Michael K. Williams on "The Wire": Omar's Sexuality is "Fearless"

Michael K. Williams is the man of the moment. Last week, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama heralded Williams' character "Omar"—the black gay homothug and stickup artist with the heart of gold on HBO's gritty drama The Wire—as his favorite character on television. This week. Williams is interviewed on NPR and says Omar's shotgun is not the most fearless aspect of his character. It's being openly gay.

"The most fearless thing I had to play as Omar was his openness about his sexuality," Williams tells Terry Gross in the interview on Fresh Air. (Audio) "I wanted that to be serious, I wanted him to be believable, and, I didn't wan to disrespect anyone in the gay community."

The actor also says he had no hesitation about playing the character and embraced the role. "I looked at this as an opportunity to stand out," Williams says. "I saw there were some stellar kick ass actors on the series, I wanted to fit in."

Williams says that prove his mettle, he surprised his co-star and improvised that first kiss with "Brandon" on Season One. "I told him we should put the kiss in there and he said, 'Don't tell me when you're going to do it, just surprise me.' So we did it. Then, after we finished and loaded the bullets in the shogun, 'click-click', it was like the ultimate contrast to me."

Michael K. Williams interview with Terry Gross is beautiful. It's rare to hear actors—especially from the black community, and, the inner cities—present so much honesty and respect to their LGBT characters and the community. It's also rare to hear an actor discuss the psychology and sexuality of a character and never once cite their own heterosexuality as a buffer. Bravo.

Thanks MARK.

You May Have Missed ...
Obama: Omar on "The Wire" is A "Black, Gay, Fascinating" Character [R20]
Michael K. Williams and Being Gay on "The Wire" [R20]
Why Obama is Losing Black Voters [HuffPo]
Welcome to the Campaign, Barack [HuffPo]
Deb Price on Blacks LGBTs and Obama [R20]
All Up in Omar's Game [Popnography]
The Parts You Can't Make Up [Popnography]
Best Gay Sex Scenes on TV [After Elton]

Comments

[MDS]

it was a kick azz interview. I have another level of respect for Michael after hearing him talk. truly brings the character alive in a way not seen on tv before for a gay character. I was also surprised to hear that he was a dancer and had appeared in several music videos

[MDS]

it was a kick azz interview. I have another level of respect for Michael after hearing him talk. truly brings the character alive in a way not seen on tv before for a gay character. I was also surprised to hear that he was a dancer and had appeared in several music videos

[DFS]

i have confusion around him. I think he is great either way, but did he or did he not say on Wendy Williams that he is gay? I had heard that but didnt hear the interview myself. Then other places I read he is not gay.

[Blah!]

I have never actually watched the Wire because I feel like we all need to be tired of the same old story of Black Americans having to be thugs, drug dealers, and drug addicts. With that being said, I still admire the fact that this man can apparently portray a gay character in such a way that it moves people to view being gay in a different light. I know personally I am a masculine gay man and I feel like with the plethora of "mainstream" characters that people like me are routinely overlooked. So kudos to this guy if he is making people realize that we are men too. I just wish it didn't involve guns and violence. It IS kinda sexy tho ;)

[Blah!]

I have never actually watched the Wire because I feel like we all need to be tired of the same old story of Black Americans having to be thugs, drug dealers, and drug addicts. With that being said, I still admire the fact that this man can apparently portray a gay character in such a way that it moves people to view being gay in a different light. I know personally I am a masculine gay man and I feel like with the plethora of "mainstream" characters that people like me are routinely overlooked. So kudos to this guy if he is making people realize that we are men too. I just wish it didn't involve guns and violence. It IS kinda sexy tho ;)

[DFS]

"I have never actually watched the Wire because I feel like we all need to be tired of the same old story of Black Americans having to be thugs, drug dealers, and drug addicts."

That is certainly an oversimplification of what The Wire portrays. It also shows black lawyers, cops, and politicians and how they fit into the system.

I like to see interesting, compelling characters regardless of the space they occupy in the social structure. Yes, it was nice to see a black doctor married to a black lawyer on The Cosby Show, but after a while that show got real boring and real corny.

[ATL Kid]

>>>I like to see interesting, compelling characters regardless of the space they occupy in the social structure.<<<

Very good observation.

[Dluv]

God I love Michael K. Williams. That is all.....

[Lucas]

The Wire is simply the best show on tv. Michael K Williams is simply the best actor on tv.

[Jim]

Now that was one intense interview. He's one intense dude. And his career path has been truly one of those "only-in-New-York"-type stories.

Thanks for sharing.

[j. brotherlove]

Thanks for highlighting this interview with Michael K. Williams, Rod. His character, Omar, is groundbreaking and has always been my favorite.

I didn't catch on to The Wire until Season 2 because, like others, I'm tired of only seeing black characters through a drug/gang lens. Boy, did I underestimate the series!

The Wire is much more complex than that. It examines how drugs, people, schools, government, law enforcement and media interplay to create the complex situation that fuels our existence.

It's easy to think that if you don't do drugs or gangbang that you have nothing to do with how "these people" live.

Like life, nearly every action by one character on the show affects others, both knowingly and unknowingly.

It's one of the best written, directed and acted series in television history.

[MDS]

Got the watch the wire. It truly is one of the best shows on tv. the key is you have to watch it from the beginning. There are a lot of characters and each show builds on them. Its a hard show to watch if you have not watched it from the beginning.

[Naymon]

MDS, you're right. "The Wire" isn't easy to watch but it's worth it!

[mike]

I look at the wireall the time it a great show