, Not Quite Right, made its New York City debut at the New Fest. In Philip Schaff's ensemble drama, Darryl plays "Evan", a troubled young gay. (2) Boy Culture, a film that we've been discussing since last fall, is finally in theaters. (3) Finally, tonight is the kick-off of the "special edition" of Noah's Arc on Logo. It's the re-broadcast of the eight original episodes of the first season—complete with extras, outtakes and commentary—in anticipation of next week's released of the series on iTunes, and, the upcoming season.

Darryl's on-camera versatility has received rave reviews, and, he boasts a killer smile and a body that stops traffic. In advance of an upcoming print profile and interview, we thought to share some of Darryl's observations with Rod 2.0 readers. Also, to the credit of the young actor—as he's done before on these pages—Darryl was quite willing to discuss some of our early issues with the first season scripting of Noah's Arc ... and to take us to task.

But first: We discuss Boy Culture, the film adaptation of the critically-acclaimed novel by Matthew Rettenmund.

What attracted you to the part of Andrew?

The character that I play is a just-out-of-the closet jock, who finds himself attracted to his male escort roommate. I thought the fact that [director, co-writer] Q. Allan Brocka wanted to put a black actor in that role was kind of revolutionary. Allen had every opportunity to tap right in to the white gay masses by just putting some blonde, Abercrombie model into that role. Yet he was insistent that the character be played by a black man.

How did that work out?

I heard that Allan got quite a bit of opposition from at least one of the producers, but he didn't back down. By making that decision, [Brocka] directed a film that will stand apart because he brought race into a gay story, and, I've personally never seen that done—not since My Beautiful Laundrette.

That's one of my favorite gay movies, especailly the first kissing scene outside. So how does is this character a departure from what your Noah fans are accustomed to?

I love these questions!

You do? That's great. I love it that you love it.

Noah's Arc fans will probably be a little shocked. This character isn't campy or soft or fashionable at all. He's quiet, introspective and kind of simple. Noah is almost a gay superhero next to this guy.

Was there ever a doubt that the show would be renewed? Politically ... well, Logo almost had to green-light another season.

Yes, I thought the network would lose a lot of support if they didn't bring the show back. All the time, I hear people say they started watching the network because they caught wind of the show.

Yea, same here— But I've been in Hollywood for a long time now. Nothing on that level would really surprise me at this point.

Let's talk about the initial response to Noahs Arc.

It was hurtful. I was expecting that people would at least find the show entertaining. At the beginning, some very vocal gay black men took issue with the notion that none of the four main characters were hyper-masculine, straight-acting black guys. It was difficult to read and hear that people thought we were playing up stereotypes and doing some damage to the image of black gay culture.

And you disagreed?

I was more upset over the fact that people were so caught up in their own homophobia, their own preoccupation with DL bullshit that they weren't paying attention to the stories or the emotional places we were trying to go. A show with this budget is not going to be perfect. we're all getting better at our crafts every day.

It must be a difficult burden to bear. Do you feel a greater responsibility being the star of the very first black, gay television show?

Rod, let me tell you this story: On New Year's Eve, I was in New York City. In the Village. I met this kid from Philly named Chocolate who was born male, but he was fucking with gender in some very original and imaginative ways. He had long individual braids and make-up, and he was wearing faux fur ... he essentially told me that "Noah" was the first reflection of himself he'd ever seen. Anywhere. Noah was his hero. That really touched me. The idea that there are people out there, outcasts in their communities, who see these characters and as affirmations of their own existence was extremely profound to me.

That final anecdote is almost priceless and demonstrates the impact of Noah's Arc. Much more Darryl in the weeks to come and look for the details about the upcoming print interview and profile.

The special edition of Noah's Arc begins tonight on Logo. The first series will be available via iTunes next week.

Not Quite Right (New Fest)

Boy Culture (Review @ Gay.com)

Boy Culture: A Novel (Amazon)

Boy Culture: Blog (Matthew Rettenmund)

Noah's Arc: Part One (Logo)

New Now Next (Logo-Blog)

Previously:

A Conversation with E. Lynn Harris (Rod 2.0) A Conversation with Keith Boykin (Rod 2.0) A Conversation with Luther Mace (Rod 2.0) Darryl's "Boy Culture" (Rod 2.0) Noah, Noah, Noah (Rod 2.0) Darryl on Noah (Rod 2.0) Patrik-Ian Polk in "Genre" (Rod 2.0) Rockmond Dunbar Joins "Noah" (Rod 2.0) Keith Hamilton Cobb Joins "Noah" (Rod 2.0) Surprise! (Rod 2.0) Girls Gone Wild (Rod 2.0) Let's Try Something Different (Rod 2.0) Complex Rockmond (Rod 2.0) Brian White in OUT (Rod 2.0) Raz B Will Play Gay (Rod 2.0)

Comments

[Lee Owens]

Darryl Stephens sounds very well-spoken and intelligent. This is a great interview.

[Tony R]

The new years story was very inspirational. Thanks Darryl for starting off my morning with a smile.

[TheRevKev]

BRILLIANT INTERVIEW, ROD!

You just made me really rethink NOAH'S ARC and its importance on the landscape of who we are!

