From Hotel Clerk To Gang Leader, Christopher B. Duncan Talks New Kingpin Role In ‘BMF’
Known for his versatile roles ranging from Braxton Hartnabrig on The Jamie Foxx Show to gang leader, Spyro, in Original Gangsters — Christopher B. Duncan has now joined the hit Starz series BMF as kingpin, Blaze.
As the third season preps for its premiere, Duncan spoke with VIBE about joining the franchise after wrapping up seven seasons of the Apple TV series, Swagger, last year. Giving viewers an inside scoop on the dynamics of his newest role of Blaze, the Lincoln, Neb., native shared how this character is much different from anyone he’s played before.
“In so many ways, Blaze is a very unique character, especially because of the dynamic between him and his daughter Henrietta. That’s really very unique in and of itself,” he shared without giving too much away. “The fact that Blaze is a kingpin in this drug world; the fact that Blaze was a former detective in narcotics — I mean that dynamic right there alone…”
“To play a character that has that kind of background, that kind of knowledge in this world, it gives me — as Blaze — so many opportunities to keep my organization protected because I know all the pitfalls,” he continued. “I know the ways in which people in this world fall into traps. I know all of that, so I know how to avoid it. Blaze plays chess and so many people in this world play checkers, and they fall because of it. That’s where a lot of Blaze’s power comes from.”
Duncan now joins a talented cast of familiar and new faces including Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory, who plays his father Big Meech; Abraham Da’Vinchi Juste, who plays Meech’s brother, Terry; Lala (Markaisha), Sydney Mitchell (Lawanda), Ne-Yo (Greeny), 2 Chainz (Stacks), Lil Baby (Payne), Saweetie (Keeya), and more.
Speaking to joining the cast, the 59-year-old additionally shared his sentiments of being labeled a “Black actor” in Hollywood, instead of the consideration that he’s “an actor and [he’s] Black.”
“I think one of the biggest problems is that — on the part of certain executives or the powers that be in this business — there is this perception that there’s separation,” he explained. “I’ll give you a perfect example: many years ago when Do the Right Thing came out, Spike was called one of the best Black directors. His response was, ‘I’m not a Black director. I’m a director, and I’m Black.’ That to me speaks volumes about the problem.”
“We have certain powers that be in Hollywood looking at an actor like myself or any other Black actor or actor of color, and thinking, ‘Oh, that person’s not an actor, he or she is a Black actor’ — no, they’re an actor and they’re Black. So perception is huge,” he added.
Thinking of how the degree of separation between a talented actor and the color of his/her skin can someday close, Duncan foreshadowed, “As soon as we’re able to be perceived in the way that we deserve to be, progress and forward movement for the better will be achieved.” However, he did acknowledge that it’s going to be an uphill battle in Hollywood.
“It’s a hard road, because think about it, ‘Yes, we’ve had progress, thank goodness, but here we are in 2024 and we’re still dealing with these issues.”
Viewers can check out Christopher B. Duncan channeling a kingpin named Blaze on March 1 upon the premiere of BMF’s third season. Check out the official trailer below.
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