I am going to find this movie and check out ALL of Darryl Stephens and see how he expands and contracts as an actor!

But thank you again for the access and the insight to him!

[TheRevKev]

BRILLIANT INTERVIEW, ROD!

You just made me really rethink NOAH'S ARC and its importance on the landscape of who we are!

I am going to find this movie and check out ALL of Darryl Stephens and see how he expands and contracts as an actor!

But thank you again for the access and the insight to him!

[Carl]

darryl hit it right on the head. the show is mildly entertaining and can provcide hope to some, no more, no less. i had no idea that he was doing some many other things. rev kev is right, a fabulous interview but they all are.

i saw your profile in the advocate. its obvious that abc taught you well.

[Tony R]

Bravo Darryl Stephens! We love you!

[patrick s]

Very good interview, Darryl has some very good points but some gay men are just naturally masculine. Others are just naturally feminine or in between. But yes the show was geared toward the femmes. Was that a bad thing? Not really, especially if people like that trans boy feel vindicated. Then its a very good thing.

[timothy]

i'm very excited to see the new season, with all the new casting. hopefully the acting is better because as darryl said it is a limited budget and they are getting better every day. i liked middle episodes but the finale had too many holes. but fabuilous interview! hwo d you get all these great interviews and stories?

[ff]

the Boy Culture movie sounds interesting. it's good to see they didnt just put two white men together and shoot the film. not quite as revolutionary as having both characters be african american, but..........

great interview Rod. thanks!

[algie]

i am so proud of darryl and i wish him nothing but the best.noah's arc will always be the one show that when i watched it it wasn't about being feminine or masculine but seeing 2 gay brothas dealing with life. i will never forget how i felt like crying after that first episode. i can't wait for the new season

[greg]

I grew to like the show. Originally ok you could say I did not like Noah but he is human and has needs and emotions like everyone. Its such a blessing to see him and Wade together. Thanks for choosing those pics i almost cried. We love you Darryl Stephens!

[Nick]

Darryl is very courageous. He is an out black gay man working in Hollywood. More power to him.

[Pieter]

Very very handsome young man and obviously very intelligent. Enjoyed the interview.

[A. Ronald]

The show grew on me. Darryl was right, it's just a tv show. After I realized that it wasn't the end all, I began to enjoy it. Rod, please please PLEASE say that you will do those recaps again.

[Kat]

I'm still jealous that HE was kissing MY man all last season.

[Myles]

Not a huge Noah's Ark fan but enjoy Darryl Stephens. I'm glad that he is positive and upbeat.

If I may say this, I'm a suburban Connecticut gay married white guy. This is my first comment after reading for five or six months. Wonderful weblog, it's like a black and brown Towleroad. Just much better written and diverse!

[Rod]

This is Rod.

Darryl has a point and perhaps some of us--myself included--wanted too much too quickly. The show is entertainment and it had the fortune/misfortune to be the first of its kind. But we can't ascribe to "Noah" the same aspirations that we lend to "Oprah" or even Keith or sometimes this blog--that one person or vehicle has to uplift the people. It is what it is, one, singular voice.

Thanks so much to Darryl for talking to me and all of you for raeding.

[Ken Harper]

The show is young and new. We should give them a chance. It takes courage to be out and we should support darryl.Many of his critics won't even give their real names.

[Alan T]

I wouldn't say that the recaps wee critical. They were bitchy but you have to be a bitch to be gay and watch anything. Right Miss Rod? Miss Darryl is fierce. Work on the fashions next season, tho. Come to new York and shop.

[Michael]

He doesn't sound anything like his character on tv that is so refreeshing.

[Joe Jons]

Hopefully these new casting additions will elevate the script and acting. Let us not forget that "Will & Grace" was not really a hit for several seasons. Unfortunately that show went over the top. So congratulations darryl, great interview.

very nice lips!!

[Derrick from Philly]

Well, THANK YOU, JESUS, and Darryl, and Rod! Anybody who has paid any attention to my ranting and raving (sometimes without logic) on Rod's,Keith's, Jasmyne's, and Towleroad's websites on this issue will know happy, overjoyed, ecstatic, orgasmic I feel after reading Rod's interview with Darryl. Finally, someone from Noah's Arc speaks out about the "femm bashing" that's gone on since the show first appeared. Also, one of very dishonest ways the critics criticized the show was to question the acting ability of the Noah's Arc cast. I knew that was dishonest, cowardly bullshit! The hyper-masculine (and macho wannabe) viewers just didn't like the gender-bending characterizations on the show. Darryl Stephens and the other performers on Noah's Arc are accomplished young actors--actually young veterans in stage,film and TV work. Lord, Ah's a happy chile this mornin'--mid mornin'. Also, if you really must see more masculine presentations of black gay men on film, there is a film called "STrange Fruit" which is coming out on DVD this month. Buy it! The main character is about as deliciously butch as a black gay boy can be...I mean, black gay MAN. Oooops.

[ff]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2OJXv3PK8&search=darryl%20stephens

good commericial with Darryl.

[ff]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2OJXv3PK8

let's try that again...

[Brandon]

Darryl Stephens is my hero. He's a good actor and very handsome and he is very confident. We love you Darryl. If you are in Miami and need a place to stay call me boo!